His pity for her grew even stronger. He looked at the nurse and signaled for him to give her something good. After she received it, she thanked him and left.

His sister looked at him with teary eyes. She wondered if the cheap price was because Uncle bought extra for her. Even though he didn’t say it, she knew he did it from his heart — because she was a girl in distress. And how could a friend explain this story in such detail if it didn’t affect him deeply?”

Sagir continued:

“From that day, my friend couldn’t get her out of his mind. He kept passing through that area hoping to see her again, but sadly he never did. Then he got posted for his national service (NYSC), and even there he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t forget the girl or the sadness he saw in her.

Now I want you to advise me — I mean, advise my friend. What should he do? He’s afraid time will pass and he’ll forget her…”

A deep shyness washed over Jalila. Her head bowed, her hands fidgeted, and she smiled shyly.

He asked, “Jalila? You didn’t say anything. Don’t you think the girl would like him too?”

She lifted her head shyly. “How would she like hi—”

His intense gaze made her quickly cover her face with both palms in embarrassment.

He asked gently, “How would she like him?”

She peeked at him quickly and said, “That’s not what I meant…”

He smiled. “Then how would she not like him?”

She stood up quickly in embarrassment and started heading for the door. She was almost out when he said:

“Don’t you think my friend is acting improperly? Considering she was his student?”

Without looking back she said, “But he wasn’t a permanent teacher there. And even if he was, I don’t think…”

She couldn’t finish because she started laughing shyly.

He said, “You always stop halfway through your sentences. And my heart wants to hear what you’re trying to say.”

Shyly, she turned, glanced at him, and hurried out.

He closed his eyes, feeling an unusual warmth, and watched the door she exited through.

Jalila stood outside smiling alone — truly today she felt happiness.

She saw their car pulling up and rushed inside because she saw Uncle approaching — and now she felt shy around him.

Inside the car, Safeena asked, “Jalila, what’s that teacher’s name?”

Jalila frowned. “Which one?”

“The one we saw this morning, the one who parked his car over there,” Safeena said, pointing at Sagir’s car.

Jalila frowned even more. “Why?”

“What do you mean why? I just liked him, that’s why I’m asking.”

Jalila replied, “Then go ask his wife, because I don’t know.”

Safeena gasped. “He has a wife?”

Jalila hid her laughter. “Insha’Allah he’ll marry your sister, not you.”