A New Day – First Day at University
Late-night Tahajjud
Tonight was one of those nights when Zoya's heart was heavy with thoughts. She didn't wake up for Tahajjud (late-night prayer) regularly, but whenever her heart was full of emotions, something pulled her out of her sleep. Tonight was one of those times. She checked the clock—3 AM. The world outside was silent, but inside her, a storm of emotions was raging.
She left her bed, performed wudu (ablution), and stood for prayer. As she raised her hands, tears already blurred her vision. Her heart whispered the words her tongue could not express. She prayed for him. She didn't know why, but from the very first moment she had felt something for him, her prayers had always included him. When she saw certain things in his lifestyle, her heart instantly turned to prayer. There were others around him, but her heart chose to pray for only him.
She placed her forehead on the ground, and the words spilled out from the depths of her soul:
> اللهم اهدني واهدِهِ واجعلنا من عبادك الصالحين
Allahumah-dini wa ahdihi waj'alna min 'ibādikas-sāliheen.
(O Allah, guide me and guide him, and make us among Your righteous servants.)
Tears wet the prayer mat as she repeated the supplication, asking Allah to open his heart to the right path, to let him see the beauty of truth. She didn't ask for him to change for her—she asked for him to change for himself, for the sake of his own soul.
After finishing her prayer, she returned to bed, but sleep didn't come easily. Her mind drifted back to the past, to the moment when she first prayed for him. She hadn't understood it then, and maybe she still didn't fully understand it now, but something in her heart always whispered that he was different.
---
Fajr Prayer & Morning Tea
She must have dozed off for a little while, but the soft tune of her alarm woke her—it was time for Fajr (dawn prayer). She offered her prayer, and after that, she didn't go back to sleep. Today was her first day at university, and she wanted to start it well.
Since she had extra time, she decided to make herself some tea. Using a teapot was a bit tricky, but she managed. With a cup of warm tea and some biscuits, she stepped outside her room. The crisp morning air was colder than in Pakistan, making her teeth chatter, but the sound of birds chirping made the moment peaceful.
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Getting Ready for First Day
She walked toward her wardrobe, opening it to pick an outfit. Her fingers moved over the different fabrics, each one carrying a memory.
What should I wear on my first day? she thought for a moment before choosing a long frock that touched her ankles, paired with a sweater to stay warm. As she took out her scarf and carefully draped it over her head, a past memory surfaced.
"Ye ja to rahi hai, dekhna kapray chhorray ho jayenge, dupatta lena chhor de gi," someone had once said. (She's leaving now—let's see how long she keeps wearing her traditional clothes, let's see when she stops wearing a dupatta [headscarf].)
Their words echoed in her mind, but she smiled to herself. Her values were not so fragile that distance could erase them.
---
Breakfast & Campus
As she finished getting ready, Ruhi and Hana woke up. They looked at her in surprise.
"You're ready this early?" Ruhi asked.
Zoya smiled. "It's my first day. I don't want to be late."
Hana laughed. "You're not late, you're too early!"
Zoya shrugged. "I woke up for Fajr, and after that, I couldn't go back to sleep, so I thought I might as well get ready."
Once all three of them were ready, they headed to the mess hall for breakfast. But as soon as Zoya saw the breakfast menu, her excitement faded. No parathas (flatbread), no traditional taste—just simple options that felt unfamiliar. She sighed, already missing her home-cooked breakfast.
After breakfast, they left for campus. Ruhi and Hana looked at her with concern.
"Are you nervous?" Hana asked.
Zoya shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
"If you feel alone, just let us know. We'll come to your side," Ruhi offered.
Zoya smiled at their kindness. "No, dear, thank you. Yesterday, both of you skipped your classes just to help me settle in. Today, you should focus on your studies. I'll manage."
They nodded, smiling. "Alright, good luck!" They waved before heading toward their business department. While they studied Business, Zoya studied Education.
She took a deep breath and stepped toward her own campus.
Before attending her first class, she went to the student services area to apply for her student card. Once that was done, she headed to her class. Since she joined late, she wasn't sure what to expect.
The first class was mostly spent with new students like her, introducing themselves and getting familiar with the environment. Some students had been there for a month, some were seniors, and some were even younger. Zoya observed everything carefully, taking in the new atmosphere.
---
Meeting New Friends
A girl sat beside her. She looked friendly, so Zoya smiled and introduced herself.
"I'm Zoya. And you?"
The girl smiled back. "I'm Minji. I'm from Seoul."
They chatted for a bit before the professor entered and started the lecture. The day passed smoothly, moving from one class to another. By the end of her university hours, Zoya felt satisfied. It was a normal day, but it felt like the beginning of something bigger.
After classes, she met Sofia. She was also a new student, just like Zoya, but from Morocco.
As they walked outside, Sofia asked, "How was your first day?"
"It was good," Zoya replied. "A little overwhelming, but interesting."
Sofia nodded. "Same here. But tomorrow might be harder."
"Why?" Zoya asked.
"Some classmates were discussing notes with us today. It seems like we have a lot to catch up on," she explained.
Zoya sighed. "Since we both joined late, we'll have to work extra hard to cover the missing lessons."
"Exactly!" Sofia agreed.
They decided to visit the cafeteria before heading back. The warm atmosphere and casual chatter made them feel a little more comfortable.
As they sat down with their drinks, Zoya turned to her with curiosity.
"So, Sofia, why did you choose to study in Korea?" she asked, stirring her tea.
Sofia smiled, taking a sip of her coffee. "Morocco is beautiful, but I wanted a new experience. Korean universities are more advanced in research and education. Plus, I've always been fascinated by the culture. What about you?"
Zoya paused for a moment. "I wanted to explore new opportunities. And honestly, something in my heart always pulled me toward this place."
Sofia nodded, understanding the depth of her words. "Adjusting must be difficult, right?"
"A little," Zoya admitted. "Especially the food! I miss my traditional breakfasts."
Sofia chuckled. "Same here! But I guess we'll get used to it."
---
When Zoya returned to her room, she walked over to her desk and gently placed her tea maker back in its spot.
Their room wasn't big, but it held a kind of warmth that made it feel safe. She shared it with Ruhi and Hana. Each of them had their own little space.
Her bed was by the window. Every morning, the sunlight slipped through the curtain and landed right on her pillow. On her desk, she had placed a few things from home—a framed photo of her family, her journal, and a small dua (supplication) book. She had hung fairy lights along the wall, and beside them, a shawl from home that still smelled faintly like her mother's cupboard.
Ruhi's corner was full of color—skin care bottles, sticky notes, and a tiny mirror with lights. Hana's side was neat and bookish, with a small potted plant she watered every day.
This little room carried their prayers, their laughs, their silent thoughts, and Zoya's late-night Tahajjud moments. It was far from home, but day by day, it was becoming a new kind of home.
As she sat down, sipping tea and watching the evening light fade, she felt a sense of peace. Her heart might still be full of unanswered questions, but she knew—this was just the beginning.
And whatever came next, she was ready to face it, InshaAllah (God willing).
To be Continued…
Regards,
ZK💌