Zoya rushed in clutching the elongated strap of her bag, her pumps causing a clicking against the white tiles of the university floor. She had been summoned to the meeting room to discuss an important project for '', the Health Association of Seattle Univerity.

She was very passionate about this association as it trained her for cardiology. They would do group projects around the city related to different health issues and help all demographics of people; it was a very rewarding job.

She pushed down on the brass door handle and she was inside an ivory white room with a huge table which extended from one side to the other. Fourteen heads turned and Zoya anxiously giggled.

"Sorry I'm late," she blurted as she met eyes with Evan, her classmate and head of the association. "No worries," a dimpled smile graced his features. He gestured to an empty seat next to one of her classmates which she sheepishly took her place in. Her classmate Merian handed her a notepad and pen. "Okay now that we are all present, I will get to the order of business."

"Our last project: raising funds to aid cancer research centers was a huge success! Fred's marketing techniques gave our project a reach on social media which brought us attention. Zoya's impeccable organizing skills built the foundation of our event and Rome's good connections brought us many willing donations. To conclude, we all did an amazing job, let's have a round of applause for ourselves."

An enthusiastic applause echoed around the room and a slight blush enlightened Zoya's cheeks. She had really put her everything into the last project but she hadn't expected her work to be noticed and appreciated. Rome, who was sitting beside her let out a cheer and pat Zoya on the back earning a shy smile from her in return.

"Now that our second project was a success, we will be taking it a step further with our new project. Please welcome, Mr. Brunley, to brief us about our new mission."

Another round of applause was given and a stocky, rather nervous looking man took Fred's place, standing at the head of the table just in front of a little white projector sheet. "Good morning students, my name is Brunley and I'm here to discuss your new project with you."

'To start off, I was born in a cramped neighborhood near the end of the city. Some of you might be familiar with it, it's called Shahamill."

This name caught the attention of all fourteen students: this area had been on the news multiple times, unfortunately not presented in the best light. It was the economical dump of the city, the lowest class in the hierarchy of wealth resided there. Poverty then lead to crime. It really wasn't the people's fault. Every one was doing their best to survive.

"It might be shocking to know that I am from Shahamill and that I am here right now speaking to you all in a position of authority since not a lot of people from there can escape that lifestyle. I was an orphan, without a family; there were a bunch of street kids who I called friends and that's about it. It was very difficult to get by. People were on edge. One day however, an epidemic spread in the area.

It was sealed off and many doctors had to come and try to extinguish the flames of the blue death. Half my friends fell victim to the sickness and my closest friend, Al, was on the brink of his last breath.

In that flurry of doctors, I met one man who was holding onto his wife's hand and a medical bag in the other seeming quite distressed. I urged him to come look at my friend. He seemed busy but they both smiled and followed me.

Today, my friend, Al, is working in a cancer research center and that couple who saved his life are my adoptive parents. All those doctors worked for a total of sixth months and the disease was gone like it was never there."

Everyone in the room exchanged glances and gasps.

"There has been a lack of medical care in our community: unvaccinated citizens and unhealthy living conditions contributing to the spread of dangerous illness."

'That's where you guys come in. We need a team of devoted and passionate people to offer basic medical check ups to the citizens of Shahamill. We need volunteers to help our community pay-free. Evan, you can take it from here."

"Thank you Mr. Brunley," Evan pressed the button on the projector remote, turning it on to show a slideshow.

"This area holds approximately seven hundred citizens who all need a medical check up, 41% of the patients being children."

A table showing the population statistics of that area popped up on the screen, Zoya craned her head to get a better view.

"We will have twelve stations set up with two students, a nurse and a licensed doctor each. There will be a range of medical supplies provided. Tents will be set up for patients requiring treatment. We will also be giving out giving out food and water to anyone coming for a check up."

"We have two sponsors so far for this project and we will gain more as this project commences. This project will extend over a period of six weeks. Our stations will be open from eight AM to five PM. The students from the Seattle Medical School will also be participating in this project and because of the extra volunteers we will have alternating work days."

"Any questions so far?'

A brunette raised her hand which received a nod from Evan to commence with her question. "When does this project start exactly?"

"The date isn't fixed but we know it will be within a period of two weeks."

This statement earned a few gasps from the students. "Isn't that too early? Don't we have to prepare the set up and supplies and everything?" Fred questioned, raising his eyebrows.

Evan chuckled, "We don't have to worry about that fortunately, the organization Mr. Brunley is from is partnered with us and are working on it. We need to revise all our basic medical skills and show up."

"Anymore questions?"

Everyone shook their head.

"Okay so the only thing left to do is partner up for the stations. We need one male and one female for each pair to allow the patients to be comfortable. To make it fair, I will hand out slips of paper with numbers on them. Whoever has the same number as anyone else will automatically partner with them."

The students nodded in agreement; this way friends wouldn't always be paired together.

"Natalie, would you help me distribute these slips?" Evan handed her a bowl filled with folded pieces of paper.

She smiled and started handing them out around the table. Zoya muttered a 'thanks' and looked down at her piece of paper.

Evan held one himself and then announced, "You can look now."

Everyone unfolded their pieces of paper, curious to find out their partners. Zoya read the number 4 and looked around to see who she was partnered up with. She was hoping it would be a smart, easygoing man. Zoya looked around to see everyone pairing up until she met the hazel eyes of Evan who grinned at her.

"Looks like we're partners," he ran his fingers through his caramel coloured-hair. "Yeah," Zoya smiled awkwardly. Evan was a good pick. He was confident and smarter than most of the boys around her.

"Well, looks like our meeting is over for the week, see you all next Tuesday" Evan announced to the rest of the students.

He then turned to Zoya, "Don't forget to revise. I'll see you later."

"Yeah I won't, bye." Zoya lifted her hand in a small gesture and exited the room. Thoughts about the project flooded her head.

Excitement, nervousness and determination settled in her on the way home.

::::::

"Allah, please bless me and guide me through everything coming in my path. Please let this project work out well and let me always learn more from whatever I do. Let me become a better person everyday. Shine your light on me. Ameen."

Zoya uttered her last few wishes in Duaa before rising from the prayer mat. She neatly folded the mat and set it in its usual place before walking into the kitchen.

Her mom was there as usual, squeezing some fresh orange juice. Zoya slipped her arms around her mom and back-hugged her.

"Ya Allah, Zoya you scared me!" her mom gasped, making Zoya burst out in laughter. "Mom I just wanted to hug youu," she whined jokingly.

"Hug me when I can see you please," her mom tutted but smiled softly. "Okay," Zoya sat down at the kitchen counter and started unfolding her hijab.

"Any news?" her mom queried midst juicing. Zoya slipped off her hijab and ran her fingers through her tangled dark locks, "Um, I think I need a hair cut soon."

"That's all the news?"

"Oh and there's a new project for , we'll be providing free medical check-ups to an underdeveloped community. The project starts in two weeks."

"Well why didn't you tell me before! That's a great project. You'll be rewarded not only by grades but by good deeds." Her mother started pouring out the juice into a huge jug.

"Yeah I'm looking forward to it. By the way mom, why are you making orange juice? You only make it when someone's coming over."

"Someone is coming over darling," she placed the jug in the fridge.

"Who?" Zoya's curiousity peaked.

It was a random Tuesday and it was five in the afternoon already. No one visited on weekdays except for Naimat who was already visiting her relatives today. Her mother would also usually give her a heads up but she hadn't today. She walked to the tap and filled herself a glass of water.

"Oh just Zaib, him and Bilal bumped into each other after work so Bilal invited him over for dinner."

"What!" Zoya choked on her water, causing her mom to rush over and thump her back.

"Drink a bit more carefully Zoe, yeah Zaib is coming over. I only found out half an hour ago when Bilal called saying they were arriving soon."

"Mom why didn't you tell me earlier?" Panic settled in. She wasn't ready to encounter Zaib right now. She needed atleast an hour to decide which outfit she would wear and to touch up her make-up. A semi-big pimple had sprouted on her forehead earlier and she needed to conceal it.

"I was so busy preparing dinner that I forgot sweetie, don't worry it's just Zaib. He won't judge. I mean you guys are engaged after all."

"What does that even mean I am not—"

Zoya was interrupted by the doorbell.

"I guess they're here earlier than I expected."

Her mother walked towards the front door.

Zoya's eyes magnified in horror and her reflexes kicked in. She dashed up the stairs and into her room. They were here already, oh my God! She only had a few minutes to get ready.

She quickly grabbed a white button down which elongated till about an inch above her knee and jeans with a rose-coloured hijab. She smoothly changed out of her t-shirt and pajamas into her chosen outfit. She didn't have time for make up and ended up using a slightly tinted lip balm. Her mother yelled for her to come back.

Her heartbeat paced as she reached the bottom of the stairs and approached the living room. Surprisingly, she couldn't hear Zaib or Bilal's voices. She entered the living room only to find her mother in there setting the table with her father. "Where are Bilal and Zaib?" She questioned, noting their absence.

"Oh, Bilal is showing Zaib the new installation he did in our garden, could you please call them inside, dinner is ready."

"Okay," she murmured before sliding the glass door open which connected the living room with the backyard. Now she could hear Bilal and Zaib laughing about something.

"And when I asked her why there was milkshake all over the place, she told me she forgot to put the lid on!"

The laughter increased and their conversation clicked in Zoya's head. Bilal was exposing all her mis-endevours in the kitchen to Zaib. Zoya frowned and peeked from behind the wall to the side of the garden where the two men stood.

"So yeah she's an okay cook but that girl cannot bake and she's stupid enough to mess up a milkshake. Seriously when you guys get married, you'll want her to stay out of the kitchen!" Bilal looked delighted to be spitting out the stories of her stupidity and Zaib seemed to be enjoying as well since he was willing to know all about it.

"Nah man, I think I can handle the cooking for the both of us. I'll balance out her inability to cook with my awesome culinary talent."

"Excuse me! I can cook better than either of you. Bilal stop bringing stuff up from tenth grade, that was years ago. I have improved since then. It's not like you didn't burn fifteen pancakes in the past. And Zaib I would like to see just how talented you really are."

Both the men looked shocked to see a fuming Zoya in front of them, standing with her arms crossed and blazing blue eyes. Bilal and Zaib looked at each other, then at Zoya, then back at each other before exploding with laughter.

"Where did you even come from?" Bilal breathed out in between fits of laughter.

"I-I was coming to tell you guys that dinner is ready." Zoya realized that her outburst hadn't been the best response, now she was just flustered.

"We should go inside then," Zaib was smiling widely despite her frustration. As he passed Zoya he whispered, "I'll take you up on a cooking challenge someday."

Zoya stood there, awestruck for a minute, before shaking her head and following the pair inside. Her gaze followed him from the back. Even the way he strode delivered the essence of confidence deep within his personality. And within a moment's time her heart was a pool of admiration for him.