The afternoon sunlight filtered through the pale curtains of Ahmad's small dorm room, casting long gold shadows across the floor. Ahmad sat cross-legged on the rug, his Quran open gently in his hands. His eyes moved steadily across the verses, lips moving silently at first, then softly aloud.
On the bed behind him, Hyunwoo lay sprawled out, half under a blanket, watching him.
Hyunwoo: (yawning)
"Why is your room always so serious? I feel like I'm in a monk's cave."
Ahmad: (without looking back)
"You're the one who barged in here and never left."
Hyunwoo: (grinning)
"Because your bed is softer than mine."
Ahmad continued reading, his voice smooth, calm, and filled with a quiet reverence. The rhythmic sound of the Arabic verses floated through the room. Hyunwoo didn't understand a word, but the melody made him close his eyes, like it was lulling something restless inside him to sleep.
Hyunwoo: (softly)
"Can you read more? It feels… peaceful. Like rain in my chest."
Ahmad's voice paused. Then, without replying, he began reciting again, this time a little louder. The words were ancient and beautiful, falling from his tongue like prayer.
Hyunwoo hugged the pillow under him and watched. For a second, he forgot about everything else—school, family, confusion. Just Ahmad and the warmth of his voice.
But Hyunwoo couldn't stay still for long. He shifted to one side of the bed to get a better view—and then, in classic Hyunwoo fashion, he rolled a little too far.
Thump.
Hyunwoo: (startled)
"Oh shi—!"
Before either of them could react, Hyunwoo rolled off the mattress completely and landed right on top of Ahmad, knocking him back with a shocked gasp.
Ahmad:
"Hyunwoo!"
Hyunwoo: (blinking, face buried in Ahmad's chest)
"…I think I died. Am I in heaven?"
Ahmad: (gritting his teeth)
"Get off!"
But Hyunwoo didn't move immediately. His hands were braced awkwardly on Ahmad's chest, faces far too close. For a second, everything froze—the air between them charged and fragile.
Hyunwoo: (barely above a whisper)
"…You smell like cardamom and… I don't know. Home?"
Ahmad's heart pounded, but he didn't push him away roughly. Instead, he placed his hands gently on Hyunwoo's shoulders and guided him off. He sat up and carefully placed his Quran on the desk.
Ahmad:
"You can't roll onto someone when they're reading the word of God."
Hyunwoo: (still lying on the floor, guilty)
"Sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect anything."
Ahmad: (looking down at him)
"I know. But try not to be careless with sacred things. Or people."
Hyunwoo sat up slowly, legs crossed now beside him. His gaze was steady, more serious than usual.
Hyunwoo:
"Am I one of those sacred things to you?"
Ahmad didn't answer right away. He stared at the wall for a moment, then looked at Hyunwoo.
Ahmad:
"You are… something I'm trying to treat with care. That counts."
Hyunwoo looked down at his hands, then gave a small nod.
Hyunwoo:
"I don't know what this is between us yet. But I want it to be something real. Something right."
Ahmad: (quietly)
"It can be. But not by rushing. We both come from different worlds. We have to be honest—with each other, and with God."
Hyunwoo:
"I want to learn. About your world. About your God."
Ahmad blinked. That was the last thing he expected today.
Ahmad:
"Then I'll teach you. One small step at a time."
---
Outside, it started to rain again—the same soft drizzle that brought them together the first time. And inside, without touching, they were already closer than ever before.