The first night of Ramadan arrived quietly in Seoul. The evening air was cool and still, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming magnolias from the courtyard tree. Ahmad had been waiting for this month all year — but this Ramadan was different. It was the first time Hyunwoo would fast with him.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Ahmad asked for the fifth time, leaning against the kitchen counter as Hyunwoo rummaged through the fridge for the suhoor ingredients.
Hyunwoo turned with a grin. "I stayed up all night just to make sure I didn't miss it. That's preparation."
Ahmad shook his head, smiling. "Preparation means sleeping early, not binge-watching documentaries about dates and camel caravans."
"It was research," Hyunwoo said dramatically, holding up a carton of milk like it was some ancient treasure.
Their first suhoor together was simple — scrambled eggs, leftover rice, yogurt, and a pile of fresh dates Ahmad had bought from the halal shop. Hyunwoo made the mistake of biting into a date without checking for the seed, and nearly choked, which earned him Ahmad's laughter and a lecture on "date etiquette."
After eating, they sat at the small kitchen table with steaming cups of tea. Ahmad's voice softened. "Hyunwoo… you don't have to push yourself if it's too hard. Fasting is more than just skipping food."
Hyunwoo reached across the table, placing his hand over Ahmad's. "I know. I'm not just doing this for me… I'm doing it for us."
The words made Ahmad's chest tighten, warmth blooming in his heart.
---
The First Iftar
By late afternoon, Hyunwoo was sprawled across the couch, groaning dramatically. "How do you survive like this every year?"
Ahmad sat cross-legged on the floor, chopping vegetables for fruit chaat. "You stop thinking about food."
"That's impossible."
"It's not impossible," Ahmad replied with a smirk. "It's discipline. And also… imagining the samosas you're going to eat in two hours."
Hyunwoo perked up. "Samosas?"
The iftar table that night was a cheerful mess — crispy pakoras, golden samosas, fresh watermelon, fruit chaat sprinkled with chaat masala, and two tall glasses of rooh afza milk. When the call to prayer echoed softly from Ahmad's phone, they both smiled at each other and broke their fast with dates.
Hyunwoo chewed slowly, his eyes closing in bliss. "Okay, now I understand why you love Ramadan."
---
Mosque Nights
On the second night, Ahmad took Hyunwoo to the mosque for Taraweeh prayers. The cool night breeze brushed against their faces as they walked side by side. Inside, Hyunwoo stood close to Ahmad, mirroring his movements during prayer.
During one break, Hyunwoo leaned close and whispered, "You look so peaceful when you pray. Like nothing in the world can touch you."
Ahmad's heart skipped a beat. "That's the point. It's you, and Allah."
They walked home hand-in-hand, the streetlamps casting soft halos around them.
---
Playful Moments
By the fifth day, Hyunwoo had discovered a dangerous talent: sneaking extra pakoras onto Ahmad's plate when he wasn't looking. Ahmad caught him once and narrowed his eyes. "Is this your version of charity?"
Hyunwoo grinned. "Feeding the fasting is a good deed, right?"
Another night, after iftar, they climbed onto the rooftop terrace. Hyunwoo leaned against the railing, pointing at the stars. "If we were in Pakistan, would the sky look different?"
"Not really," Ahmad replied. "But maybe… the stars there would feel closer."
Hyunwoo glanced at him. "You mean like you do?"
Ahmad laughed softly, shaking his head. "Cheesy."
"You love it," Hyunwoo said, and Ahmad didn't deny it.
---
The Last Ten Nights
As the final nights of Ramadan arrived, the atmosphere in their little apartment became more serene. Ahmad stayed up for Qiyam al-Layl, and Hyunwoo joined him, reciting from the Quran in his careful, accented Arabic. Sometimes, Ahmad would rest his head on Hyunwoo's shoulder between prayers, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a blanket.
On the 27th night, Hyunwoo made dua in his own words, in Korean, whispering thanks for finding Ahmad.
---
Eid Preparations
The day before Eid, they went shopping together. Ahmad picked out a white shalwar kameez for himself and insisted Hyunwoo try a pale blue kurta. Hyunwoo twirled in front of the shop mirror. "Do I look Pakistani now?"
"Almost," Ahmad teased. "You still walk like a K-drama actor."
They bought bags of sweets, henna for Ahmad's hands, and small gifts for friends.
That night, they stayed up late on the terrace again, the city lights glittering below. Ahmad leaned his head on Hyunwoo's shoulder. "This was the happiest Ramadan of my life."
Hyunwoo smiled, kissing the top of his head. "It's just the first of many."
_ _ _
Eid Morning
The first light of dawn on Eid felt different — warmer, somehow sweeter, as if the world itself knew this was a day of joy. Ahmad was already awake, quietly folding his crisp white shalwar kameez on the bed. Beside him, Hyunwoo stirred, his hair a mess of soft black strands falling across his face.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," Ahmad whispered, poking his cheek. "It's Eid."
Hyunwoo peeked through one eye and groaned. "You woke me for… fashion show?"
Ahmad laughed. "For Eid prayer, babo. We have to go to the mosque early."
Reluctantly, Hyunwoo sat up. Ahmad had already picked a pale cream kurta for him, one that he'd bought secretly a week earlier. When Hyunwoo slipped it on, Ahmad just stared for a moment.
"You… look good," Ahmad said, a little too softly.
Hyunwoo grinned. "You sound like you're falling in love all over again."
"I never stopped."
---
On the Way to the Mosque
The streets buzzed with life — children in new clothes, men greeting one another with wide smiles, women carrying plates of sweet treats. Hyunwoo held Ahmad's hand discreetly, his thumb brushing over the back of it every so often.
"You know," Hyunwoo murmured as they walked, "this is my first Eid. I want to remember everything."
"You will," Ahmad promised. "And I'll make sure it's special."
When they reached the mosque courtyard, Ahmad introduced him to a few familiar faces. There was a warmth in the way the elders greeted Hyunwoo, as if welcoming him into something much bigger than themselves. Standing in line for prayer, side by side, Hyunwoo felt the calm sink deep into him — the rhythm of the recitation, the rise and fall of their bodies in unison, the soft murmur of peace shared among hundreds of strangers.
---
Breakfast and Playfulness
After prayer, they returned home where Ahmad's kitchen was already alive with smells — sheer khurma simmering on the stove, parathas stacked high, and dates in a glass bowl.
Hyunwoo dipped a spoon into the sweet milk dessert and let it cool on his tongue. "This… is dangerous. I could eat the whole pot."
"Not if I eat it first," Ahmad challenged, grabbing another bowl.
It turned into a playful race, spoons clinking and laughter spilling into the small kitchen. By the time they were done, both were leaning back against the counter, too full to move.
---
Visiting Friends and Neighbors
Later, Ahmad took Hyunwoo along to visit close friends. They exchanged greetings, shared sweets, and took countless photos. Every so often, Ahmad caught Hyunwoo quietly observing — the way people embraced, the unspoken kindness, the lightness in everyone's eyes.
"This," Hyunwoo said softly as they walked home, "feels like family. Even without blood."
Ahmad looked at him with a smile that said everything he couldn't put into words.
---
Night Under the Stars
That evening, after all the visiting and feasting, they returned to the terrace. Lanterns from nearby houses glowed like fireflies, and the air carried the scent of warm earth after sunset.
Hyunwoo leaned against Ahmad, their shoulders touching. "Thank you… for letting me be part of this."
Ahmad's voice was quiet, full of emotion. "You're not just part of it, Hyunwoo. You're my Eid."
Hyunwoo chuckled softly but felt his heart ache with warmth. "You're so cheesy."
"Maybe," Ahmad said, "but it's true."
And they stayed like that — not talking much, just watching the night, their laughter still lingering in the air.