At office

The principal sat behind her desk, her gaze sharp as glass. “Ayesha,” she said firmly, “as per our agreement, you failed to provide the evidence. We’ve made every effort to keep this matter within the college and protect its reputation, but your actions were serious. She gave her one paper and continued "After careful consideration, the decision has been made you must return to India. Please cooperate with the procedure.”

Ayesha's chest tightened. For a second, she couldn't breathe. Back to India? Her fingers trembled on her lap, but she forced herself to sit still.

Beside her, Ameena stiffened, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the chair.

The door suddenly burst open.

"No!" Chawoon shouted, rushing inside, his breath ragged. "Ma'am, please....no!"

Ayesha and Ameena turned toward him, shocked by his sudden entrance.

"Ma'am," he continued, his voice breaking, " its MIN jOON !!...i was about to get the evidence... Please, just one more day. ...Please!"

His eyes darted to Ayesha for a fleeting second-full of panic, guilt, and something else he couldn't name. The sight made his heart ache despite the storm inside him.

But the principal shook her head. "No. This cannot be delayed. I have other matters to handle."

Chawoon's jaw clenched, and before he could speak again, the door opened once more.

This time, Min Joon walked in. His face was pale, his steps unsure.

"Ma'am..." his voice faltered. "I'm sorry to interrupt. But please, don't punish her. She's innocent.....he inhales deeply ". I- I was the one who did everything. I wanted revenge on Ayesha."

The room froze. Silence pressed in like a weight.

Ayesha froze, her mind spinning. Revenge? On me?

"What?" the principal's voice rose in disbelief. "You caused all this chaos for revenge? Do you realize how much trouble you brought to this girl? And college?"

Min Joon lowered his head, shame heavy in his voice. "I... I'm sorry, Ma'am..."

"Don't apologize to me," she snapped. "Apologize to her! She's the one who suffered the most because of you."

Slowly, Min Joon turned to Ayesha, his eyes avoiding hers. His voice was small, almost broken.

"I'm sorry, Ayesha. Truly. This was a huge mistake. I was the one who pushed Chawoon into that challenge. I was the one who started the fight. And this revenge... it was meaningless. Please forgive me."

Ayesha's heart twisted between anger, hurt, and disbelief. For a moment, no one spoke. Then she closed her eyes, drew a deep breath, and whispered, "Alhamdulillah". When she looked at him again, her voice was steady.

"I forgive you."

Everyone gasped ..

"What?!" Ameena's voice cut through the silence. "You're forgiving him just like that? After everything?"

Chawoon's jaw tightened, his eyes locked on Min Joon. "He deserves punishment. He shouldn't walk away so easily."

Ayesha's gaze shifted to him-his face fierce, his dimples nowhere to be seen. Something in her softened. He was angry because of her. Because he cares.

No," she said gently. "He's truly sorry. And I want to show him what forgiveness means. That's what Islam teaches us."

The principal leaned back, surprised. "You really forgive him, Ayesha?"

"Yes, ma'am. I don't want his future ruined. Please, give him one last chance." she said while looking at min joon who was smiling like a child

After a pause, the principal nodded. "Alright. If you can forgive him, so can I. But Min Joon...." her voice turned sharp "...if you break another rule, there will be no mercy."

"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you," Min Joon whispered, bowing his head.

Ameena muttered under her breath, "What's wrong with Ayesha?"

The principal turned to Ayesha, her tone softening. "I'm sorry for misunderstanding you earlier. Whatever you've missed in class, the teachers will help you catch up. Ameena and Chawoon may join you."

"Yes, ma'am, we will," Ameena and Chawoon said together.

The principal smiled warmly. "Ameena, friends like you are rare. Ayesha is lucky to have you."

"She's not just my best friend," Ayesha said proudly. "She's my sister."

"You want me to cry here," Ameena replied,

The principal smiled and looked at Chawoon next. "And you, Chawoon...I'm proud of how you stood by her when no one else was beside her ."

Chawoon's dimples deepened with his smile. "Ma'am, I'll always be on her side."

Their eyes locked. His dimples appeared faintly as he smiled gentle, almost shy. Heat rose to Ayesha's cheeks, and she quickly looked down at her lap. Her heart thudded wildly, and she scolded herself silently. Stop it, Ayesha.

Ameena noticed, her sharp eyes missing nothing.

"Well then," the principal concluded, "focus on your studies now. Best of luck."

The students thanked her and stepped out. Alone, the principal leaned back, muttering with a small smile, "Kids these days..."

Outside the Office

"Ameena....." Ayesha began, but Ameena's glare was already on Chawoon.

"Where were you?" she demanded. "We called you so many times!"

Chawoon fumbled. "I... there was an emergency."

"Emergency? At least you could have called back!" Ameena yelled

"Ameena, it's fine," Ayesha interrupted gently. "People forget when they're in emergencies. Chawoon, is everything okay now?"

"Yes," he said quietly. But inside, he whispered, "Nothing is fine."

Ayesha studied him carefully. He looked worn out, his eyes shadowed in a way that told her he wasn't saying everything. It gave her an uneasy feeling, but she didn't press. Whatever it is, she thought quietly, I just hope it turns out alright for him.

Flashback - in morning at the Hospital

Chawoon paced the corridor, panic clawing at his chest. The sterile white walls felt suffocating until the doctor finally stepped out.

"The operation was successful," the doctor said calmly. "The bullet is out. She's still unconscious, but she'll wake up soon."

Chawoon's knees almost gave out. Relief washed through him, yet tears kept streaming down his face. He wanted to call his brother immediately. ..then realized his phone wasn't in his pocket.

Last night, when his brother had called, he had tossed it carelessly into the car.

Snatching it up now, the screen lit with "twelve missed calls" from Ameena. Guilt hit him like a punch.
"Today's the last day to prove Ayesha's innocence... and I forgot."

He dialed his brother in haste.

Kim Min answered, his voice brisk, already busy coordinating plans after the men's confession. "Yes..."

"Hyung, I need you at the hospital. I have to leave," Chawoon said quickly.

"Leave? Where?" Kim min asked

"I have to prove someone's innocence. Did you find the small camera?"

"Yes. Go to my office," Kim Min replied and added ".....Ji Won.?" asked breathlessly.

"She's safe. The surgery went well."

Relief loosened his chest. "Thank God. I'll come now."

But before he could hang up, Kim Min's tone turned sharp. "Listen carefully. Don't tell your friends about Ji Won. not even to that girl, Ayesha. It might not be safe."

"I won't," Chawoon promised, gripping the phone tightly...then rushed off without looking back

When Chawoon grabbed the camera, his resolve hardened. This time, no matter what, I'll make Min Joon confess again. The truth had to come out.

But when he reached Min Joon's house, no one opened even after knocking hard he knew the password so he entered  . His heart pounded as he stepped inside, calling out, "Min Joon?"

The living room was empty. He checked each room one by one, but there was no sign of him.

Present

Ameena glanced around, her brows furrowed.
“Chawoon, where’s Ji Won? She wasn’t picking up my calls either.”

Chawoon’s eyes flickered briefly. “She’s out of the city. Her grandma wasn’t well, so she went to see her. Maybe her phone’s on silent.” and said under his breath (one more lie)

Ayesha nodded. “I see…”

Min Joon shifted slightly, taking a small step forward to her his voice was soft, almost trembling. “I'm really sorry , Ayesha.” He paused, taking a slow breath, as if gathering courage. “My friends… they said many things about Muslims, that's why  I wondered how you would react to my proposal. When you tried to slap me… my ego hurt. And Chawoon… my only friend… felt like a stranger to me.”

His gaze dropped to the floor for a fleeting second, then lifted to meet hers. “I was angry at you, and I didn’t see you as just a girl… but as a Muslim girl. Yet… you’ve changed my perspective. You forgave me, even though I couldn’t forgive anyone if I were you. Thank you.”

Ayesha’s lips curved into a soft, genuine smile. Her eyes shone with warmth. “But at least you told the truth,” she whispered, her voice gentle. “That… took courage.”

Ameena curiously asked "Why?....you confess now, when you were so close to getting what you wanted?"

Min Joon sighed. "Because my heart couldn't take it anymore. The guilt was crushing me. But Now......I feel freeee.."

Ayesha smiled gently. "See, Ameena? Duas really work. This is Allah's miracle."

Ameena's eyes shone as she whispered, "indeed....Alhamdulillah."

Chawoon, listening silently, looked toward the sky. "...Yes...A miracle."

Min Joon turned to Chawoon hesitantly. “I’m sorry, Chawoon… I left my so-called friends. I miss my real old friend… I miss our old days… studying, joking, just being friends. Will you… forgive me?”

Chawoon's eyes hardened. "She might forgive you. But I can't." Without another word, he walked away.

Min Joon stood frozen, his shoulders heavy with regret.

Ayesha sighed. "I wish he would forgive."

"its not so easy though," Ameena murmured."

At the Hospital

Kim Min Kyu stepped into Ji Won's room. Her frail body lay motionless on the bed.

He clasped her hand, trembling. "I'm sorry," he whispered, tears burning his eyes. "It should've been me, not you. Whatever pain you've suffered... I'll make them pay tenfold."

His voice broke. "If I could take your place, I would. But seeing you like this... it's unbearable. Ji Won, please wake up ...your rude Oppa is here."

Tears streamed down his face, and he didn't notice his mother enter until she spoke softly.

"I know."

He turned, startled. "huh,...What do you mean?" And start wiping his tears

"I know you love her," she said gently. "You've loved her since childhood. Did you think I wouldn't notice? The way you protect her, the way you look at her..."

Min Kyu froze, shocked.

His mother smiled faintly. "Don't worry. She'll be fine."

He hugged her suddenly, his voice breaking. "Thank you, Mom. Thank you for not telling her... or Chawoon."

She stroked his back. "There's no need to thank me."

"But..." he hesitated. "She'd never like me. Chawoon and Ji Won... they'd make a perfect pair."

"Don't think like that," his mother said firmly. "So what if you're older? Love isn't about age. Your love is pure."

Min Kyu gave a weak smile. "But Ji Won... she loves him."

His mother's gaze softened. "Then all the more reason to confess. Don't wait. If you don't speak, someone else might."

He drew a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. I'll try."

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