Chapter 7

Marwan’s class ended at 1. Although Haikal bought some kuihs, it only lasted until 12. So, he was really hungry and could not wait for the class to end.

“Let’s go!” Haikal said as he already had his bag ready to head to the cafeteria.

“Hold on,” Zalina replied while she primly put her belongings in her cloth bag. Unlike Marwan and Haikal who used a single backpack, Zalina had a backpack, a handbag, and a cloth bag.

Her backpack was solely used to store big stuff such as her laptop and books. Her handbag was for personal stuff such as her wallet and makeup. The cloth bag was used for papers like her printed notes.

Marwan and Haikal stuff everything inside their backpack. Their laptop, books, and notes were all inside a single backpack. They had no makeup and their wallet and keys were all stuff inside their pants pockets.

“Okay,” Haikal replied tamely and he waited patiently by her side.

Marwan glanced at them as he felt that something was different about them. More so with Haikal.

Since he met them this morning, he realized that Haikal would always follow Zalina’s words. He was like that too since a year ago but that day, he was particularly agreeable to almost everything Zalina had said.

On the other hand, Zalina was a bit demanding towards Haikal. It was only once in a while but as their friends, Marwan could feel it.

Still, they were only acting like this towards each other but were normal with him.

“You guys are a bit different today,” Marwan asked as he glanced at them. Zalina was calm as she looked at Marwan with a confused face but Haikal jolted a bit though he immediately controlled his expression.

“Different?” Zalina asked with a confused face.

“Yeah… I feel that you guys acted differently today. Could it be…” Marwan lengthened his sentence while giving them a knowing look.

While Zalina was still confused, Haikal had his back sweating a bit.

“You do something wrong and this is Zalina’s punishment?” Marwan pointed at Haikal.

Zalina and Haikal, “…”

Zalina smiled shyly as she spoke, “You guess it right. This guy did something really wrong yesterday, so, this is my punishment.”

Haikal scratched his head but he did not say anything.

“Ah… Do it well or Zalina will never forgive you,” Marwan smiled. “Let’s go,” as he saw Zalina was done packing her stuff. He led the way out of the laboratory.

As Marwan was at the front, he did not see that Zalina glared at Haikal for a second. Haikal looked guilty.

Since the elevator would always be full at this time, the trio took the stairs.

While they were walking down the stairs, Marwan’s phone rang. He looked at the number and ‘Kak Ngah’ was written on it.

‘Why is she calling at this time?’ Marwan picked up the phone, “Assalamualaikum, Kak Ngah.”

“Waalaikumsalam. Wan, are you free this afternoon?” Maisarah asked.

“I have a class from 2 until 4. After that I am free. Why?”

“Then, can you come to pick me up at work after that?”

“???” Marwan was confused. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you working?”

“Well…” Maisarah was a bit hesitant to say it.

“I got in an accident this morning.”

“What?!” Marwan was shocked as he added, “Are you okay?”

Zalina and Haikal saw Marwan's expression and stared at him. They could guess that something had happened.

“I am fine this morning but now… I suddenly feel hurt at my side…” she replied guiltily. She was fine in the morning but the pain came slowly and she did not feel as good as in the morning.

“Then, I will come now, and let’s go to the hospital,” Marwan was worried.

“No need to panic. It is not that painful, so you can come after your class ends. I just feel a bit hurt and thought it is better to get it checked,” Maisarah tried to calm him.

“...Really?” Marwan asked.

“Yes. No need to worry. I am working fine too.”

“Then, why are you asking me to pick you up early?”

“My manager is nagging me to go to the hospital. She let me leave early… urm, she ordered me to leave earlier but I insisted on leaving a bit later…”

“Then, I will go there now. Your manager is right and you should not be this stubborn.”

“Calm down. I am fine,” Maisarah said and she added, “If you insist on coming early, come at 2. I want to have lunch first.”

“...Okay, I will go there after lunch,” Marwan frowned.

“Okay, see you at two, *Teet*” Maisarah ended the call.

“...” Marwan was speechless.

“What happened?” Zalina asked, concerned.

“My sister got in an accident this morning and refused to go to the hospital early,” Marwan did not conceal anything. They were best friends, so there was no need to keep this a secret.

“Is she okay?” Haikal added.

“She insists that she is fine but she said that she was hurt at the side.”

“Since she said that, I am sure it is not serious. No need to worry. There are many other people at her workplace too. So, if something happens to her, they will be there,” Haikal reassured him.

“Let’s have lunch fast and you can fetch your sister faster,” Zalina suggested. Marwan nodded and they headed to the cafeteria.

It was lunchtime, and the cafeteria was packed with students. They queued for a while before it was their turn. The trio found a seat and had their lunch there.