3

The soft hum of Akram's ceiling fan filled the quiet room. Aleena sat cross-legged in front of the mirror, her fluffy towel wrapped around her chest, her hair damp from her bath. She dipped her fingers into a small jar of cream, humming under her breath as she rubbed it on her glowing, light skin.

Her reflection smiled back at her — playful, proud, and a little mischievous.

From behind her, Akram's voice broke the calm.

"Aleena! Shey I told you to stop using this cream, eh? With all your light skin, you still want to be lighter again?"

He wasn't shouting — not really — but his tone carried that soft authority she knew too well.

Aleena turned a little, pouting, her lips forming a perfect circle. "But Yaya, my friend gave it to me fah. I can't just throw it away. Besides," she added, still facing the mirror, "I don't even have any fancy cream."

Akram folded his arms, watching her like a tired parent scolding a stubborn child. "Hmm, Aleena... I'm not stopping you from using lotion, but this one — wallahi — it's making you look bleached. You know bleaching isn't good, even Islamically. With your Balarabiya skin, you still want to add more? You'll soon start looking like Aljana (a spirit)!"

"Haba Yaya!" Aleena whined, turning fully to face him. Her big brown eyes sparkled in mock annoyance, like a child caught sneaking sweets.

"Toh, stop using that cream, kinji. Shey cream kike so? I'll buy you a good one — not bleaching cream, just something that will make your skin smooth and shiny."

Her face brightened instantly. "Really?"

He smiled, unable to resist her excitement. "Yes, Balarabiya," he said softly, calling her by the nickname he'd given her since she was little — his fair-skinned sister who always smelled like coconut oil and mischief.

She giggled, jumped up, and threw her arms around him. "Yaya thank you!"

Akram chuckled, patting her back gently. He turned toward the wardrobe, folding her freshly washed clothes neatly before hanging them. He never allowed her to wash her own things; it was his quiet way of protecting her from every little stress.

"I heard your friends are having a get-together," he said, arranging her clothes. "Aren't you going?"

Aleena's face fell instantly. "They said I'm not invited," she muttered, playing with her fingers. "They said we live in a big house but have no money. That we dress like poor people pretending to be rich."

Akram's chest tightened. He turned to her, trying to mask the pain in his eyes. "Hmm, they said that?"

"Yes," she said, forcing a smile. "But don't mind them, Yaya. I'm not bothered at all. They can say whatever they want."

He sighed. She was trying to be brave, he could tell. But beneath her forced smile, he saw the small hurt she tried to hide — the one that reminded him she was still just a girl trying to belong.

"Don't worry," he said gently. "Someone wants to rent the other part of the house. Once they pay, I'll get you something nice. You deserve it."

Aleena laughed, shaking her head. "Yaya, please don't waste the money on me like last time. Let's just go out somewhere small — maybe Zoo Road — eat suya, take ice cream, and save the rest. Deal?"

Akram couldn't help but smile. "Fine girl," he teased.

She blushed and turned away, pretending to arrange her scarf.

Later That Week

The science lab smelled faintly of chemicals and chalk dust. The girls were done with their practical, lingering around the tables to gossip. Humaira and Salma stood beside Aleena, chatting about the upcoming social day when Khadija walked in, her face hard like stone.

"Aleena, I came to talk to you," she said, arms folded.

Aleena blinked, confused but calm. "Okay, talk."

Khadija took a deep breath, her voice sharp. "I came to warn you. Stay away from my boyfriend."

Aleena laughed — that soft, careless laugh that often annoyed people who took life too seriously. "Warn me? You should go warn him instead. Tell him to stop following me around. What will I even do with a boy that only wants to sleep with me?" She rolled her eyes dramatically.

Khadija's friend hissed. "Wallahi, Mujaheed didn't say that! It's you throwing yourself at him!"

"Oh really?" Aleena's tone turned cold. Her playful side melted away.

Khadija stepped closer. "You this shameless girl, who do you think you are? Useless thing."

Aleena stood to her full height, her eyes steady. "I'm Aleena. And unlike you, I have self-respect. A girl who respects herself won't fight another girl over a boy that sleeps around."

Khadija's face twisted in anger. "Ke! You're talking like someone without a mother to teach you manners."

Aleena froze. The words stabbed deep. Her hands trembled. "Don't you dare bring my parents into this."

Khadija smirked. "What can you do? You're just a poor, useless girl that men will use and dump. Your parents must be happy they died — you'd only bring them shame."

Something inside Aleena snapped. Her vision blurred with tears and rage. Before she knew it, her hand had grabbed the nearest bottle and smashed it on Khadija's head.

The scream tore through the lab. Blood spilled. Students screamed and scattered.

Mrs. Aisha rushed in. "What is happening here?"

"Mam! Aleena hit Khadija with a bottle!" one girl shouted, glaring at Aleena.

Mrs. Aisha turned to her in shock. "Aleena, me yasa zaki yi haka? (Why would you do such a thing?)"

"She started it!" Aleena shouted, her voice trembling. "She insulted my parents — she said horrible things because they're not alive!"

Mrs. Aisha frowned. "Is that why you'll hit someone? You should have reported it!"

Aleena's eyes flashed with frustration. "Even if I report, you won't believe me! You only support rich students in this school!"

"Shut up!" Mrs. Aisha yelled.

"I'm just saying the truth," Aleena said, looking at the class. "Abi did I lie?"

"Enough!" Mrs. Aisha barked. "To the principal's office. Now."

Aleena's throat tightened. She pouted, biting her lip to stop it from trembling. Inside, her chest felt heavy with fear and regret.

As she walked out, she could feel everyone's eyes on her.

Some looked disgusted. Some pitied her.

She just wanted to go home — to run into Yaya Akram's arms, bury her face in his chest, and forget the world.

Because no matter how childish or funny she seemed, Aleena's heart was soft — too soft for a world that kept testing her.