Content Warning: This section of the guide refers to chronic illness, violence, death, racism, and Islamophobia.

The novel explores the complexities of developing a romance amid personal and societal challenges through Zayneb Malik and Adam Chen’s relationship. When Zayneb and Adam first meet, they are physically attracted to one another and are excited to meet another Muslim person their age on their flight to Doha. They give one another “the Muslim-to-Muslim nod” and greet one another in Arabic (32). Their first meeting in Chapter 6 incites the characters’ connection and foreshadows how their attraction will impact their lives throughout the chapters to come. Indeed, both Zayneb and Adam feel isolated and alone in their own ways. Zayneb is discouraged by the way that others see her, feeling that she doesn’t “have to open [her] mouth or do anything for people to judge [her]” (28). Adam also feels alone, as he’s recently discovered that he has multiple sclerosis and has yet to tell his family and friends. Both characters therefore long for someone to understand, accept, and love them. Their meeting marks a turning point in each of their storylines and offers them a transformative romantic connection.