A man like khalid

Chapter 3

It had been a few months since Nadeen arrived in Kano. She had settled into her new routine, adjusting to the rhythm of her new life.

Nadeen woke to the soft morning light filtering through her window. The sounds of Kano were different from London, more vibrant and bustling. She stretched and glanced at the time. Her first day at Maryam Abacha American University was about to begin, and she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Downstairs, Zeenat was preparing breakfast. The aroma of spiced tea and fresh bread filled the kitchen. "Morning, Nadeen," Zeenat greeted her with a warm smile. "Ready for your first day?"

Nadeen nodded, trying to push aside her apprehensions. "Yeah, I think so."

Ishaq entered the kitchen, his presence instantly changing the atmosphere. "Good morning, Nadeen," he said, his tone friendly, but his eyes lingering a bit too long.

"Morning," Nadeen replied, focusing on her tea.

Zeenat noticed the tension and tried to lighten the mood. "Ishaq, can you give Nadeen a ride to the university? I have some errands to run this morning."

Ishaq smiled. "Of course. It would be my pleasure."

Nadeen's stomach tightened at the thought of being alone with Ishaq, but she didn't want to worry her sister. "Thanks, Ishaq," she said, forcing a smile.

The drive to the university was filled with uncomfortable silence. Ishaq kept glancing at her, his eyes making her skin crawl. "You know, Nadeen," he began, his voice low. "If you ever need anything, you can always come to me."

Nadeen nodded, keeping her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. "Thanks," she replied curtly.

As they arrived at the university, Nadeen breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll walk from here," she said quickly, grabbing her bag and stepping out of the car before Ishaq could protest.

The university campus was a mix of modern buildings and lush gardens. Nadeen felt a sense of awe as she walked through the gates. She quickly found her way to the administrative office, where she received her schedule and a map of the campus.

Her first class was in the sciences building. As she navigated the hallways, she couldn't help but feel a bit lost. Just then, she heard a friendly voice. "Hey, you must be new here."

Nadeen turned to see a girl with bright eyes and a wide smile. "I'm Farhana. Need some help?"

Nadeen smiled, relieved to have found someone friendly. "Yes, actually. I'm Nadeen. I'm looking for the biology lab."

Farhana glanced at the map and nodded. "Follow me. I'm headed that way too."

Farhana was of average height, her presence neither towering nor diminutive. Her beautifully light skin, though not extremely fair, had a warm, glowing undertone that complemented her features perfectly. She had a long face with gentle, elegant contours, giving her a distinguished look. Her cheeks were slightly chubby, adding a touch of softness to her appearance, which made her seem approachable and kind. But what truly set her apart was her charming smile—a smile that never seemed to fade, always lighting up her face and making those around her feel at ease. It was the kind of smile that could brighten even the dullest day, a natural extension of her warm and welcoming personality.

As they walked, Farhana chatted animatedly about the university, the best places to eat, and the professors. Nadeen found herself relaxing in Farhana's company. They reached the lab, and Farhana waved goodbye. "See you around, Nadeen!"

The class went by smoothly, and Nadeen began to feel more comfortable in her new environment. During lunch, she found a quiet spot in the courtyard to eat her packed lunch. As she ate, a group of girls approached her.

"Mind if we join you?" one of them asked. She had striking features and an air of confidence.

"Not at all," Nadeen replied, smiling.

The girls introduced themselves as Zarah and Zaituna. They were friendly and curious about Nadeen's background because she didn't look much like a Nigerian girl. As they talked, Farhana joined them, and Nadeen felt a sense of belonging.

Over the next few days, Nadeen settled into a routine. She spent her days attending classes and studying, and her evenings with Zeenat and Ishaq, though she tried to avoid being alone with Ishaq as much as possible. His advances were subtle but persistent, and they left her feeling uneasy.

One evening, after a particularly stressful day, Nadeen was in the living room reading when Ishaq entered. He sat uncomfortably close to her. "You look tense, Nadeen. Want a massage?"

Nadeen's heart raced. "No, thank you," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Ishaq's hand brushed against her arm. "Come on, I insist."

Before Nadeen could respond, there was a sound by the door. Ishaq quickly moved away, and Zeenat entered, carrying a tray of tea. "I thought you might like some tea," she said, not noticing the tension in the room.

"Thank you, Zeenat," Nadeen replied, relief flooding her. She took the tray and focused on the tea, hoping Ishaq would leave her alone.

The next day, Nadeen did not have any classes, so she spent her time alone in her room. Her thoughts were consumed by the unsettling encounters with Ishaq since she arrived. The fear of causing her sister pain kept her from confiding in Zeenat. She knew how deeply Zeenat loved Ishaq, even more than he seemed to love her.

In the evening, Nadeen went downstairs to the kitchen and was greeted by the aroma of masa, her favorite Nigerian dish. Zeenat was busy frying the rice cakes, her face glowing with concentration and joy. "Nadeen, come help me," she said with a warm smile.

Nadeen's excitement bubbled over. She couldn't eat much of Nigerian cuisine, but masa was an exception. "I can't believe you're making this!" she exclaimed, joining her sister in the kitchen.

"Thought I'd surprise you," Zeenat said, flipping a piece of masa with a flourish.

After preparing the meal, they got ready for dinner. Ishaq returned from work, and Nadeen's stomach tightened at the sight of him. Just as they were about to sit down, there was a knock on the door. Zeenat opened it to find Khalid standing there, his smile brightening the doorway.

"Assalamu Alaikum," Khalid greeted, his voice warm and inviting.

"Wa alaikum assalam," Zeenat replied, opening the door wider. "You're just in time for dinner. Come join us."

Khalid nodded and stepped inside. His older brother, Mustapha, had been Ishaq's close friend before his tragic death a year ago. Khalid often visited to maintain that bond, especially now that Ishaq was newly married to Zeenat. He liked to come over to "eat the bride's food," as he jokingly put it.

As they settled around the table, Ishaq asked Khalid about his work. "How's the hospital treating you?"

"It's going well," Khalid replied, his tone calm and steady. "The hospital is always busy, but I enjoy it." Khalid was a doctor, known for his gentle and kind-hearted nature.

Nadeen emerged from the kitchen with plates, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Khalid. "Assalamu Alaikum," she greeted, trying to steady her voice.

"Wa alaikum assalam," Khalid responded politely, giving her a brief, respectful smile before turning his attention back to Ishaq. He wasn't one to stare at women, his respect for them clear in his demeanor.

As they began eating, Nadeen felt a strange mix of comfort and anxiety. The masa was delicious, and she found herself genuinely happy for the first time in days. Khalid's presence seemed to bring a sense of calm to the room, a stark contrast to the tension she felt around Ishaq.

Throughout the meal, Nadeen tried to focus on the food and the light conversation. Khalid shared a few anecdotes from his work, and even though she didn't understand everything, his gentle voice was soothing.

After dinner, Ishaq suggested that he and Khalid go to the mosque for evening prayers. "We won't be long," Ishaq said, standing up. Khalid nodded in agreement.

As the men left, Zeenat and Nadeen cleared the table. "It's nice to have Khalid over," Zeenat remarked. "He and Mustapha were like brothers to Ishaq."

Nadeen nodded, feeling a bit more at ease now that Ishaq was gone. They finished cleaning up and prayed, then settled in the living room. Khalid and Ishaq returned, and the conversation resumed. However, Ishaq's eyes kept drifting toward Nadeen, making her uncomfortable.

She excused herself, claiming she needed to make a video call to her friends in London. In her room, she dialed Amina, Emily, and Erick. Seeing their familiar faces and hearing their voices lifted her spirits. She laughed and chatted with them, pushing aside her worries for a while.

As the night wore on, Nadeen couldn't help but think about Khalid. There was something reassuring about him, a stark contrast to Ishaq's unsettling presence. She hoped that she would get to know him better in the days to come, finding solace in the possibility of a new and unexpected friendship.