A man like khalid

Chapter 4

At school, Nadeen and her new friends decided to hang out at a nearby café. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the chatter of students and the clinking of cups. As their orders arrived, they all took snapshots of their food, sharing them on i********: and Snapchat.

Farhana nudged Nadeen playfully. "Nadeen, you always look so exotic in your pictures. Are you a half-caste?"

Nadeen nodded. "Yes, I am. My mother is from Yola State, and my dad is from London."

Zarah raised an eyebrow. "Even the way you speak is different. Why did you come to Nigeria to study? And why Kano, of all places, instead of Yola?"

Nadeen shrugged, sipping her drink thoughtfully. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure why my parents wanted me to start in Kano. They wanted me to get familiar with Nigeria, and I guess they thought Kano was the best place for that. I did wish it was Yola, though, where I could meet my cousins Aisha, Khairat, and the rest."

She paused, glancing at the others. "I'm not that close with Zeenat, but whenever we visited Nigeria, Zeenat used to take me out and show me around."

They continued chatting, sharing stories and laughter. The camaraderie made Nadeen feel more at home, a welcome distraction from the tension she felt at Ishaq's house.

Farhana was showing Zarah something on her phone when a picture of a handsome young man appeared. Zarah's eyes lit up. "Who is that?" she asked eagerly as Farhana quickly swiped the picture away.

"He's very handsome," Zarah continued, undeterred.

Zaituna leaned in, smirking. "That's Farhana's senior brother."

Zarah's eyes widened. "You have a senior brother, Farhana? Why didn't you tell us?"

Farhana looked uncomfortable, but Zaituna answered for her. "Yes, Farhana has a senior brother, but she doesn't like her friends to know about him because he's too handsome. Some of her friends start crushing on him and asking for his phone number."

Zarah looked intrigued. "Really? Even when we visit, we never see him."

"That's because Farhana tells him not to come out if her friends are around," Zaituna said with a laugh. "I've only seen him twice. The first time was when he came back from work. He looks even more handsome in person. He's very calm and likes to smile."

Zarah turned to Farhana, mock-annoyed. "Farhana, you're wicked. Why didn't you tell me about your brother?"

Farhana rolled her eyes. "Because I know how you are, Zarah. You like cute, handsome men a lot and can go out of your way to get their attention, even if they're not interested. I hate that attitude, so I hide him from you."

Zarah pouted while the others laughed. Nadeen watched the interaction quietly, amused by their banter. It was a side of Farhana she hadn't seen before, and it made her appreciate their budding friendship even more.

As the conversation continued, Nadeen found herself more and more grateful for these new friends. They provided a much-needed escape from the unsettling presence of Ishaq and a glimpse into a life that could be filled with joy and camaraderie.

The afternoon passed quickly, filled with laughter and lighthearted teasing. Nadeen felt a sense of belonging she hadn't experienced since arriving in Kano. As they left the café, she knew she had found something precious in these friendships—a support system that would help her navigate the challenges ahead.

♧♣︎♧

After a week, Nadeen woke up feeling happy. She had a wonderful conversation with her parents over a video call yesterday, and it lifted her spirits immensely. She went downstairs, but seeing Ishaq instantly ruined her mood. It was the weekend, so none of them were going to work. After breakfast, Nadeen retreated to her room to shower. When she came out, she found Zeenat sitting on the couch in the room.

"Is everything okay?" Nadeen asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Zeenat laughed softly. "Yes, all is well. I just needed to speak with you."

Nadeen felt a pang of worry. "Are you sure? You seem quiet, and that's not like you."

"Get dressed first, then we'll talk," Zeenat said, her tone reassuring.

Nadeen applied her body lotion and skincare routine, then went to her wardrobe and chose a green, free-flowing gown, suitable for the weather. She turned to Zeenat, still uneasy about her sister's unusual quietness.

Once she was dressed, she sat down on the bed facing Zeenat, who was on the couch. "Addah Zeenat, you really seem off. What's going on?"

Zeenat sighed, her expression serious. "Nadeen, I've noticed that you and Ishaq don't usually get along. It seems like you don't like him, and he's been trying his best to get along with you. What's the matter?"

Nadeen's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Ishaq. She bent her head, fiddling with her fingers, unsure of what to say. "Nothing is wrong, Addah Zeenat. I'm just trying to adjust to everything."

"Are you sure?" Zeenat pressed.

Nadeen forced a smile. "Yes, I'm sure. Don't worry."

They had a brief conversation, but the tension lingered. In the evening, they went out to have some fun, which provided a temporary escape for Nadeen.

On Monday, Zeenat asked Ishaq to take Nadeen to school. Nadeen's anger flared, but she hid it behind a smile for Zeenat's sake. She lied, saying she had an 8 am class, so she wouldnt follow Ishaq, not knowing he was going to work early that day.

In the car, Ishaq kept trying to talk to Nadeen, but she ignored him. This made Ishaq angry. He parked the car by the roadside, removed his seatbelt, and leaned over her. He grabbed her curves and seductively started romancing her. Nadeen cried, terrified. He enjoyed her discomfort.

"When I'm talking to you, you reply. Don't ignore me," Ishaq growled.

Nadeen nodded, her fear palpable.

"Answer me," he demanded, pressing his body against her.

"Okay," she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Ishaq kissed her roughly until he was satisfied. Nadeen couldn't push him off. When he finally stopped, he returned to his seat and continued driving. Nadeen was crying, and Ishaq told her to stop, speaking slowly.

"I didn't even touch you," he said menacingly. "If you say a word to Zeenat about this or anything else, I'll do much worse."

When they arrived at the school, Nadeen quickly got out of the car. She thanked Allah that there weren't many students around. She found a hidden spot and cried until Farhana passed by and saw her.

Farhana rushed to her side. "Nadeen, what's wrong?"

Nadeen couldn't speak. She just cried harder. Farhana held her, calming her down. When she finally stopped crying, Farhana gave her water to wash her face. She opened Nadeen's backpack, found some makeup, and applied it to Nadeen's face so no one would suspect she had been crying.

"Thank you, Farhana," Nadeen said, her voice still shaky.

After class, Farhana invited Nadeen to go shopping with her. "Come with me. You'll feel better. We're meeting my brother there."

Nadeen agreed, grateful for the distraction. She hoped everything would be fine. As they arrived at the shopping center, Nadeen recognized it as the same place she and Zeenat had come for her abaya shopping.

Farhana spotted her brother. "Khalid, over here!"

Nadeen's heart skipped a beat. She knew him from her encounter at Ishaq's house. "I know him," she said, surprised.

Farhana looked puzzled. "You do?"

"Yes, we met him at my house," Nadeen explained.

Khalid smiled warmly. "It's nice to see you again, Nadeen."

Khalid was strikingly handsome, his fair complexion almost glowing, reminiscent of an Arab man with his smooth, light skin. His eyes were captivating—large and expressive, with a shy look that added a touch of vulnerability to his otherwise strong presence. It was a gaze that could make anyone feel at ease, yet there was an intensity in it that made it impossible to look away.

His hair was thick and dark, perfectly groomed, enhancing his overall allure. Khalid's face was finely chiseled, with sharp and elegant features that gave him a regal appearance. He had a well-built physique, not overly slim, with just the right amount of muscle to convey both strength and grace. Standing tall, Khalid's presence was both commanding and approachable, effortlessly drawing attention wherever he went.

They continued shopping, with Khalid joining them. Nadeen found herself enjoying his company. He was kind and gentle, a stark contrast to Ishaq. They laughed and talked, and for a while, Nadeen forgot her troubles.

After shopping, they went for food and visited some other places. The day passed quickly, and Nadeen felt a glimmer of hope. As she returned home in the evening, she thanked Farhana for the outing.

Back in her room, Nadeen reflected on the day's events. Despite the horrors of the morning, she felt a renewed sense of strength. She knew she had to find a way to protect herself from Ishaq and to confide in someone who could help her. Her thoughts drifted to Khalid, and she wondered if she could trust him. For now, she decided to take things one step at a time.