A man like khalid

Chapter 6

The joyful celebrations of Eid had ended, and the routine of daily life resumed. Nadeen had been feeling under the weather, the strain of recent events taking its toll on her health. Khalid, as a doctor, had been visiting frequently to check on her. Each visit was a mixture of professional duty and personal concern.

One afternoon, Nadeen sat on a stool in the living room, her arm extended as Khalid prepared to give her an injection. Her cheeks were pale, and dark circles underscored her eyes. She clenched her teeth as the needle pierced her skin.

Khalid's eyes were serious, his voice soft. "Nadeen, when are you going to tell someone what Ishaq has been doing to you?"

Nadeen's eyes widened, and she quickly averted her gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Khalid sighed, frustration evident in his knitted brows. "Nadeen, I'm not trying to scare you. I just want to help. You don't have to go through this alone."

Nadeen remained silent, her thoughts racing. Was Khalid genuinely concerned, or was he trying to coax a confession out of her? She didn't know whom to trust anymore.

At that moment, Ishaq walked past them, his eyes briefly meeting Nadeen's. She stiffened, her heart pounding as she looked away. Ishaq continued without a word, but the tension in the room was palpable.

After Khalid finished the injection, he sat back, his eyes locking onto Nadeen's. "You need to tell Zeenat," he urged gently.

"I can't," Nadeen replied, her voice trembling. "Zeenat loves Ishaq so much. She'll never believe me. We had a fight the other day when I tried to talk to her about it."

Khalid was quiet for a moment, his mind racing. Then he spoke, his tone determined. "Maybe we should get married."

Nadeen looked at him in shock. "No, Khalid. I don't love you."

"I don't love you either," he admitted, his gaze steady. "But I want to help you. Maybe this is the only way to get you away from Ishaq."

Nadeen shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "I don't want you to marry me out of pity."

"It's not pity," Khalid insisted, leaning forward. "It's a way to protect you. Please, Nadeen. If you won't report him, at least consider this. I promise I won't hurt you or do anything you don't want."

Nadeen didn't know what to say. The idea of marrying Khalid felt surreal, yet she was desperate for a way out. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded. "Alright, Khalid. I'll do it."

They spent the next few days planning their engagement, faking their love to make it believable. Nadeen felt a sense of relief, though she wasn't entirely sure if what they were doing was right. She prayed and did istikharah, seeking Allah's guidance.

Khalid broke the news to his parents, who were delighted, especially Farhana. Zeenat was ecstatic when Khalid informed her, but Ishaq's reaction was cold and distant. He stopped talking much to Khalid, and the tension between them grew. Khalid's hatred for Ishaq intensified, but he kept his focus on protecting Nadeen.

Nadeen wondered how Khalid had figured out what Ishaq had done to her, but she was grateful for his intervention. Her parents were informed of the impending marriage and flew back to Nigeria to support her. The wedding date was set for a month later, and her parents were overjoyed.

During the holiday, Nadeen and her parents went back to Yola State. The time spent with her parents was bittersweet, filled with wedding preparations and moments of inner reflection. She still wasn't sure if marrying Khalid was the best decision, but she felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time.

Finally, the wedding day arrived. Khalid, who didn't love Nadeen, found himself inexplicably excited about the ceremony. The wedding took place in Yola State, a small but beautiful event. The wedding Fatiha was completed, and Nadeen found herself living with her parents temporarily, crying as she left them to return to Kano State.

Back in Kano, Nadeen moved into a new house that Khalid had built. It was big and beautiful, a stark contrast to the dark days she had endured. Her friends Farhana, Zarah, and Zaituna teased her about the first night. Zarah, in particular, was jealous, having had her eyes on Khalid for a long time. Both her friends from London attended the wedding as well, Emily and Amina, though Erick couldn't join them because he was traveling.

As the evening drew to a close, her friends left, and Nadeen found herself alone in her new room. She wondered what would happen next, how her life would unfold in this new marriage. The uncertainty was overwhelming, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope.

Khalid entered the room, greeting her with a soft "Salam." She responded, her face covered with a veil. He approached her, smiling, and sat close, gently unveiling her. Her face was red from crying, and she looked away shyly.

"Hey, what's wrong? I'm here now," he said, cupping her face in his palms.

Nadeen looked up at him, his kind eyes meeting hers. "Khalid, maybe this was a mistake. We shouldn't have married each other. How are we going to live together when we don't love each other? It's going to be hard."

He smiled, understanding her fears. "Calm down. Remember, I promised to do whatever you want. We're friends, Nadeen. Two friends living together, helping each other, and having each other's backs. Nothing intimate has to happen between us. You don't need to be scared, okay? If you don't want me to come into your room, I promise I won't."

Nadeen smiled, feeling a wave of relief. Khalid was glad to see her calm. They performed ablution and prayed two nafilat together, making dua afterward. Khalid made sure she ate the chicken meat and Hollandia drink he brought, a tradition he knew she cherished.

They talked for a while, Khalid sharing stories and making her laugh. Finally, he said good night and went to his room, leaving Nadeen feeling calm and hopeful.

Days turned into weeks, and Nadeen and Khalid lived happily as friends. They resumed their daily routines, pretending to be in love in front of their families. Nadeen went back to school, and life continued. One day, she decided to go shopping and bumped into Ishaq.

Fear gripped her as Ishaq smirked. "Even if you're married, I won't let you be. I won't let Khalid enjoy what I started."

Zeenat approached, and Ishaq quickly pretended everything was fine. Nadeen and Zeenat exchanged greetings, and after a brief conversation, Nadeen headed home, her mood darkened by the encounter.

Khalid, home early from work, noticed her distress. Despite her attempts to lie, he sensed something was wrong. After dinner, she still seemed distant, so he suggested watching a movie. Her mind wasn't on it, and he paused the movie without her realizing it.

He gently held her hand, but she pulled away, frightened. "Did you see Ishaq?" he asked, his voice tense.

Nadeen began to cry, and Khalid pulled her into his arms, his heart aching for her. For the next week, she was not herself, and Khalid's frustration grew.

One day, Khalid saw Ishaq and Zeenat leaving his mother's house. Ignoring Ishaq's handshake, Khalid only greeted Zeenat. The tension erupted into a heated exchange.

"Haven't you done enough to Nadeen?" Khalid seethed. "You hurt her and stopped her from telling anyone, and now you still won't leave her alone. Stay away from her."

Ishaq feigned ignorance, but Zeenat demanded to know what was happening. Khalid urged her to ask her beloved husband and not to trust Ishaq, but Ishaq denied everything, leading Zeenat to insult Khalid.

Khalid drove away, not even going inside to greet his mother. He was calm by nature, but when it came to Nadeen, he would do anything to protect her.