A man like khalid

Chapter 7

Nadeen lay in bed, talking on the phone with her mother. Her voice was soft, filled with a mixture of nostalgia and longing. It had been a few weeks since her parents had flown back to Nigeria for her wedding, and the distance was starting to weigh on her.

As she chatted, Khalid entered the room. He had just returned from his mother's house, where he had confronted Ishaq. His anger had subsided, replaced by a calm resolve. He stood silently, watching Nadeen, noticing how her face lit up when she spoke to her mother.

Nadeen glanced up and saw Khalid standing there. She smiled and quickly wrapped up her conversation. "Goodbye, Mama. I'll talk to you soon." She hung up and turned to Khalid, her smile lingering.

"Hey," she greeted him softly.

Khalid returned her smile but didn't mention the earlier confrontation with Ishaq. Instead, they spent the rest of the day together, enjoying some quiet time as husband and wife. Khalid decided to teach her a few more phrases in Hausa, and they laughed at her attempts to mimic his accent.

As they sat close, their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Khalid leaned in, his eyes fixed on her lips, but then he remembered the boundaries they had set. He quickly kissed her on the cheek instead, causing Nadeen to blush.

She felt a flutter in her chest and smiled shyly. Khalid stood up, his expression thoughtful. "I'm going to the mosque," he said, his voice gentle.

"Okay," Nadeen replied, still feeling the warmth of his kiss on her cheek.

At school, things were going well. Nadeen and Farhana had become very close, often spending time together between classes. Farhana occasionally visited Nadeen at home, and they would chat about their studies, their families, and their dreams. Farhana's vibrant personality had become a source of joy for Nadeen, providing a welcome distraction from her troubles.

One day, Nadeen woke up feeling unusually weak and tired. She had been vomiting frequently, and the constant nausea was wearing her down. Khalid had noticed her symptoms and had a strong suspicion about what might be causing them, but he was unsure how to approach the topic.

Determined to care for her, Khalid prepared breakfast and brought it to her in bed. "Oh, breakfast in bed," Nadeen remarked with a faint smile.

Khalid returned her smile, sitting closer to her on the bed. Her face looked pale and sickly, and his heart ached to see her like this. He began to feed her, his movements gentle and caring.

Nadeen didn't comment on the unusual act of intimacy. Instead, she found herself captivated by the way Khalid always stared at her with such tenderness. His handsome face and cute stare made her heart flutter. She wondered how many girls at his workplace were crushing on him. Was she feeling jealous? She wasn't sure, but the thought compelled her to ask.

"How many female friends do you have at work?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Khalid was taken aback by her question. He studied her for a moment, curiosity in his eyes. "I should be asking you how many male friends you have at school," he replied playfully.

"I don't have friends," she said, her tone half-serious.

"I know you do," Khalid countered. "Look at you. I'm sure a lot of guys are crushing on you. You're beautiful, with your eyes and your smile, and you have such a sexy face."

Nadeen blushed deeply, taken aback by his candid compliment. They continued their sweet conversation, Khalid feeding her with care. For the first time in a long while, Nadeen felt a sense of warmth and comfort.

As the days passed, Nadeen's condition didn't improve. Khalid became more worried, and his protective instincts kicked in. He knew he needed to address the issue directly but wanted to ensure Nadeen felt safe and supported.

One evening, as they were sitting together after dinner, Khalid decided it was time to talk. "Nadeen, there's something we need to discuss," he began, his voice serious.

She looked at him, concern in her eyes. "What is it, Khalid?"

"I've noticed you've been feeling sick a lot lately," he said gently. "I think it might be more than just stress. We should see a doctor."

Nadeen's heart skipped a beat. She had been trying to ignore her symptoms, hoping they would go away. But Khalid's words brought her fears to the surface. She nodded slowly, trusting him to take care of her.

The next day, Khalid took Nadeen to the clinic where he worked. After a thorough examination, the doctor confirmed Khalid's suspicions: Nadeen was pregnant. The news came as a shock to both of them. They had not planned for this, and the unexpected development added a new layer of complexity to their relationship.

As they drove home, Khalid stole glances at Nadeen, who sat in silence, her mind racing with thoughts. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"We'll get through this together," he said softly. "I promised to take care of you, and I will."

Nadeen looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and gratitude. "Thank you, Khalid. I don't know what I would do without you."

When they got home, Nadeen felt a wave of dread wash over her. She knew the child was not Khalid's. The baby was Ishaq's, a result of his abuse. The reality of her situation hit her like a tidal wave. She collapsed on the couch, burying her face in her hands.

Khalid sat beside her, his expression calm but concerned. "Nadeen, you shouldn't worry. I will take care of the child," he said gently.

Nadeen lifted her head, her eyes filled with anguish. "Khalid, it's not your child. This is Ishaq's child. How will you take care of a baby that is not yours?" she yelled, her voice cracking with emotion.

Khalid placed his hands on her shoulders, his touch firm yet soothing. "Yes, he may not be my child, but we are married. I don't want anyone to know about this. Nadeen, I will accept the child. Promise me you won't tell anyone it's Ishaq's child, okay? We'll let everyone believe it's my child, our child."

"No, Khalid. I think we should just abort the child. I don't want the baby. I hate this pregnancy. If it was yours, I would happily keep it, but it's not your baby. I can't accept him," Nadeen said, her voice filled with despair.

"Nadeen, please calm down. Please, just keep the baby. I can't let you abort it. I promise to take care of the child. Please understand," Khalid pleaded, his voice breaking with emotion.

"No, Khalid. Remember you promised to do as I say. So, please, let me abort the child. Please," she begged, tears streaming down her face.

Khalid hugged her tightly, trying to soothe her. "Nadeen, please, think about it. This baby is innocent. Let's raise the child together. We can do this."

Nadeen cried harder, feeling torn between her own feelings and Khalid's plea. She clung to him, feeling the weight of her decision pressing down on her.