A man like khalid

Chapter 15

The day was warm, filled with laughter and the scent of freshly cooked meals as family and friends gathered for Hanif's naming ceremony. Nadeen cradled her son in her arms, his tiny fingers curling around hers. As the photographer snapped away, capturing these moments she knew would become precious memories, Nadeen forced herself to maintain a calm exterior. Yet, her heart raced the moment she saw Zeenat approaching, her smile wide and seemingly genuine. But Nadeen knew better; Zeenat's smiles often masked something far more sinister.

Since Hanif's birth, Zeenat had been conspicuously absent, which only fueled Nadeen's fears. Had Zeenat uncovered the truth about Hanif's parentage? The thought gnawed at her. As Zeenat drew closer, Nadeen instinctively tightened her grip on Hanif, though she plastered on a smile she hoped didn't look too forced.

"My dear Nadeen," Zeenat's voice was syrupy sweet, but Nadeen heard the edge beneath it. The hug Zeenat gave her was as stiff as her own. "Sorry, dear cousin, I didn't visit when you gave birth. I was in Dubai for a vacation, and we just got back yesterday. I hope you're not angry with me."

Nadeen's smile felt unnatural, but she couldn't let Zeenat see her discomfort. "No, not at all, Addah Zeenat. How was your trip?"

"It was wonderful," Zeenat said lightly, though her eyes remained locked on Hanif. She reached out to play with his cheek but made no move to take him from Nadeen's arms. That small detail sent a ripple of unease through Nadeen—Zeenat usually couldn't resist holding a baby.

Why isn't she asking to hold him? Nadeen wondered, a knot tightening in her stomach. Does she know? Is she keeping her distance because she suspects something?

Nadeen's mother and Sakina excused themselves to attend to some guests, leaving her alone with Zeenat. They stood side by side, and as the photographer gestured for them to smile for a picture together, Zeenat leaned in close. Her voice, low and cold against Nadeen's ear, sent a chill down her spine.

"Just because I was nice to you doesn't mean I've forgotten how you accused my husband of assaulting you. We're still not okay, Nadeen. I don't want to cause any drama on your big day, so let's keep pretending like we're good. But in reality, we can never be good."

The wide smile on Zeenat's face as she pulled back was a stark contrast to the venom in her words. Nadeen's breath caught in her throat, tears pricking her eyes. She blinked rapidly, refusing to let them fall, but her heart ached. She had expected hostility from Zeenat, but hearing it still cut her deeply.

As Zeenat walked away, her shoulders squared as if nothing had happened, Nadeen felt her composure slip. The joy of the day was tainted, overshadowed by the looming fear that her secrets were on the brink of exposure.

Why did I ever think this would end well? Nadeen thought, a wave of despair washing over her. I knew this day would come. I just wasn't ready for it to be today.

Later, when the ceremony had ended and the guests had dwindled, Nadeen found herself in the kitchen with Farhana. The familiar comfort of her friend's presence was a balm to her nerves. Farhana was making coffee, the warm aroma filling the space as they chatted.

"So, I wanted to ask, is there something happening between you and Zeenat?" Farhana's question was gentle, but it sent a wave of panic through Nadeen.

She hesitated, her mind racing. "We're fine. Why do you ask?"

Farhana turned, her expression skeptical. "I don't think you both are fine. I saw the way you acted around each other—fake smiles, tense silences. And I caught Zeenat rolling her eyes at you a few times."

Nadeen swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "Me and Zeenat are fine. Maybe it's just that we haven't been close since I got married."

Farhana's gaze lingered on her, a frown creasing her forehead. "I think you both know what's really going on."

"Can we please not talk about Zeenat?" Nadeen's voice cracked, betraying the turmoil inside her. She felt like a dam ready to burst, and the last thing she wanted was to unravel in front of Farhana. "I really don't want to."

Farhana sighed, sensing the depth of Nadeen's unease. "Okay, let's not talk about her."

The silence stretched between them, and Nadeen fought to regain her composure. She didn't want to think about Zeenat or the underlying tension that had turned a joyous day into something fraught with fear.

"So, when were you going to introduce me to your boyfriend?" Nadeen asked, forcing a playful tone into her voice, desperate to change the subject.

"What boyfriend?" Farhana's attempt at feigned ignorance made Nadeen roll her eyes.

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. I saw you both through the window, giggling like a schoolgirl."

Farhana laughed shyly, the sound a welcome reprieve from the heaviness that had settled over Nadeen. "Well, I wanted to tell you about it. His name is Suleiman, and he's...different. He sees me for who I am. Most people say I talk too much, that I'm not calm enough, but with Suleiman, I can be myself. He even joins in on my craziness sometimes."

Nadeen's heart warmed at the happiness in her friend's voice. She's so lucky. What I wouldn't give to have something so simple, so pure, with Khalid. But how could we, with everything hanging over us like a dark cloud?

"That's adorable. You deserve someone who appreciates you just as you are."

As they shared a laugh, Farhana handed Nadeen a cup of coffee. But Farhana's joy was tinged with hesitation. "He wants to send his parents to talk about the wedding, but I've been stalling. What if he's not the one? What if he changes his mind? Tell me how did you know my brother is the one?"

Nadeen smiled, though her thoughts drifted to her own marriage, to the whirlwind of events that had led her to this moment. If only Farhana knew the truth. "I prayed a lot, did istikhara, even after the wedding date was fixed. Each time, I felt a sense of calm and happiness."

Nadeen sipped her coffee, trying to keep her emotions in check. Her feelings for Khalid were complicated, a mix of gratitude, respect, and something deeper that she was afraid to name.

"I think I'll try that," Farhana said, her voice soft. "Because honestly, I like Suleiman a lot."

"You should know, coming to Nigeria for school, I never expected to get married so quickly, let alone have a baby." Nadeen chuckled, but her mind was far from the light-hearted moment. "But Khalid...he's a good man. He's helped me so much, and I'm sure you'll find someone just as kind. Don't ever think you're not enough."

"Aww, I'm blushing," Farhana teased, but her smile was genuine. "I guess I'll let him send his parents. He's a true gentleman."

"Yeah, we're lucky to have men who care about us...unlike Zeenat," Nadeen said, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

"What about Zeenat?" Khalid's voice cut through the air as he entered the kitchen, his eyes darting between Nadeen and Farhana. "Is that coffee? Why are you taking coffee now?" He was trying to deflect, to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory.

"I just wanted some coffee," Nadeen replied, catching the look in Khalid's eyes. He was worried.

"I've been looking for you," Khalid said, his tone softer now. "Can I talk to you?"

"Sure." Nadeen followed him out of the kitchen, her heart pounding. As soon as they were alone, Khalid's concern became evident.

"What did you mean by a man who cares about us, unlike Zeenat? Don't tell me you told her."

"I'm sorry, it just slipped out," Nadeen whispered, her voice trembling. "I didn't tell her anything, but Farhana noticed something was off between us."

Khalid took the coffee cup from her hands, setting it aside. "Did Zeenat say anything bad or cause a scene?"

"No," Nadeen answered, her brow furrowing. "But she's not herself. She told me we're not okay and that she's just pretending for today."

Khalid's expression darkened. "I saw my mom talking to Zeenat earlier, and it didn't look like a pleasant conversation. Mom has been talking about how you gave birth early, like she's suspecting something. Do you think Zeenat knows?"

"I don't know." Nadeen's voice wavered as fear gnawed at her. "She's been acting differently, speaking Hausa with Mom and I don't understand what they were saying, and now Mom's looking at me suspiciously. I'm scared, Khalid. What if they find out?"

Khalid's worry deepened as he watched Nadeen unravel. He could see the fear in her eyes, the way her body trembled. In that moment, all he wanted was to protect her, to erase the fear that had taken root in her heart. Without thinking, he leaned in and kissed her, his lips capturing hers in a tender, desperate embrace.

The kiss was unexpected, but it felt right. It was as if the walls that had kept their emotions at bay finally crumbled. Nadeen melted into him, her fears momentarily forgotten as she let herself feel the warmth of his embrace, the softness of his lips against hers. It was a kiss filled with unspoken words, with the comfort and reassurance they both desperately needed.

But as they pulled away, reality came crashing back, and Nadeen took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. She stared at Khalid, her mind a whirl of emotions—confusion, guilt, and something she couldn't quite define.