A man like khalid

13

The days had grown warmer, signaling the onset of the long vacation after their final exams. Nadeen's belly had swelled considerably, each step reminding her of the life she carried. Moving around had become increasingly difficult, but Khalid's unwavering support had made things easier. He was always there, whether it was to help with household chores or to simply offer a shoulder when she needed to rest.

Despite the growing discomfort, Nadeen felt a profound sense of gratitude. Khalid's presence had been a constant in her life, steady and reassuring, like the roots of a tree holding her firm amidst the storm of her emotions. Yet, beneath that gratitude lay a nagging worry. The truth about the baby's father loomed over her like a shadow she couldn't escape. How long could they keep up the pretense?

One afternoon, as Khalid helped her prepare lunch, Nadeen felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. She instinctively gripped the edge of the kitchen counter, her breath hitching. Khalid noticed immediately, his eyes filled with concern as he rushed to her side.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle yet urgent.

Nadeen nodded, trying to dismiss the pain. "I think it's just the baby moving," she said, though uncertainty gnawed at her. The baby had been more active lately, but this pain was different—sharper, more insistent.

As they sat down to eat, the pain returned, stronger this time, accompanied by a sudden rush of fluid. Nadeen's breath caught in her throat as the realization hit her. "Khalid... my water just broke," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and excitement.

For a moment, Khalid simply stared at her, his eyes wide with shock. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, he sprang into action, quickly gathering their things. "We need to get to the hospital now," he said, his voice steady despite the panic that threatened to overtake him. He gently helped Nadeen up from her chair, his hand firm and reassuring on her back.

The drive to the hospital was a blur of speeding cars and shallow breaths. Nadeen's contractions came fast, each one stronger than the last. She bit her lip to keep from crying out, her hand gripping Khalid's like a lifeline. He kept glancing over at her, his eyes filled with a worry he couldn't voice. Every wince, every sharp intake of breath from Nadeen made his heart race with fear.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, the staff quickly recognized Khalid and rushed them into the maternity ward. Nadeen was barely aware of the flurry of activity around her; all she could focus on was the pain and the overwhelming urge to push. Khalid stayed by her side, holding her hand through every contraction, his calm voice a steady anchor amidst the chaos.

The labor was intense, a blur of pain and exhaustion. There were moments when Nadeen felt she couldn't go on, her body trembling with the effort. But each time she met Khalid's eyes, saw the unwavering support in his gaze, she found the strength to keep going. He's here with me, she thought, clinging to the comfort that brought. I can do this.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the room was filled with the piercing cry of a newborn. Relief flooded Nadeen, her whole body sagging as the tension drained from her.

"It's a boy," Khalid announced, his voice thick with emotion as he held their son for the first time. Tears glistened in his eyes as he looked down at Nadeen. "You did it," he whispered, awe and pride lacing his words.

Nadeen, exhausted but overwhelmed with love, smiled up at him. "He's beautiful," she murmured, her heart swelling as she gazed at the tiny life they had brought into the world. Our son, she thought, the realization bringing tears to her eyes. He's really here.

After ensuring that both Nadeen and the baby were stable, Khalid stepped out to make a phone call. His mother's voice was filled with excitement when she answered, but Khalid felt the weight of the lie he was about to tell pressing down on him.

"Khalid! How is Nadeen? Is everything okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Khalid forced himself to sound calm. "She's fine, Mom. She gave birth a little early—seven months—but both she and the baby are doing well."

There was a pause, and Khalid could almost hear his mother's concern through the phone. "Seven months? But is the baby okay?"

"He's small, but healthy," Khalid assured her, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. He hated lying to his mother, but he knew the truth would cause more harm than good right now.

"Alhamdulillah," Sakina sighed in relief. "I'm so happy to hear that. We'll come visit as soon as we can."

After hanging up, Khalid leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. The relief of the successful delivery was overshadowed by the guilt gnawing at him. How long can we keep this up? he wondered, knowing that the lie would eventually unravel. But for now, all that mattered was that Nadeen and the baby were safe.

Returning to the room, Khalid found Nadeen cradling their son, her face soft with a mother's love. The sight warmed his heart, easing some of the guilt he felt. He approached the bed, sitting beside her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"Tired, but happy," Nadeen replied, her smile small but genuine. "Thank you for being here, Khalid. I couldn't have done this without you."

Khalid reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're stronger than you think, Nadeen. You did an amazing job."

They sat in silence for a while, simply soaking in the moment. The only sound was the soft breathing of their newborn son, who had fallen asleep in Nadeen's arms. Khalid couldn't help but marvel at how far they had come—from the initial awkwardness of their situation to this moment of shared joy. Could this be love? he wondered, the thought both thrilling and terrifying.

Nadeen, sensing his gaze, looked up at him curiously. "What are you thinking about?" she asked, her voice soft.

Khalid hesitated, the words on the tip of his tongue. But instead of confessing his feelings, he simply said, "I was just thinking... we're going to be okay, Nadeen. All of us."

Nadeen's smile widened, and she reached out to take his hand. "Yes, we will," she agreed softly, her heart swelling with hope for the future. We have to be.

Hmmmm...........

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Much love
Firdausi 💕