HAUNTING SHADOWS

Chapter 1 : The shadows of the past

On a crisp Monday morning, the dawn of a new semester, Ahmed emerged from his slumber to join his family for breakfast. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread filled the air, accompanied by the gentle hum of conversation. His mother, Mrs. Amina, and younger sister, Racheska, were already seated at the table, engaged in quiet chatter.

As they savored their breakfast, Mrs. Amina inquired about Ahmed's academic progress, her tone laced with concern. "Ahmed, how's your education faring? Any improvements in your grades?"

Ahmed shrugged nonchalantly, his voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness. "Studies are fine, I'm not failing or anything."

Racheska, who had been quietly observing the exchange, muttered under her breath, "He's not exactly excelling either."

Ahmed's eyes narrowed, his gaze snapping towards his sister. "What was that?"

Mrs. Amina intervened, her voice soothing, "Let's not argue, children. We're just discussing about your education."

Rascheka's eyes sparkled with mischief, but she remained silent, aware of her mother's warning glance. Ahmed, however, couldn't let it go. "I'm trying, okay? It's not easy balancing classes and...other stuff."

Mrs. Amina's expression softened, her voice gentle. "We know you're trying, sweetie. But I expect more from you. You're in your fourth year now; it's time to focus. Racheska is just in her second year and she's doing great."

Ahmed's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with frustration. "You always do this, Mom. You always assume the worst about me and the best about Racheska."

Racheska shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension escalating. Mrs. Amina's hands fluttered, a calming gesture. "Ahmed, that's not fair. We want what's best for you."

The air was thick with unspoken words, the silence punctuated only by the clinking of silverware on plates. Ahmed pushed his chair back, the legs scraping against the floor. "I need to get going. Class starts soon."

As he stood, his eyes locked onto Rascheka's, a silent challenge passing between them. Mrs. Amina's voice trailed behind him, "Ahmed, we're not finished discussing this..."

But he was already gone, leaving the table feeling unsettled, like the calm before a storm.

Ahmed stepped onto the university campus, leaving his sister's nagging concerns behind. The sprawling grounds, dotted with modern architecture and lush greenery, buzzed with the energy of young minds. Students from diverse backgrounds hurried to their destinations, some with purpose, others with a sense of aimless wander.

As Ahmed navigated through the crowd, he spotted Collin, his friend, leaning against a pillar, observing the scene with a mix of amusement and disdain. They exchanged nods, and Ahmed joined him, eager to vent about his morning.

"My family's been riding me nonstop about my studies," Ahmed complained, shaking his head. "I don't get why they're so fixated on me getting high grades."

Collin snorted, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Oh, it's just their subtle way of saying they want you to have a better life than they did."

Ahmed's eyes widened, surprised by Collin's unexpected seriousness. "You're actually defending them?"

Collin chuckled, his expression returning to its usual carefree state. "Nah, I'm just stating the obvious. But let's be real, Ahmed, people like us don't need a piece of paper to succeed. I'm only here because my parents would disown me otherwise."

Ahmed felt a twinge of relief, knowing he wasn't the only one who felt suffocated by the expectations. "Exactly! Education doesn't even guarantee wealth or happiness."

"For a moment there, I thought you'd finally seen the light and decided to take your studies seriously." Ahmed added as he grinned, teasingly.

Collin playfully rolled his eyes. "You know me better than that, bro."

As they conversed, Ahmed's gaze drifted toward the lecture theater, where Elias and Joshua happened to be walking by. Collin followed his line of sight and seized the opportunity to stir up some gossip. "Ahmed, what's the story with you and Elias? You two were thick as thieves during your last two years, but now it seems like there's a rift between you."

Ahmed's expression turned guarded, and he sidestepped the inquiry with a hint of annoyance. "Collin, I don't indulge in gossips or speculation. Let's just focus on our own lives."

Collin's curiosity, however, remained piqued. "Come on, Ahmed, don't be evasive. I've noticed a change in your behavior. Did something happen between you two?"

Ahmed's pace quickened, his tone firm but polite. "let's drop it. You're not going to pry anything out of me."

With that, Ahmed strode ahead, leaving Collin to wonder about the underlying tensions between Ahmed and Elias. Collin's eyes lingered on Ahmed's retreating back, sensing a deeper complexity to their friendship.

After the day's lectures, Elias and Joshua sought refuge in a nearby bar, eager to unwind and indulge in some light-hearted banter. Elias, with his introspective nature and sharp intellect, often belied his disheveled appearance, which seemed to defy his calm and collected demeanor. Joshua, on the other hand, was the quintessential jokester, always ready with a witty quip or a sarcastic remark, yet surprisingly, he maintained a slightly more serious attitude toward his studies compared to Ahmed and Collin.

As they delved into conversation, Elias's phone buzzed, breaking the relaxed atmosphere. He hesitated before answering, his eyes scanning the message with a mix of trepidation and unease. Joshua noticed the sudden shift in his friend's demeanor and inquired, "Everything okay, man?"

Elias's expression turned grave, his voice barely above a whisper. "Bokka's out."

Joshua's grin faltered, replaced by a concerned frown. "What do you mean? Out of where?"

Elias's eyes locked onto Joshua's, a silent understanding passing between them. The unspoken words hung in the air like a challenge, heavy with foreboding. The restaurant's ambient noise receded, leaving only the weight of Bokka's name, like a specter from their past.