A man like khalid

18

The airport buzzed with activity—families reunited with hugs and tears, travelers moved hurriedly through the terminal, pulling suitcases behind them. The PA system announced boarding calls, and the scent of coffee from a nearby café wafted through the air. Nadeen stood at the departure gate, cradling Hanif in her arms, the baby contentedly resting against her chest. Khalid was beside her, his gaze fixed on Hanif, who seemed oblivious to the world around him.

Nadeen's heart felt heavy as she watched Khalid kiss Hanif's forehead repeatedly. Each kiss felt like a silent promise, a reminder of the bond that had grown between them over the past few months. She knew she would miss these moments more than anything else. The airport's cold, impersonal environment made the reality of their impending separation all the more painful.

They both stood there, silently soaking in each other's presence, neither of them ready to say the final goodbye. The words they longed to speak hung between them, heavy and unspoken.

"I will miss you," Khalid finally said, his voice thick with emotion. His eyes held hers, filled with so much love and affection that it made her chest ache. "I really wish I could come with you."

Nadeen's breath caught in her throat. She had never seen Khalid look at her like this before—like she was his whole world. She felt a sudden urge to stay, to abandon her plans and just follow him back home. But instead, she forced a smile and said, "We will miss you too, especially Hanif." Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the turmoil inside her.

Khalid reached out, gently tucking a stray lock of hair back under her veil. "You should go," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Take care of yourself and Hanif." He leaned in and kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment as if he could imprint the feel of her skin into his memory.

Nadeen's eyes flickered around, taking in the scene—the other travelers walking past them, each engrossed in their own lives, oblivious to the emotional goodbye unfolding between them. She wanted to hold onto this moment, to make it last just a little longer.

As she began to walk away, her steps felt heavy, as if each one took her farther from the life she had grown to cherish. But something inside her made her stop. She couldn't leave, not just yet. Turning back, she saw the confusion in Khalid's eyes as she approached him once more.

"You look beautiful in that blue abaya," he blurted out, his voice laced with something more profound than just admiration. He had wanted to say it since they left home but had kept it to himself until now. The words came out awkwardly, not what he had meant to say at all, but they hung between them, charged with an intensity neither could ignore.

Nadeen blushed, adjusting her veil as if trying to shield herself from the vulnerability his words had exposed. She hesitated, struggling to find the courage to say what she really wanted to. "Khalid," she began, her voice barely a whisper, "thank you for everything you've done for me and Hanif." She bit her lower lip, her eyes locking onto his. "I love you so much," she added in a rush, the words tumbling out before she could stop herself. Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away, her heart pounding in her chest.

Khalid stood frozen, his heart racing as he replayed her words in his mind. Did she really mean what she said? "She loves me," he whispered to himself, disbelief and joy mingling in his voice. The longing to chase after her, to tell her he felt the same way, consumed him, but he was rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by the emotions coursing through him.

He pulled out his phone, his hands trembling slightly as he typed out a message: "I love you too. I will miss you so much. Take care." He hit send and stared at the screen, hoping she would see it before her flight took off.

Meanwhile, Nadeen was on the plane, her heart still racing from what she had just confessed. She held Hanif close, trying to calm herself. When her phone buzzed with a notification, she saw Khalid's message. Reading it, a wave of relief and happiness washed over her, but it was quickly followed by tears she couldn't control. She kissed Hanif's tiny fingers, the reality of their separation hitting her all over again.