The Untainted
Chapter 24 – The Weight of the Heart
"Basit, have you seen Rihannat today?"
Ridwan adjusted the strap of his backpack as they walked toward the football field.
"It's been two days now, right? Or did she come to class today? Where did she even go without telling you? Aren't you two close now? Did you ask her friends?"
The questions came one after the other.
Basit, unusually quiet, kept walking.
Normally, he would have responded with sarcasm or a calm remark. But today, something was off. His shoulders were tense. His mind elsewhere.
They reached the side of the field but didn't sit.
Ridwan sighed.
"You have just one year left before you travel for your MBA abroad," he said more seriously now. "This is our third year. My last year of basic medical sciences. By next year, I'll move to the teaching hospital for clinical practice, in shaa Allah. And you… you'll probably be abroad by then too."
He looked at Basit meaningfully.
"I think you should do the right thing before you miss it."
Basit didn't look at him.
"Or what exactly is your plan?" Ridwan pressed. "Maybe get engaged? Continue your studies together?"
Basit exhaled slowly.
"Rayyan said she followed her roommate, Folakemi, home for something important," he replied quietly. "About the other question… I honestly don't know. Let's leave everything to Allah."
Ridwan frowned.
"That Folakemi girl? Isn't she different from the type Rihannat would associate with?"
"I'm confused too," Basit admitted. "But I heard she's coming back this evening, in shaa Allah. Today makes it two days. You know Rihannat doesn't leave campus unless it's necessary."
He checked the time.
6:30 PM.
"Let's go check on her."
They abandoned the football match and headed toward the ladies' hostel.
The evening breeze carried faint laughter and distant chatter from different corners of campus. The sky was dimming into soft orange.
They stopped two buildings away from the girls' hall.
Ridwan nudged him.
"Call her."
Basit shook his head.
"Let's wait a bit."
Ridwan stared at him.
"Will she get angry if she sees us here?" Basit murmured nervously. "I don't know how she'll react."
Ridwan blinked.
"Will you put yourself together, bro? She won't eat you. You're just checking on her. And if you don't have courage, let's go home."
Basit ran a hand through his hair.
"You don't understand. I don't want her to feel pressured. I don't want her to distance herself from me."
Ridwan sighed deeply.
"Lover boy. Sometimes you have to be courageous. You don't need a thousand reasons just to see her. And you should start giving her small hints at least."
Basit almost choked.
"What?! No way! She'll shut me down immediately. No more hello. Not even hi. She already said she's not ready for anything except studying. What do you expect me to do? I'll just wait beside her."
His voice carried frustration.
Ridwan shook his head.
"You'll give yourself heart attack at this rate."
"I know what I'm doing," Basit replied quietly. "You won't understand."
But that sentence struck Ridwan unexpectedly.
You won't understand.
His mind drifted.
To Faridat.
Basit's sister.
Her smile.
Her composure.
Her voice.
She had occupied his thoughts lately like a tenant who refused to pay rent or move out.
No matter how much he tried to distract himself, she lingered.
It was uncomfortable.
Confusing.
Persistent.
"Ridwan."
"Ridwan!"
Basit's voice pulled him back.
"You look lost. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine," Ridwan replied quickly. "Sorry, what did you say?"
Basit narrowed his eyes.
"You've been zoning out for days now. We've been friends long enough to know when something is wrong. What's going on?"
Ridwan hesitated.
"I…"
Vroom.
The sound of a car engine turning off interrupted them.
Both turned toward the hostel gate.
Bpam. Bpam.
Car doors closed.
Rihannat stepped out.
Beside her was Folakemi.
And two tall, well-built young men with striking resemblance to Folakemi.
Her brothers.
The evening light fell softly on them.
Even from a distance, Basit could see Rihannat clearly.
Composed.
Graceful.
Unaware she was being watched.
"We can only put your bags here," one of the brothers said. "We can't enter your hall. We're—"
"No, you are family!" Folakemi interrupted playfully. "Oya, carry it inside."
"But will Rihannat allow us to?"
"Yes, she will. I'm tired. I can't carry anything."
She didn't even give Rihannat a chance to respond.
The brothers carried the bags toward the hostel entrance.
But they stopped at the door.
They chose not to enter.
Respect.
They placed the bags down and exchanged brief words before leaving.
Basit and Ridwan remained hidden in the shadows, silent observers.
They watched until Rihannat disappeared inside.
Only then did Basit breathe.
"She's back," Ridwan muttered.
But Basit's chest felt tight.
He had noticed something.
The way the brothers looked at her.
Protective.
Proud.
Almost possessive.
Not romantic.
But intense.
And as a man who carried quiet feelings for the same girl…
He recognized it.
She was treated like treasure.
Valued.
Guarded.
Respected.
And suddenly…
He felt threatened.
Not because they were suitors.
But because they were powerful.
Influential.
Established.
Men who could easily open doors for her future.
What did he have?
Just feelings.
Ambitions not yet achieved.
Dreams still loading.
"Ya Allah… help me," he whispered under his breath.
Ridwan glanced at him.
But this time—
Ridwan was fighting his own battle too.
Faridat.
Why won't her image leave his head?
Two friends.
Two silent storms.
Standing outside a girls' hostel at dusk.
Watching the girls they cared about from afar.
Unspoken emotions hanging heavily between them.
"Let's go," Ridwan said finally.
Basit nodded.
They turned and walked away.
But peace did not return with their steps.
Something had shifted.
Jealousy.
Fear.
Pressure.
Time was moving fast.
And love…
Love waits for no one.
Ya Allah help Basit.
And Ridwan too — before Faridat fully occupies his heart.
What do you think?
Should Basit speak up before going abroad?
And is Ridwan about to fall for his best friend's sister?
The plot thickens…