<p>They were walking along the road, Zayd and Abdoul. While Abdoul was chatting away, Zayd remained completely silent.</p><p>“Zayd, what’s your real name?” Abdoul suddenly asked.</p><p>Zayd stopped in his tracks, staring straight ahead as if he'd seen something blocking his path. Slowly, he turned his gaze back to Abdoul, his intense stare saying nothing.</p><p>Seeing his silence and halted movement, Abdoul teased, “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten your name!”</p><p>Zayd simply nodded at him, then resumed walking ahead.</p><p>Abdoul chuckled lightly and said, “Well, since you seem to know the way, I’ll head back home.” He raised his voice as he walked away.</p><p>Zayd didn’t respond and kept walking. Watching him, Abdoul turned and headed home.</p><p>Zayd also made his way back to his own house. It took him less than two minutes to arrive.</p><p>Entering the living room with a greeting on his lips, he found Moussa sitting on the sofa, dressed in just shorts and a singlet, scrolling through his phone.</p><p>Moussa looked up to respond to the greeting, then asked, “Amir, where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you for ages!”</p><p>Slowly, Zayd removed his glasses. "Subhanallah," Moussa thought to himself. "It’s no wonder he wears glasses; his eyes are something else." They were a striking hazel, bright and shining like they held secrets, almost intimidating—like a cat’s eyes gleaming in the night.</p><p>Zayd walked further into the room, placed his glasses on the table, leaned back on the sofa, and closed his eyes.</p><p>Moussa observed him quietly, saying nothing. He knew his friend was an enigma—quiet, reserved, and nearly impossible to understand.</p><p>Putting his phone on the table, Moussa moved closer and placed a hand on Zayd’s knee.</p><p>Zayd slowly opened his eyes, tilted his head, and raised an eyebrow, silently asking, What?</p><p>“Amir, what’s wrong with you? You’ve changed so much—you’re nothing like Al-Amir Nawfel, the crown prince of Malik. Have you fallen in love?” Moussa teased, winking.</p><p>Zayd scoffed, turning his head away. “Please stop calling me that name. That name has no place in my life anymore—not since we arrived here.”</p><p>“In that case, stop calling me ‘Diya,’ too. Amir, are you really not going back to reclaim your throne?”</p><p>Zayd cut him off sharply. “Malik isn’t dead yet. He’s still on the throne, and even if he dies, I don’t want the throne. They tried to kill me for it. Let them keep their palace and their power. And you? You’re also a crown prince. Why don’t you go back and claim your kingdom?”</p><p>Moussa laughed, removing his hand from Zayd’s knee. “Oh, come on, Zayd. How can I take the throne when I’m third in line? Our eldest brother is still alive. I left everything to them, too. Power isn’t part of my plan. It’s just something you have to live with when you’re born royal.”</p><p>Zayd stood abruptly and left the living room.</p><p>As he reached the corridor, he paused without looking back and asked, “Do you have any news about Amira and Malikat Al’Umu?”</p><p>Moussa smiled. “Don’t worry—they’re safe and well.”</p><p>Zayd nodded briefly and walked into his bedroom.</p><p>Moussa soon got up and headed to his own room as well.</p><hr><p>The Next Day</p><p>AMINU KANO COLLEGE OF EDUCATION</p><p>Nesrine</p><p>Nesrine sat under a tree in the college courtyard, engrossed in a book.</p><p>Out of nowhere, someone snatched the book from her hands.</p><p>Startled, she looked up—and her heart sank when she saw who it was.</p><p>Two young men stood before her.</p><p>The one holding her book was slightly taller and fairer, with a long nose and small eyes. His neatly groomed hair and matching blue jeans and T-shirt gave him a striking appearance.</p><p>The other was slightly darker but bore a striking resemblance to the first, except his hair was cropped shorter, his eyes were brown, and he had a neatly trimmed beard. He wore black jeans and a white T-shirt.</p><p>The first one, holding her book, spoke first. “Baby, didn’t I tell you to meet me at the parking space during break?”</p><p>Nesrine swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she replied, “I’m sorry, Hafiz. I won’t do it again.”</p><p>He moved closer, sat beside her, and handed back the book. “It’s okay, baby. This spot is nice, but it’s too crowded. That’s why I told you to meet me at the parking space.”</p><p>Before she could respond, she heard a voice greet them.</p><p>Startled, she looked up to see Inaya approaching them.</p><p>Assuming they were Nesrine’s classmates, Inaya paid no mind and said, “Nesrine, wait for me when you’re heading home, okay?” Then she hurried off like she’d seen something scary.</p><p>The second young man had been staring at Inaya the whole time, his gaze fixated on her like he was in a trance. Only when she was out of sight did he speak.</p><p>“Bro, who’s that girl? She’s stunning—so innocent-looking.”</p><p>Nesrine’s heart sank. She knew Moctar too well. If he set his sights on Inaya, her sister would face torment, as Moctar was as cruel as he was charming.</p><p>Lost in thought, she suddenly felt Hafiz’s hand on her thigh.</p><p>Startled, she looked down at his hand.</p><p>“What’s wrong, baby? I asked you a question, and you went silent,” Hafiz said, leaning closer to her face.</p><p>“What is it?” she murmured faintly.</p><p>Smiling slightly, he asked, “Who’s she? Is she your sister?”</p><p>“No,” she replied quickly. “I just happened to meet her on the way.”</p><p>“Okay, then. What’s her name?” he pressed, his gaze sharp.</p><p>Nesrine swallowed hard. “I—I don’t know.”</p><p>A resounding slap landed on her face.</p><p>Clutching her cheek, tears streamed down her face as she looked at him in shock.</p><p>Hafiz stood, his voice rising angrily. “You dare lie to me? You think you can fool me?”</p><p>Grabbing her by the throat, he slammed her against the tree. “What’s her name?” he demanded.</p><p>Sobbing, Nesrine managed to gasp, “M-Maryam! Her name is Maryam!”</p><p>Seeing that he was close to choking her, Moctar intervened, placing a hand on Hafiz’s shoulder. “Bro, let her go before you kill her.”</p><p>Hafiz released her abruptly and stepped back. “Next time, think carefully before lying to me,” he warned, then stormed off.</p><p>Moctar followed him, leaving Nesrine trembling on the ground, crying uncontrollably.</p><p>It took her a good 30 minutes to compose herself before she stood, dragged herself to the restroom, washed her face, and headed to class.</p>
