We travelled to London via M6 on a rented Range Rover as a part of precautionary measures from being tracked by Hussaini. We began the journey with Lewis Capaldi's 'Hold Me While You Wait' which I knew Nick had it on his playlist for me. In fact, every song he played throughout the journey was meant for me, including 'The Fault in Our Stars' by Troye Sivan that came after.

I texted Tok Ba of my sudden change in plans and concocting a plausible excuse for the delay involving an unresolved balance of my tuition fees which I need to settle to avoid the university from withholding my certificate (although Nick had already paid them in full before the break up). After that, I immediately switched the phone into airplane mode, avoiding any further conversation with Tok Ba that could lead into a heated argument via video call.

The motorway was more congested than I expected but was moving slowly. I sat by the back seat behind Cane who was driving, enabling Nick to glance over his shoulder or watching me from the rear mirror while keeping an eye on me. I finally gave in to use the throw and a cushion pillow that was neatly placed next to me, tucking the pillow while wrapping the throw around me for a couple of naps. And even in between my forty winks, I could see Nick's watchful eyes observing me from the rear mirror which I ignored. There were moments where I rolled my eyes at him, yet he wouldn't shift his gaze away from me.

I immediately recognised London when we passed Brent Cross Shopping Centre on my left before Cane took Brent Cross Flyover towards A41 Hendon Way, heading for the city centre. The sight of the shopping mall immediately evoked memories of me and Zahidi when we were in our teens, browsing from store to store, sipping ShakeTastic beverages in our hands.

We arrived at a homeless shelter in Elephant & Castle where we were greeted by Nick's old friend, Daniel Kwamé, the shelter manager. Daniel was a former resident at the shelter before he was properly tended with jobs and a home. Nick suggested we spend a night here as our temporary less conspicuous sanctuary.

We were then greeted by Daniel's kids, a boy and a girl as we approached the reception. Both of them looked just like their dad, about a couple of years apart from each other but in their primary school. They recognised Nick instantly from his previous visits and pulled him to the side for some chats.

While Nick got himself busy catching up with the kids, I went further in to appraise the property. Behind the reception was a hallway leading to more rooms and halls such as the cafeteria, library, study area and common rooms. I walked up to the second floor and found a large hall to my left. The hall took up the entire floor and was about the size of the examination hall at Sackville Street Building in UoM with inflatable mattresses flanking in rows of five for the residents to spend their night resting.

"Nick funded the mattress for the shelter," Daniel told me later that day. "We had them changed a year ago."

Once I settled down, I lounged onto one of the unoccupied mattresses and unloaded essential items from my backpack before switching my phone into normal mode and was prompted with Tok Ba's 17 messages and five miscalls. I eventually attended to his call and reported on my current whereabouts and my plans of delaying the trip just to calm himself down. After we ended the call, Nick tapped my shoulder from behind.

"I'm getting ready for the prayer," he announced. "Care to join me?"

"Nope, I'll pass. Still having my period from the D&C," I declined.

"Okay. Keep an eye on my stuff, please," he requested, leaving his Ghurka duffle bag under my watch before he headed for the shower room outside the hall for an ablution.