HIS LOVE ~ A Sequel to HER WORTH

1~After party

"Don't be stubborn!" Amira groaned, tugging at Hanan's arms with all the strength she could muster.

"I said I'm not going!" Hanan snapped, tightening her grip around the bedframe as though her life depended on it.

"For the love of God, why?" Amira huffed. "Just give me one good reason."

"I'm tired." Hanan sighed.

"That's your excuse?

"It's a perfectly valid excuse."

Amira rolled her eyes so hard they nearly disappeared. "Hanan, we got back from the department party five hours ago. You slept through the entire afternoon."

"And I'm allowed to happily sleep through the night." Hanan chuckled.

"Oh, please." Amira gave one final tug.

With a groan, Hanan lost her balance and landed on the floor.

"Ouch!" She rubbed her elbow, glaring at her friend. "You're such a nuisance."

"No." Amira folded her arms happily. "You're the nuisance."

She pointed dramatically at the matching pink dresses hanging on the wardrobe.

"I bought those for us. We're wearing them tonight, and we're going to the after party."

Hanan looked at the dresses and back at Amira.

"You do realize graduation is tomorrow, right?" She sighed.

"Exactly!" Amira exclaimed. "Tomorrow we'll be graduates. And that's why we can't miss tonight's party, it's our last chance to make memories as Cal U students."

Hanan scoffed "I would rather make memories with my pillow."

"You are impossible."

"I'm exhausted."

"You are boring."

"I'm peaceful."

"You're a grandma trapped in a twenty one year old's body."

Hanan couldn't help but laugh.

"You know..." She said. "I liked you better when you used to let me be."

"And I liked you better when you actually enjoyed parties." Amira grinned gently nudging Hanan toward the bathroom.

"Go and shower."

"No."

"Go."

"No."

"I'm not leaving until you do."

Hanan stared at her for a long moment before sighing dramatically. "You'll never give up, will you?"

Amira grinned. "Never."

"Fine." Hanan threw her hands in the air. "You win."

"I always do."

"Keep dreaming."

As she disappeared into the bathroom, Amira called after her.

"You have exactly one hour!"

"Yes, Mom!" Hanan shouted over the sound of running water.

Amira chuckled.

Thirty minutes later...

The bathroom door finally opened.

Freshly showered and dressed in a robe, Hanan walked out while drying her damp hair with a towel.

Amira's eyes sparkled. "There she is."

Before Hanan could react, Amira spun her toward the dressing table. "Sit."

"No."

"Sit."

"Amira, I don't trust that smile on your face."

"You shouldn't."

Within minutes, makeup brushes, powders, lip gloss, and eyeliner had taken over the table.

Hanan obediently kept her eyes shut while Amira worked with impressive confidence.

"Can I open them now?" Hanan asked eagerly after what felt like forever.

"Go ahead."

Hanan slowly lifted her eyelids... and froze.

"What..." Her lips twitched.

Then she burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"Oh my goodness!"

She laughed so hard tears filled her eyes.

"What happened?" Amira frowned.

"You happened!"

"I beg your pardon?"

"I look like a clown!"

"My masterpiece?!" Amira scowled.

"Masterpiece?" Hanan laughed even harder. "This is an attempted face murder."

Amira gasped dramatically. "I spent three hours watching makeup tutorials!"

"Three hours?"

"Yes!"

"Ask YouTube for a refund."

"Hanan!"

"I'm serious." She reached for a pack of face wipes. "You could actually be arrested for facial assault."

"You are so mean."

"And yet... we're still best friends."

As Hanan wiped away the overly dramatic makeup, Amira pouted from across the room.

"I was trying to make you look hot."

"I already look hot."

Amira blinked. "...Did you just compliment yourself?"

"I did."

"Oh, she's finally awake."

Hanan chuckled.

A few minutes later, she slipped into the pink dress Amira had picked out.

The dress hugged her perfectly without being overdone.

Amira smiled proudly.

"I knew you would look beautiful."

Hanan glanced at herself in the mirror.

"I'll admit..."

She smoothed the fabric.

"You've got good taste."

"I know."

"Don't let it get to your head."

"Too late." Amira smiled grabbing her dark shades and handbag before turning toward the door.

"Ready?"

Hanan sighed dramatically.

"As ready as someone being kidnapped can be."

Amira laughed. "Come on, drama queen."

Hand in hand, the two best friends left their hostel room.

Their ride was already waiting, and just as Amira wished, they arrived at the After party in time.

Music could be heard from the hall all the way from the parking lot.

Laughter, cheers, and the bass of a familiar song echoed through the night as graduates rushed through the entrance in glittering dresses and tailored suits.

Hanan walking beside Amira soon slowed to a stop.

She stared at the banner stretched above the entrance.

CLASS OF 2023! AFTER PARTY

"We are graduating tomorrow not today, and they couldn't wait until tomorrow before hosting the after party." She muttered.

Amira laughed, smoothing down her dress. "Who complains about getting an extra celebration?"

"My feet."

She lifted one heel slightly.

"These heels are about murder my feet."

"You've been complaining since we left the hostel, Hanan."

"Because they're trying to kill me."

Amira nudged her shoulder. "No pain no gain, you look stunning in it."

"Maybe."

They reached the entrance before Hanan stopped again.

"You know..." She said quietly. "Maybe you should go in without me."

Amira turned so quickly she almost dropped her bag.

"I'm sorry..." She narrowed her eyes dramatically.

"Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?"

Hanan couldn't help rolling her eyes. "Very funny."

"I'm serious!" Amira exclaimed.

"Where's the Hanan that used to drag me to every party on campus? The one who couldn't hear music without dancing?"

Hanan's smile faded ever so slightly. "She's tired."

"No."

"She is."

"No, she's hiding."

Hanan looked away. "I just want to rest, Amira."

A heavy sigh escaped Amira's lips.

"You've said that about everything lately."

Silence.

"You've avoided almost everyone this semester."

Silence again.

"You barely smile like you used to."

Hanan swallowed hard.

Some wounds didn't heal simply because time had passed.

Some only learned how to stay quiet.

Amira noticed the distant look in her friend's eyes and instantly regretted pushing too hard, but tonight wasn't just any night.

It was their last night as university students.

She wanted one final memory.

One last carefree night together.

"Hanan..." Her voice softened. "Tomorrow we graduate."

"I know."

"We'll all go our separate ways after this."

"I know."

"So please..." Amira reached for both of her hands.

"Give me tonight."

Hanan stared at her friend.

She remembered the countless times Amira had stood by her throughout the years.

The way she supports her and loves her unconditionally.

The laughter she brought back into her life that once knew nothing but pain.

She owed her this.

Even if only for a few hours.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

"Fine."

Amira blinked. "...Really?"

Hanan nodded.

"But if my feet fall off before the night ends, you are paying the hospital bill."

Amira burst into laughter. "Deal!"

She threw her arms around Hanan's hugging her so tightly that Hanan almost lost her balance.

"Okay, okay..." Hanan laughed. "People are staring."

"They should."

Amira pulled away with a grin.

"My best friend is finally back.Come on!" Amira said, grabbing her wrist.

"Tonight, we celebrate."

Immediately, they disappeared into the crowd, letting the music swallow them whole.

Within minutes, they had reunited with a few coursemates.

"Look who finally showed up!" One of the girls teased.

"We thought Hanan had abandoned us."

"I almost did," Hanan admitted with a sheepish smile.

Amira gasped dramatically. "Don't remind me. I practically dragged her here."

"Correction." Hanan replied. "You kidnapped me."

The group erupted into laughter.

"That's more like it!" Another friend said. "Now where's the champagne?"

Amira hurried toward the refreshment table and returned moments later carrying two bottles.

She handed one to Hanan.

"Relax." She said before Hanan could protest. "It's non alcohol."

Hanan smiled gratefully. "You know me too well."

"I do."

They popped the bottles open together.

"To friendship!"

"To graduation!"

"And to surviving three years in Cal U!"

Someone shouted.

The group laughed before clinking their glasses together.

"To us." Hanan said softly.

"To us!" Amira's voice echoed.

The music grew louder.

The party was in full swing as Amira and Hanan were in a full party mood.

They danced with their friends, they sang at the top of their lungs, dancing until they forgot about tomorrow, taking silly pictures, challenging each other to party games, teasing one another, and creating memories they hoped would last long after graduation.

For the first time in weeks... Hanan laughed without forcing it.

For the first time in weeks... She almost felt like herself again.

For a little while... Life felt normal again.

She had almost forgotten why she had been reluctant to come.

Almost...

Until Amira leaned closer, her eyes fixed on something behind Hanan.

"Oh..."

"What?" Hanan laughed.

"There's a hottie nearby."

Hanan raised an eye brow. "Really, how hot?"

"I'm serious." Amira laughed shamelessly staring over Hanan's shoulder.

"He's a perfect ten out of ten."

Hanan chuckled. "Only ten?"

"Twelve."

"Now you're exaggerating."

"I wish I were."

Hanan shook her head, taking another sip of her drink.

"Well, I don't want to know who he is."

Amira smirked. "I don't think you have an option."

"Huh?"

"Because he's walking this way."

Habiba stopped dancing.

Slowly... Very slowly...

She turned to face Amira with narrowed eyes.

"You didn't."

Amira's smile instantly disappeared.

"I..."

"You did?"

"Just hear me out."

"Amira!"

"It wasn't exactly planned."