5~ A glimpse of him
Before six in the evening, Hanan stood before her full length mirror, putting the finishing touches to her outfit.
She had chosen a silk sky blue dress that hugged her figure elegantly, pairing it with a vintage scarf neatly tied over her hair. With one hand resting beneath her chin, she scanned the neatly arranged shoes in her closet.
"No..." She murmured.
"Not this one."
Her eyes landed on a pair of white heels tucked at the back.
A smile spread across her face.
"There you are."
She picked them up carefully.
They were more than just shoes.
They were a memory.
The very first thing she had bought with her first paycheck while working part time at a coffee shop in America.
She had promised herself then that she would only wear them on special occasions because they were very expensive.
Tonight felt worthy enough.
After slipping into them, she applied a layer of glossy lip gloss, sprayed her favorite perfume one last time, and walked downstairs.
"Nanny Ann... is that really you?" Hanan laughed the moment she stepped into the living room.
Nanny Ann looked equally breathtaking in her elegant attire.
Nanny Ann laughed softly.
"I should be asking you that."
Her eyes slowly traveled from Hanan's heels to the scarf wrapped over her hair.
"My goodness... You look absolutely beautiful."
Hanan smiled brightly. "Well, a dinner at a five star restaurant with my favorite people deserves this much effort."
Nanny Ann chuckled. "I can't argue with that."
"Alright, ladies."
Abdul's voice interrupted as he walked toward them, already dressed in a perfectly tailored navy blue suit.
"Shall we?"
Hanan looked at him closely before nodding approvingly.
"Abdul, I must admit you look very handsome tonight."
He smiled. "Thank you."
Nanny Ann sighed dramatically as they headed outside.
"It's only because you're back."
She shook her head.
"He hardly takes this much time to dress up."
Hanan laughed while sliding into the back seat.
"I don't even want to hear the excuse, I'm certain it'll be about work."
She looked directly at Abdul.
"But now that I'm home, you don't have permission to look anything less than this."
He laughed quietly. "I would appreciate that."
As the car pulled onto the road, Abdul glanced at them through the rearview mirror.
"So... What are my ladies craving tonight?"
"Whatever Hanan wants is fine with me." Nanny Ann replied.
Hanan didn't even have to think.
"Local food."
She smiled dreamily.
"I've missed it so much. No matter how long I stayed in America trying new food, nothing compares to our meals."
Abdul nodded knowingly. "I know exactly where we're going."
Barely twenty minutes later, the car stopped before an elegant restaurant glowing beneath warm evening lights.
Hanan slowly read the large inscription displayed on the building.
"A Bite More..."
A smile unconsciously found its way onto her lips.
"You know the place?" Abdul asked.
She shook her head.
"No."
"It just reminded me of someone."
"The tall dimpled guy?" Abdul smirked.
"The one who introduced himself at the airport?"
Hanan laughed. "Faruk."
"How did you guess correctly?"
"You smiled the moment you read the sign." He shrugged.
"It wasn't difficult."
She shook her head, laughing.
"He always says, Let's have a bite and more whenever we're going out to eat."
Abdul grinned. "Well then..."
He held the restaurant door open dramatically.
"Let's go have a bite and more."
Hanan burst into laughter before following him inside.
The restaurant buzzed with life.
Families chatted happily.
Friends laughed over steaming plates.
The rich aroma of freshly prepared Nigerian delicacies filled every corner of the room, making Hanan's stomach rumble almost instantly.
"This place smells heavenly." She whispered.
Soon, they settled at a quiet table near the window.
Without hesitation, Hanan ordered exactly what she had been craving for years.
Pounded yam and egusi soup.
Loaded generously with beef, stockfish, and plenty of pomo.
When the meal arrived, she almost sighed in satisfaction.
Despite spending three years abroad, there was one habit she never abandoned.
She preferred eating with her hands.
Ignoring the curious glances around her, she requested a bowl of water, washed her hands carefully, and happily tore off a piece of pounded yam.
"Mmm..."
Her eyes closed briefly.
"I've missed this."
Abdul couldn't help smiling as he watched her eat with so much satisfaction.
Without saying anything, he quietly unwrapped the second wrap of pounded yam and placed it beside her plate before she even finished the first.
She smiled gratefully.
Just then...
"Hanan?"
The familiar voice made her pause.
She looked up.
Her eyebrows shot upward.
"Seriously?"
Standing a few feet away was the very last person she expected to see.
Faruk.
Smiling at her.
Again.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Are you stalking me?"
Faruk blinked before laughing. "Stalking you?"
He placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "I'm offended."
His gaze shifted toward the empty chair beside their table.
"Mind if I join you?"
Before Hanan could answer...
"Of course." Nanny Ann smiled warmly. "The more, the merrier."
Hanan leaned closer to her.
"Nanny Ann..."
She whispered.
"Tonight was supposed to be family dinner."
Nanny Ann whispered back with an amused smile.
"He looks harmless."
"And besides... The more, the merrier."
Defeated, Hanan sighed.
Faruk happily pulled out a chair and sat opposite her.
"So..."
She folded her arms.
"What are you doing here?"
"The same reason everyone else is here." He flashed his trademark dimpled smile.
"I'm here to have a bite... and more."
She rolled her eyes. "Out of every restaurant in Lagos..."
"You chose this one?"
"Aren't I allowed to enjoy family time in peace?"
Before Faruk could answer all the questions...
"Faruk?"
A graceful female voice interrupted.
Everyone turned together.
An elegantly dressed woman stood a few steps away, accompanied by two waiters carrying shopping bags behind her.
The moment Faruk saw her, his face brightened.
"Mom."
He immediately stood and walked over to embrace her.
"Mom? That's your mom?" Hanan muttered in surprise, watching the mother and son embrace. A smile tugged at her lips.
"I'll introduce you to my friend and her family." Faruk said, leading his mother toward their table.
"A friend?" His mother repeated with an amused surprise. "That's new."
As they approached, Hanan couldn't help observing the elegant woman. She looked far too young to have a grown son like Faruk.
It didn't take much for Hanan to conclude she became a mother at a very young age. The resemblance between them was undeniable, his handsome features and even his dimples were clearly inherited from her.
"Good evening, ma'am." Hanan greeted politely.
"Good evening, beautiful." The woman replied warmly, a dimple flashing on her cheeks.
"This is my friend, Hanan, and her family." Faruk introduced Abdul and Nanny Ann as well.
"It's a pleasure to meet the CEO of A Bite and More." Abdul said with a smile as they exchanged greetings.
"The pleasure is mine." She replied graciously. "I hope you're all enjoying your meal. We never disappoint."
"CEO?" Hanan repeated inwardly. So she owns the restaurant.
"Your restaurant is amazing." Hanan complimented. "The food is incredible. No wonder it's a five star restaurant."
Faruk's mother beamed. "Thank you, dear. You're actually the first friend Faruk has ever introduced to me. I'm so happy to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine too." Hanan replied with a smile.
"Mom, I was about to leave when I decided to stop by and say hello. Now I'll be heading out with my friend."
"Already?" She sighed. "You just got back from the US. Spend the weekend with me."
"I will. I promise." He kissed her cheek before turning to Abdul. "Mr Abdul, may I borrow your sister for the evening?"
"No, Faruk." His mother interrupted. "She's having dinner with her family. Don't disturb them."
"It's alright." Nanny Ann said with a smile. "She can go."
"What?!" Hanan blurted, staring at Nanny Ann in disbelief.
"We're almost done eating anyway." Abdul added.
"But I still have one more wrap of pounded yam to finish." Hanan protested.
"You heard them." Faruk smirked as he gently took her hand. "Let's go."
"I don't want to." She groaned.
"Faruk, if she doesn't want to go, don't force her." His mother warned.
"No, let her go and have fun with her friend." Nanny Ann insisted.
Hanan sighed dramatically. "Fine. I'll go. Bye."
"Be back before ten." Abdul called after her.
"You don't get to give me a curfew after sending me away against my will." She whispered with a flat smile as she walked past him.
"Expect me anytime."
"So, where exactly are we going?" Hanan sighed as Faruk opened the passenger door of his G Wagon.
"A bar."
She stopped midway.
"A bar? You dragged me away from a perfectly good dinner... to a bar?"
He laughed.
"What's wrong with having a drink at a nice place?"
"Everything! I still can't believe I'm actually following you."
"My cousin recently opened the place. I wanted to check it out, and I figured it would be more fun if you came along."
"I highly doubt that."
"Oh, come on. It'll be just like the old times."
"If only you didn't interrupted my delicious dinner." She muttered.
"A Bite and More is always open for you. I'll even make sure you get a special discount whenever you visit."
"I'll gladly take that. I plan on becoming a regular customer."
She glanced at him thoughtfully.
"I was honestly surprised your mom owns the restaurant. If you didn't introduced her as your mother, I would've assumed she was your older sister. I thought your family only owned a law firm."