6~Cold as ice #2
Her eyes widened. "You what?"
"I only wanted to make sure you got home safely."
"That's still stalking!"
"If making sure you're safe makes me a stalker..." He shrugged. "Then I'm proudly and happily guilty."
She scoffed.
"I would do it again if it meant knowing you were okay."
His words caught her off guard.
She quickly looked away.
"So..." He continued, "Why did you leave without saying anything?"
"Do I owe you an explanation?"
"Actually..." He folded his arms.
"You do."
"You nearly gave me a heart attack."
She stared at him before bursting into a sarcastic laugh.
"You? Heart attack?"
"Yes."
"I was worried."
She sighed. "Something came up."
"And?"
"And I left."
He waited.
"That's it?"
"What else?"
"A simple apology would be nice."
She groaned dramatically.
"Fine. I'm sorry for almost giving you a heart attack..."
She paused before adding with a grin,
"...which I seriously doubt happened."
Faruk laughed despite himself. "Terrible apology."
"Now answer my question." She pointed at the tray.
"Why are you really here?"
"I told you."
"To feed you breakfast."
"I have people in this house who can do that."
"I know."
"So?"
"I wanted to."
She stared at him suspiciously. "I still don't believe you."
"Believe whatever you like." He gently pushed the tray closer.
"Now eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"Eat."
"No."
"Yes."
She sighed dramatically. "You're stubborn."
"So are you." He smiled.
"Finish your breakfast, freshen up, and get dressed."
"We're going out."
She frowned. "I don't feel like going anywhere."
"You'll change your mind."
"Why?"
"Because we're running an errand for Amira."
Hanan blinked. "Amira never told me anything."
Faruk pulled out his phone.
"She probably sent you a message while your phone was off."
She frowned.
"And how do you know that?"
He held up his screen.
"Because she texted me too... and asked me to come pick you up."
"Really?" Hanan frowned, reaching for her phone. Unlocking it, she found a long message waiting for her.
Hanan couldn't but smile as she replied.
She sighed and locked her phone.
"So..." Faruk folded his arms with a satisfied smile. "Do you believe me now?"
"I do." She admitted reluctantly.
"Good. Now get out of bed, freshen up, and have your breakfast."
He paused before adding with a teasing grin,
"And maybe wipe the dry drool off your cheek first."
"Drool?!" Hanan gasped, instantly covering her face.
"Oh my God!"
She snatched a pillow and hurled it at him.
"Get out!"
Faruk laughed as the pillow bounced harmlessly against his chest.
"Have your breakfast. I'll be waiting downstairs."
He walked out still laughing, gently closing the door behind him.
The moment he stepped outside, he found Nanny Ann standing by the door with a warm smile.
"I know I shouldn't be eavesdropping." She admitted with a chuckle. "But thank you. We tried everything to get her out of bed."
"It's nothing, Ma. She's my friend. I couldn't just leave her like that."
"May God bless you."
"Ameen."
"Abdul would like to see you. He's waiting in the living room. I'll bring you some tea."
"Thank you, Ma." Faruk smiled before making his way downstairs.
Abdul looked up from his phone as soon as he entered."Good morning."
"Morning, Abdul."
"I heard you came. Thanks for stopping by."
"My pleasure."
"I also heard Hanan is finally getting ready."
A small smile tugged at Faruk's lips.
"She is."
Abdul leaned back curiously.
"How did you manage that? We couldn't get her to leave her room no matter what we said."
Faruk scratched the back of his neck.
"Well..."
Before he could answer, his phone vibrated.
A smile crossed Faruk's face as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.
The plan had worked perfectly.
The moment he saw everyone panicking the moment he arrived, he knew only one person could convince Hanan to step outside.
Amira.
Together, they came up with the perfect excuse.
He had only wanted to cheer her up after discovering pieces of the painful past she had been carrying alone.
"You seem happy chatting." Abdul observed.
"Just a friend texting."
"Your girlfriend?"
Faruk chuckled. "No. Just a friend."
"Then tell me..." Abdul folded his arms. "What exactly did you say that made my stubborn sister agree to leave the house?"
"I didn't do much."
He shrugged casually. "Let's just say our friendship has its privileges."
"Our friendship?" Abdul repeated thoughtfully. "How close are the two of you?"
Faruk hesitated.
"What are your intentions toward my sister?"
"Friendship." He answered without hesitation.
"We're friends. That's all."
"You don't have feelings for her?" Nanny Ann asked as she placed a steaming cup of tea before him.
Faruk laughed. "No."
"I don't believe that."
She shook her head.
"A man and a woman are rarely just friends. If her own family couldn't convince her to get out of bed but you did within minutes, then your friendship must be deeper than you're admitting."
"Nanny Ann!" Hanan's voice echoed through the room.
Everyone turned toward the staircase.