7~ Three years passed
Faruk reached the car expecting Hanan to be right behind him.
She wasn't.
His smile faded.
He glanced around the parking lot before hurrying back into the mall.
"Hanan..."
He spotted her standing motionless, tears shimmering in her eyes.
"Hanan?" He called softly, but she didn't respond.
Frowning, he walked toward her, only to freeze when he saw who she was standing in front of.
His expression darkened.
Without hesitation, he reached for Hanan's hand.
"Let's go."
"Faruk?" Hajiya Khadija smiled in surprise. "What a pleasant surprise. You're finally back from abroad."
Her smile slowly faded the moment she noticed him holding Hanan's hand protectively.
"Wait..." She said, stepping in front of them. "Did you just call her Hanan?"
Faruk's jaw tightened.
"Excuse us."
He tried to lead Hanan away, but Hajiya blocked their path again.
"Hanan?" She scoffed. "No... she's not Hanan."
Her lips curled into a mocking smile.
"Habiba."
She deliberately emphasized the name.
"So you're still alive."
Her eyes swept over Hanan from head to toe.
"I almost didn't recognize you. Three years have changed you... you've grown into a beautiful young woman."
She tilted her head.
"But no matter how much you've changed... I would recognize you anywhere."
"Mom..." Amina tugged gently at her mother's arm.
"Please, let's go."
Everyone turned to look at her.
Even Hanan.
She searched Amina's face desperately.
Didn't she recognize her?
"Go?" Hajiya laughed coldly. "Amina, aren't you shocked? Look at her carefully."
She pulled her daughter closer.
"She looks different, but I'm certain she's Habiba."
As Hajiya stepped closer, Faruk immediately moved between them.
"Hajiya..."
His voice was calm but firm.
"I'm trying to be respectful, so please don't cross the line."
"The line?" She repeated with a bitter laugh.
"Faruk!" Amina snapped. "Watch how you speak to my mother."
He turned sharply toward her.
"Then tell your mother to stop harassing people."
"Enough."
Hajiya waved dismissively.
"Don't waste your breath."
She shot Faruk a look of contempt.
"He's exactly like his cousin. Respect is clearly missing from that family."
Her eyes drifted back to Hanan.
Cold.
Judgmental.
Filled with years of resentment.
"Mom, please." Amina sighed. "Let's leave."
This time, Hajiya allowed herself to be led away.
But before disappearing, Amina cast one last cold glance at Hanan.
It pierced deeper than Hajiya's words ever could.
Unable to stop herself, Hanan hurried after them.
"Amina..."
Her trembling fingers wrapped around Amina's hand.
"Amina... it's me."
Amina jerked her hand away immediately.
"Who are you?" She snapped. "Don't touch me."
Hanan's heart sank immediately.
Hajiya stepped forward instantly, shielding Amina. "Stay away from my daughter."
Her voice filled with disgust.
"And don't ever come near my family again."
With that, she pulled Amina away without another glance.
Silence settled over the hallway.
Hanan remained rooted to the spot, watching them disappear.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"So much has changed in three years..."
She smiled bitterly.
"But Hajiya's hatred for me never changed."
Faruk sighed quietly before walking over to her.
"Hanan..."
She didn't answer.
He gently took her hand.
"Come on."
He led her out of the mall without another word.
When they reached the parking lot, he opened the passenger door.
"Get in."
But Hanan remained standing.
Her eyes were still fixed on the mall entrance, as though a part of her had been left behind.
"Hanan..."
Faruk called softly, his voice filled with concern as he gently guided her into the car.
The drive to their next destination was wrapped in complete silence.
Faruk stole several glances at Hanan.
She stared blankly through the window, her eyes distant, as though she had left a part of herself behind at the mall.
His chest tightened.
He knew about her past, but only bits and pieces. Whatever had happened between Hanan and her ex in laws had clearly left wounds that time hasn't healed.
Taking her straight home didn't feel right.
He knew she would only lock herself away and cry again.
So instead, they stopped by the designer's store to drop off Amira's fabrics and pick styles before he drove somewhere else.
The beach.
Neither of them spoke as they walked side by side along the shoreline, their feet sinking into the warm sand until they found a quiet spot away from everyone else.
They sat facing the endless ocean.
Still... Neither of them exchanged a word.
Minutes stretched into an hour.
Only the sound of crashing waves filled the silence between them.
Finally, Faruk broke the exhausting silence.
"Hanan."
He gently nudged her shoulder.
"Hmm?"
"You hungry?"
He pointed toward a small beach canteen at a short distance away.
"We could grab something to eat."
She shook her head.
"I'm not hungry."
"Okay."
He nodded before smiling softly.
"Then... do you want to talk?"
She remained quiet.
"You don't have to keep everything bottled up."
His voice was gentle.
"You can tell me anything."
Hanan slowly turned to look at him.
For the first time since leaving the mall, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Thank you."
"What for?"
"For standing up for me."
She lowered her gaze.
"At the mall."
Faruk shrugged.
"I couldn't just stand there and watch someone treat you that way."
He picked up a small shell, tossing it into the water.
"I hate people who think they can bully others simply because of their status."
Hanan smiled faintly.
"How do you know them?"
"They're well known in Lagos."
He sighed.
"They're influential enough that almost everyone has heard of them."
A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
"They ruined my life."
Faruk fell silent.
She absentmindedly traced circles in the sand with her fingertip.
After a long pause, he spoke.
"So..."
He glanced sideways at her.
"Habiba."
She froze.
"That's your real name, isn't it?"
She nodded slowly.
"Why did you change it?"
She released a tired sigh.
"It's a long story."
"I figured." He smiled gently.
"But whether you're Hanan or Habiba..."
He waited until she met his eyes.
"...never forget your worth."
His words were calm but firm.
"You shouldn't let anyone make you feel small."
He hesitated before adding,
"I'll admit... you surprised me today."
She frowned.
"The Hanan I know would've argued back."
He chuckled softly.
"But today... you looked defeated."
"Amina..."
Her voice cracked.
"I think she hates me too."
"What makes you think that?"
"Didn't you see the way she looked at me?"
Her eyes glistened.
"She looked at me like I was dirt."
Faruk frowned.
"Maybe she simply didn't recognize you. It's been three years."
Hanan shook her head immediately.
"No."
"If her mother recognized me within seconds..."
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"...why wouldn't she?"
A tear escaped her despite her efforts to stop it.
"I think she chose not to."
Faruk didn't know what to say.
She wiped her cheeks quickly before forcing a small smile.
"You're the first person I've told my real name."
She looked at him closely.
"It probably sounds strange... but please keep it between us."
He nodded without hesitation.
"You have my word."
A moment of silence settled between them again.
Then Hanan stood up.
"We should head home."
She dusted the sand from her dress and began walking away.
Faruk watched her retreating figure.
She looked so lonely.
So broken.
He wished he could erase every memory that stole the smile from her face.
Without thinking, he called out...
"Hanan!"
She turned instantly.
"Faruk?"
Her eyes widened as she saw him clutch his leg, his face twisted in pain.
Worry flashed across her face as she hurried back toward him.
"Faruk?" Hanan rushed toward him groaning.
"What happened?" She cried out panic written all over her face.
"Scorpion..." He groaned. "A scorpion stung me."
"What?!" Her eyes widened. "Oh my God! Are you serious?"
"It hurts..."
"What do I do?" She looked around helplessly. "Help! Somebody help!"
"Just... help me up."
"O... Okay." She slipped an arm around him, struggling to support his weight. "We need to get you first aid."
The moment she pulled him upright, he gave her a playful shove.
Splash!
She landed in the shallow water with a loud gasp.
"What the hell!"
Faruk burst into laughter.
Hanan stared at him in disbelief. His leg looked perfectly fine.
"You..." She breathed.
"It's been a while since we did this." He laughed harder, pointing at her soaked dress. "Your face is priceless."
Her jaw dropped. "You pranked me?"
"I absolutely did."
"You idiot!"
She scooped up a handful of sand and hurled it at him.
Faruk dodged effortlessly.
Unfortunately...
Smack!
The sand hit a passing stranger square in the face.
"Oh my God!"
Hanan froze.
"I... I'm so sorry!" She apologized immediately.
Faruk was already laughing uncontrollably.
"That was meant for me." He managed between laughs. "Sorry, sir!"
The man wiped the sand from his face before chuckling.
"It's alright."
Hanan let out a relieved sigh before glaring at Faruk.
"You are so dead!"
"That's if you catch me." She chased after him, grabbing more handfuls of sand.
"Faruk!"
He sprinted across the beach, laughing.
"You'll just have to catch me first!"
"I swear I'll bury you in this sand!" Hanan screamed.
They spent the next hour running across the shoreline like children, throwing sand, laughing, and teasing each other until the sun slowly began fading.
Panting, Hanan finally stopped.
"Faruk... I give up."
"You?" He laughed. "That easily? I don't believe you."
"I'm serious. Look."
She turned and began walking toward the parking lot.
"It's getting late."
"For real?" He called after her.
"Yep. Bye."
She waved without looking back.
Two steps later...
"Ouch!"
She collapsed onto the sand.
Pain shot through her foot.
Faruk folded his arms.