12~Stolen look #2
"Hanan..." Amira called softly, disbelief written all over her face. "I never expected this from you."
"What has gotten into you?"
Hanan's expression softened for the briefest moment.
"Honey, you don't know the whole story." She sighed. "Please... stay out of this."
"Stay out of it?!" Amira's voice echoed in disbelief.
"This is my brother's wedding! You barged in here, caused a scene, humiliated the bride... why? What have they ever done to you?"
Hanan gave a bitter smile.
"It's a long story, sweetheart. Just not one for tonight."
She glanced around the hall.
"Besides... I simply honored your invitation."
Amira drew in a shaky breath before pointing toward the exit.
"You've honored it enough."
"You should leave."
Hanan nodded slowly.
"I'll gladly do that because the sight of these despicable people before me nauseates me." She sneered as her eyes swept across the Garba family one last time before settling on Amina.
"This isn't over."
"It's only the beginning."
She walked toward the bride until they stood face to face.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"Congratulations on your wedding."
"I truly wish you a marriage free from evil... and free from toxicity."
She opened her arms for a hug.
Amina shoved her away.
Hanan chuckled.
"Harsh."
"But that's alright."
She turned toward the guests with a graceful wave.
"I had a wonderful evening."
"Goodnight, everyone."
Without another word, she walked out of the reception hall.
"Hanan! Wait!"
Abdul hurried after her.
She stopped but didn't turn around.
"What now?" She asked coldly.
"I'm sorry." His voice was filled with regret.
"I know I hurt you. I deserve your anger... but please, hear me out."
"Let's go home."
She let out a humorless laugh.
"Home?"
"Stop calling that place home, that place stopped being my home the moment trust I had for you died."
"A home is where you're loved, where promises are kept, where you feel safe... Not where you're betrayed."
Abdul lowered his head.
"I know I made a mistake."
"But I'm still your brother."
"I still care about you."
"Lies." Her voice cracked despite her efforts to remain strong.
"I forgave you once in the past."
"I overlooked your betrayal then."
"But not this time."
"You saw everything I went through."
"You promised to support me and help me ruin him."
"And the moment it mattered most... You chose him?"
Tears spilled freely down her cheeks.
"No, Hanan..."
She wiped them away with the back of her hand. "You know what?"
"I've had enough."
"The last thing I need in my life is people who pretend to be loyal."
"If you're not willing to help me seek justice..."
"Then stay the hell away from me."
Abdul closed his eyes for a brief second.
"I can see you're hurting."
"I'll give you the space you need."
"But this isn't over."
"We'll talk again."
Hanan looked at him with nothing but disappointment. "I despise you."
She turned and began walking away.
Suddenly, a firm hand wrapped around her wrist.
She sighed in frustration.
"Abdul..."
The words died on her lips the second she turned.
The hand holding her wasn't Abdul's.
Slowly, she lifted her eyes to the tall figure standing before her.
The turned pale immediately. drained from her face completely.
She felt as though she had been struck by invisible lightning.
Out of everyone she expected to follow her out, Najib was the last.
Without taking his eyes off her, he spoke to Abdul.
"Please... excuse us."
His voice was low and calm, yet carried an authority that made Abdul hesitate.
Before Hanan could react, Najib's hand closed firmly around her wrist.
His grip wasn't painful, but it was impossible to break free.
He stepped closer.
Her heart skipped a beat.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Hanan found herself studying the man standing before her.
He looked older.
More mature.
The faint scar slicing through his eyebrow wasn't there three years ago, yet somehow it suited him.
His long braids rested neatly over his shoulders, and his broad frame stretched the fabric of his tailored tuxedo. He looked larger than she remembered.
Stronger, almost intimidating.
Still, she refused to lower her gaze.
"Habiba..." He whispered, searching for the familiarity in her bright eyes.
"It's Hanan."
"Lies." He reached out to touch her face.
She immediately stepped back. "Don't touch me." Her voice was icy, cold enough to freeze the air between them.
"I don't lie." She looked him dead in the eyes. "But I do revenge."
Najib's expression tightened. "Habiba, you can deny your name... But you can't deny who you are."
His voice softened. "You're my Habiba. I know you are."
Hanan let out a sarcastic laugh. "Your Habiba? You've got the wrong woman."
"No." He shook his head slowly.
"I would recognize you anywhere... In every lifetime, like I did at my boxing match before you disappeared."
"Your eyes... Your voice... Your smile. Even your scent... They've never left my memory."
Three years had changed her appearance, her confidence, even her accent.
But not enough to fool him.
He was certain that the girl who now has an American accent looked a bit different from the Habiba he was desperately looking for but he could bet his life that she was the one...
His lost but found love.
He had searched for her for far too long to mistake someone else for the woman he loved.
Silence settled between them once more.
Neither looked away.
Then another voice shattered the moment.
"Hi, love. I hope I'm not late."
Faruk.
He walked straight toward them as though he belonged there.
Without hesitation, he slipped an arm around Hanan's waist and gently pulled her against him.
Both Hanan and Najib froze.
For completely different reasons.
Hanan glanced at Faruk before quickly understanding what he was doing.
Without missing a beat, she played along.
"No."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"You came at the perfect time dear."
She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck.
"Please... take me home."
Faruk smiled back before lifting his gaze to the stunned man standing opposite him.
"Faruk...?" Najib murmured in disbelief.
Faruk's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Hi, cousin."
.
.
.
***
A/N