15~Dinner invite #2
"When you needed my help, I helped you without thinking twice."
"And now you can't even do this one thing for me?"
"Oh?" Hanan smirked.
"I don't remember forcing you to help me."
"You did it because you wanted to."
"So don't make it seem it's a debt I owe you."
Emma stared at her in disbelief.
"I can't believe this is coming from you."
Her frustration finally exploded.
"Maybe... maybe you deserved every bad thing that happened to you."
Silence.
Emma's own words echoed between them.
"You were a hypocrite all along." She continued angrily.
"And now that I've seen your true colors, I regret ever hating Hajiya for making you seem like an ingrate."
"Because that's exactly what you are."
Hanan remained still.
Then she smiled.
A smile so calm it unsettled Emma.
"Thank you, Emma."
"Call me whatever makes you feel better."
"But nothing you say will change my mind."
"I won't see Grandma."
"And that's final."
She turned to leave, then stopped without looking back.
"And for the record..."
Her voice softened.
"I didn't deserve what happened to me."
"You know that."
With those final words, Hanan walked away.
Emma stood frozen.
The anger that had fueled her moments ago vanished, replaced by crushing guilt.
She knew Hanan was right.
Out of everyone...
Emma probably understood better than anyone that Hanan had never deserved the pain she endured.
"What have I done?" She whispered.
"I need to apologize."
She hurried after Hanan, but by the time she reached the mall entrance, Hanan had disappeared.
Emma sighed in defeat and turned back.
Only to freeze.
There she was.
Hanan.
But she wasn't alone.
A tall man stood beside her.
Curiosity got the better of Emma, and she quietly moved closer.
"Hanan?" The man asked. "You're here? I thought you were supposed to be home resting."
Hanan hesitated for a split second.
"Yeah..."
She forced a smile.
"I'm feeling much better now, so I thought of doing a little shopping."
The man didn't look convinced.
"Oh. What are you shopping for?"
"The dinner your dad invited me to."
She chuckled lightly realising she
"I realized I don't have a decent dress to wear tonight."
"Oh."
He nodded.
"Then let's check one of the boutiques here."
Hanan's smile stiffened.
"Actually... why don't you go ahead? You know how girls are when they shop. I would hate to waste your time."
She silently prayed he would agree and leave.
Because she left her ATM card at home.
And the only cash in her purse was a single one thousand naira note.
There was no way she could afford anything inside the mall.
"I was coming here to buy a bottle of wine anyway." He replied.
"Let's shop together, then head to my dad's place."
Hanan sighed inwardly.
"Okay."
She forced another smile.
"But we'll have to stop by my apartment afterward so I can change."
"Perfect."
He smiled.
"Let's go."
They walked into the mall together.
Emma watched from a distance, utterly confused.
"Who is he?"
Unable to resist, she followed them.
She watched them laugh together...
Tease each other over outfits...
And even help each other pick clothes.
It warmed Emma's heart.
It had been years since she saw Hanan laugh so freely.
When they finally left with several shopping bags, Emma quietly followed them outside watching Hanan and the man stepping into a waiting car.
She knew she shouldn't.
But she couldn't let the chance to find out where Hanan lived slip away.
She quickly hailed a taxi.
"Driver." She said, keeping her eyes on the car ahead.
"Please don't get too close."
"I don't want them to know we're following them."
"Okay." The driver replied, easing the car into traffic.
"We're here. Take your time and get ready." Faruk said as he drove into Hanan's compound and parked.
"Thanks. It's already past five, so I better hurry. I'll be back in a jiffy." She replied before slipping out of the car.
The moment she entered her apartment, she headed straight for the bathroom.
After a quick shower, she stood before her vanity mirror applying just enough makeup to enhance her features. She finished by spraying a light mist of perfume over dress, its delicate scent lingering in the air.
When she finally looked up at her reflection, she couldn't help but smile.
She was dressed in a stunning red abaya that hugged her figure perfectly. Glittering stones adorned the fabric from top to bottom, catching the light with every tiny movement.
Elegant yet modest, the dress looked as though it had been designed specifically for her.
It was breathtaking.
Hanan knew without a doubt that it must have cost a fortune and Faruk has great taste.
Faruk had bought it without allowing her to see the price. There wasn't even a price tag attached to it. Instead, the boutique staff had simply described it as a VIP purchase.
"A congratulatory gift." She murmured, smiling as she remembered how stubbornly he insisted she accept it.
"Think of it as a welcome gift to the company." He said.
She argued with him for several minutes, insisting it was too expensive, but Faruk didn't take no for an answer.
Her fingers lightly brushed over the shimmering fabric.
"Faruk really knows what suits me." She whispered, admiring herself once more.
A smile tugged at her lips.
Without a doubt...
This was going to become her favorite dress.
.
.
.
***