21~Past VS present
"What was he thinking? Why did he kiss me? Aren't we just friends?"
The questions chased Hanan all the way home.
The moment she stepped into her room, she shut the door behind her and leaned against it, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Her heartbeat was far too fast for her liking.
She closed her eyes, pressing a trembling hand against her chest as she tried to steady her breathing.
After a long moment, she let her handbag slip onto the floor as she slowly walked toward her mirror.
She stared at her own reflection.
"Faruk... kissed me?" She whispered, the words feeling unbelievably heavy.
Her fingers unconsciously brushed over her lips.
"No... It can't be. It has to be a dream."
She paused.
"Hell no..." She let out a shaky breath. "It happened. He actually kissed me."
She began pacing around the room, unable to keep still. Every time she shut her eyes, his face appeared before her.
His gentle gaze.
The warmth of his hands gripping her arms.
The desperate way he had looked at her.
And then...
His lips against hers.
"No." She shook her head sharply. "Let's not go there."
She buried her face in her hands.
"Why is that kiss bothering me this much? I'm so confused."
Then Amira came to mind.
If there was anyone who could untangle confusing feelings, it was Amira.
Back in University, Lucy practically consulted her every day whenever boyfriends became a problem.
"I should call Amira..."
Hanan reached for her phone before freezing.
The smile on her face slowly disappeared.
"I don't have the right to call her anymore."
She had thrown that friendship away herself.
With a defeated sigh, she collapsed onto her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"I need to talk to someone... My head is overheating."
A thought suddenly crossed her mind.
"Maybe a cold shower."
She hurried into the bathroom and stood beneath the running water.
Minutes passed.
Then almost an hour.
Instead of calming her mind, the shower only made things worse.
Without warning, Najib's kiss from the previous night invaded her thoughts.
"Oh, come on..." She groaned, pressing her palms against her face.
"I need something to distract myself."
She stepped out of the bathroom and dried herself quickly.
Just then, she realized Nanny Ann hasn't returned from the market.
"I'll cook."
A small smile tugged at her lips.
"Nanny Ann will probably be exhausted when she gets back."
Without wasting another second, Hanan headed the kitchen.
Soon she became completely absorbed in chopping vegetables, seasoning food, and stirring pots.
For the first time all day...
Her thoughts of the kiss finally disappeared.
It was already past noon when Samira entered the kitchen.
"Aunty." She called politely. "Sir Abdul is back."
Hanan immediately looked up.
"He's back?"
"Yes, ma. He just drove in."
A genuine smile spread across her face.
"I'm coming."
She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel before hurrying outside.
To her surprise, Nanny Ann had arrived with him.
She stopped a few steps away.
For a brief moment, she simply looked at Abdul.
She had missed him more than she cared to admit.
Quickly, she hid her excitement.
"Hi..." She smiled softly. "Welcome back."
Abdul raised an eyebrow.
"That's all? Don't I deserve at least a hug?"
"A smile is enough for now." She replied with a tiny grin.
He chuckled.
"I'm just glad you're finally back home."
Remembering everything Nanny Ann told him during the drive from the airport, relief washed over him.
"I only came back because of Nanny Ann." Hanan teased, stealing a glance at her.
She immediately noticed both Nanny Ann and Samira struggling with several grocery bags.
"Leave those to me."
She hurried over and took most of the bags from them.
"Thank you, dear." Nanny Ann sighed tiredly. "That shopping completely drained me, and then I had to pick Abdul up from the airport."
She stretched her aching shoulders.
"I'm exhausted."
"Then let's eat outside today." Abdul suggested. "Don't stress yourself cooking."
Hanan smiled proudly.
"No need."
She folded her arms.
"I already cooked."
Both Abdul and Nanny Ann stared at her in surprise.
"You... cooked?"
She laughed at their expressions.
"Come and see for yourselves."
With a satisfied smile, she led them toward the dining room.
"You cooked all this?" Nanny Ann gasped in amazement.
"Wow..." Abdul inhaled deeply. "The aroma alone is making me hungry."
Without waiting another second, he pulled out a chair, served himself, and dug into the meal.
The moment he took the first bite, his eyes widened.
"Whoa!"
He hurriedly scooped another spoonful into his mouth.
"Nanny Ann, you have to taste this! Hanan is a pro."
Hanan couldn't help but laugh.
"You're hyping me too much."
"I'm not." Abdul replied between mouthfuls. "This is honestly delicious."
"If Abdul says it's good, then it must be." Nanny Ann smiled as she served herself.
She took a bite.
A satisfied smile immediately spread across her face.
"Hanan..." She shook her head in disbelief.
"At this point, you should open your own restaurant."
"This is delicious."
Hanan smiled shyly.
"Thank you."
"But it's just a simple meal."
"I only wanted to appreciate both of you for being my family."
"Aww..." Nanny Ann's smile softened.
"Thank you, dear."
"We love you." Abdul said warmly.
Hanan smiled.
"I love you both too."
She picked up the empty serving bowls.
"Now eat until you're full and get some rest. I'll clean the kitchen."
Just as she turned to leave, Abdul stopped her.
"Join us."
"Samira can handle the dishes."
Hanan shook her head.
"No, thanks."
"I'm still full from the mountain of breakfast Nanny Ann made this morning."
"Mountain?" Nanny Ann laughed. "It wasn't even that much."
"It was for me." Hanan replied with a grin.
"You almost fed me enough for an entire day."
Everyone laughed.
Smiling to herself, Hanan carried the dishes back into the kitchen.
As she disappeared through the doorway, Abdul leaned toward Nanny Ann.
"Our Hanan is finally back."
He smiled with relief.
"The real Hanan."
"Thanks to you, Nanny Ann."
Hanan overheard his words from the kitchen.
Making her smile quietly to herself.
Time slipped by unnoticed.
Hanan was still washing dishes when Nanny Ann walked into the kitchen.
"You're still here?" She asked.
"Aren't you tired?"
There was no response.
Nanny Ann frowned slightly before walking closer.
Hanan stood at the sink with a pair of AirPods tucked into her ears, completely immersed in her music as she washed the plates.
"Hanan."
No response.
"Hanan."
Still nothing.
Nanny Ann gently tapped her shoulder.
"Ahh!"
Hanan jumped violently, clutching her chest.
"Oh my God..."
She let out a shaky breath after seeing who it was.
"You scared me."
"I'm sorry." Nanny Ann smiled apologetically as she helped her remove one of her AirPods.
"I came to check on you."
"You're still working."
"Aren't you exhausted?"
"I'm almost done." Hanan pointed at the few remaining dishes.
"Just these, then I'll be done."
"Good."
Nanny Ann nodded approvingly.
"So... How did packing up your things go?"
"I hope it wasn't too stressful."
"It wasn't." Hanan replied casually as she returned to washing the plates.
As she turned her head, Nanny Ann suddenly noticed something.
She gently cupped Hanan's chin.
"Hanan..."
"Your lips."
"They're so dry... and chapped."
She instinctively reached out to touch them.
"No!"
Hanan jerked backward and shoved her hand away.
Both women froze.
Nanny Ann stared at her in surprise.
"What was that?"
Realizing what she had done, Hanan's eyes widened.
"I'm... sorry."
She lowered her gaze awkwardly.
"It's nothing."
"I'll just apply some lip balm."
Without waiting for another question, she hurried out of the kitchen.
Nanny Ann remained standing by the sink, watching her leave.
A deep frown slowly formed on her face.
That reaction...
It wasn't normal.
"What are you hiding, Hanan?" She wondered quietly.
The frightened look on Hanan's face lingered in Nanny Ann's mind long after she left the kitchen.
Something wasn't right.
Curiosity got the better of her, so she quietly followed Hanan to her room.
Just before knocking, she heard Hanan's muffled voice from inside.
Nanny Ann leaned closer to the door, trying to make out what she was saying.
"...That damn kiss... Why can't I get it out of my head? Why did he kiss me like that?"
"Kiss?" Nanny Ann blurted as she pushed the door open.
"Who got kissed?"
"Huh?"
Hanan spun around in shock.
"N... Nanny Ann?"
"I heard you talking about a kiss." Nanny Ann smiled as she stepped inside. "So... who got kissed?"
"Not me!" Hanan answered a little too quickly.
Nanny Ann raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Then who?"
"A friend." Hanan cleared her throat.
"Amira."
"She got kissed by one of her friends."
She forced a smile, hoping it sounded convincing.
"I see..." Nanny Ann nodded thoughtfully.
"Interesting."
"Yes." Hanan nodded rapidly.
"I was just wondering why her friend suddenly kissed her."
Nanny Ann chuckled.
"Are you really that dense?"
Hanan groaned.
"Oh no..."
"Not you too."
"I'm tired of everyone calling me dense."
"I'm not dense."
"I'm confused."
Nanny Ann laughed softly.
"What is there to be confused about?"
"The reason seems obvious."
"He probably likes her."
Hanan blinked.
"He does?"
"But... he has never acted romantically toward..." She stopped abruptly.
"...toward her."
"He has always been kind, helpful, and supportive."
"Nothing more."
Nanny Ann hummed thoughtfully, studying Hanan's face.
"As I always say... Friendship between a man and a woman rarely stays just friendship."
"One person usually ends up wanting something more."
She paused deliberately.
"That's why I've been suspicious of Faruk too."
"Faruk?"
Hanan's eyes widened.
"W... Why are you bringing him into this?" She immediately looked away.
Too late.
Nanny Ann caught everything.