23~You dont date your friends #2
She felt overwhelmed closing her eyes briefly only to open them and see his eyes moist with tears.
"Faruk..." She muttered watching him blink back his tears.
"Please Hanan, I want my mind to be filled with thoughts of you." He pleaded.
"I want my jealousy to be justified that I don't feel guilty for hitting anyone for just glancing at you, I want you to accept me..."
"Faruk..." She cut him off again.
"I can't." She whispered lowering her gaze
"Hanan please, just give me one chance."
"I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Getting hurt again... And hurting you in the process." Her voice trembled slightly, feeling her emotions building up as she drew in a slow breath.
"We are friends, you don't date your friends."
"Maybe we were." He smiled gently.
"But now... I want us to become something more."
She shook her head. "No, Faruk. It isn't that simple."
"I used to be your cousin's wife."
"I don't want to get tangled in your family all over again."
"I know." He nodded. "But I'm not asking you to relive your past... I promise to treat you better."
"I'm asking you to let me be part of your future."
He slowly knelt before her.
From his pocket, he brought out a small jewelry box.
Hanan's eyes widened. "Faruk..."
"I love you."
His voice was steady despite the nervousness written all over his face.
"Please... give me the chance."
As he spoke, the lights around the rooftop gradually illuminated.
Hanan instinctively looked behind him.
Across the far wall, warm lights glowed together, forming the words.
PLEASE HANAN, BE MINE FOREVER
She covered her mouth in surprise.
"Faruk..."
He laughed nervously.
"Alright... maybe forever is too much to ask for tonight."
"Let's make a deal instead."
"Give me seven days."
"If, after seven days, I can't make you believe that I'm worthy of your heart..."
"I'll walk away."
"No more pressure."
"I'll simply remain grateful that I got the chance to tell you how I feel."
Hanan turned away, thinking carefully.
Several long moments passed before she looked back at him.
"Deal."
Faruk blinked.
"What?!"
"You heard me."
A smile escaped her lips.
"You have seven days."
"If you succeed..."
She shrugged playfully.
"We'll see."
For a second he simply stared.
Then a huge grin spread across his face.
"Seriously?"
She laughed.
"Yes."
And the sound of her laughter alone was enough to make Faruk's face light up.
Overcome with excitement, he swept her off her feet into his arms and spun her around.
"Yes!" He exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. "She said yes!"
"Faruk!" Hanan burst into more laughter. "Put me down before I get dizzy."
He immediately stopped, setting her down with a sheepish grin.
"Sorry."
He helped her back into her chair before kneeling in front of her once more.
Carefully, he opened the small jewelry box in his hand.
Inside rested a delicate silver necklace engraved with both of their initials.
He carefully took out the necklace from the jewelry box.
"May I?"
She nodded.
He fastened it around her neck before stepping back to admire it.
"It suits you."
Hanan lowered her gaze to admire it, gently tracing their initials with her fingertips.
"It's beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it."
"Thank you." He said softly.
"And I promise never to be the reason your mascara gets smudged, but I promise I'll always be the reason your lipstick gets smudged." He smiled staring deep into her eyes.
For a second Hanan simply stared at him...
Then she laughed.
"What?" Turning her face away, she laughed even harder.
"Where did you learn these crazy lines from?"
He laughed back. "I've become quite ridiculous, haven't I?"
"A little."
"Well, I read somewhere that love makes people say and do the craziest things."
"And?" She smiled.
"I think I'm living proof."
She laughed again, shaking her head.
"You really are."
Trying to hide the warmth rising to her cheeks, she picked up her glass of wine and took another sip while watching him walk over to a nearby speaker.
"What are you doing?"
He pressed play before turning back to her with an extended hand.
"Dance with me."
She immediately refused.
"You know I'm terrible at dancing."
"I'll teach you, just follow my steps, I have much confidence that you are a quick learner." He smiled.
"No." She laughed softly. "I'm afraid I'm not when it comes to dancing. I'll only end up stepping on your toes and making them sore, so can we just skip the dance?"
"I'll survive." He smiled.
"I doubt that."
"I have complete faith in my student."
She sighed dramatically before placing her hand in his.
"Fine."
As he led her toward the center of the rooftop, Bad Dancer by Johnny Drille played.
The surrounding lights dimmed, leaving only the soft glow of candles and fairy lights dancing around them.
Faruk offered a playful bow.
"May I have this dance?"
A smile spread across Hanan's face.
"You may."
He gently guided her into the first step.
Gently taking one of her hands while the other rested on her waist, hers rested on his shoulder.
Under the warm glow of candles and fairy lights, they moved slowly to the music
At first, Hanan stumbled just as she predicted.
Faruk laughed softly.
"I told you I would survive."
She couldn't help laughing too.
As the song continued, her movements became steadier.
Hanan maintained a smile throughout the dance not sparing him a glance while he maintained his hold on her.
They continued to dance in silence, turning and twirling over the smooth hard floor, they seemed to be lost in their own world until Faruk released her waist taking her hand for a spin in slow motions till he spun her back into his arms...
She heaved a sigh.
"You know..." She smiled.
"Maybe I'm not such a bad dancer after all."
"You've improved." He chuckled.
"And I'm certain by the end of our dance, you would be a better dancer."
"Maybe." She nodded laughing softly.
A moment later, Faruk released one of her hands, letting her twirl away from him again before she could drift too far, he gently drew her back, their hands finding each other once again
She stumbled the slightest bit, pressing lightly against him, close enough to hear the steady rhythm of his breathing.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Faruk smiled to himself before leaning in just enough for his voice to reach her.
"You smell nice." He whispered.
Hanan's lashes fluttered as she looked up at him.
A shy smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Thank you." She replied quietly. "You do too."
Silence settled between them once more.
It wasn't awkward.
It was peaceful.
They continued to sway gently to the music, allowing the melody and the cool night breeze to fill the spaces where words weren't needed.
Several moments passed before Faruk finally broke the silence.
"When you finally fall in love with me..." He said with a hopeful smile, "promise you'll never stop loving me."
His words made Hanan pause.
She searched his face, trying to read the certainty in his eyes.
"You're only entitled to a promise like that." She replied with a small smile, "After you manage to make me fall in love with you."
Faruk's smile widened.
"Then I'll do everything I can to make that happen."
Their eyes lingered on each other for another quiet moment before they resumed dancing, moving slowly beneath the stars.
.
.
.
***
A/N