24~Bad~Good news
"Do we intend to dance all through the night?" Hanan asked with a soft smile.
"Unless you want us to." Faruk chuckled, glancing at her. He immediately caught the tiredness on her face. "You're tired?"
"A little." She nodded. "And... it's getting quite late."
"Yeah." He smiled. "I guess we've danced enough. Let me take you home."
"You want to drive me home?" She asked.
With a nervous smile, she walked over to the table and picked up her purse.
"You don't have to. I'll just book a cab or..."
She wasn't given the chance to finish.
Faruk walked over to her and gently placed his index finger against her lips.
"Shh..." He whispered.
"You're mine now, so it's my responsibility to make sure you get home safely."
His fingertip lingered lightly against her lips before Hanan gently took his hand away with a shy smile.
"Drive me home then." She smiled. "But I'm worried about Abdul. He doesn't even know I came to meet you, and after what happened at the hospital, he seemed upset. I don't want him seeing us together, you know..."
"Yeah, I understand." He nodded. "Which is exactly why I think I should properly introduce myself tonight."
She frowned in confusion.
"Properly introduce yourself?"
A second later, realization dawned on her.
"You want to meet Abdul?"
"Yes." He smiled. "I have no intention of keeping our relationship a secret."
"But..." She muttered. "We aren't even in a real relationship yet. Not until you succeed after a week."
The corner of Faruk's lips curled into a smile.
Without saying another word, he slowly stepped closer.
Instinctively, Hanan stepped backward.
One step.
Then another.
Until her lower back lightly touched the edge of the table behind her.
Faruk closed the remaining distance between them.
He rested both hands on the table, one on either side of her, trapping her between his arms without actually touching her.
His face slowly drew closer.
Close enough for her to feel his warm breath against her skin.
He simply stared into her eyes.
The intensity of his gaze made her heart race.
What is he trying to do?
She thought, panic fluttering inside her chest.
Please don't kiss me...
She immediately shut her eyes and turned her face away.
A second later, Faruk burst into laughter.
The sound echoed across the quiet rooftop.
Embarrassed, Hanan slowly opened one eye before looking at him.
He had already leaned back, still laughing to himself.
"Ugh." She groaned, unable to hide her smile. "What's so funny?"
"Your face."
"My face?"
He nodded, trying to suppress another laugh.
"The expression you made just now..." He chuckled. "You looked like you were about to witness a horror movie."
Hanan covered part of her face in embarrassment.
"Relax, baby."
She blinked.
"Baby?"
The word sounded so foreign coming from him that she found herself staring.
"I don't bite."
His smile softened as he moved a little closer again, this time gently taking both of her hands into his.
"And most importantly..." He continued. "After what happened at the cafe, I made a promise to myself."
He gave her hands a gentle squeeze.
"I'll never get intimate with you without your consent."
His voice was calm.
"I won't kiss you again until you willingly accept me."
"I promise."
Hanan looked at him quietly before a small smile found its way onto her lips. "Thank you."
"And just as I promised earlier." He continued. "I'll make you love me."
"I'll make you choose me."
"And I'll make you accept me."
He smiled warmly.
"So... will you let me meet your family?"
"Hmm..."
She looked away for a few seconds, thinking it over before finally nodding.
"Okay. But I'll do the talking first."
"Deal." He grinned.
He picked up her purse before extending his free hand toward her.
"Shall we?"
She smiled, placing her hand in his.
Quietly, they made their way downstairs and walked side by side toward the parking lot.
When they reached his car, Faruk opened the passenger door for her.
She got in with a quiet smile.
A few moments later, he took the driver's seat, and they drove off into the calm night.
From time to time, Hanan stole glances at Faruk, quietly acknowledging the fact that their relationship had changed forever.
Even if things didn't work out after a week, there was no way she could ever see him as just the Faruk she once called her friend.
He wasn't merely her friend anymore.
Neither was he her lover.
He was somewhere in between, and she was yet to figure out where exactly to place him.
"Let's see what happens after a week." She affirmed inwardly, stealing one last glance at him.
Unfortunately, Faruk caught her staring.
It was too late for her to look away.
"You like what you see?" He chuckled.
"No!" She answered a little too quickly, clearing her throat before adding. "Focus on the road, will you?"
She fought hard to suppress the smile threatening to spread across her lips.
"Hmm, okay. Your wish is my command, my lady." He laughed.
Slowly, he reached for her hand.
His fingers slipped gently between hers until their hands were intertwined.
Holding her hand firmly, he smiled.
"You've got pretty hands."
"Stop flirting." She laughed. "You've probably seen these hands a zillion times, yet you've never complimented them until now?"
"That's because you're my girl now."
He glanced at her with a grin.
"And we're only a few meters away from making it official with your family."
"Oh..." Hanan sighed as she looked out the window.
"We're home."
They had just driven into her street.
"Relax." Faruk smiled reassuringly. "Everything will go well. I promise."
"I'm fine." She returned a small smile.
Just as they drove into the compound, they spotted Abdul seated outside by the driveway.
"Why is he sitting outside at this hour?" Hanan whispered, checking the time on her phone.
"It's already ten."
"Come on." Faruk smiled as he parked the car in the garage.
"I'll get the door for you."
He was just about to step out when Hanan's door suddenly swung open.
Abdul stood there, glaring at the both of them with an expression that instantly made Hanan tense.
"Abdul..." She muttered as she hurriedly stepped out of the car.
"I've got something to tell you."
"And I've got a lot to discuss too." Abdul replied flatly.
"Let's go inside."
He slammed Faruk's car door shut before turning to him.
"Leave my premises."
The blunt order hung in the air.
Without another word, Abdul took Hanan's hand and started leading her toward the house.
Before they could enter, Faruk stopped them.
"I'm sorry..." He said calmly.
"I've got something to discuss too."
He gently took Hanan's hand back from Abdul.
"She's mine now..."
He paused before correcting himself.
"I mean... we're dating."
Abdul's eyes immediately shifted to Hanan.
"Yes..." She sighed. "He's my boyfriend."
"Were you never going to tell me?!" Abdul snapped.
"I was! I was just about to, but you weren't giving me the chance to..."
"I'm sorry." Faruk interrupted.
"I know you're angry, and you probably don't trust me after I helped Hanan leave that house and refused to tell you where she was."
"I admit it was irresponsible of me."
"But I'm standing here tonight sincerely asking for your consent."
He looked directly at Abdul.
"I love Hanan, and I promise my intentions toward her are pure."
Faruk continued speaking without stopping.
He did everything he could to convince Abdul that his feelings were genuine, hoping to earn both his trust and blessing.
Unfortunately, the hardened expression on Abdul's face gave him little hope.
"Let's go inside and talk." Abdul finally cut him off.
Silently, he led them into the house.
By the entrance, Nanny Ann was already waiting with an anxious look.
The moment Hanan subtly raised her hand and flashed the necklace at her, Nanny Ann's face lit up with joy.
She instantly understood that things had gone well between them.
Smiling warmly, she ushered everyone into the sitting room where they each took a seat.
"Faruk, it's nice having you in our home again." Nanny Ann smiled.
"The pleasure is mine ma. And... I'm sorry, I know our actions must have kept you worried."
"It's alright." Nanny Ann smiled reassuringly.
"We're all human, and we're bound to make mistakes, so let's leave the past where it belongs."
Unlike Nanny Ann, Abdul wasn't ready to leave anything in the past.
"No."
He frowned.
"We need to address it."
"I have my concerns about this relationship."
"I'm sorry, but I don't approve of it."
"Hanan is a little immature..."
"No, I'm not." Hanan glared.
"Don't interrupt me, let me land. This is a serious discussion."
His tone immediately silenced everyone.
"Hanan is a bit immature."
"And honestly, I fear you are too."
"So when two immature people come together..."
He paused.
"What do you think the outcome will be?"
"Nothing like that is happening." Hanan protested.
"That was a rhetorical question, Hanan!" Abdul retorted.
"I thought you were asking us." She shrugged.
"I thought you landed." A small laugh escaped her.
She looked around only to find everyone else wearing serious expressions.
Realizing how tense the atmosphere had become, her smile faded.
"Sorry." She muttered quietly.
Abdul cleared his throat before continuing.
"I have nothing against you, Faruk."
"My concern is that I don't think the two of you are compatible."
"And that's not even my biggest concern."
"Your family doesn't like Hanan."
"So how do you expect me to willingly allow her into another relationship where she'll once again be surrounded by people who hate her?"
"May I speak?" Faruk asked.
"You may."
"Abdul... I respect you greatly."
"And I understand you're only trying to protect your sister."
"I admire that."
"But I'm sorry... I don't agree with what you've just said."
"Hanan is a grown woman."
"So am I."
"I believe we both deserve the right to choose who we want to spend our lives with."
He paused before continuing.