25~Do you love him? #2
"Well, I have a gift for you. I reserved it for the lucky girl my son would one day bring home. Here." Faruk's mother smiled, handing her a gift bag.
Hanan smiled as she accepted it. Curious, she opened the bag and found a velvet box inside. The moment she lifted the lid, her jaw dropped.
Resting inside was a breathtaking jewelry set.
"It's nothing too expensive." Faruk's mother said warmly. "It's simply my way of welcoming you into my family."
Hanan gently traced her fingers over the sparkling pieces.
"This is absolutely stunning, Ma... and it looks expensive."
"You are worth far more than that."
"Oh my... thank you so much, Ma." Gratitude filled Hanan's voice, yet she slowly closed the box. "But... I can't accept it."
"You have to." Fatuk's mother smiled softly. "Think of me as your mother. Would you reject a gift from your own mother?"
Hanan lowered her eyes. "No."
"Then keep it." She gently pushed the box back into Hanan's hands. "And one more thing... please don't tell Faruk I invited you here today. Let this remain between us."
"I will. Thank you, Ma. I honestly don't have the words to express how grateful I am."
"The pleasure is mine, dear. Just be kind to him."
Her gentle smile lingered, making Hanan pause for a brief moment.
A tiny voice in the back of her mind wondered whether the gift was given out of genuine affection or simply to win her over. Almost immediately, she dismissed the thought.
No... she shouldn't think that way.
As their conversation continued, Hanan found herself genuinely enjoying her company.
Faruk's mother was warm, simple, and easy to talk to.
She shared stories about her own life and, most especially, Faruk's childhood. Some of them were so amusing that Hanan laughed until tears threatened to gather in her eyes.
Before she knew it, the table had been filled with different cuisines.
"Eat, dear. No one visits me without having a proper meal."
Hanan stared at the variety of dishes, her eyes widening.
"Thank you, Ma... but this is a lot."
"You can pack the rest home later." She smiled. "Now eat."
After sharing a satisfying meal and several more heartfelt conversations, it was finally time for Hanan to leave.
"Thank you for having me." Hanan smiled as they walked toward the restaurant's exit.
"No, dear. I'm the one who should be thanking you for spending time with me." She squeezed Hanan's hand affectionately. "Next time, come with Faruk."
"We will."
"My driver will take you home."
"Oh, don't bother, Ma. I'll just order a cab."
"I insist."
Hanan smiled. "Okay, Ma. Thank you."
The two women exchanged one last hug before Hanan stepped outside.
Throughout the drive home, her thoughts wandered.
Life had changed so much within such a short period.
After everything she had been through, she never imagined she would allow herself to fall into another relationship.
She never imagined that a heart once consumed by bitterness, resentment, and thoughts of revenge would one day crave nothing but peace... and love.
To love.
And to be loved in return.
Now that she had finally found herself walking toward the kind of life her heart truly desired...
She silently promised herself one thing.
She would protect it.
6 pm arrived much sooner than Hanan had hoped.
She had spent the rest of her day trying on different outfits, unable to decide which one was best for her first date.
After taking her shower and applying light makeup, she was still standing before her wardrobe in complete indecision.
"I think you should wear the red dress. It complements your skin beautifully." Samira, the housemaid suggested.
"I should?" Hanan frowned thoughtfully. "But the black one isn't bad either."
"Then go with that one."
Just then, Nanny Ann barged into the room.
"He is here already and you're still not dressed?!" She exclaimed.
"I'll get dressed right now." Hanan sighed before picking up the red dress. "I'll wear this one... but why is choosing an outfit so difficult?"
"It's because it's your first date, I guess." Nanny Ann smiled as she helped zip up the back of her dress.
It was a long, elegant gown that hugged her curves modestly without revealing much skin, exactly the kind of outfit Hanan loved.
"So pretty." Nanny Ann beamed as she watched Hanan slip into her silver heels before neatly wrapping her scarf over her hair.
After picking up her phone and purse, Hanan was finally ready to leave.
"Enjoy yourself." Nanny Ann teased. "And don't forget to come back with plenty of gist."
Hanan laughed.
"Oh, Nanny Ann, that's all you ever want."
"Oh yes." She chuckled. "We oldies live for gossip and gist."
The two of them laughed as they walked downstairs together.
Faruk was seated in the sitting room, chatting with Abdul. The moment Hanan appeared, his attention shifted completely.
He simply stared.
"Hi." Hanan waved at him.
Faruk didn't respond immediately. He seemed completely lost, admiring her until Abdul snapped his fingers in front of his face.
"Have you never seen a girl wearing makeup before?" Abdul scoffed.
"Oh please, don't start again, Abdul." Hanan rolled her eyes before waving goodbye to both of them.
As Faruk stood up to leave with her, Abdul suddenly grabbed the back of his shirt.
"Where exactly are you taking her?"
"Huh?" Faruk blinked. "Why do you ask?"
"So that if you decide not to obey my curfew rule, I'll know exactly where to find you."
Faruk sighed. "Trust me, will you?"
"No." Abdul replied without hesitation. "It's still too early for that."
Faruk chuckled. "We're going to the beach. The popular Lagos beach, you know."
He gently removed Abdul's hand from his shirt.
"Can I leave now?"
"Yes." Abdul nodded. "Drive safely."
The moment Faruk walked away, Nanny Ann frowned at Abdul.
"What?"
"I can see exactly what you're doing." She folded her arms. "Stop intimidating the poor boy."
"I'm not intimidating him." Abdul scoffed. "And he's definitely not a poor boy, Nanny Ann. In fact, he's richer than I am. He's a rich kid with wealthy parents."
"Oh God..." Nanny Ann laughed. "Give me strength."
"I'll head to my room." Abdul sighed. "Please let me know once Hanan gets back."
Without waiting for a reply, he hurried upstairs.
The moment he entered his room, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Bro, they're heading to the beach."
"Thanks, man. I appreciate it."
"But I'm curious." Abdul frowned. "Why were you so desperate to know where they were going?"
"I'll tell you once I achieve my aim."
"And what's that?" Abdul asked suspiciously. "Please tell me, Najib. I hope it's nothing stupid."
"As I said, I'll tell you later." Najib replied calmly. "Right now, I need to follow them. Bye."
"Okay... I wish you luck."
"Thanks, gee."
"What kept you inside?" Hanan asked as she buckled her seatbelt.
"Nothing."
"It was Abdul, wasn't it? What did he say this time?"
"He just reminded me to keep you safe."
"Ugh! Typical Abdul." She scoffed.
Faruk chuckled. "I'm fine with him reminding me to treat you well. You deserve nothing less."
"Glad you know." She laughed softly.
"Sassy again, huh?"
"Always." She smirked. "So, where are we going?"
"A surprise."
"Give me a hint."
He pretended to think for a moment.
"It's a nice place to relax, enjoy each other's company, surrounded by nature... and a lot of interesting things."
"Huh?" She frowned. "That's such a difficult hint."
He laughed. "Don't worry. You'll love it."
"Hopefully." She smiled.
The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence until they drove through the entrance of the beach.
Hanan's eyes widened before she burst into laughter.
"So this is it?"
"Yep." He grinned. "A night picnic at the beach. Doesn't that sound fun?"
"It does." She smiled brightly.
"So, what were you expecting?"
"I don't know..." She shrugged. "But I definitely wasn't expecting the beach."
"Exactly." He winked. "That's why it's called a surprise."
She glanced down at her dress before looking at her silver heels.