25~Do you love him? #3
"But you should've given me a better hint." She pouted. "I'm not dressed for the beach."
Her gaze lingered on her heels.
How exactly was she supposed to walk across soft sand wearing these?
"I came prepared." He pointed at her shoes before climbing out of the car. "Don't worry about those."
Walking to the trunk, he pulled out a picnic basket and a folded mat before returning to her side.
Opening her door, he held up the basket before reaching inside it.
"I bought these earlier today."
He brought out a pair of flat sandals.
They were an exact matching pair of the ones he was wearing.
"The moment I saw they came as a couple set, I bought them for us."
"Wow..." Hanan smiled in surprise. "You really came prepared."
She reached to collect them and stepped out of the car, intending to put them on herself.
Before she could, Faruk gently took them back.
"Let me."
He smiled before kneeling in front of her.
Carefully, he lifted one of her feet, slipped off her heels, and replaced them with the sandals before doing the same to the other foot.
Throughout the entire moment, Hanan couldn't stop smiling.
She honestly didn't know what was making her smile so much.
She was simply... smiling.
After helping her, Faruk stood up and met her eyes.
"They're comfortable." She admired the sandals. "Thank you."
"Anything for you, baby." He smiled warmly. "Shall we?"
"Yep."
Side by side, they made their way into the beach.
"Whoa..." Hanan breathed out. "It's so crowded tonight."
The beach was alive.
People laughed around bonfires, children chased one another across the sand, couples strolled hand in hand along the shoreline, while music drifted through the cool night breeze.
"Yeah." Faruk nodded. "It's usually like this at night. Haven't you been here after sunset?"
"I have."
Her smile faded slightly.
Without warning, memories from three years ago flashed across her mind.
The night she almost drowned to death saving a child.
The roaring waves.
The panic.
The terrifying moment she thought she would never make it alive.
If not for the rescue team that found her in time, she wouldn't have survived that night.
A shiver ran down her spine.
She quickly pushed the memories away.
"We've got a spot over there." Faruk pointed ahead. "It's less crowded, quiet... and the view is beautiful."
He spread the mat neatly over the sand while Hanan watched him unpack the picnic basket.
One by one, different snacks appeared.
Chocolates.
Drinks.
Pastries.
Chips.
And mostly junk food.
"Hmm..." She smiled immediately. "Shawarma."
"I got all your favorites."
He looked up at her proudly before gesturing toward the mat.
"Sit."
"Thank you."
She lowered herself beside him.
"That's really thoughtful of you."
"You're welcome."
Soon, the two of them were talking, eating, laughing, and teasing each other until Hanan's stomach actually began to ache.
"Please..." She giggled while holding her stomach. "Stop making me laugh. I've had enough."
Faruk laughed harder.
"And... thank you." She looked at him for a moment.
"For what?" He asked.
"For being so sweet..."
She paused.
"...just like her."
"Like who?"
"Your mom."
A smile spread across her face as she remembered their conversation earlier that day.
"Oh..."
He smiled knowingly.
"So..." He leaned a little closer. "Have I managed to sneak my way into your heart already?"
"No!" She laughed, placing both palms against his chest and gently pushing him away.
He only laughed more.
"I should be the one thanking you."
He reached for the bottle of wine.
"For giving me the chance to prove that my feelings are worthy of you."
He poured wine into two glasses before handing one to her.
"And I'm happy to say..."
He lifted his glass.
"...I'm doing pretty well."
"Are you now?" She teased.
"I'm definitely trying, and cheers to a beautiful night."
He raised his glass.
Just as he was about to take a sip...
Smash!
A football came flying out of nowhere and struck the glass out of his hand.
The wine splashed all over his white shirt and trousers.
"Oh my God!" Hanan gasped, immediately rising to her feet.
"Who did that?!"
She spun around, searching the beach, but everyone seemed too occupied with their own activities to notice.
Faruk sighed, looking down at his stained clothes.
"I think I should go wash this off immediately."
"Yeah." Hanan nodded. "Use the restroom."
"It must've been some kid." She muttered still glancing around.
As Faruk hurried toward the public washroom, Hanan knelt beside the mat, using a serviette to wipe away the wine that had soaked into the picnic blanket.
Suddenly...
Flash!
Another flash followed.
Flash!
She frowned.
"What..."
Slowly, she lifted her head.
Her hands froze.
Standing only a short distance away was a familiar figure with a camera aimed directly at her.
He lowered it with a slow smile and casually waved.
"Hi."
Hanan stared at him, utterly stunned.
"Najib...?"
She whispered, cold shock settling over her.
.
.
.
***