26~Youre mine #3
Faruk gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing away the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You'll be okay."
He forced a reassuring smile despite the panic rushing through him.
"Tell me... how did you end up in the sea?"
Hanan struggled to catch her breath before answering.
"My..."
She winced, clutching her chest.
"My chest hurts..."
She paused to gasp for air.
"But... Najib could be more hurt."
"Najib?"
Faruk frowned in confusion.
"Yes..." She whispered weakly.
"Faruk..."
She looked into his eyes desperately.
"He's still in the water."
"He drowned..."
"Please... Please save him."
Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
Faruk quickly wiped them away.
"Hanan."
His voice softened.
"You're having a panic attack."
"Don't force yourself to talk."
"Just breathe."
He demonstrated slowly.
"In... And out."
"My chest..." She cried softly. "It hurts."
"I know."
He pulled her closer.
"I'm so sorry."
Guilt consumed him.
If that restroom door didn't mysteriously locked...
If he hadn't been delayed by the door.
He would have been beside her.
He would've protected her.
She never would've entered the sea.
What am I going to tell Abdul?
The thought made his stomach tighten.
Just then Hanan weakly grabbed his wrist.
"Please..." She whispered. "Do me one favor."
Faruk looked down at her. "What is it?"
"Save Najib."
Faruk froze. "...Najib?"
"Oh, God." He exhaled sharply before shaking his head.
"Hanan. Please stop talking."
"Najib isn't here."
"Just breathe."
His irritation slowly crept into his voice.
"I can't believe you're thinking about him at a time like this."
"You're hallucinating."
"Hallucinating?" She frowned weakly.
Summoning what little strength she had left, she pushed herself out of his embrace.
"You... don't believe me?"
Her eyes filled with tears again.
"I'm not hallucinating."
She pointed toward the sea with trembling fingers.
"Ask anyone."
"They all saw him."
"He was standing right here."
"He walked into the water."
"He must have drowned."
"I swear... Najib is there."
She broke down all over again.
Faruk looked at the frightened crowd.
Then back at Hanan.
He sighed. "Okay."
His tone became gentler. "I believe you."
"I'll have someone search the water."
"But first..."
He cupped her face once more.
"We're taking you to the hospital."
"No."
She shook her head immediately.
"Please... Search for him now."
Faruk stared at her.
His patience finally snapped.
"Why?!"
His voice came out louder than intended.
"Why do you even care if he drowns?"
The question hung heavily between them.
Hanan went silent.
She lowered her head.
Then, after several long seconds...
She let out a painful laugh through her tears.
"You're right..."
Her voice cracked.
"Why should I care if he dies?"
"I don't know."
She clutched at her aching chest.
"I honestly don't know..."
"But... It hurts."
The last two words came out as a whisper before she completely broke down.
Faruk's anger disappeared instantly.
He pulled her into his arms.
"It's okay."
He rubbed slow circles across her trembling back.
"It's okay."
She cried quietly against his chest until there were no tears left to shed.
Several minutes passed.
Finally...
She spoke again.
Her voice was barely audible.
"Take me home, please."
Meanwhile...
"Kiddo!" Najib called in a hushed voice.
"Where is he?"
The little boy grinned proudly.
"I locked him inside the restroom."
A satisfied smile spread across Najib's face.
"Good."
"Now go unlock the door."
"Hurry."
"And tell him his girlfriend is in danger."
The boy nodded eagerly.
"Okay. But where's my reward?"
Najib chuckled. "Meet me at the snack truck."
"I'll buy you every chocolate you want."
"Now go."
The boy beamed.
"Deal!"
He sprinted away.
Najib quietly hid behind the restroom building.
Moments later...
Faruk burst out of the restroom and rushed toward the beach without looking back.
Only then did Najib finally breathe out.
A relieved smile slowly appeared on his face.
"So..."
He laughed softly to himself.
"She never stopped caring."
Another laugh escaped him.
"She still loves me."
He replayed the scene over and over in his mind.
The panic in her eyes.
The desperation in her voice.
The way she begged him to come out of the water fearing he will die.
To him... That was enough evidence she still loves him.
He closed his eyes briefly.
"Forgive me, Habibti."
His smile softened.
"I'll make it up to you."
"And... Thank you."
"Thank you for not giving up on me."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, carefully wrapped inside a waterproof nylon bag.
After unwrapping it, he dialed a number.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Mr Charles."
His expression instantly turned serious.
"As early as tomorrow morning..."
"I want Musa's press conference arranged."
"Make sure every major media house covers it."
He looked toward the sea one last time before ending the call.
"I'll be there."
.
.
.
***
A/N