29~Just an ex #2
Nanny Ann had prepared everyone's favorite dishes with so much excitement.
Yet no one seemed interested in eating.
After only a few spoonfuls, Abdul pushed his plate away and stood.
"I'll be back tonight."
He reached for a glass of water.
Nanny Ann frowned.
"I made your favorite meal because you specifically asked for it."
"And that's all you're going to eat?"
He smiled apologetically. "I'll finish the rest tonight."
"I promise."
He grabbed his keys.
"See you later."
After he left, Nanny Ann turned to Hanan.
"And you?"
"You've barely touched your Dan Wake."
"I thought you would clear the whole plate and ask for more."
Hanan looked down at her food before giving a tired smile.
"Thank you for making it."
"It tastes nice as always."
She sighed softly.
"But... My mind is too full to enjoy anything right now."
Nanny Ann reached across the table and gently squeezed her hand.
"I understand..."
"And by God's grace tomorrow, you will finally get the justice you've been waiting for."
Hanan nodded silently. "In sha Allah."
"And Hanan..."
Hanan looked up staring at Nanny Ann who was smiling apologetically.
"I'm sorry if Abdul's questions made you uncomfortable. I was the one who sent him. He was worried about you and Faruk."
Hanan smiled reassuringly.
"He doesn't have to worry."
"Faruk and I are fine."
"I'm glad." Nanny Ann gently squeezed her hand again.
"And I'm happy with your choice too."
"Faruk is a good man."
"You are a good woman."
"You both deserve eachother."
Hanan smiled softly. "I understand why Abdul is worried."
She paused.
"But he should remember something."
"I'm no longer the Habiba who was hopelessly in love with Najib."
She lowered her gaze.
"Maybe... I no longer hate him like I used to."
She smiled bitterly.
"But I'm certain that I do not love him."
Nanny Ann nodded.
"Whatever happens... Choose what's best for you."
"I will."
Hanan smiled.
"And after tomorrow, when the case closes, I want to focus on myself."
"I want to build my career."
"Law school, passing my bar exam, getting a good job... I want to finally live for myself."
"And get married." Nanny Ann quickly added.
Hanan laughed.
"Yes, Nanny Ann."
"I don't plan on staying single forever."
"I can't wait for that day." Nanny Ann grinned happily.
"You'll make such a beautiful bride."
Hanan's smile faltered for a brief second.
"I already did once..."
She whispered almost to herself.
"Bro, what was so urgent?"
Najib asked as he pulled out a chair opposite Abdul.
"You sounded serious on the phone."
"I had to cut short my meeting with my lawyers."
"It's about Hanan." Abdul sighed.
Najib leaned forward. "What about her?"
"We talked."
"And?"
Abdul looked at him carefully.
"She said she's moved on."
"She said she doesn't love you anymore."
"And that Faruk is the one she wants now."
Najib stared at him for a second before chuckling quietly. "And you believed her?"
Abdul frowned. "She sounded serious."
Najib smiled confidently.
"Bro... You've known Habiba for years."
"And you still can't tell when she's trying to convince herself of something?"
Abdul folded his arms. "So you think she's lying?"
"I think she's confused." Najib replied calmly.
"Three years of lies don't disappear overnight."
"I don't blame her."
"But I know one thing."
He smiled.
"I've cleared my name."
"She now knows I never betrayed her the way she believed."
"That's the beginning."
Abdul sighed. "I just don't want history to repeat itself."
"I don't want you two hurting each other again."
Najib nodded. "I understand, but trust me."
"I'm done making reckless decisions."
He smiled. "If Habiba ever comes back to me... It'll be because she chose to."
Abdul finally relaxed.
"I hope so."
A brief silence followed before Abdul remembered something.
"Oh... I heard about Zaitun."
Najib's smile faded instantly.
"Hajiya killed her."
Abdul slowly shook his head.
"I still can't believe it."
Najib clenched his jaw. "According to Musa's confession..."
"Zaitun started demanding more money from Hajiya."
"Hajiya refused and angrily she threatened to expose everything."
"Hajiya decided silencing her was the best option."
Abdul remained speechless.
After a while he finally muttered... "That's pure evil."
Najib nodded slowly.
"It is."
"And I'm grateful to you every day that you stopped me from marrying someone so evil."
Abdul smiled.
"I'll always have your back."
He leaned forward.
"How did you even track Musa down?"
Najib relaxed slightly.
"He used to work for me."
"His employment records were still in the company."
"A few phone calls..."
"A little money..."
"And we found him."
Abdul laughed. "Money really solves all problems."
"It solves many." Najib corrected with a grin. "But not all."
"So... How's everyone at home taking everything?" Abdul sighed.
Najib's expression turned pale.
"Dad is still recovering."
"I'm not sure how he will react once he learns the truth about his so called wife, Hajiya."
He sighed. "Grandma..."
He smiled faintly.
"She cries."
"She keeps asking me to bring Habiba back home."
"And Amina?" Abdul asked quietly.
Najib looked away. "She's shattered."
"And I understand why, Hajiya is still her mother."
"But after tomorrow's hearing..."
"The truth will hurt her even more."
Abdul nodded. "I guess tomorrow changes everything."
Najib stood up. "It should."
He picked up his car keys.
"I've still got plenty to prepare before court."
Abdul rose as well. "Alright."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Najib smiled.
"Don't be late."
"I won't."
The two exchanged a brief handshake before Najib got into his car.
Moments later, the engine roared to life.
He drove away, disappearing into the evening traffic.
"Faruk, come in, you're welcome." Nanny Ann opened the door, and the first thing she noticed were the shopping bags filling both of his hands.
"Good evening, Ma. I hope I didn't come too late. Work kept me tied up." Faruk smiled as he stepped inside.
"No, you came at the perfect time." Nanny Ann returned his smile.
"I got this for you." He handed her one of the bags.
"For me? You didn't have to." She peeked inside, her face instantly lighting up with delight.
"It's nothing much." He chuckled. "And this one is for Abdul. Is he home?"
"No, he stepped out, but I'll give it to him once he returns."
"Okay... what about Hanan?"
"She's in her room. You can go see her."
"How's her health? Is she feeling better?"
"Yes, she's perfectly fine. She even..." Nanny Ann paused, realizing she was about to reveal more than she should.
It wasn't her place to tell him everything that had happened today.
"I'll let her tell you herself."
"Alright." Faruk smiled, unable to hide the excitement on his face before hurrying upstairs.
Watching him disappear down the hallway, Nanny Ann couldn't help smiling.
"The concern he has for our girl..." She murmured. "He's the kind of man every woman deserves."
Still wearing the same eager smile, Faruk stopped outside Hanan's bedroom and knocked gently.
"Hanan?"
No answer.
He knocked again before quietly pushing the door open.
She was asleep.
Wrapped snugly beneath her blanket, she looked peaceful.
Loose strands of her hair were scattered across her face, making her look even more beautiful than usual.
Without making a sound, he slipped inside, placed the shopping bags on the floor, removed his shoes, and slowly climbed onto the edge of the bed just to admire her.
For a long moment, he simply watched.
He remembered promising himself never to touch her without permission.
His fingers twitched anyway.
After several moments of hesitation, temptation won.
Very carefully, he brushed the curls away from her face and tucked them behind her ear.
His thumb slowly caressed her cheek before stopping at her lips.
He stared.
The longer he looked at them, the stronger the temptation became.
Not to touch them with his fingers... but with his lips.
"No..." He whispered to himself.
Then another thought answered him.
"This is your only chance, Faruk. She'll never know. Who knows when she'll finally allow you?"
He laughed quietly at himself.
Slowly...
Very slowly...
He leaned down until barely an inch separated their faces.
"Hanan..." He whispered softly.
No response.
"Hanan..."
Still nothing.
Satisfied she was deeply asleep, he closed his eyes and moved even closer.
RINNGG!!
"My stupid phone..." He muttered under his breath.