30~Court hearing #2
"If you're not entering the courtroom, clear the entrance immediately."
The officers quickly dispersed the crowd.
"Emma... Nanny Ann..."
Hanan took a deep breath.
"Please take Grandma inside."
"I'll handle this."
The two women nodded before wheeling Grandma toward the courtroom.
Meanwhile...
Faruk and the reporter continued arguing all the way to the parking lot.
The female reporter refused to release his collar.
"You'll pay for my phone!"
"Miss, please release him..." Hanan pleaded. "He'll compensate you."
"No!" She snapped. "He must pay first!"
Faruk folded his arms. "I won't pay."
"That phone deserved exactly what happened to it."
The reporter's eyes widened.
"Oh really?"
She yanked off her wig dramatically.
"Today, I go show you say I dey craze!"
She grabbed his collar with both hands.
Hanan gasped.
Beside her...
Najib bit the side of his lips.
Abdul looked away.
Both were desperately trying not to laugh.
"I won't leave this man!"
The reporter yelled.
"He either buys me another phone or repairs this one back exactly the way it was!"
Hanan tried persuading Faruk again.
He refused.
She looked toward Abdul.
Nothing.
Then toward Najib.
Still nothing.
The two of them simply stood there with concealed laughter, clearly entertained by the chaos going on.
"Abdul." Hanan whispered. "Don't just stand there, say something maybe he will listen to you."
Abdul shrugged. "Why, dear sis, deal with him yourself. He's your boyfriend, after all? You should be able to convince him to listen to you."
He turned to Najib with a grin.
"Right?"
Najib nodded with obvious sarcasm.
"I agree, bro." He folded his arms. "You should be able to handle your boyfriend."
He paused before smirking.
"And if you can't... here's a little secret."
"He's a mama's boy."
"Just call his mum to deal with him."
A grin spread across his face, but Hanan only hissed.
"It's pointless having the two of you around."
Just then, Barrister Auwal approached them.
"Miss Habiba, Mr Najib, it's time. The hearing is about to begin. Your presence is needed inside."
"Okay." Hanan nodded before turning back to the reporter.
"How much do you need for the damages?"
"Five hundred thousand naira."
"So much?!" Hanan gasped.
The reporter sighed. "Quality phones are expensive now, Ma."
"And it isn't just the phone."
"I lost important work files and recordings that will cost me money and time to recover."
"I understand."
Hanan sighed helplessly.
"But I don't have that amount with me."
She shot Faruk an irritated glare.
"Faruk... Why are you being so stubborn?"
"This isn't like you."
"And it isn't right."
Faruk remained completely unbothered.
Not even a blink.
"Abdul..."
She looked at him again with a pleading look.
"Please help me pay her. I'll refund you."
She pouted hopefully.
Abdul scoffed. "Don't use those puppy eyes on me."
"You don't even have a job yet."
"How exactly are you planning to refund me?"
"And besides..."
He pointed at Faruk.
"Why should I pay for damages I didn't create, he's standing right here, he should pay."
"But he's refusing." Hanan groaned.
"I can't do anything, don't drag me into your drama." Abdul sighed then
turn to the reporter.
"If he refuses, hand him over to the authorities."
He glanced toward the courthouse.
"We're already in court anyway."
With that, Abdul grabbed Hanan's wrist to lead her away.
She refused to move.
"No."
"We have to settle this first."
"Why?"
Abdul frowned.
"He created the problem."
"He should solve it."
"Enough." Najib finally spoke, clearly exhausted by the argument.
"This isn't why we're here."
"And we don't have time to waste over something like this."
He faced the reporter.
"Please give me your account number."
"I'll transfer the money right now."
He pulled out his phone.
Hanan blinked in surprise.
"You're paying?"
"Yes."
He smiled casually.
"If money can restore peace, then it's not a problem."
"See?" Abdul chuckled.
"He'll pay."
"Any objections?"
Hanan looked at him speechlessly.
"It's just... I didn't expect him to."
Abdul laughed.
"Then let him."
"He's the richest among us."
"You begged us to intervene."
"Now we're intervening, and you're still complaining."
"I'm not complaining." She smiled awkwardly.
"I'm grateful."
"You should be." Abdul smirked.
"Especially to Najib."
She lowered her gaze.
She truly was grateful.
Yet the embarrassment Faruk had caused refused to leave her mind.
"Thank you."
She looked at Najib.
"And... thank you for helping."
"I'll pay you back."
Najib shook his head. "No need."
"Let's just go inside."
The reporter beamed.
"Thank you so much, sir!"
"God bless you."
After receiving the alert, she walked away, though not before throwing one last furious glare at Faruk.
"I hope thunder follows you home and strikes you!" She muttered angrily.
Faruk simply waved at her with a lazy smile.
"Bye."
Watching her leave only annoyed Hanan even more.
Just as she turned towards the courthouse...
Faruk caught her wrist. "Why are you paying him back?"
"Were you the one who smashed the phone?"
She tried pulling away.
He didn't let go.
"And now that the crazy reporter is gone..."
He smiled.
"Our ears can finally rest."
"Come on."
"Let's go inside together."
Hanan's patience snapped.
She jerked her hand free.
"Let go of me!"
Her voice was cold.
"How could you be so petty?"
"I don't want to see you right now."
Without another glance, she walked away with Abdul and Najib, leaving Faruk standing alone outside the courtroom.
A muscle twitched in his jaw.
Frustration rising beneath his calm expression as he suddenly feel regret for his outburst.
Faruk had been watching everything from a distance earlier.
The way Grandma held Najib's and Hanan's hands together... the smiles they exchanged... the silent understanding in their eyes... it all gnawed at him.
Every second they stood together felt like an eyesore, like someone was slowly tearing his heart apart.
By the time the reporter threw those questions at Hanan, he had already reached his breaking point.
But now, as he watched Hanan walk away with Najib without looking back at him, regret crept in.
Perhaps he shouldn't have let his emotions get the better of him.
Perhaps he shouldn't have reacted that way.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Hanan was furious with him, and judging by the look she gave him, winning her forgiveness wouldn't be easy.
He let out a quiet sigh.
They would settle this later.
A few steps ahead, Abdul leaned closer to Najib.
A satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
"This is your chance."
He whispered quietly.
"They've fought."
"Take advantage of it... and act fast."
Najib didn't answer.
A faint smile was all Abdul needed.
As they entered the courtroom, Najib instinctively looked toward Hanan.
She happened to look back.
Their eyes met for a brief moment.
She offered him a small smile.
He returned it.
"All rise!"
The judge's voice echoed through the courtroom, instantly drawing everyone's attention to the front.