34~Dirty thoughts #3
Hanan asked quietly, already fearing the answer.
Faruk's mother swallowed.
"Faruk intends to marry you."
"And I know..."
"If he asks... You'll most likely say yes because you don't want to hurt him."
She looked directly into Hanan's eyes.
"So I'm asking you..."
"When that day comes..."
"Please..."
"Accept him."
"Marry my son."
The words struck Hanan like a bolt of lightning.
She stared at the older woman in complete disbelief.
Never...
Not even once...
Had she imagined this would be the reason for the visit.
Marriage?
Hanan felt her thoughts spiral.
Is marriage some kind of a joke?
Why does everyone keep deciding my future for me?
She had already been forced into marriage before.
Was she really expected to walk blindly into another?
Marriage wasn't something to agree to overnight.
She and Faruk weren't even officially engaged.
Their relationship was barely a week old.
Before she could gather her thoughts.
"Hanan?"
Faruk's mother gently squeezed her hands.
"Please..."
"Say something."
Hanan finally looked up.
"Ma... I understand you're only looking out for your son."
"And I respect that."
"But I believe a decision like marriage should be made by Faruk and me."
The older woman's eyes instantly filled with tears.
Without warning...
She dropped to her knees.
"Ma!" Hanan gasped.
She quickly bent down.
"What are you doing?"
"Please..." Faruk's mother clasped her hands together.
"I only have one child."
"If anything happens to him..."
"I don't know how I'll survive."
"You don't know about his heart condition."
"What if you reject him?"
"What if he can't bear it?"
Hanan hurriedly helped her to her feet.
"Please don't do this."
"I care about Faruk."
"I truly do."
"But marriage..."
She shook her head.
"It isn't something that should be rushed."
Faruk's mother's expression suddenly hardened.
"Then why won't you marry him?!"
Her voice rose.
"Is it because you still love your ex?!"
"You still love Najib, don't you?!"
"No."
Hanan answered almost immediately.
"I don't."
"Don't lie to me!" She snapped.
"I saw the two of you embracing at the hospital."
"You spent the entire day beside him."
"My son nearly died protecting you..."
"And where were you?"
"Comforting your ex."
Every word struck Hanan harder than the last.
"My son risked his life for you."
"He stood by you."
"He defended you, even against members of his own family."
"And where were you? At your ex's house!"
"Faruk would do anything for you."
"And this is how you repay him?"
"By choosing the man who once made your life miserable?"
Hanan lowered her head.
"I..."
"No."
Her voice barely came out.
Faruk's mother gave a bitter laugh.
"If my family were poor..."
"I would've believed you wanted Najib's because of his wealth."
"But that's not the case."
"We are equally wealthy, my family can give you every comfort you'll ever need."
"So tell me... What reason do you have?"
"If you were truly grateful for everything my son has done..."
"You wouldn't even be considering another man."
She wiped away her tears.
"I've said everything I came to say."
"Goodbye."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out.
The front door slammed shut.
Silence swallowed the room.
Hanan remained frozen where she sat.
She couldn't even process everything she just heard.
A heavy guilt settled over her chest.
Faruk had sacrificed so much for her.
His family had accepted her.
Protected her.
Supported her.
And now... She wasn't even sure she could give him what he wanted most.
"Hanan."
Abdul and Nanny Ann hurried into the room.
"What happened?"
Nanny Ann asked anxiously.
"We heard shouting."
Hanan slowly looked up.
"She came... To ask for my hand in marriage."
"What?!" Abdul blurted out.
Nanny Ann blinked. "I thought this would make you happy."
She gently cupped Hanan's face.
"You like Faruk, don't you?"
Hanan remained silent for a long moment.
Then... She slowly shook her head.
"I don't know anymore."
Her voice trembled.
"I thought I had a crush on him."
"I really believed I did."
"But today..."
She forced herself to say the words aloud.
"I realized... Maybe I never the way I convinced myself I did."
"It might have been just gratitude."
"Or guilt."
"But not a crush or love."
Nanny Ann stared at her in disbelief.
Abdul, however, quietly smiled.
"That's actually good."
Nanny Ann turned sharply.
"Good? How is that good?"
"Because now she's finally being honest with herself."
Abdul replied calmly.
"It would've been far worse if she married him out of obligation."
Nanny Ann looked back at Hanan.
"But have you thought about what this means?"
"Faruk loves you."
"You're going to break his heart."
Tears welled in Hanan's eyes.
"I know..."
She whispered.
"But what choice do I have?"
She looked up helplessly.
"Should I force myself into another marriage... Just because I'm afraid of hurting someone?"
The room fell silent.
.
.
.
***
AN
??
Team Faruk ? Or Team Najib ?