35~The invite #2
She reached the door before turning back.
"One last question... Are you absolutely sure you don't want to eat something before going to bed?"
"No." Hanan shook her head.
"My tongue still feels sore."
"Alright then." Nanny Ann smiled warmly.
"Tomorrow, I'll get you something for it."
"Thank you." Hanan smiled back.
"And I love you."
Nanny Ann's eyes softened. "I love you too, my child."
With one last smile, she quietly left the room.
Left alone, Hanan lay back on her bed.
She was still confused.
Many questions remained unanswered.
Yet somehow...
Her heart felt lighter than it had all day.
Perhaps it was because she had finally cried.
Or perhaps it was Nanny Ann's magical words.
Either way...
For the first time in days, she closed her eyes without feeling suffocated.
The days quietly turned into a week.
Throughout that entire week, Hanan shut herself away from the world.
She barely stepped outside her room.
She declined every visitor.
She ignored every phone call.
She simply wanted silence.
Faruk came to see her more than once.
Each time, he was given the same response.
"Sorry."
"Miss Hanan isn't feeling well."
"She doesn't wish to see anyone for now."
Reluctantly, he always left.
Amina and Amira visited too, hoping to take her out for fresh air and distract her from everything that had happened.
They were turned away as well.
Hanan wasn't running from them.
She was running toward herself.
For the first time in a long while, she chose to put her own peace before everyone else's expectations.
She prayed.
She read the Qur'an.
She did lots of Zikhr.
She spent hours in worship and quiet reflection.
Slowly, she tried to untangle the chaos inside her heart.
Everyone respected her decision.
Even Abdul, who had repeatedly tried to reconnect her with Najib, eventually stopped insisting and gave her the space she needed.
Until one evening...
A gentle knock sounded on her bedroom door just as she finished her Maghrib prayer.
"You can come in, Abdul."
The door opened.
He raised an eyebrow.
"How did you know it was me?"
She smiled. "You're the only person who knocks before entering."
Her eyes wandered over his neatly pressed suit.
"And where are you dressed up to at this hour?"
Abdul grinned. "I actually came to give you this."
He handed her a sealed envelope.
She accepted it curiously. "What's this?"
"Open it."
"It's an invitation."
"To where?"
"You'll find out."
Hanan tore open the envelope and began reading aloud.
Miss Habiba Aliyu; You are cordially invited to the inauguration ceremony of Mrs Amina Aminu Garba as the new CEO of Garba Textiles on the 5th of July, 2024, at 7:00 pm. at Sheraton Hotel. Your presence will greatly honor us as we celebrate this special milestone.
She slowly lowered the invitation.
"Amina invited me?"
Abdul nodded. "Personally. She hopes you'll come tonight."
Hanan frowned. "I should've been informed earlier."
"We tried." He shrugged.
"She came twice."
"The first time with Amira."
"The second time to deliver the invitation herself."
"But you refused to see anyone."
Hanan's eyes widened. "Amira came too?"
"Yes."
"And none of you thought to tell me?" She frowned.
"We assumed you wanted complete isolation."
"Not from everyone." She muttered, clearly annoyed.
Abdul laughed. "Well... Forget that now."
"So? Are you coming with me?"
She looked down at the invitation before sighing. "Do I really have a choice?"
"I've already ignored them long enough."
"I owe them an apology."
"I'll go."
She hurried toward her wardrobe.
"Give me a few minutes to find something to wear."
As she disappeared into her dressing area, Abdul couldn't hide the smile spreading across his face.
"Step one..."
He murmured to himself.
"Accomplished."
He quietly left the room.
Meanwhile, Hanan emptied nearly half her wardrobe onto the floor.
Dress after dress landed beside her.
"It's been so long since I actually dressed up."
She sighed.
"Why is choosing an outfit suddenly so difficult?"
Unable to decide, she buried her face in her hands.
Fortunately, Nanny Ann arrived just in time to rescue her from the growing mountain of clothes.
"A white dress never disappoints."
Nanny Ann stepped back to admire her hand work.
"You look beautiful."
Hanan smiled shyly. "Thanks for styling me."
"I should freshen up my makeup a little."
"You should." Nanny Ann nodded.
"While you do that, let me find the perfect shoes."
"Please, thank you."
Just then...
"Hanan!"
Abdul's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Yes, Abdul?"
"Are you planning to spend the whole night getting dressed? At this rate, the event will be over before you arrive!"
Nanny Ann laughed. "Give us a few more minutes!"
She leaned closer to Hanan and whispered...
"Don't mind him."
"Men never understand how long it takes women to get ready."
"That's because he still doesn't have a girlfriend." Hanan chuckled.
"You should find him a good wife soon."
"I will." She laughed. "As soon as I find someone patient enough to tolerate him."
"Exactly." Nanny Ann chuckled before reaching into her closet.
"Here."
She brought out a pair of elegant black heels and a matching handbag.
"These will go perfectly with your dress."
Hanan's eyes lit up. "They're gorgeous. And I honestly don't know what I would do without you."
She slipped on the heels before picking up her handbag and veil.
Nanny Ann smiled proudly. "Now go before Abdul starts complaining again."
Hanan glanced around the room.
"But all these clothes... They're everywhere."
"I'll have Samira clean up."
"You go and enjoy yourself."
Hanan smiled. "Alright, bye."
"Have fun."
Nanny Ann watched her leave with a satisfied smile.
Seeing Hanan willingly step out after isolating herself for an entire week made her happier than she cared to admit.
Halfway to the door, Hanan suddenly stopped.
She turned around.
"Nanny Ann."
"Yes?"
"I've finally made my decision about Faruk..."
"When I get back, I'll tell you."
A flicker of anticipation crossed Nanny Ann's face. "Now you've made me curious."
"But I'm glad."
"Whatever you've decided... I hope you reached it after listening to your heart."
"I did." Hanan smiled softly.
"See you later."
"Bye, dear."
Hanan waved before stepping outside.
The moment she reached the front door, she froze.
"Oh no..."
She whispered.
"He'll be there."
Her own thoughts answered her immediately.
"Of course Najib will be there."
"It's Amina's inauguration."
"She's his sister."
Hanan shut her eyes.
Images from that night in his bedroom flashed through her mind.
His teasing smile.
His whispered words.
Her own embarrassment.
"Oh God..."
She groaned quietly.
"I completely forgot."
"It's too late to back out now."
Abdul leaned lazily against his car.
The cool evening breeze carried a small smile onto his face.
The moment he saw Hanan walking toward him, he smiled but quickly wiped it away and replaced it with a serious expression.
He folded his arms. "So... This simple outfit is what took you forever?"
Hanan frowned. "Simple?"
She twirled once.
"Do I look pretty?"
Abdul looked her over from head to toe.
She looked stunning.
But admitting that would be far too easy.
"Five out of ten." He shrugged. "Pretty average."
Hanan's smile disappeared instantly.
"What?"
She scoffed.
"You clearly know nothing about fashion."
She walked past him.
"Move."
"You're the one delaying us now."
Abdul hid another smile.
He followed her into the car.
As soon as she adjusted the rear view mirror, she admired herself for a second.
"Ignore him."
She whispered to her reflection.
"You look beautiful."
Abdul heard her.
He laughed.
"Keep lying to yourself."
She shot him a glare.
"Drive the car."
"You've talked enough."
He saluted dramatically. "Yes, ma'am."
"Your wish is my command."
Moments later, they were on the road.
After a few minutes of silence, Abdul glanced sideways. "You've changed."
She looked up. "What do you mean?"
"You've never cared this much about makeup before."
Hanan dabbed a little powder onto her face.
"It's an important event."
"There'll be lots of influential people."
"I can't show up looking careless."
"Hmm..." Abdul hummed knowingly.
"You sure that's the only reason?"
She narrowed her eyes. "What exactly are you implying?"
"Oh..." He chuckled.
"Nothing."
"Forget I asked."
She groaned. "You enjoy getting on my nerves these days."
"I really do." He grinned.
"You're unbelievable."
"And?" He laughed.
She rolled her eyes then folded her arms.
"I'm actually nervous."
Abdul's smile faded slightly. "About what?"
"I don't want to run into someone."
"Who?"
She gave him a look. "Your best friend."
"Najib?"
"Who else is your best friend?"
Abdul thought for a moment. "I don't think he'll spend much time there."
"The company belongs to Amina now."
"It was Alhaji's wish for Amina to take over."
"Najib already has more responsibilities than he can handle."
"So he transferred full management to her."
Hanan sighed. "That doesn't mean he won't attend."
"It's his sister's big day."
"Of course he'll be there."
Abdul glanced at her again. "Why are you trying so hard to avoid him anyway?"
"Did something happen?"
Immediately, Hanan looked away.
Every embarrassing moment replayed vividly in her mind.
She wished she could erase every single one.
"I'll just avoid him."
She murmured to herself.
"You say something?" Abdul asked.
She shook her head. "No. Let's just enjoy the quiet ride."
He smiled. "So cranky Hanan is officially back."
She pointed toward the windshield.
"Eyes on the road... And stop teasing me."
He laughed. "Fine. My lips are sealed."
"Finally." She sighed in relief before resting her head against the seat.
Don't look at him.
Don't talk to him.
Don't even make eye contact.
Attend the event... congratulate Amina... and leave.
She smiled to herself.
"Yes."
"I can do that."
.
.
.
***