40~I never hated you #2
For a brief moment, Hanan simply stared into his eyes.
As though she was making sure he was real.
Then she suddenly wrapped her arms around him again.
"I missed you so much..."
She pulled back only enough to look at his face before pressing her lips against his once more.
This kiss was slower.
Softer.
Filled with relief.
Najib chuckled against her lips when they finally broke apart.
"Were you really that desperate to kiss me?" He smiled mischievously, watching her cheeks flush.
"W... What?" She stammered, trying and failing to hide her smile.
"Look down." He chuckled.
She did.
"Your feet..."
He burst into laughter.
"Where are your shoes?"
Her eyes widened.
"And... don't tell me you came all the way here wearing your pajamas without even a veil covering your hair."
Realization struck her again.
She covered her face in embarrassment before laughing along with him.
"I actually did."
She shook her head, still laughing.
"I didn't even realize what I was wearing until I got here."
Her smile slowly faded into something more emotional.
"That's how scared I was."
"I thought I lost you."
"I really believed you left."
Najib's expression softened.
He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'll never leave you, Habibti. I promise."
He pulled her back into his embrace, one arm wrapped securely around her waist while the other cupped her face.
Unable to resist, he began planting light kisses across her forehead, her cheeks, and the tip of her nose.
Hanan giggled shyly.
"Najib..."
"Hmm?"
"We're in public."
He raised an eyebrow innocently. "So?"
She laughed, placing a finger over his lips.
"People are watching."
"Oh?" He teased. "Weren't you the one kissing me a few minutes ago?"
"I was..." She bit her lip.
"I just... I missed you so much that I forgot where we were."
"And now?"
"I still miss you."
She laughed nervously.
"But... We can't keep kissing here."
Najib folded his arms dramatically.
"Fine."
He leaned closer.
"Should we find a room instead?"
Her cheeks instantly burned.
"N... Najib!"
He laughed so hard he had to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.
"I was joking."
She playfully slapped his arm. "Don't be naughty."
"Okay."
She smiled before taking his hand.
"Let's go home."
"I want to announce to everyone that I've gotten my love back."
His smile widened. "I like the sound of that."
He picked up his suitcases and placed them neatly inside the trunk before opening the passenger door for her.
Hanan was about to get in when she suddenly stopped.
"Oh... I came here with Abdul's car. I can't just leave it here."
Najib nodded.
"Mr Charles."
Almost immediately, Mr Charles stepped out from the driver's seat of another car parked nearby.
Hanan's eyes grew wide in shock.
"He was here all this time?"
She whispered in horror.
Her face burned.
"Oh no... He saw us."
Najib couldn't help laughing at her reaction.
Mr Charles walked over with his usual respectful smile.
"Good evening, ma'am."
"Good evening." Hanan replied awkwardly, unable to meet his eyes.
Najib noticed her embarrassment and gently squeezed her hand.
He turned to Mr Charles.
"Here are Abdul's car keys."
He handed them over.
"Please drive his car back to his house safely."
"Okay, sir."
Mr Charles accepted the keys with a nod before quietly walking away.
Najib opened the passenger door once more.
"This time... No excuses."
Hanan laughed before getting inside.
She fastened her seatbelt while he got into the driver's side.
Before starting the engine, he simply sat there looking at her lovingly.
She smiled. "What is that look for?"
He shook his head slowly. "I'm just trying to convince myself this is real."
He reached over and intertwined their fingers.
"Last night I thought I lost you forever."
"And today... My Habibti is sitting beside me."
Hanan squeezed his hand.
"It's not a dream, Mr Najib Aminu Garba."
She smiled brightly. "It's your reality... Our reality."
He laughed softly. "I'm so happy I can't even explain it."
He started the engine.
"I think tomorrow deserves to be declared a public holiday."
She laughed. "Really?"
"Yes."
He looked at her lovingly one more time.
"Because tomorrow... I want to spend every second with you."
Her heart fluttered. "I can't wait."
Their fingers remained intertwined as they drove home, smiling like two fools hopelessly in love.
It was past midnight when they arrived at the mansion.
The entire house was quiet, wrapped in the silence of the night as they strolled through the entrance.
"Grandma must have gone to bed. It's quite late." Hanan whispered as they reached the front door.
Najib nodded. "Yeah... and it looks like Amina is home too."
Just then, a familiar voice broke the silence.
"Well... who do we have here?"
They turned around.
Standing a few steps away were Amina, Emma, and Grandma.
Emma's face lit up the moment she saw Hanan.
Grandma's smile was even brighter.
"Grandma..." Hanan whispered.
Without another thought, she rushed into Grandma's open arms.
"My child..." Grandma cried, hugging her tightly. "My dear Habiba."
The moment Hanan heard those words, she felt something in her crumble.
She burst into tears.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
They simply watched the grandmother and granddaughter hold each other, both crying tears of relief after months of separation.
"I missed you so much, my dear." Grandma whispered, gently cupping her face. "I knew Allah wouldn't separate us forever. I knew you would come back home."
Hanan took Grandma's frail hands and kissed them lovingly.
"Grandma... you have no idea how much I've missed you."
Her voice trembled.
"I'm sorry it took me this long to come back."
Grandma smiled tenderly.
"It's alright, my child."
She stroked Hanan's cheek.
"I'm glad you took your time."
Amina dramatically sniffled. "You two are being so emotional..."
She pretended to wipe imaginary tears.
"I'm about to start crying too."
Her comment made them all laugh.
Hanan smiled before walking over to her. "Amina..."
She gently reached for her hand.
"I owe you an apology."
Amina pulled her hand away and folded her arms.
"You certainly do."
She narrowed her eyes playfully.
"A lot of apologies."
"I know." Hanan sighed.
"I'm sorry for speaking to you so rudely yesterday."
"I'm sorry for yelling at you."
Grandma looked between them in surprise. "You met her yesterday?"
"Yes, Grandma." Amina sighed dramatically.
"I know you told me not to go after her, but I couldn't help myself. I thought I could knock some sense into your stubborn granddaughter's head."
She pointed at Hanan.
"But it was completely useless."
She scoffed. "Can you believe she actually made me feel stupid?"
Grandma chuckled. "Serves you right."
"Grandma!"
Amina gasped dramatically.
"Seriously?"
"Yes." Grandma nodded without the slightest remorse.
"And stop calling Habiba stubborn."
She pointed a finger at Amina.
"She's not stubborn."
"You are."
"Didn't I tell you to go back to your husband's house? Emma and the rest of the staff are here to take care of me."
She smiled knowingly.
"So tomorrow, go back home."
"You don't belong here anymore."
Amina placed a hand over her chest.
"Oh? So now that Habiba is back, I'm no longer needed?"
Grandma didn't hesitate. "Yes."
She nodded. "Habiba is back to her husband's house."
She smiled innocently. "So you should also return to yours."
Amina's jaw dropped as the room erupted into more laughter.
Hanan laughed so hard her jaw began to ache.
But she didn't mind.
It had been a very long time since she laughed so freely.
Grandma had casually referred to the mansion as her husband's house.
For some reason...
Those words warmed her heart.
They carried memories she never wanted to lose.
As she smiled to herself, she glanced at Najib.
Only to realize... He had been looking at her all along.
Their eyes met.
A soft smile appeared on his lips.
"Welcome back home."
He whispered the words so quietly that only she could hear them.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She smiled back.
Unfortunately... Amina noticed.
"Oh please."
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Would you two stop flirting in front of everyone?"
She smirked.
"Just get married already... and then go get a room."
Hanan's cheeks immediately turned pink.
Amina laughed victoriously.
"Honestly." She continued. "When Amira called and told me she found you crying at the airport because you thought Ya Najib had left..."
She shook her head.
"I didn't believe a word she said."
"So all of us stayed awake waiting for you."
She smiled warmly.
"We knew you would come home."
Hanan looked around at every familiar face.
Emotion welled up inside her again.
"Yes."
She smiled.
"And this time... I'm here to stay."
She looked at Amina.
"Forever, sister in law."
Amina raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"So you're saying sister in law now?"
She laughed.
"I guess Grandma was right."
She shrugged dramatically.
"I don't have to keep coming here anymore."
She pointed at Hanan.
"The daughter in law of the house is back."
"Alhamdulillah." Grandma smiled, her eyes glistening with excitement as she looked from Habiba to Najib.
"I've prayed for this day for so long."
She sighed contentedly.
"Now all that's left is for you two to give me plenty of great grandchildren."
She smiled mischievously.
"Then I'll finally be able to meet my son in Jannah with complete peace."
Najib chuckled.
"Grandma..."
He gently took hold of her wheelchair from Emma.
"We'll give you as many great grandchildren as you want."
He laughed.
"But first... You need to go to bed."
Grandma yawned. "You know..."
She rubbed her eyes. "I am actually getting sleepy."
She turned to Emma.
"Emma, Prepare a room for Habiba."
"We'll talk properly tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am." Emma smiled happily.
"But Grandma..." Najib raised an eyebrow.
"A separate room?"