40~I never hated you #4
In the bathroom Hanan stopped in front of the mirror and immediately examined her face.
Her fingers brushed the corner of her lips.
Nothing.
No smudge.
Nothing at all.
Realization dawned on her.
"You liar!"
She laughed, shaking her head.
"I actually believed you."
Still smiling to herself, she stepped into the bathroom, her laughter lingering long after the door had closed.
Outside, Najib remained seated on the edge of the bed, unable to wipe the smile off his face.
He had never imagined that something as simple as teasing her could make him this happy.
Watching her blush, pout, and laugh so freely was enough to make him fall in love with her all over again.
It was already 1 pm by the time everyone gathered around the dining table for lunch.
The atmosphere was unusually lively.
Smiles lingered on everyone's face.
But the brightest smile of all belonged to Najib.
Hanan had seen him smile countless times before.
Yet today's smile was different.
Brighter.
Warmer.
It softened every sharp feature on his face, making him look even more handsome than she remembered.
For the first time since she knows him...
He looked genuinely happy.
And somehow... That made her happier than she could explain.
As lunch continued, Hanan gently cleared her throat.
"I'll head home after lunch."
Grandma nodded understanding her.
"You should."
She sighed.
"Abdul must be worried sick."
Najib shook his head. "I doubt it."
He smiled. "He already knows she's here, I told him already."
He turned toward Hanan. "I'll drive you home."
She returned his smile. "Thank you."
Not long afterward, lunch came to an end.
Grandma, though reluctant to let her leave so soon, understood she has another home waiting for her.
She embraced Habiba tightly before letting her go.
"Come back soon..." She smiled lovingly. As my granddaughter in law."
"In Sha Allah." Hanan smiled. "I will."
She waved goodbye before following Najib outside.
The moment she settled into his car and fastened her seatbelt, she smiled.
"Let's go."
Instead of starting the engine...
Najib leaned toward her.
Closer.
Closer still.
So close that she could still catch the faint scent of the fried fish they just ate.
She laughed softly.
"Why are you so close to my face?"
He didn't answer.
Instead... His fingers gently brushed against her cheek before he lifted her chin with surprising tenderness.
His playful smile disappeared.
"Listen carefully, Habibti."
His voice turned serious.
"I need you to understand something."
She swallowed.
His eyes alone were enough to make her heartbeat stumble.
"I'm listening."
He held her gaze.
"From this moment onward..."
"You're mine."
"And only mine."
His thumb slowly stroked her cheek.
"No man gets to touch you."
"No man gets to look at you the way I do."
His jaw tightened.
"And if someone is insolent enough to do that..."
A dangerous smile crossed his face.
"I'll teach him a lesson in a terrible way."
Silence settled between them.
Then he added quietly,
"Because I know exactly how to deal with men who don't understand boundaries."
His gaze never left hers.
"Do you understand me, Habibti?"
Hanan could only nod her head.
Her heart was beating so fast she was certain he could hear it.
"I mean every word." He added and only then did he release her chin and lean back into his seat.
He started the Car.
She let out the breath she has been holding unconsciously.
"Wallahi..."
She laughed nervously.
"I never knew you could be this possessive."
Najib smiled without taking his eyes off the road.
"You have no idea what you do to me, do you?"
He reached over and intertwined their fingers.
"When it comes to you... I become selfish."
He smiled to himself.
"I love you far too deeply to ever share you with anyone else."
He squeezed her hand gently.
"So forgive me if I seem possessive."
"But I can't stand the thought of another man having your attention..."
"Your smile... Even your gaze."
He looked at her briefly.
"I want all of you."
"Your heart."
"Your thoughts."
"Your laughter."
He smiled.
"I want every version of you all to myself... And I want to be the only man privileged enough to call you mine."
Hanan stared at him in complete awe.
Her cheeks heating up.
She had no words.
Only a racing heart.
He smiled knowingly... "Understood?"
She finally found her voice.
"Noted, Mr Najib."
She gave him a playful salute.
He laughed.
After a brief silence, she spoke again.
"Can we stop somewhere first?"
He glanced at her. "Where?"
"Faruk's place."
The smile on his face faded.
He gave her a long, unreadable look.
"I know what you're thinking." She said softly.
"But I have to see him."
"I need to end things properly."
Najib remained quiet for a moment before nodding once.
"Fine." He sighed.
"You have ten minutes... No more."
She grinned. "Yes, sir "
She saluted again.
"Noted, sir!"
This time, he couldn't stop himself from laughing.
The rest of the drive continued in comfortable silence as they headed to Faruk's house.
.
.
.
**
A/N