41~His love won #4
"Who?" Hanan urged impatiently. "Do you really have to think about it when I'm standing right here?"
He smiled mischievously.
"My flight."
Both of them frowned.
"Your flight?" Abdul repeated.
Najib nodded.
"Yeah. I know I promised to spend today with you, Habibti, but something urgent came up this morning."
"I wanted to postpone the trip, but I couldn't. It's something I have to handle personally. I can't send a representative in my place."
He looked apologetically at Hanan.
"I wanted to tell you earlier."
Her face immediately fell.
"But... We just got back together."
She pouted.
"How long are you going to be away?"
"A month."
Her eyes widened. "Thirty days?!"
He smiled reassuringly.
"That was the original plan... But because of you... I'll wrap everything up in a week."
"Just for you, Habibti."
She folded her arms dramatically.
"You should."
She puffed out her cheeks.
"Because I'm already missing you."
The childish pout in her voice made Abdul burst into laughter.
He laughed so hard he had to wipe tears from the corners of his eyes.
"You cannot be serious!"
He pointed at her between laughs.
"What was that baby voice?"
"So this is funny?" Hanan frowned.
"It is!"
He laughed again.
"I've never seen you acting this lovey dovey before."
He shook his head.
"Love really changes people."
She rolled her eyes.
"And what would you know about love? You've been single your entire life."
Abdul clutched his chest dramatically.
"Wow. That hurt."
Najib couldn't help laughing.
"Actually..."
He glanced at Abdul.
"Now that I think about it... I've never seen you in a serious relationship either."
He smirked. "What's the problem?"
Abdul folded his arms confidently.
"When the time is right... You'll all meet my lucky girl."
He quickly changed the subject.
"So... When exactly is your flight?"
Najib's smile faded slightly. "Tonight."
Hanan blinked. "Tonight?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I really have to leave tonight."
She looked down sadly.
"But don't worry."
He gently squeezed her hand.
"I'll be back in a week."
She sighed. "You better be. I don't like this already."
He smiled warmly. "I'll come back before you know it. I promise."
She reluctantly nodded. "Okay... Then please come back early."
"I will."
He stood up.
"I should go home and finish packing."
"I'll walk you out." She stood immediately too.
The three of them walked toward the front door together.
Abdul exchanged another fist bump with Najib.
"Safe trip, my gee."
"Take care of yourself."
"You too."
Najib smiled before turning to Hanan.
She was still pouting.
He couldn't help smiling at how adorable she looked.
"I'll make this the shortest business trip of my life."
"You better." She mumbled.
"I'm holding you to that."
He chuckled. "I know you will."
Abdul simply smiled before heading back inside, leaving the two of them alone in the quiet compound.
"I promise I'll be back in a week." Najib sighed.
"Fine." She folded her arms and pouted. "Then keep your promise."
"I will."
"And promise me something else."
He raised a brow. "What?"
"Promise me you won't send your men after Faruk."
Najib blinked before letting out a small laugh. "My men?"
"Yes. Your hood men."
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"What exactly do you think your man is, Habibti? Some kind of gangster or a hooligan?"
"I'm only speaking from experience." She narrowed her eyes at him. "The last time you got angry, Caleb ended up crippled in a hospital bed."
He laughed harder. "You still remember that?"
"Of course I do."
"I'm impressed."
He reached out and gently pinched her cheek.
"My woman is beautiful and has an excellent memory."
She pulled his hand from her cheek holding them.
"So please... let this one go."
His smile softened. "I will."
He looked into her eyes. "For you."
"Good." She nodded in satisfaction.
"Now let me go before I miss my flight."
He stepped closer, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a warm embrace.
She hugged him back immediately, burying her face against his chest.
After a few moments, he kissed her forehead.
"I'll miss you."
He started to pull away.
She grabbed the front of his shirt and tugged him back.
"Here."
She pointed dramatically at her lips.
"My lips are down here, Mr Najib."
She frowned playfully. "What is that dry kiss for? Why are you kissing my forehead like Grandma will?"
His lips curved into an amused smile.
"I thought you said you didn't like kissing in public."
She looked around. "Does this look like a public place to you?"
He laughed. "No."
"Then kiss me properly."
"As you wish."
He cupped her face gently before claiming her lips in a slow, lingering kiss.
She melted into it instantly, smiling against his lips.
"Ahem!" Abdul's voice echoed across the compound.
"Get a room!"
The two of them pulled apart.
Without missing a beat, Hanan glared at him.
"Mind your business!"
Najib burst into laughter.
"I think I'm interrupting something." Abdul grinned shamelessly.
"You are!" Hanan shot back.
Najib shook his head, still laughing.
"I really have to go now."
He squeezed her hand one last time.
"I'll call once I land."
"I'll be waiting."
"And don't miss me too much."
She scoffed. "Too late, I already do."
His smile softened. "I love you."
"I love you too."
With one final look at her, he got into his car.
She stood there waving until his car disappeared from sight.
Only then did she lower her hand.
Her smile slowly faded.
She already missed him.
Abdul walked over, one hand tucked into his pocket.
"Your boyfriend has been gone for barely thirty seconds."
She ignored him.
"You can stop staring at the road now."
Still no response.
He sighed dramatically. "I even bought tissues."
That finally earned him a glare from her. "What for?"
"For the waterfall that's about to start coming out of your eyes."
She rolled her eyes. "You're annoying."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it anyway."
She grabbed the nearest cushion from the porch chair and threw it at him.
He caught it effortlessly.
"Violence?"
He gasped dramatically.
"So this is how you treat your favorite brother?"
"I should've thrown a brick instead."
"Ouch."
He clutched his chest dramatically.
"Nanny Ann!"
He called out.
"Your daughter is threatening my life!"
Nanny Ann stepped out onto the veranda, trying and failing to hide her smile.
"What happened now?"
"She's becoming violent because her boyfriend left."
"Abdul!" Hanan groaned.
"Stop teasing her." Nanny Ann chuckled.
"But it's my favorite hobby." He grinned.
Nanny Ann laughed softly. "Enough. Both of you."
She turned to Hanan. "Dinner will be ready soon."
"I'm... not really hungry."
"Why?"
Hanan glanced toward the gate one last time.
"I guess I just lost my appetite."
Abdul smirked.
"No. You lost your boyfriend for one week."
She picked up another cushion.
"Don't tempt me."
He immediately raised both hands.
"Alright, alright! I'm quiet."
A second later, he couldn't help himself.
"For now."
Hanan lunged toward him with the cushion, sending him running into the house while laughing at the top of his lungs.
Even Nanny Ann couldn't hold back her laughter.
Watching them chase each other around the living room, she smiled to herself.
For the first time in a very long while...
The house truly felt alive again.
.
.
.
***