44~Can you not hate me now that Im dead? #2
"Those were his decisions, not yours."
She swallowed hard. "I know..."
"And he deserves to answer for what he did."
"I know he's going to prison."
Najib nodded. "Most likely for a very long time."
Her eyes widened.."Please... if there's any way... don't let it be life imprisonment."
He studied her face in disbelief. "After everything he did... you're still worried about him?"
"I don't want anyone's life to end because of me."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I'll never understand how your heart works."
She smiled weakly. "I don't even understand it myself."
He laughed quietly.
"I think they forgot to teach you justice in law school."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"
"I'm beginning to think you skipped your lectures."
"I did not!"
"You sure?"
She folded her arms. "I only paid attention to the chapters about taking revenge on an arrogant man."
"Oh?"
"Yes."
"And who was this unfortunate arrogant man?"
"You."
He laughed. "I should've guessed."
She turned away dramatically. "I won't talk to you anymore." She playfully frowned trying to get off the bed.
"Oh, really?" He reached over and caught her hand before she could pull away.
And before Hanan could react, he laidher against a pillow while holding both hands above her.
Leaning so close to her face that her breath hitched at the nearness of him... And the warmth of his breath over her face made her body more tensed.
"What... are you doing?" She groaned nervously glancing at the door behind them.
He chuckled. "Habibti, are you really scared of getting caught in bed with me?" He smirked fully knowing she was.
"Release my hands Najib, we are in a hospital." She sighed staring at his mischievous eyes glued on her.
"Should I?" He whispered with a sly smirk.
"Yes, please."
"But I don't want to." He laughed.
She gasped. "Are you for real right now? Don't be shameless, we can't do this in a hospital." She sighed, her gaze dropping to his lips to see them twitch into a full smirk.
"We can't do what Habibti?" He chuckled as his eyes scanned her face lovingly.
"You know." She mumbled.
"I don't know Habibti, but at the moment I want to do more than kissing you right now." He said so softly that her eyes widened.
He inched closer to her.
Their cheeks brushed.
He dug his face to her neck, his lips hovering around her ear made her eyes flutter as he let out a subtle breath that made her ears tingled.
"Habibti." He called out softly.
"Are you really so scared and shy of being this close? The look on your face is priceless right now." He chuckled.
She gasped. "Najib, Stop it, stop this inappropriate talks..."
"Why?" He asked calmly. "I know you like it. Don't deny it."
"I don't." Her voice was firm.
"No?" He arched a brow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Your face says otherwise."
"I'm serious, Najib. Move."
Just then, footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Hanan's eyes widened again.
"The door..."
Before she could push him away, Najib sprang off the bed and casually rested a hand on her head as though nothing had happened.
A second later, the doctor walked in.
"Good evening."
"Good evening, doctor." Hanan greeted a little too quickly, brushing Najib's hand away before getting off the bed.
She forced an awkward smile while secretly glaring at him. Najib only answered with an innocent smile that made her want to throw something at him.
"I see you're awake now." The doctor smiled, glancing through her chart.
"Where's the woman who brought you in?"
"Nanny Ann?" Hanan cleared her throat. "She... she went home."
"Okay." He nodded.
"There's nothing to worry about. You experienced an anxiety attack after the traumatic incident. We admitted you for observation because you lost consciousness, but your vitals are stable now. You can be discharged tonight."
Najib spoke up.
"Doctor, wouldn't it be better if she stayed one more night for observation?"
Before the doctor could answer, Hanan interrupted.
"No, thank you, doctor. I'll be fine. I would really like to go home."
The doctor looked between the two of them, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"If you're both comfortable with that, you're free to leave. Just make sure she gets enough rest and isn't put in a situation that makes her panic again."
"Okay. Thank you, doctor."
After wishing them well, the doctor walked out.
The door had barely clicked shut when a pillow flew across the room.
It hit Najib squarely in the chest.
"You!" Hanan groaned. "What's wrong with you?"
She marched toward him, intending to hit his arm, but before she could, he caught her wrists and gently pulled her into a hug.
"So..." He murmured. "When are we getting married again? I've been waiting."
The annoyance on her face instantly melted into a warm smile.
Her heartbeat stumbled.
She hated how easily he could unravel her.
When he pulled back to look at her face, she quickly composed herself, swallowing the smile threatening to show on her face.
"So?" He asked again with a grin. "When, Habibti?"
She folded her arms.
"When you stop being so mischievous..."
"Then?"
"Then maybe I'll consider giving you a hint."
His grin widened. "A hint that even now wouldn't be bad right?"
She rolled her eyes to hide her smile. "You really hear only what you want to hear, Mr Najib."
"I learned from the best."
She laughed despite herself.
"Come on." She shook her head. "Let's leave. I've had enough of hospitals for one day."
She walked toward the door, trying to maintain a serious expression.
However, the moment her back was turned, a bright smile spread across her face.
Najib noticed.
But he said nothing.
He simply smiled to himself and closely followed her behind.
Outside, Mr Charles was already waiting outside beside their car and once he saw them he hurried towards them before they could even reach the car.
"Sir Najib!
"Good evening, Ma'am Habiba."
"Good evening, Mr Charles." She smiled.
Returning her smile, he leaned closer and whispered something into Najib's ear.
Najib's expression immediately changed.
Every warmth disappeared from his face.
"Habibti, can you get into the car first?" Najib said gently.
"Okay."
Reluctantly, she released his hand and climbed into the back seat.
Through the window, she watched the two men converse in whispered voices. Though she couldn't make out a single word, the seriousness on their faces made her uneasy.
"What could be so important that it has to be whispered?" She wondered, unable to take her eyes off them.
A few minutes later, Najib and Mr Charles joined her in the car, and shortly after, they began driving home.
"What is it?" Hanan whispered, turning to Najib.
"It's nothing." He sighed.
"Please tell me."
She studied his face. The tension written across it only made her anxiety grow.
He remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"Fine... you'll find out sooner or later anyway. But promise me something first."
"What?"
"Promise me you won't blame yourself."
"Just tell me, Najib."
He took a slow breath.
"Faruk is dead."
"What...?!" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You're joking."
"I'm not." He shook his head solemnly.
"Would I joke about something this serious?"
"But... how?" She whispered, her voice trembling. "What happened?"
"He was found hanging by a rope in his prison cell."
"Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un..."
The words escaped her lips quickly.
Her hands flew to her mouth as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
"He... he committed suicide..."
"He shouldn't have died."
She broke down in tears.
Without saying a word, Najib pulled her into his arms, gently rubbing her back. He knew exactly what was going through her mind.
She was blaming herself.
She continued to cry softly against his chest throughout the journey.
When they finally arrived home, her tears had stopped, but the emptiness in her eyes remained.
The moment Nanny Ann saw them, she rushed over and embraced Hanan tightly.
"I'm so sorry for the loss, Najib." Her voice was filled with sorrow. "The news shocked me. I still can't believe he's gone. Every time I close my eyes, I still see his face."
"Thank you, Nanny Ann."
Najib nodded quietly.
"Please take care of Habiba. I have to leave now for the janazah prayers. Where's Abdul?"
"He already left for the burial."
"I see."
He glanced at Hanan one last time before turning back to Nanny Ann.
"Please... take care of her."
"I will."
With that, he hurried back to his car and drove away.
An hour passed.
Hanan hasn't moved an inch.
She sat motionless on the floor, staring blankly ahead like a statue.
"Hanan..."
Nanny Ann sat beside her, concern written all over her face.
"You can't keep doing this. Eat something... say something... or even cry if you need to. But don't just sit here like this. You're scaring me."
No response.
"I know this is hard, but none of this is your fault."
"It is." Her voice finally broke the silence. "I should've rejected him from the very beginning."
Tears gathered in her eyes once more.
"I should've made it clear that I could never love him."
Her lips trembled.
"I killed him..."
"No, you didn't!" Nanny Ann's voice came out sharper than intended.
"Hanan, listen to yourself."
She gently held both of Hanan's shoulders.
"Why are you blaming yourself for something you didn't do?"
"He strangled himself to death."
"Nanny Ann... you won't understand."
"Then make me understand."
She sighed heavily.