45~NaHabiba #4
"Pray for him instead."
"And please... don't blame yourself either."
He paused, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"He called himself a sufferable son... But he wasn't."
A tear escaped the corner of his eye.
"I'm the sufferable father."
"And while he believed death was his punishment..."
He lowered his gaze.
"I believe it's mine."
Silence settled over the room.
After a moment, he wiped away his tears and managed a gentle smile.
"When are you two getting married?"
Najib smiled and instinctively glanced at Hanan.
"Very soon, Uncle."
"When the time comes, I'll bring her back, so together... We can receive your blessings."
Lots and lots of prayer sessions went on till it concluded around 1 pm.
Throughout the prayers, Hanan's thoughts kept drifting back to her conversation with Faruk's father.
Knowing that neither he nor his family hated her, as she had feared, lifted a tremendous weight off her heart.
For the first time since Faruk's death, she felt at peace.
She was finally ready to accept what Amira had told her.
Faruk was now a chapter of her past.
His story in her life had ended today.
But despite everything that had happened, she knew she would always cherish the good memories they once shared.
"Hanan, let's go home." Abdul said after the prayers ended. He had arrived just in time to join the congregation and was now ready to leave.
"Go ahead without her." Najib interrupted gently. "I'll bring her home later."
He took Hanan's hand and led her toward his car.
"Alright. See you both later." Abdul replied before taking his leave.
Not long after, Najib and Hanan also left.
As soon as she fastened her seat belt, she turned to him.
"So... where are we going?"
"On a long drive." He smiled.."I want to spend some time alone with you before..."
His voice trailed off as he looked at her.
"Before...?" She asked with a smile.
He quickly shook his head.
"Nothing."
A brief silence followed before he changed the topic.
"Your birthday is the day after tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah."
"Any plans?"
She shook her head. "I don't celebrate birthdays."
"We should celebrate this one."
"For me, birthdays aren't really anything special, Najib."
"They're special to me."
He smiled warmly.
"How could I not celebrate the day my love was born?"
"I want to celebrate it."
"So on Monday, by seven in the evening, be ready."
"After work, I'll come pick you up."
She smiled curiously. "Where are we going?"
"You'll find out."
He glanced at her.
"And I want you to wear that white dress."
"White dress?"
"The one you wore to Amina's inauguration party... You remember it?"
"I do."
"So... can you wear it? You looked very breathtaking in it."
"Oh..." She forced a smile. "Okay... as you wish."
Deep inside, panic settled in.
She had just gifted that very dress to Amira.
How on earth am I going to ask for it back?
"Hey." Najib snapped his fingers playfully in front of her face.
"Where did you disappear to?"
She blinked and smiled. "Nowhere."
"I'm right here with you."
"It feels good seeing you smile." He smiled.
She looked at him affectionately. "And it feels good knowing my man is so kind, thoughtful, and caring."
"The conversation with Uncle happened because of you."
"Because of that, I finally got the closure I needed."
"So... Thank you, Najib."
"I truly appreciate everything you've done for me."
He chuckled. "Hmm..."
"Don't you think I deserve a romantic nickname after being this sweet?"
She laughed. "A romantic nickname?"
"Yeah. I don't want you calling me Najib anymore."
"Give me something tender..."
"Just like I call you Habibti."
"Oh..." She giggled.
"How about... my man?"
He immediately frowned. "Too basic."
She laughed. "Then... my love?"
"Nah." He shook his head. "That's cheesy, I already know I'm your love."
"I want something unique."
"Something romantic."
"A nickname inspired by my own name."
"The way Habibti comes from Habiba."
"Hmm..." She leaned back thoughtfully.
"Then I need time to think."
"Fine." He smiled. "Before this drive ends... I expect an answer."
"Okay." She folded her arms dramatically.
"Now keep quiet, I need to think."
He laughed. "Alright."
For nearly an hour, she remained deep in thought.
Every now and then, Najib stole glances at her.
Her brows stayed furrowed in concentration.
The seriousness on her face amused him so much that he couldn't stop smiling.
Suddenly...
"I've got one!"
She turned toward him with sparkling eyes.
He smiled. "Let's hear it."
"Na'Habiba."
She pronounced it proudly.
"It combines Najib and Habiba."
He repeated it quietly.
"Na'Habiba..."
He rolled the name around thoughtfully.
"I like it, but what does it mean?"
She grinned. "It means you're mine in Hausa."
"You belong to me alone."
His smile widened. "I love it."
"I especially love how possessive it sounds."
She laughed. "Because I am very possessive of you..."
"Na'Habiba."
They both burst into laughter.
Habibti.
Na'Habiba.
.
.
.
***