46~Cutie Patootie
"You've been glued to your phone ever since you arrived." Amira folded her arms with a pout. "You're barely paying attention to me. Tell me, what's so amusing that keeps making you smile at your screen?"
Hanan laughed. "You wouldn't understand..."
"Why?"
"Because you've chosen the life of a single Pringle."
"Hanan!" Amira gasped, narrowing her eyes. "That was so petty!"
She immediately smacked Hanan's arm.
"Ouch!" Hanan winced, rubbing the spot. "Stop! Your hands are painful."
"Then stop oppressing the single people here." Amira huffed dramatically. "You and Najib can continue chatting later. Right now, focus on me."
She folded her arms again.
"And I'm still annoyed that you only visited me because you wanted your dress back."
"Just because he wants to see you wearing it?"
She pouted even harder.
"I'm jealous."
"You're choosing him over me."
Hanan burst into laughter. "No, I'm not."
"And about the dress... I promise I'll return it to you."
"So please bear with me this once."
Amira sighed dramatically.
"I don't really have a choice."
"You're my best friend after all."
"Aww..." Hanan pinched her cheek playfully.
"Thanks for understanding."
She placed her phone beside her.
"Fine."
"I'll get offline now and focus on my bestie."
She paused before smiling mischievously.
"Actually... There's something I've been curious about."
"What do you think of my brother?"
Amira almost choked. "Sorry... what?!"
She laughed nervously.
"Why are you suddenly bringing Abdul into this conversation?"
"Because I honestly think you two would look good together."
Hanan tilted her head. "But I don't understand why you hate the idea."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Or... Are you seeing someone?"
"Are you secretly in a relationship that I don't know about?"
Amira's smile stiffened."What?"
"No!" She laughed awkwardly.
"Are you sure?" Hanan smirked.
"Yes." She nodded quickly. "The moment I get into a relationship, you'll definitely know."
"Hmm..." Hanan studied her for a few seconds.
Something about her eyes told a different story.
She knew Amira wasn't ready to tell her the truth.
So she smiled and changed the topic.
"It's a pity I didn't get to see Mama and Baba."
"Yeah." Amira smiled.
"I wish you came earlier."
"They had somewhere important to go to."
"But there's always a next time."
"In Sha Allah." Hanan smiled.
Suddenly Amira clapped excitedly.
"Oh!"
"I just remembered!"
"What?"
"You need to see the huge fish Lucy bagged."
Hanan frowned. "She has a new man?"
"Yeah!"
Amira grinned.
"She sent me pictures from Halloween."
"She dressed as a police officer..."
"And her man dressed up as a prisoner."
"You need to see them."
"The guy is a complete snack."
Hanan laughed. "Really?"
"What happened to Christopher?"
"You know Lucy."
Amira shrugged. "She never stays in one relationship for long."
"But honestly... I think this one might actually last."
"The guy is seriously cute."
"Hmm... Show me." Hanan said excitedly. "I've lost touch with Lucy. I've been too occupied."
"I will. My phone is charging beside you, pass it to me."
She pointed toward the bedside table next to Hanan.
She reached over and unplugged the charger.
Just then...
A notification popped onto the screen.
Cutie Patootie
Should we meet tonight? Once Hanan leaves, call me. I miss you, I want to see you.
Hanan froze.
She immediately knew who it was.
A tiny sting of hurt settled in her chest.
So... they're determined to keep hiding this from me.
For a brief second, she felt offended.
But she quickly swallowed the feeling.
They probably have their reasons.
She smiled faintly and was about to hand the phone over when a video call from Cutie Patootie suddenly appeared.
Hanan stared at the screen.
Then...
Curiosity won.
She answered.
"Baby..."
Abdul's smiling face instantly appeared on the screen.
The smile disappeared the moment he realized who was holding the phone.
Hanan waved cheerfully.
"It's me."
"Your sister, Hanan."
She tilted her head with a playful smirk.
"So... Why exactly were you calling my best friend baby?"
The moment Amira heard Abdul's voice, she rushed over in panic, snatched the phone from Hanan's hand and immediately ended the call.
Silence.
The two friends simply stared at each other.
Neither of them knew what to say.
Finally...
"Sorry." They both spoke at the same time.
Amira sighed. "I'll go first."
She looked genuinely guilty.
"I'm sorry."
"I wanted to tell you the very first day Abdul confessed to me."
"But... I was scared."
"You and I weren't exactly on good terms when we started dating."
Hanan smiled knowingly. "You still couldn't hide it forever."
"I found out before now anyway."
Amira blinked. "...You did?"
Hanan nodded. "Why do you think I suddenly started pairing you two together?"
Amira's face turned pale. "Since... when did you know?"
Hanan crossed her arms dramatically.
"Since last night."
"The moment I caught both of you making out in the living room."
She shook her head.
"You two are terrible at keeping secrets."
Amira covered her face. "Oh my God..."
"Hanan... I'm so sorry."
"I never wanted to keep it from you."
"Even Abdul wanted us to tell you."
"But I refused."
"I was scared."
"Scared of what exactly?" Hanan asked softly.
"Do you think I'm the kind of sister who dictates who her brother dates?"
"Or do you think our past misunderstanding was enough for me to turn against you?"
She smiled sadly. "Our friendship has lasted three years now."
"Is that really how you see me?"
"No!" Amira quickly shook her head.
"Please don't misunderstand me."
"I never meant it like that."
Hanan smiled warmly. "It's okay."
"Really... No hard feelings."
She reached out and squeezed Amira's hand.
"I'm actually happy my brother found someone like you."
"You both are lucky to have each other."
Amira's eyes immediately became watery.
Unable to hold herself back anymore, she rushed into Hanan's arms and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you... Sis in law."
Hanan burst into laughter. "Sis in law?"
She hugged her back.
"Now tell me... What do you like most about him?"
Amira slowly pulled away, blushing.
"Everything."
"I honestly love everything about him."
"Be specific." Hanan chuckled.
She smiled shyly. "He's smart..."
"Very handsome."
"Kind."
"Loving."
"And..."
She bit her lip. "He's got such a soft voice."
She paused before whispering,
"And I can't deny... He's an amazing kisser."
She eye winked making Hanan instantly squeezed her face.
"Eww! So that's why you were devouring his lips last night?"
Amira gasped. "You watched us the whole time?!"
"I didn't plan to, I was just too shocked to leave."
Amira narrowed her eyes mischievously.
"You naughty girl."
"You talk as if you're some innocent saint."
Hanan blinked. "Huh?"
Amira laughed. "Remember the night we met at the airport?"
"You weren't even wearing shoes."
"You were running around crying your eyes out looking for Najib."
"And the moment you found him... I watched you practically eat his lips."
"Sharrap!"
Hanan squealed in embarrassment, immediately pouncing on her.
She clamped both hands over Amira's mouth.
"So we're both not saints!"
Hanan laughed despite her burning cheeks.
The airport memory flashed vividly through her mind.
She had cried like a baby because she thought she lost Najib forever.
"Mmmph!"
Amira struggled beneath her hands.
"Get your hands off my mouth!"
"No!" Hanan laughed.
"I'm not letting you expose me any further!"
They continued struggling with each other, Hanan determined to keep her hand firmly over Amira's mouth while Amira fought desperately to tear it away.
Within moments, the entire room was in complete disarray.
Eventually, both of them gave up.
They collapsed onto the bed, breathing heavily as they stared up at the ceiling fan lazily spinning above them, sending a cool breeze across the room.
"I got you a birthday gift." Amira said between heavy breaths.
"Aww." Hanan smiled, turning her head to look at her.
"I wanted to give it to you tomorrow, but Najib has already booked your entire day."
"No, he hasn't. We're only meeting at night." Hanan replied.
Without another word, Amira got off the bed and walked over to her chest of drawers. She returned holding a small box wrapped neatly with a ribbon.
"This is my birthday present to you. I wanted to be the first person to give you a gift, so... here."
"Aww." Hanan smiled warmly as she accepted the box.
She carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.
Inside was a pair of glittering earrings.
"Wow..." She gasped, gently brushing her fingers over them. "They're so pretty."
"I'm glad you like them."
"I do. Help me put them on."
Amira happily took the earrings and fastened them onto Hanan's ears.
The moment they were on, Hanan hurried to the mirror.
She tilted her head from side to side, admiring the way they sparkled against her skin.
"They're beautiful. Thank you so much. I absolutely love them."
"I got myself a matching pair too." Amira said proudly, showing off the identical earrings she was wearing. "I wanted us to twin."
"That's so sweet of you." Hanan beamed. "I'm never taking these earrings off."
"Really?" Amira raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile. "Are you sure?"
"Very sure."
"So... if Najib buys you a pair of earrings, you won't take mine off to wear his instead?"
Hanan froze.
A mischievous grin slowly spread across her face.
"Hmm..." She deliberately avoided answering. "I should probably get going now. It's already past five."
She quickly began gathering her scattered belongings from the room.
"Now you're avoiding my question?" Amira laughed, watching her friend move around.
"Maybe... yes. Maybe... no." Hanan smiled as she picked up her handbag from the floor. "Come on, escort me out."
"You're leaving without the dress you came for."