47~ Guess who just got engaged?!
Najib walked around the car and opened Hanan's door, offering her his hand as she stepped out.
She smiled, taking it before looking around in surprise.
"The beach?" She murmured, scanning her surroundings. For some reason, the beach felt... unusual.
"Yeah." He smiled. "Don't you like the beach?"
"I do. It's just... I wasn't expecting us to come here."
"Well, I'm glad I surprised you." He paused before continuing.
"I don't think you know this, but the beach is my favorite place. I've made a lot of beautiful memories here, but then I realized... none of my memories with you at the beach are good ones."
"The first time, you nearly drowned. The second time... the same thing almost happened because of me."
He lowered his gaze briefly.
"So I thought... why not bring you here tonight? I want to replace those horrible memories with something beautiful."
Hanan's expression softened.
"Oh... that's nice."
She smiled.
"Honestly, I love the beach too, but lately I've started hating it. Maybe because I have developed a phobia of large water. They scare me now."
She looked up at him.
"But with you around... I don't feel afraid anymore."
"Hmm..." He smiled softly before stepping closer and gently wrapping an arm around her waist pulling her closer.
"Habibti."
"Yes?"
"Can you close your eyes?"
"My eyes?" She laughed. "Why? How am I supposed to walk with my eyes closed?"
"I'm here." He smiled reassuringly. "Let me be your eyes for a few minutes."
"Please?"
She chuckled. "Okay... as you wish."
She slowly closed her eyes, curiosity bubbling inside her.
A part of her suspected he had planned a surprise birthday party, but knowing Najib, she couldn't be certain. He was far too unpredictable.
Whatever it was, she had a feeling she was going to love it.
Keeping her eyes shut, she allowed him to guide her, his arm placed securely around her waist as they walked farther into the beach.
Unable to see anything, Hanan relied entirely on her other senses.
Something felt different.
The beach was usually lively and crowded with people, yet since they arrived, she hasn't heard a single voice.
Only the crashing of the waves filled the silence as her heels sank slightly into the soft, damp sand beneath her feet.
"Najib..." She called.
"Hmm?"
"Are we really at the beach?"
He let out a short laugh.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
"It feels strange."
She tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Why does it feel like we're the only people here? Why can't I hear anyone else?"
He laughed again.
"You're so curious, huh?"
"Yeah." She nodded, laughing with him.
"Well... you're right."
He smiled.
"It's just the two of us, I wanted privacy."
"Huh?"
"I booked the beach."
"What?!" She gasped. "Is that even possible?"
"Very possible, Habibti." He laughed.
"This isn't a public beach. We're at a private one."
"Ohh..." She nodded in realization. "Now I understand why everything feels unfamiliar."
"Yeah. I made the reservation three days ago."
"Wow..." She looked amazed. "But why?"
He smiled mischievously.
"You'll find out in..."
He began counting.
"Ten..."
"Nine..."
"Eight..."
"Seven..."
"Six..."
"Five..."
Still holding her hand, he guided her a little farther before finishing.
"Four..."
"Three..."
"Two..."
"One."
He stopped walking.
"Now, Habibti... Open your eyes."
Hanan slowly opened them.
She was welcomed by darkness.
Only a faint glow shimmering somewhere in the distance gave the place a little light.
She blinked in confusion.
"Why is it so dark?"
Najib didn't answer.
Instead, he smiled quietly, took her hand once more, and gently led her toward the distant light.
The moment they took a step forward, lights began flickering to life one after another. With every step they took, another row illuminated, until the entire beach glowed brightly beneath the night sky.
Hanan froze.
Her lips parted into a perfect "O" her jaw hanging open as her eyes widened in complete surprise.
Within seconds, the darkness had vanished. The beach shone so brightly it almost felt like daylight.
She couldn't speak.
She wanted to.
She tried.
But the shock stole every word from her lips.
"Habibti." Najib gently squeezed her hand, pulling her out from her daze.
Her eyes immediately brimmed with tears.
"Ya Allah..." She whispered, laughing through her emotions. "I spent so much time doing my makeup for you, and now I'm about to ruin it with my tears."
She quickly wiped her eyes before more tears could fall.
"How did I get so lucky?" She asked quietly looking around in disbelief.
"Abdul and Nanny Ann already made today unforgettable, and now... this?" Her voice trembled. "This feels magical... like I'm living inside a dream."
Another tear escaped.
"You know I hate those tears." Najib sighed softly.
"I know..." She laughed, dabbing at her eyes. "I know you do."
He smiled. "This isn't a dream, Habibti."
He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"And it isn't magic."
"It's your reality."
"Our reality."
She stared at him, smiling so widely her cheeks began to ache.
"Wow... when did my Najib become this romantic?"
"He's been romantic the second he realized he was in love with you."
That earned him the brightest smile he has ever seen from her.
"Thank you." She whispered. "Thank you for filling my heart with so much happiness. Thank you for always trying your best for me."
Her eyes softened. "I love you."
"I love you too, Habibti."
He pulled out a chair for her.
"Now... have your seat."
She smiled and sat down while he occupied the chair opposite hers.
It was a candlelit dinner.
A heart shaped white cake sat on the table between them with a single candle dancing gently.
Beside it rested a bottle of sparkling fruit wine with two crystal glasses.
Their dinner had already been served...
Perfectly grilled beef steaks accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes, rich tomato sauce, and sauced vegetables.
Hanan admired the beautifully plate of meal for a moment before reaching for her cutlery.
But before she could begin...
Najib quietly exchanged their plates.
He slid his plate toward her.
"Eat."
She looked down.
He had already cut the steak into small pieces for her.
Her heart melted.
"Thank you."
She smiled warmly before beginning to eat.
Silence settled between them.
Not an awkward silence...
A comfortable one.
Their eyes met countless times across the table.
Their smiles said everything words couldn't.
The crashing sea waves became their background music while the soft clink of their cutlery completed the moment.
Before she realized it...
Her plate was empty.
Every bite.
Every last piece.
Only tiny stains of tomato sauce remained on her plate.
She blinked at the plate in surprise.
When did I eat all this?
She had already eaten so much at home.
Yet somehow... She finished everything.
Perhaps it was thanks to the chef's tasty cooking.
Or perhaps...
Food simply tasted better when shared with the person you loved.
"It's delicious." She said at last, breaking their silence. "I really enjoyed it."
"I know." Najib smiled, pointing toward her empty plate. "This proves it."
He leaned toward her.
His fingers gently brushed the corner of her lips.
She stiffened.
He wiped away a tiny stain of tomato sauce.
Then...
Without breaking eye contact... He licked the sauce from his fingertip.
Heat rushed to Hanan's cheeks.
She instinctively looked around in embarrassment.
Najib couldn't help laughing.
"There's no one here."
He leaned closer.
"It's just us."
"Oh..." She bit her lower lip shyly.
"I forgot."
To hide her embarrassment, she quickly lifted her wine glass and took a slow sip.
Najib never looked away.
His gaze only grew more intense.
Before she could recover...
He reached for her chair.
With one gentle pull... He moved her chair beside his.
"I want you here." His voice dropped to a whisper. "By my side."
She laughed softly. "I'm always by your side, Najib."
She rested her fingertips against his chest.
"Even when we're apart..."
She smiled as her finger lightly tapped his heart.
"I'm still right here."
Their eyes met.
She noticed it immediately.
That familiar look.
Over the years, she has learned to read him through his eyes.
She knew when he was angry.
When he was sad.
When he was exhausted.
When he was sick.
When he was happy.
And right now... His eyes carried that unmistakable mischievous sparkle.
The one that always meant he was about to do something that would leave her blushing.
"I'm thirsty." He whispered.
"Then drink this." She smiled, lifting her glass toward his lips. "Let me feed you."
She guided the glass to his mouth, but before it touched his lips, Najib gently wrapped his fingers around her wrist and redirected the glass toward her mouth instead.
He tipped it slightly, helping her take a sip.
The moment she drank the wine, he leaned in immediately.
Without warning, his lips went for hers.
His free hand cupped her jaw, drawing her closer as he deepened the kiss.
For a split second, Hanan froze.
She had expected him to steal a kiss as she had already seen it in his eyes, but not like this.
He kissed her with a hunger that stole her breath away, his pace leaving her struggling to keep up.
She rested her palm lightly against his chest and gently pushed him away.
When their lips finally parted, she realized her own lips had gone dry, her lipstick smudged.
Still catching her breath, she stared at him in disbelief.
Najib, on the other hand, calmly picked up his cutlery and resumed eating as though nothing had happened.
"What was that for?" She whispered.
He looked up innocently.
"What?"
She pointed at her lips.
"I was thirsty." He muttered with a mischievous smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
She could only stare at him.
"Is it a crime to yearn kissing my woman?" He asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.