47~ Guess who just got engaged?! #3
"And blow out the candle."
She closed her eyes.
Silently whispered a prayer only Allah could hear.
Then opened them again and blew out the candle.
Together, they held the knife and cut the cake, laughing softly as they sliced it.
Najib picked up the first slice and fed it to her.
She took a bite before feeding him the rest.
He smiled.
"Happy birthday once again."
"And here's to many more beautiful years together."
He lifted his glass.
"In sha Allah." She smiled, gently clinking her glass against his.
"Thank you, love."
By 10 pm, Najib drove Hanan home.
After countless goodbye hugs and lingering kisses, they reluctantly parted, promising to meet again in three days with the elders to discuss their wedding plans.
The moment Hanan stepped into the house, the first person she saw was Nanny Ann.
Unable to contain her excitement, she threw herself into her arms.
Nanny Ann, caught off guard, laughed and hugged her back.
"My goodness." She smiled. "Why are you this happy?"
"And how was your outing with Najib?"
"Oh, Nanny Ann..." Hanan sighed dreamily as they settled onto the couch.
"Where do I even begin?"
"It was beyond wonderful."
"If I start telling you everything, we'll probably stay awake until morning."
She laughed.
"I think I've fallen in love with him all over again."
Nanny Ann burst into laughter. "Hanan, listen to yourself."
"So this is what love does to people?"
"I forgot to take pictures." Hanan pouted.
"I would've shown you why I'm smiling like this."
"Can you believe he reserved an entire beach?"
"It was a private beach."
"But honestly... Who does that?"
Nanny Ann smiled knowingly.
"Your Najib, of course."
"I'm glad he's proving me wrong."
"I'm happy he's making you this happy."
Hanan smiled gratefully. "Thank you for believing in us."
"Guess what's making me even happier?"
She mischievously hid her left hand behind her back.
"I don't know."
"But judging by your face... It must be something wonderful."
Hanan beamed.
"He proposed..."
"And I said yes!"
She proudly revealed her ring.
Nanny Ann gasped, covering her mouth.
"Oh my goodness... It's beautiful."
She gently held Hanan's hand, admiring the ring before pulling her into another warm hug.
"Congratulations, my dear."
"May Allah bless your union."
"And may we all live to witness your wedding."
"Ameen." Hanan smiled brightly.
"Now you understand why I'm so happy."
"I never expected him to propose this soon."
Nanny Ann sighed dramatically.
"So... You're leaving us again?"
Hanan immediately hugged her tighter.
"No, Nanny Ann."
"I'll visit all the time."
"And you can visit me too."
"I know."
"But I'll miss having you around."
"I'll miss cooking for you."
"Waking you up for meals."
"And our daily conversations."
"Me too." Hanan smiled. "But whenever you miss me, just call."
"I'll be here before you know it."
"And I'll do the same." Nanny Ann smiled emotionally.
"You know... One of my greatest dreams has always been to see you happily married."
"And now... It's finally coming true."
Hanan nodded happily. "It really is."
"May Allah bless you with children who'll become the joy of our lives."
"Ameen."
She smiled.
"Is Abdul home?"
"No."
"He went out."
"Again?"
"Ever since he started dating, he's always going out to see her."
Hanan chuckled. "You'll love Amira when she officially joins the family."
"She's such a wonderful person."
"I already do." Nanny Ann smiled.
"And I can't wait to see Abdul married too."
"I need grandbabies."
Hanan laughed. "Soon, Nanny Ann."
She rose from the couch.
"I should head to bed."
"Alright, dear."
"Good night."
"Good night, Nanny Ann."
"And please sleep early too."
"You've been on your feet since morning preparing my birthday meals."
"You must be exhausted."
"I will."
"As soon as Abdul gets home."
"Okay."
It was 1 am.
Although Hanan had gone to bed at 10:30 pm, sleep refused to come.
She rolled from one side of the bed to the other with a silly smile plastered across her face.
Every few seconds, she would glance at the engagement ring on her finger.
And smile.
Then replay every beautiful moment she shared with Najib.
Only to giggle all over again.
She couldn't explain exactly how she felt.
All she knew was that she had never been this happy.
And it felt wonderful.
The urge to share the news with Amira became too overwhelming.
"I will share it with Amira, she's going to scream when she sees this!"
She sat upright, switched on the bedroom lights, and quickly snapped a picture of her ring.
Opening Amira's DM, she attached the photo.
Guess who just got engaged? ??????
She hit send.
The message refused to deliver.
She frowned.
"Oh... I've run out of data."
She sighed before smiling to herself.
"Fine. First thing tomorrow morning, I'll go to her place and show her in person."
With that thought warming her heart, she laid back on the bed, hugged a pillow to herself, and finally forced her excited eyes to sleep.
.
.
.
***
A/N