FROM DARE TO LOVE (Editing)✔

CHAPTER 71

Hanan walks towards us, she is holding the newspaper. It then dawned upon me, in all this I completely forgot about Hanan, who happens to be Riad's fiancé. Hanan's eyes is swollen and red, Shit! She has been crying. I am felt bad and guilty.

'Hanan...let me explain' Riad takes a step towards her, Hanan sticks out her palm and he stops on his track.

'I didn't except this from you, Riad?' she says and I decide to step in, but Riad sticks out his arm gesturing me to not interrupt. Hanan looks at me and then at Riad.

'Riad, before us being related and before being fiancé, I thought we were good friends' she says, I see her tone soft and fresh tears brimming in her eyes. Riad walks up to her

'I have been noticing this, Riad, that you and Aleesa...Riad you could have spoken to me...I would have understood, right? So many years of friendship and you don't know me yet? You don't trust me?' Hanan says, tears falling from her eyes. Riad holds her shoulder and looks directly into her eyes.

'Hanan, I am sorry. I wanted to tell you...but I was looking for a perfect chance, perhaps after Liqa's reception' Riad says sincerely. Hanan doesn't say anything she keeps staring at Riad, teary eyed.

'Hanan, you are my friend, I wanted to say this to you in a better way...not like this' he says. Hanan bites her lower-lip to prevent her sob.

'I am sorry, Hanan...' Riad says and hugs her, Hanan takes few seconds before hugging him back.

I am little relieved, I expected some fireworks, Hanan screaming her heads off at us, cursing us and perhaps a slap. Thankfully this went well.

They separate after few minutes, 'I didn't call you both for any justification or explanation...I have come here to...' she looks at Riad and smile sadly. Gently she slides off her ring from her finger and hands to Riad 'I won't lie Riad, I love you...but I know you don't. Before being your lover, I am your friend and I will always keep your happiness above all.' she then walks towards me, I had been gaping at her, so I quickly closed my mouth. She held my arms and smiles sadly

'You are really lucky to have Riad in your life. I am so jealous' she says and hugs me, I hugged her back.

She separates and takes a step back, 'Come I will drop you' Riad offers Hanan but she shakes her head stating she has her own car. Riad insists but Hanan refuses. After she leaves I call up Vimala, I get worried when I am informed that Adnan hasn't returned yet. He had left in anger I am concerned for him, what if in fit of rage he hurts himself. Riad asks me why I am worried, I say him about Adnan.

'I will come with you; he will be okay.' Riad says and I nod my head.

As I drive back, I think about what just happened. Though I am relieved Hanan didn't create a scene but I am feeling little sad for her. She truly loves Riad, she had been fighting her inner turmoil since she had seen me come out from Riad's room. She must have gotten suspicious. No wonder she was cold towards me. I am really proud of her, the decision she has taken would not have been easy for her. She kept Riad over her own feelings, and that is commendable.

I and Riad reached home, Adnan has still not returned. I get worried. Riad asks Vimala to get me water and makes me sit on the sofa. He places his arm around me and caressed my arm mummering some comforting words.

It's 10pm now, I am super tensed and continue to pace in the living room. Riad was pacing with me but then got tried and sat on the sofa. I kept calling Adnan but it went as "switched-off", and this freaked me out even more.

'Relax, Aleesa. Adnan will never do anything silly... Have dinner' Riad urges me but I kept declining, I am too worried to eat. I know Adnan is a mature adult and he won't do anything childish, but he is angry and I fear he might do something rash. Unless Adnan comes back home I will not relax.