Chapter 15: Chapter 15
" I hate that girl already " an angry Hassana barge into the room in anger
" hey, you need to calm down. Where is saddam?" hussaina asked as she faced her sister from where she was sat on the bed.
" he has left" Hassana answered
" So now tell me who is this unfortunate girl you hate and by the way you nearly knocked down the door! "
Hassana huffs " is it not that good for nothing maid. She is so getting on my nerves"
" what maid? "
" The new one,the one who always wake us up" Hassana groaned
Hussaina made a 'O' sound " you still haven't told me what she did"
" She and Saddam knew each other way back" she said exasperated
Hussaina was confused " so? "
" you're asking me so? Don't you get it already? "
" look Hassana I don't understand you, if you know you can't elaborate more on this matter then let me be and don't disturb my peace"
Hassana heaved a sigh " I think those two had once dated "
" who told you that? Why would you say that? "
" Remember after we left the dinning , I went over to meet Saddam and just guess what I saw! I saw Saddam holding her hand. That isn't the worst of all, anytime she passes the living room, Saddam always stares at her while he was tutoring me! Can you believe that?! "
Hussaina grinned " I think now I get what your problem is. You're jealous of that girl. Please leave the poor girl alone, it isn't her fault that Saddam never liked you that way. Sorry to say this but they knew each other before you came into the picture. Possibly, it might be since they were young and you, you just got to know him at the University. Let them breath freely Hassana. "
" as my sister is that what you should say to me? You're suppose to be on my side! We're twins, remember?"
" just because we are twins doesn't mean I shouldn't tell you the truth. The truth hurts I know but you just can't force a relationship on anybody. It's not done that way" hussaina adviced
Hassana scowled " but still, he should have considered the fact that I'm rich and she is not. She is just a mere maid. I'm sure she dropped out since she was in secondary school"
" I've said my own Hassana. As you can see, I'm doing my assignment and I wouldn't want your angry self to distract me so shush up and let me concentrate "
***
Habeeb decides to surprise his brother in the office. Today was Faisal's birthday and he knew his brother must be upstairs loaded with piles of work when he should be home celebrating.
He flash the secretary a smile who in return greeted him politely
" he is in the office Sir "
Habeeb nodded " I know "
Habeeb's didn't even knock, he barged in shouting " birthday boy! "
Faisal couldn't believe his brother " I hope you know that this is a office not your house"
Habeeb shrugged " who cares" he finally took his seat
" so what brought you here? As far as I can remember it's over a year since you branch here " Faisal asked with a raised brow
" isn't it obvious? I'm here to take you out "
Faisal lift his upper lip in disgust " I hope you know how that sentence sound "
Habeeb chuckles " who cares. Today is your birthday bro and I'm here to take you out or maybe I should rephrase this ,we want to take you out"
Faisal raised a brow " we? "
" yes, your friends and I. As we speak, your friends are already at the restaurant "
" I hope you know what the time says? " Faisal reminded
Habeeb's shrugged " it 6pm, who cares. It's a night outing after all. Please pack up let's go. You wouldn't want to keep your friends waiting "
" I never ask for this " he groaned
" pack up, it late already. I wonder how you cope with all this paper work "
" that's why we're two different people Habeeb. I'm me and you're you "
" Whatever. Common let's get going "
Faisal finally called it a day and followed his annoying brother to this unknown restaurant.
***
Umm rasheed had prepared a surprise for faisal who still hasn't returned home. She has instructed that maids to all stay in the living room till he arrive. It's already 7pm and he still hasn't return.
Most of the maids have started dozing off. Even the twins had gone upstairs already tired of waiting. Umm rasheed tried calling his number but it was switched off same with Habeeb's.
She has anticipated for this surprise party to go well and hates to admit that it's going down the drain. She woke most of the sleeping maids up to go back to the lodge. There are only three of them left.umm rasheed, Kalthum and Basma. Basma didn't want to go back to the lodge because Kalthum didn't want to go.
" You two can also go to your room." umm rasheed said with a sincere smile
"No w-
Kalthum was interrupted
" alright ma. Kalthum you heard her let's go" Basma held Kalthum's hand and dragged her out of the door.
Kalthum felt bad for umm rasheed. She had put so much effort to make this surprise work out but it seems that wouldn't happen. She herself didn't know today was his birthday not until umm rasheed called for a meeting , telling them about the surprise she wants to throw for Sir Faisal.
" let me go Basma " she dragged her hand out of her sister's strong hold
" you heard the old woman, she said we should go to bed so I don't get why you still want to stay!unless you want to look good so she would like you " Basma retorted
" if I decide to stay, it's my business and if I don't it's still my business so stop interfering " Kalthum told her " if you want to sleep go to our room and sleep and leave me alone "
Basma frown " you think I'm stupid. I know what you want to do "
Kalthum let out an angry sigh" why is it that you always get on my nerves?"
" Whatever " Basma said and made her way to the lodge
" good riddance " Kalthum mumbles and went back to meet umm rasheed.
She found umm rasheed on the chair still holding the cake in her hand. The moment umm rasheed saw her she asked " what happened Kalthum? Did you forgot something? "
Kalthum smiled " no I didn't. Actually I'm here to wait for sir Faisal too. It won't be nice if you're left alone "
" oh dear you don't need to worry "
" No umm rasheed. You've done alot for me so please let me also help you out . Let me be a part of your surprise "
Umm rasheed looked impressed " you're such a charmer. It's hurt to say that I've been wrong about you "
Kalthum smile " infact hand over the cake let me carry it. If it makes you feel better, I know sir Faisal is already on his way. Maybe there was too much work at the office "
" I hope so dear"
***
Faisal groaned for the tenth time. His friends and brother have been making this birthday outing of a thing a torture for him. They wouldn't stop teasing him about his loveless life. Most of his friend are already married with children infact.
" you guys need to stop it. It's getting annoying already and please Habeeb hand over my phone please " he glared at his brother who only smirks at him in return
" I hate you" Faisal murmured
" I know you love me big brother. Just chill for once, just stop being too uptight for once "
" I'm not "
" yes you are " one of his friend said " we've known you to be like this since secondary school! So when do you see it deem to change "
" please you all should let it be" Faisal groaned and took a sip of his apple juice " moreover, I thought this was a friendly outing but you all turned out to enjoy torturing me instead "
" it's a perk of being a birthday boy "
" guys stop, I'm not a boy" he scowl at them
They all burst into laughter " it really nice teasing you"
" but on a serious note Faisal, when is the right time for you to settle down? You're almost thirty " abubakar his friend asked seriously
" that's my own business, you all don't need to bother "
Habeeb shot his brother a smirk " actually guys ,their is this lady that seems to always get on his nerve" Habeeb wiggled his brows at his brother
Faisal glared at him " stop it "
" who is she? " the guys asked eagerly
" Kalthum , that's her name " Habeeb answered
" I don't know what you're getting at Habeeb but you need to stop it " Faisal threatened but Habeeb wasn't even fazed.
The guys chuckles " what is she like? "
" She is a maid, a beautiful maid at that."
A lot of 'ow' and 'ah' went round among the guys
Faisal scoffed, beautiful? Really?he thought to himself
" please you all need to leave me alone "
" ofcourse we have to bother. We wouldn't want you to end up single for the rest of your life. Not even once have we ever seen you with a lady apart from Hindatu of course "
Faisal was getting angry now " please let me be "
" No we won't. You need to hear the truth. Just because you've only been with Hindatu doesn't mean you still love her. That girl wasn't for you in the first place. Why can't you try out other ladies , I'm sure you'll meet the one for you "
" I said let it be please " Faisal gritted
Habeeb's decided to interfere " I think it's enough torturing for today. Let's leave him alone " and the rest agreed
They paid for their meal and finally called it a day. Each one of them came with a car. Finally,Habeeb and Faisal were left alone
" I'm sorry bro, I didn't know they will dig the past "
Faisal shook his head " just let it be "
" but on a serious note Faisal, I think you should try dating again. You might eventually find the one " Habeeb said
" infact,you can even start with the maid " he add teasingly with a wink and bid his brother goodbye.
Faisal glared at his retreating back and also entered his own car and drove home.
The moment he drove into their compound, his thoughts actually went back to the maid. He tried shaking it off but no, her image was imprinted in his head. He groan loudly and parked the car before getting out.
He was sure everyone is already asleep. He made his way to the door. The moment he pushed the door open, he was greeted with a nice angelic voice, singing a happy birthday to him.
Faisal thought he was dreaming. He closed his eyes and opened it again but no, the maid was still there standing with a cake in her hand. And to think that he just thought about her. Is fate playing a prank on him?
" Happy birthday sir " she said one last time with a smile
Faisal was confused , is this some game?
It seems Kalthum also noticed his confused face so she took it upon herself to explain
" umm rasheed planned it all. She has been waiting for your return a while ago"
He nodded " where is she? " he hates this feeling he was getting with just the two of them in the living room
" she went up to sleep not long ago " she explained " so I took it upon myself not to let her surprise go down the drain. She wanted this to be a surprise sir but you didn't come home as early as she had thought "
He gulped " I'll apologize to her tomorrow. You don't need to wait up to do this. Please go to your room and sleep "
She smile " not until you blow off the light sir "
He was confused " what light?"
She pointed at the two light on the cake. She walk closer to him slowly so the light won't go off. When she was just two feet away from him she stopped.
Kalthum raised the cake up a little so he can blow the light off . She herself didn't know where all the courage came from.
" Make a wish Sir" she looked up to meet his eyes and was surprised that he was already doing same. That moment, it was like they were in another world of theirs. Everything seems to disappear.
That moment,Faisal for once believed his brother. Kalthum is actually beautiful beyond doubt. He wondered why he has never noticed It before.
Kalthum also couldn't take her eyes off him. She tried breaking the eye contact but something in her wasn't allowing her. It was as if they were in a world of their own, a world they them self do not understand, a world that felt surreal to them.
" Finally, you're back" a voice interrupted their magical moment. Umm rasheed.
The two couldn't believe what just happened . They blinked multiple times as if coming out of a trance.
Umm rasheed who was oblivious to what was going on walk down the stairs " Happy birthday son " she went over to kiss Faisal on the cheeks.
" The maids and I have been waiting for your return . Thank God this charming lady took it upon herself to wait for you" umm rasheed smiled at Kalthum
Kalthum took a step away from sir Faisal. She dropped the cake on the stool beside her and said" I just don't want your hard work to be in vain "
" Thanks a lot dear" umm rasheed held Kalthum's hand " you don't know what you've done for me dear. I'm so grateful "
Kalthum smiled shyly aware of this particular eyes on her " I haven't done much ma"
" Silly you "Umm rasheed hugged her " thanks once again"
" I think I should go back to the lodge " Kalthum said and gave umm rasheed a goodnight kiss and tried as much as possible to avoid sir Faisal. She quickly ran out of the house and couldn't believe what actually happened. Was she dreaming?
That night, Faisal slept with the thought of a particular lady, The little Maid.
***