Chapter 16: Chapter 16

She was dressed in a beautiful white lace with a shawl full of pearls covering her body. Her hand was well designed beautifully with henna like the bride she was. Everything about her screams perfect.

A smile graced her lips as the door to the room opened indicating that her groom was here. She couldn't shake off the giddiness in her. This was it, she thought. She is now a married woman and as perfect as that sounds, she is married to the love of her life who stood tall beside the door staring at her in a way that makes her want to cover her face shyly.

The groom also couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe that this woman sitting on their king size bed was his, his life. He had waited long enough for this day. He winked at her and actually got the reaction he wanted coz she covered her face shyly with her beautiful designed henna hand .

He ambled slowly towards her, he sat down beside her. He got hold of her hand which was still covering her face.

" don't feel shy in front of me, love " he whispered to her. As if that wasn't enough, she blushed shyly once again.

He pulled her hand away from her face " you look so beautiful "

She once again smiled shyly " you too" she said but once she realized what she just said, she covered her face.

He chuckled slightly and once again peeled her hands away from her face " so you mean I'm beautiful too? " he wiggled his brows

She blushed " I meant you look handsome " she bowed her head

He smirked and lifted her head so he could met her eyes " I don't care whether you call me beautiful or handsome. I'm good with whatever you want to call me coz I love you to the moon and back. I'm so lucky to be the husband of a gorgeous wife like you. I can't ask for anything better than that. I love you wifey"

She smiled at him " I love you too hubby" with that, he claimed her sumptuous lips. He had dreamt of doing that all day.

" KALTHUM! KALTHUM! KALTHUM! "

Kalthum tossed and turned hoping the intruder would go.

" KALTHUM! I swear if you don't wake up right now I'll give you a dirty slap "

It seem the intruder wouldn't. She buried her self deep in her bed not until she felt a stinging pain on her face which meant she just got slapped. Kalthum jerked up from sleep at this.

She took note of her surrounding and wala, she was attacked by her sister's hard gaze. Her mind went back to her dream.

so it was all a dream?

" why are you looking at me like that? " she asked her fuming sister with a brow raised

Basma forced herself to be calm " you stupid girl, if you know how long I've been trying to wake you up. "

" Why would you wake me up? Did I send you"

" you're such an ingrate. I should have just allowed you to sleep instead. " Basma fumed " the big boss is back stupid "

Kalthum eyes widen in shock " you mean alhaji dantata and his wife?"

Basma glared " no, bill gate and his wife"  she answered sarcastically " better get up, umm rasheed is asking for all of us. If you like continue with your sleep " with that Basma ambled out of the room

Kalthum yawned. She hummed dreamily remembering her dream.She touched her lips and smile shyly , she wished it was all true.

Alhaji dantata and his wife

She remembered what Basma had told her " Subhanallah " she quickly got down from bed and sauntered to the bathroom. She freshen up and finally came out fully dressed in her maid uniform.

She looked at the mirror one last time then ran out of the room to join the other maids.

***

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Umm rasheed have started talking to the maids when Kalthum entered. She avoided umm rasheed hard stare.

" Kalthum " umm rasheed called sternly and Kalthum paused in her position

" Ma" she turned to face her ,lowering her gaze

" why are you late? " umm rasheed asked sternly

" i-i was_.... I'm sorry ma " she said instead after having no excuse to justify her action

Umm rasheed sighed loudly " I've warned you time without numbers to always wake up as early as possible. I won't take it likely with you if you continue to repeat the same mistake " she scolded

Some of the maids snickered and Kalthum was sure it was Basma and her crew

" I'm sorry MA. I won't do it again " she felt embarrassed

" Good. Now join the rest "

Kalthum didn't need to be told twice

" So as I was saying before I got interrupted . As you all know, the big boss and his wife are around, they came back in the midnight. Make sure everyone of you stick to your post. I won't be there to help you if you're caught lurking around doing nothing. I'm sure You wouldn't want to be sent home?"

" No ma" the maids answered

Somehow, Kalthum felt that the last statement was meant for her and here she thought they were getting along after last night event. She widen her eyes at the reminder

Last night!

How could she have forgotten what happened last night. She blames that on the dream she had. Ya Allah, how will she face sir Faisal

" Good. Now you may all go to your post of work" umm rasheed dismissed

The maid sauntered out. Kalthum was about to leave when she got stopped

" wait behind Kalthum " came umm rasheed's voice

Basma shot  her a look and Kalthum shrugged then stayed behind.

Everyone has now left except for Kalthum and umm rasheed

" close the door " umm rasheed ordered Kalthum and Kalthum did as she was told .

" Kalthum? "

" Ma?"

" Why were  you late?" umm rasheed asked concerned

" I over slept ma. I promise I won't repeat that " Kalthum assured her

" please don't repeat that the next time. I won't be happy if you're sent home and you know now that the bosses are around, most especially the wife, she is someone you wouldn't want to mess with. Please try as much as possible to avoid her, make sure you do what you're supposed to do on time "

Kalthum smiled glad to be told this profound info " I promise not to repeat the same mistake ma"

" Good. Actually there is another thing Kalthum "

This got her alarmed " what is it ma? "

" Faisal asked for a replacement " umm Rasheeed told her

" I don't get you Ma?" Kalthum asked with furrowed brows

" Faisal wants to replace you with another maid "

" WHAT! but why ma? Have I done something wrong ma?"

" oh dear I don't know either. Sometimes I don't even understand how that boy think. One moment he wants you to work for him and the next he doesn't "

" I can go over to beg him MA. Please don't let him replace me . I don't think I can cope working at the other side of the mansion especially all the harsh things I've heard about the madam, please ma"

"  I don't think I have the power to do that. He was adamant to change you and I don't even know why."

" I'll beg him ma "

Umm rasheed shook her head " I don't think he will listen to you dear. I'm sorry. Look at the bright side of things, the other side of the mansion isn't that bad, don't listen to all the rumor your fellow maids keeps spreading. It's not as bad as you think "

Kalthum heaved a sigh, although she still felt bad . She asked the question she dreads to ask " so who will be my replacement? "

Umm rasheed smiled sadly " your sister "

" WHAT! why her? "

" why are you making it sound as if she isn't to be trusted. She is your flesh and blood . I thought that will make you happy atlease " umm rasheed was surprised

How will that make me happy? Kalthum wanted saying but refrained herself

She shot umm rasheed a forced smile " I'm sorry for my behavior ma, I was just surprised "

" OK dear. I've taken enough of your time and I'm sure the others might be wondering what was going on here"

Kalthum nodded " you're right " she was sure her sister must be lurking around waiting for her to come out

" but ma, does Basma knows about this changes? "

" No she doesn't . Faisal will be the one to announce it. I just thought to give you a head up so it won't come as a shock to you "

The fact that umm rasheed actually cared about her feelings really surprised her. She move over to hug the old lady.

" Thank you so much ma and no matter what, I promise not to disappoint you"

Umm rasheed held Kalthum's face and smile " I know you won't "

" thanks once again. We better go out before they start looking for us " the two ladies chuckled

" you're right " said umm rasheed " go pick up the tray over there, I'm sure the big boss and the others are downstairs waiting for their food to be served "

Kalthum was confused " I thought the dinning table is already set? "

" yes dear, this one here is for Faisal. He wanted something different today. Please take it to him " Kalthum nodded and did as she was told .

***

Faisal ambles downstairs and was surprised to see that his family were already present at the dinning table except for Habeeb.

" oh dear, I've missed you" Hajiya Dantata hugged her first son

Faisal hugged her back reluctantly " how was your trip mom "

" it was fantastic dear. Can you believe that your father actually took me to Taj Mahal! I've always wished to  see that place. Apart from that, he took me to the Eiffel Tower! you need to see how beautiful that was! " his mom rants happily. She has always been a talker.

" that's good for you mom " he forced a small smile

" why are you saying it as if you're not happy for me " she pouts

I'll be happy if you stop this childish act of yours and stay home to look after your children instead, Faisal thought but didn't say anything.

"I'm happy for you " he said and she smiled at him

Faisal greeted his father who only grunt in response and continue reading the news paper . He was already use to this side of their father, the big boss.

" I hope the company is moving smoothly? " his father asked with his attention still on the news paper.

" yes it is " Faisal replied curtly

" what about the deal with the Indian investors I told you about. Were you able to close the deal? "

" yes" Faisal answered.

Nothing else was said. He wish he could strangle their necks. This two people who called themselves  their parents . They care about nothing but themselves. He wish they could atlease spare some time for them, even if it was for the twins sake. His sisters are the only reason why he is still in this house. He can't live them now especially When his parents don't even have their time at all. One minute they're in Paris and next US . They keep acting like they don't have any responsibilities here at home

For crying out loud, they have kids to take care off but they don't care. They prefer to leave the job to Nanny. Which kind of parent does that to their own children? His parents. He has took it upon himself to make the twins feel loved .

Faisal has promised himself that immediately the twins finished their university and he  gets them married to a good man each ,that is when he will leave this house forever and start afresh on his own.

" Sir your food" a soft voice brought him out of his thoughts, the maid

Faisal nodded for her to serve him. He was surrounded with her jasmine perfume which actually smells good. He gulped remembering what he told nanny about changing her with her sister. He just hope she wouldn't feel bad when he makes the announcement.

He mentally shook his head, why does he care about what she feels?

Kalthum mistakenly brush his hand with hers, Faisal quickly retreats his hand like he has been met with an electric shock. What is happening, he thought.

He tried looking up but was surprised that she didn't feel anything he just did or maybe she was pretending, he thought. She didn't even spare him a look. After she was done, she turns around to leave .

" wait! " he stopped her.He doesn't even know why he did that. His mom shot him a scrutiny look .

" yes sir " Kalthum turns but her eyes were glued to the floor and Faisal was dissapointed about that.

He rake his brain to find an excuse for stopping her " get me a glass of orange juice " he said

Kalthum look at him quizzically " I thought you don't like orange juice sir"

Smartass

He has totally forgotten. His father who was once concentrating on his food also raised his brows at him, same with his mother. He knew he needed to find a way out of this.

Faisal mentally scolded himself, he shouldn't have stopped her. He shot Kalthum a look " I wanted saying apple juice "

Kalthum raised a brow and said " it's there on the table sir " she pointed at the apple juice in the glass cup in front of him.

Faisal didn't know whether to knock her on the head for being too smart for her own good

" just go" he finally said and turn to continue his food ,aware of the eyes on him.

" son are you OK? " that was his mother

" yes I'm " he forced a smile " why? "

" I thought you're beginning to forget things "

" I'm fine mom"

***

Kalthum paced round the kitchen trying to give meaning to what just happened at the dinning table. Was sir Faisal trying to embarrass her infront of his parents?, Kalthum groaned why was he behaving like that? . Wasn't it enough that he wants to replace her with her sister?.

She groaned once again. The spark. How could she miss the spark she felt when she mistakenly grazed his hand. It took all in her to pretend as if she wasn't affected, whereas  she actually was. What is actually happening to her?

" uhm Kalthum " a voice snapped her out of her thought

Kalthum met maryam's concern gaze " are you OK ?" maryam asked.

Maryam is the only maid she could call her friend in this house even if she senior her with few years. Infact Kalthum was the youngest maid in the house.

" yes i am. Why do you ask? " Kalthum forced a smile. She has been doing that lately, the forcing a smile of a thing.

" you were deep in thought. I just thought something was wrong "

" I'm fine aunty maryam,you don't need to bother "

Maryam nodded " okay, if you say so"

***

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The maids came over to clear the table after their bosses were done eating.

Faisal took a sip of his remaining apple juice . His parents have long gone out to the garden while his sisters were upstairs preparing to go for lectures.

He asked one of the maid clearing the table to call basma and Kalthum for him. Basma was the first to arrive looking confused.

" Good morning sir " Basma greeted

" morning " he answered " where is your sister? "

" I don't know sir "

Kalthum finally walked in to join them. He didn't miss the hurt look in her eyes. does she knows? He wondered

"   I called you two here to tell you about a little changes that has been made"

Basma got more confused. Was she in trouble ?. She turn to look at Kalthum in other to get a hint of what the boss was talking about and was surprised to see her with a straight face.

" You two will be changing your post " Faisal continue. He looked at Basma " you'll be working for me from now on and your sister will be working with my parents "

" OK sir " Basma smiled widely " thank you sir. But sir I hope my sister didn't do anything wrong that led to this changes?" she asked pretending to be  concerned.

" No" he replied curtly " you may leave "

The two turn to leave

" Not you Kalthum "Kalthum freeze then turn around " Sir? "

Basma left

" Move forward " she did as she was told " please take a seat"

Faisal sighed " I just want to let you know that, you didn't do anything wrong that led to this changes "

She wanted screaming why?

" OK sir" she said instead and wanted leaving

" Did I tell you to leave?"

" I'm sorry sir" she said  with her eyes glued to the floor

This wasn't the reaction Faisal expected to see. He had expected her to question him but she didn't and it frustrates him to the core.

" don't you have anything to ask? " Faisal asked hoping that she would have something to say.

" No sir " she shook her head

He felt disappointed " OK fine. You can leave " and she left.

He took the first thing beside him and threw it across the room in anger. Why can't she just say something.

***

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Kalthum entered her room. It was their break time. Why does sir Faisal want her to say something? It's not as if whatever she says matters. She shrugged. He is the boss after all.

She lay on her bed with a sigh remembering the dream.

NO! no!

The groom was sir Faisal! how comes she didn't notice.

***