Chapter 18: Chapter 18

" No nanny, it wasn't a slap. I hit my head " Kalthum lied hoping that she would believe her.

" Stop lying " Basma annoying voice said

Kalthum glared at her " I wasn't even talking to you"

Nanny faced Basma " Basma can you please take this to the kitchen? I need to have a word with your sister " she took the polythene bag from Kalthum's hand and hand it over to Basma.

" Ok ma" said Basma solemnly as she took the bag

" Thank you " said umm rasheed

Basma shot her a smile " Thank you so much Nanny for always taking good care of my sister. I know she is a lot to handle but thanks anyways" in her mind, she was burning in rage.

Umm rasheed smiled at her thinking that she cares so much for Kalthum " you have absolutely nothing to thank me for. You and your sister, including the other maids matters to me. You all are my responsibility and it's my duty to care for all of you"

" I know ma but thanks anyways " Basma said with a smile then took her leave.

Kalthum could only raise a brow at her. Only Allah knows what game she was playing.

Umm rasheed faced Kalthum " your sister does cares about you . That's how a big sister should always behave "

Basma cares??Kalthum snorts mentally

" yes she does" she replied to umm rasheed with a fake smile. I wish you know what she is capable of, she thought bitterly.

" so... Now can you tell me who slapped you? "

And here she thought the matter was over.

" and don't even try denying it " umm rasheed threatened

Kalthum heaved a sigh " it's hajiya"

" I knew it! Why? How? I don't understand why she would do that to you for Allah's sake! I need to report to Faisal!"

Kalthum's eyes widen " No!please don't do that! It's in the past now. Please don't tell Sir Faisal "

" I have to tell him Kalthum. She has been doing this for a very long time and he is the only one capable of putting her in her place"

" What you don't know is that he is the only person she fear most in this house.She loves him the most and wouldn't want him to get angry with her"

This is getting out of hand, Kalthum thought. Umm rasheed was just making a fuss about nothing

" please listen to me Nanny. You won't tell anyone,promise me. It's just a mere slap and I've already forgotten about it "

" No dear, if we don't do something about it now, this habit of hers won't stop"

" Nanny please just let her be, she is the boss after all and she has the right to do anything she wishes "

Umm rasheed became speechless " so you mean you'd prefer to endure this till she breaks you"

Kalthum shook her head and smiled" No one is breaking anybody. I'm not a glass that she will just break" she teased

" Kalthum -

" No nanny, it's my fault. I made the mistake so I had to face the consequences. Promise me you won't tell sir Faisal "

" I don't want to see you all in pain dear"

" just promise me Nanny, you won't tell Sir Faisal "

Umm rasheed release a breath " I don't want to do this but fine. I promise, I won't tell him"

" Good" Kalthum smiled and hugs her " thank you so much"

" but next time this repeat itself I won't hesitate to inform him, deal? "

" yes deal" Kalthum nodded

***

Sitting in the study room was Faisal and Habib. They talked about things ,especially things concerning their parents. Faisal told his brother about what happened at the office.

" I've told you brother, it's time you put them in their place" Habeeb told him " if he continues to pretend not to see what you've done to the company then I think he must have a mental problem, sorry to say. I know he is our dad but he doesn't act up to it"

Faisal shook his head " I've thought alot about it too, with time everything would work out. I still hold you on your offer about becoming my partner when I start building my own company "

"yeah, the offer still stands" Habeeb told him " there is something else you should know "

Faisal raised a brow " what's that? "

" it's about the maid, Kalthum "

He furrowed his brows confused " what about her? "

" She told me not to do anything but I just can't help but tell you"

" what happened to her?! "

"Mom slapped her. You need to see how swollen her face looks "

" MOM DID WHAT! "

" Calm down bro. That's my reaction too but she made me promised not to do anything "

Faisal looks furious " and you're telling me now! Mom will never change "

Habeeb shook his head " I think it's your fault to start with "

Faisal glared at him " and how is it my fault? Did I told mum to slap her?! "

" No you didn't but you did replaced her. Why in the world did you send her to work for mom? "

" and why do you care? " Faisal retorted

" if you didn't replaced her she wouldn't have been slapped "

" you haven't answered my question Habeeb, why do you care so much about her? It's not as if she is the first person to be slapped by mom " Faisal challenged

" Same applies to you. Why do you care? The moment I told you what mom did to her ,your reaction was totally different from how you behaved when same was done to the others." Habeeb yelled

"What is it about her that you're not telling me Faisal? She is just a friend to me and I don't want to see her in pain. Does that answer your question? "

Faisal groaned " why are we even arguing about this "

" No bro, you can't run away from this. Why did you replaced her? What wrong have she done to you that made you do that to her? "

" just leave it, Habeeb "

" No I won't. Tell me why you changed her when you know how mum is from the start?"

" I don't know okay! I don't really know! " Faisal gritted

Habeeb scoffed " you can't just say you don't know. That's not an answer. First you want her to work for you and the next thing you replaced her! How does that add up? You didn't even tell her what she did wrong "

" just stop it Habeeb. I'm not in the mood for all your confrontations"

" I just hope it's not what I'm thinking " Habeeb tutted

" and what are you thinking ?" Faisal asked with furrowed brows.

" Nothing "

" No, you must say it."

" I won't since you don't want to answer my question " Habeeb smirked

" you're talking rubbish "

Habeeb chuckles " alright then. I'll take my leave now and please don't allow little Kalthum to know that I told you what happened. I don't want her to see me as a betrayal " he warned " see ya"

He banged the door behind him

Faisal blew out a breath. His mom sure knows how to spoil his mood. He really need to have a word with Kalthum but that would be later.

****

Kalthum collapsed on her bed . She was so tired from all the work today. Hajiya Basira does knows how to stress her out. This is the first time she felt so drained.

Basma came out from the bathroom already in her nighties.

" So how are you enjoying your new boss? She sure does knows how to give a warm welcome " Basma smirk referring to the slap

Kalthum rolled her eyes and turn to face the wall

" whereas I'm definitely enjoying working with Sir Faisal. You need to see how caring and loving he is to me. I knew you must have done something terrible that made him changed you. "

Kalthum heard enough ,She sat upright " I don't know why you felt the need to tell me  all this but I want you to know that I don't give a damn about what is going on in your life. "

Basma chuckled " of course darling you care. You're just too hurt to admit it. Sir Faisal prefers me more than you "

" you can think whatever you want but I want you to know one thing. All this won't last, in no time you'll be shocked of what might hit you next. Don't be too comfortable right now "

" Whatever " Basma huffs " I still won" she then climbed her bed

Kalthum decides to avoid her by going online on whatsapp. As if on cue she got a message from an unknown number

"Salamualaikum "

The text says. She furrowed her brows confused ,who could it be?

"Waalaikumussalaam" she replied back

" how was your day ? "

" It went well Alhamdulillah. If I may ask, who am I chatting with? "

"? Actually, I'd expected you to ask from start"

" so can you now tell me who you are ?"

"any guess?"

" should I be scared ?"

"what?? No! "

" so I thought ? I know it's you Sir Habeeb "

" ugh, can we stop the formalities ? "

" Don't get ? "

" I prefer you call me Habeeb. The 'Sir' makes me feel old. As you can see I'm still young and searching ??"

Kalthum giggles out loud.

" can you lower your annoying voice! Some of us are trying to sleep here" Basma snapped while Kalthum rolled her eyes.

" but you're my boss" she replied Habeeb's text

" point of correction Faisal hired you , I didn't. Therefore I'm not your boss "

" ughh okay "

" That's what I thought ?."

"??"

" so how is your face? I hope you've taken some medicine? "

"yeah,the swell have already gone down. Thanks for asking "

"I'm sorry "

" Sir, it's not your fault. I've got no hard feelings ??"

" since you've got no hard feelings then can we be friends?as in real friends without all the 'Sir' of a thing ?"

" *sigh* why do you want to be my friend? Don't get me wrong here, I don't have any problem becoming your friend but I just want to know your reason "

" because I like you? "

" you like me? " she furrowed her brows

" yes, you intrigue me so much that I just want to know more about you. What you did for Rasheeda two years back actually surprised me. I've never come across a kind soul like you"

" you've got nothing to thank me for. I only did what was needed to be done"

" I'm still grateful and I know where ever Rasheeda is right now, I know she is also grateful for the help even if she gave up the ghost "

" I'm so sorry for your loss sir"

" Nah, I'm over it. I've learnt to cope without her  "

" ? "

" ? What about you, is there someone in your life right now? I can always be the big brother you could ever ask for. I can help threaten him for you if he tries any nonsense ?"

"???? Alhamdulillah I don't even have one yet. I'm still single and not searching "

" ? you just broke my heart "

" Awwww ?"

" hm, anytime you decide to have a boyfriend don't hesitate to tell me . I'm just a call away if you need my help ?"

" I'll think about it ?"

" Alright then. I'm sure you were about to sleep when you saw my chat "

"Not at all"

" well if you say so ?. You're free to go to bed"

" Alright. It was nice chatting with you "

" same here. Make sure you save my number "

" I will, right now "

" Alright then. Good night ? "

"Night "

They both went offline,She smiled. Kalthum looked at her sister and wasn't surprised to see that she is already asleep. Kalthum took her blanket from the edge of the bed so she could cover herself.

Knock knock knock

She heard a knock on their door . Who could be by the door at this time of the night, she wondered.

" who's there? " she climbs down her bed to get the door. Kalthum yawned then opened the door wide op_

" Sir Faisal?! " her eyes opened twice their size " What are you doing here?"