Chapter 21: Chapter 21

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Zainab sighed for the tenth time today. Her annoying brother as she prefers to call him kept on pestering her about her friend, Kalthum. Since he got back to town he hasn't seen Kalthum and his kid sister refuses to tell him about her whereabout.

Jamil is zainab's elder brother and he is one of Kalthum's many admirers but because of the player he was, Kalthum never for once develop a liking for him.She prefers to see him as zainab brother and nothing more .

" please Zainab, why do you keep avoiding this question? " he asked as he sat on the couch in front of her.

Zainab rolled her eyes then dropped the novel she was reading " Ya Jamil, I've told you already, She travelled "

He smirked " Really now? Yesterday you told me she was in her mother's house and today another story? I don't get why you don't want me for your friend, I like her and you know it"

" I don't trust you yaya. You and I both know that you've never dated a single lady, you have them plenty and I don't want to put my friend in a situation where she would suffer an heart break. The same Kalthum we are talking about doesn't even likes you that way. She sees you as an Elder brother "

He snorted " a brother who has a crush on her "

Zainab groaned " please can we just forget about all this. I was enjoying my novel before you interrupted me "

He stood up after he caught sight of her phone without allowing her to know, he pretended as if he wanted taking a book from her small table, Jamil then slipped the phone in his pocket.

" OK dear sister, I'll leave you the hell alone " he salutes then turned to leave

Zainab was kind of confused, her brother never give up just like that. She shrugged, she didn't want to think too much about it. Zainab then continued reading her novel

**

Immediately Jamil entered his room, he quickly retrieved a pen and paper and scribbled down a number which he has been looking for, for a long long time. Kalthum's number. He smirked then kept his sister's phone on his bed.

" oh dear Kalthum, I've missed you too much babe"

He neatly folded the paper and kept it under his pillow. He then left to return his sister's phone

***

Zainab was about to turn to the next page when she heard a knock on her door. She already knew it's her brother

She groaned " What is it again yaya? "

" I want to return the book I borrowed " his faint voice said from outside

" book? What book?"

" just open the damn door already "

Zainab glared at the door but still got up to open it " where is the book? " she asked instead, refusing to open the door wider for him to enter.

" let me come in first " he demanded

" but I thought you said you want to return a book right? So give it to me " she stretched out her hand

" I won't not until I enter "

She rolled her eyes then decided to let him in. She folded her arms as she watched him walk to her small table. He dropped whatever it is he came to drop then he left. It then clicked to her that her phone was on the table.

Zainab almost ran to her table, she calmed down when she saw her phone. It's almost three years now since her brother has been asking for Kalthum's number which she refused him. She knows how her brother can be and wouldn't want him to use his player charm on his friend. Kalthum is so dear to her that she wouldn't want to see her heart broken.

She sighed remembering the last time she saw Kalthum. It's over five months already and she missed Kalthum to death. Zainab took her phone about to call her best friend, when she saw her best friend already calling her.

A wide smile graced her lips as she press the answer button.

" I was jus_

Zainab was cut shut

" I need your help zainab. I'm outside your gate "

Zainab didn't believe her " are you kidding me? "

" I'm not ,please come get me. Hurry up" Kalthum snapped

" fine fine I'm on my way" zainab put on her slippers then ran out of the house to open the gate for her friend.

As zainab opened the door she was first greeted with a hug. She kind of felt surprised at first but then finally wrapped her arms around Kalthum.

" is everything alright Kalthum? " zainab asked concerned. She patted her back

Kalthum pulled back " I might lose my job" she suddenly said

Zainab stared at her for a seconds " what are you talking about? What do you mean by you might lose your job? Infact come let's go to my room"

They both walked inside the house to Zainab's room

**

" Start talking " zainab commanded as they entered her room " I thought you said you people aren't allowed to go out for the whole one year you'd be working in that house? Tell me ?"

Kalthum sat on the bed. She released a deep breath " I hope no one is at home? "

Zainab shook her head " Except ya jamil"

" He is around?!" Kalthum almost yelled " I can't handle any of his dramas! maybe I should just go, we'll talk later "

" sit down " zainab commanded " you can't just decide to leave after putting me in suspense! Please tell me what you meant by you might lose your job? And if you're worried about ya Jamil, I'm sure he must be busy playing video games."

Kalthum exhaled loudly " Thank Allah . I'm not in the mood for any of his flirting right now" she sat down

" so start talking "

" OK fine. " there was a pause " I did something terrible zainab "

Zainab furrowed her brows" what is it?"

" I snapped at my boss! "

" you did WHAT??!" zainab almost yelled " why? What happened? Which of  the boss? Is it Faisal or Habib?! "

Kalthum groaned " it's faisal"

" DanAllah! "

" I'm serious"

" but_t why? " zainab almost stuttered

"I was jealous ok"

" jealous of what ? Please make it clearer to me Kalthum. I don't get why you're talking in short sentences "

Kalthum covered her face and groaned again. She then stared at her friend " let me start from the beginning then "

" better"

She started by telling her about the slap then the night Faisal helped her to ice her face. The moments they shared before they got interrupted by Basma. Then the incident with his parents and then finally what happened at his office

" wayyo Allah na! I can't believe you did that! " Zainab burst out laughing " how comes you never told me you liked your boss? And the last time we talked you were like ' he is rude, arrogant and so many other things '"

Kalthum glared at her " stop laughing "

" How can i stop when all this new info sounds funny. Here I was thinking you might have found a liking on Habib but unfortunately you liked the eldest. I can't wait to see you two getting married !" zainab squealed

" please stop " Kalthum huffs " I'm here for your advice not to watch you make jest of me "

Zainab giggles " it's just funny. The twist in the story just sound so corny"

" I'll leave If you don't stop"

" OK! Fine, fine I'll stop now " she cleared her throat " So... What was his reaction when you said it? "

" I don't even know. I was still in shock of my utterance that I didn't even bother to see his reaction. I fled. It came out une_"

" just stop talking and listen to me " zainab cut her off

" ok"

" you said he was acting strange like he wanted you to admit that you liked

him right? That is before you finally admitted it? " zainab asked

" yes" Kalthum nodded

" Come to think of it, what if he also likes you back. Don't get me wrong here, you once told me he was always rude to you right? Then how comes he suddenly changed or rather when did he start becoming nicer to you? "

Kalthum raked her brain then it clicked " the night of his birthday"

" What happened that night?"

Kalthum blushed " well... Let's just say I kind of helped fulfilled Umm rasheed's wish "

" so you won't tell me? " Zainab raised a brow

" you're too nosey "

Zainab gasped " imagine this girl! You came here asking for advice and you're calling me nosey?! Really! "

" Dallah can, I was only joking "

" You better be joking "

Then the next thing ,they both burst out laughing

" I missed our time together wallahi " Kalthum said as she sobered up

" Me too"Zainab's voice came as a whisper " Anyways as I was saying, I have this feeling that Faisal likes you he is just too proud to admit it. Especially after all you've told me about his behavior changes "

" I don't know " Kalthum said quietly as she fiddles with her finger " He has a fiancee. How is that possible"

" How sure are you she is his fiance?! Stop saying that. Se might be his friend for all we know "

" But Basma told me abo_

" will you just shut up already " Zainab snapped " when will you stop listening to that your sister's lies. Haven't you thought about it that she might be lying "

" But the way Hindatu acted at the office Says it all that she is his fiancee " Kalthum said confused

" you yourself told me that he left that woman behind and came running after you.  A maid for that matter. What kind of man would leave his fiance just to run after a maid in other to see if she was okay!" Zainab yelled out " why can't you see that Faisal likes you which was why he ran after you!"

" are you sure? " Kalthum asked in disbelief

" very sure " zainab told her " believe it or not I know he likes you. Wait till you get home then you'll see what I'm talking about "

Kalthum groaned at the reminder of 'Home'" how am I going to face him for Allah's sake "

" The same way you confronted him before spilling your undying love for him " zainab teased then giggles

" I hate you" Kalthum blushed

" I love you too"

" You're the worst friend ever" Kalthum pouts

" you still love me anyways " zainab laughed

Knock knock knock

A knock was heard

" who is it? " Zainab asked

" it's me. I heard Kalthum's voice"

Kalthum groaned quietly already has a clue about who the person was. Ya Jamil.

" No, she isn't the one " zainab lied

" I know what I heard zainab. Kalthum if you can hear me ,I just want to say hello"

Zainab stared at her friend as if telling her not to answer him.

Kalthum shook her head slightly " don't worry, I can handle myself. I'm about to leave anyways "

" are you sure? "

Kalthum chuckled " I'm sure zainab. I can handle your brother "

"Well then, let's go before he breaks down the door"

Kalthum giggles " ok"

They sauntered to the door and opened it just to see a vexing Jamil with folded arms. His face broke into a smile as he caught sight of Kalthum.

" Kalthum "

" Good afternoon Ya Jamil"

" I've told you already Kalthum, you don't need to refer me as yaya. You can call me just by my name " he flashed her a smile once again

Kalthum shook her head slightly " I can't "

Jamil isn't as ugly as people might think. He has this boyish good looks which is why he has a lot of ladies fanning over him. While sir Faisal looks more manly and handsome. Kalthum scolded herself for thinking about him.

" How have you been? I always asked about you from my sister but she always tries to avoid answering me "

Kalthum looked at zainab " Really? And you didn't tell me? " she knew but was only acting

Zainab slightly glared at her but also acted along " yeah he always ask of you"

"   I'm sorry about that Ya Jamil. I never knew "

He shrugged " I know. "

" Yaya? She is about to leave they must be waiting for her at home " Zainab said from where she was standing beside Kalthum

" oh Ohk. I'll see you out then " he told Kalthum who wanted answering but Zainab beat her to it.

" you don't need to Ya Jamil. I'll do that "

Jamil almost glared at his sister but because of Kalthum's presence he acted calm " is that OK with you Kalthum?"

" yeah " she nodded " Anyways thanks for the offer "

" Sure things " he nodded and then moved for them to pass.

***

Zainab burst out laughing as they were outside the gate " My brother is really a goner"

Kalthum smiled " haba that's harsh for you to say. Remember, he is still your brother "

" If he stops messing around with girls maybe then I'll also change my attitude towards him"

Kalthum shook her head " just keep praying for him "

"I always do that "Kalthum nodded

" how comes I forgot mentioning that I saw Saddam " said Kalthum at the reminder

" Are you serious?! Where?! "

" He goes to the same school with the twins. He tutor one of the twins"

" Really? What was his reaction when he saw you at the house? "

They both walked to the main road

" Well, he took it well. He didn't look down on me if that's what you're asking about"

Zainab suddenly chuckled

" what's funny ?" Kalthum asked

" The whole thing is just funny "

" What's that? "

"You know, it's just so funny that the two guys you've known for like forever were not able to win your heart. I'm talking about my brother and Saddam. But in just a span of time , a certain someone was able to do the job well. Faisal, he captured your heart without even lifting a finger. The whole thing is just surprising " She smiled "  I'm very happy for you and I hope Faisal would finally drop his pride aside and just confess his undying love for you"

Kalthum blushed deeply " you're so cheesy" she slightly pushed zainab on the shoulder

The latter smirked " it's the truth"

Kalthum also wished for that to happen. Even if her subconscious kept on shouting it's not possible, she wish to hear Sir Faisal telling her that he likes her. No matter how crazy it might be, she would be the happiest woman on earth.