Chapter 23: Chapter 23
One month later
Everything has been going smoothly for Faisal and Kalthum. Their love life is kept a secret from all. Nobody has any idea of how their love flourishes day by day. How they manage to pull that off was beyond them. Truth be told, it was so hard hiding it from everyone. The only one who knew about it for now was Zainab, Kalthum's friend and she was over the moon since Kalthum told her.
The two couple meet most of the time in the garden when everyone is asleep . At times Faisal always send a maid to call Kalthum to his study even when she was on duty. Whenever Umm rasheed question him about it, he always brought up different types of lies why he needed to see her. He does all that just to have sometime with her.
Even with all the lies, Umm Rasheed still gets suspicious everytime Faisal request for Kalthum during work hour. She suspects that something was going on between the two and was going to find out.
" you're being cheesy Faisal. Don't you see that you're already acting suspicious? I'm quite sure Umm Rasheed doesn't believe your excuse " Kalthum told him as she made herself comfortable on the chair
He shrugged then smirk " what do you suggest I say?that was the only excuse I could come up with. I just want to see my woman"
" Really?! You said 'you want me to clean your study! ' what kind of excuse is that for Allah's sake?! It's so lame. Basma is your maid not me . This excuse of yours will sure make us look more suspicious "
" I don't care Kalthum " he chuckled
" but I care" she pout. She still doesn't want people to find out yet
" OK I'm sorry. I'll try bringing up a better excuse next time " he smiled
She playfully glared at him " That's if there would be a next time "
" There will be "
She giggles " this is why I said you're too cheesy for your own good"
Faisal respect Kalthum. Over here, in his house, she was here alone with no parents to protect her or guide her. He knows his boundaries with her and he doesn't rush things with her. He understands that she is still young and he will never do things to make her feel uncomfortable.
Kalthum has grown used to him now. She understood everything about Faisal. She never missed a day to thank Allah for making her meet this man she could call hers.
She blushed when she remembered their last conversation. Faisal once brought up the topic about marriage, that moment,she felt like the luckiest woman on earth but another thing was, she wasn't ready yet. She will love to finish her education before taking that step. Kalthum made him understood that and he respected her decisions.
He just have to wait for two good years before he can finally take her as his wife. He knew it's going to be hard to wait that long but he respected all decisions she made . Which is why he won't rush things.
" What are you thinking about?" Faisal asked sitting on the stool facing her
She snapped out of it then shook her head " nothing "
His face turned serious " Don't lie to me Kalthum, remember I told you we're in this together. So please tell me? "
She huffs " you always turn serious at every little things. I was only thinking about our conversation yesterday " she blushed
His made a 'O' sound " what about it? " he wiggled his brows
" oh please. Get out of my face " she covered her face shyly
Faisal chuckles " what are you going to do if I don't "
" I'll leave " she said half serious and joking
He sent her a stern look " you're too mean little Kalthum"
" I'm not little. Stop calling me little "
He snorts" of course you aren't "
" Hey"
" What? "
" I hate you"
" and I love you"
" wooooooooooooo!! Did I heard right " another voice almost yelled as they walked into the study. Habib
Habeeb looked at the two confused. He snapped his gaze at Kalthum who wasn't making eye contact with him then turned to look at his brother, Faisal.
" What is going on here. Please put me out of the dark" he demanded
Faisal wasn't a bit fazed " it's whatever you heard"
Habib's eyes doubled twice their size " don't tell me you two are together! "
(Habib's expression was like ?)
" yes you heard right . Please stop making Kalthum uncomfortable " Faisal scolded
Kalthum kept squirming in her seat
" I'm terribly hurt Kalthum. I can't believe you chose my brother over me and to think that we chat almost everyday! . I feel terribly betrayed " habib joked then went forward to seat
Kalthum all the more felt like the ground should swallow her.
" Stop it habib and what do you mean by you chat all the time ?" Faisal sounded jealous
" hey don't get jealous on me. We chat but mostly about life. Didn't she tell you she's my sister? And I'm like her big brother " habib said feeling himself
Kalthum almost giggled at his stupidity
Faisal got even more confused" can someone explain "
" Habib begged to be my big brother " she explained half joking
" hey, I didn't beg" habib defended
" when did all this brotherly and sisterly love began without anyone of you telling me ?" to say Faisal was jealous was an understatement
Habib made a face then turned to look at Kalthum " I wonder why you chose his jealous self over me. He isn't worth you " he joke but it got Faisal more angry.
" Then what do you suggest she do? She should have chosen you? " Faisal said irritated
Habib chuckled them raised his hands up in surrender " I was only joking bro. No hard feelings "
Kalthum giggled " calm down Faisal, you're acting as if you're not yet used to this side of habib"
Faisal scowl " you're also supporting him? "
Kalthum shook her head " of course not " she smiled
Habib folded his arms as he looked at the two exchanging words as if he wasn't there. He still couldn't believe this, his brother and Kalthum?
" you guys shouldn't forget that I'm still here" Habib reminded
Kalthum blushed " I think I'll just leave. I've work to do anyways "
" Alright " habib answered then wiggled his brows at her " you still have alot to explain Kalthum. I can't believe you broke the code. I thought as a brother, I should know who you go out with "
" please let her be habib. Kalthum don't mind him "
She smiled but nevertheless left.
Habib rolled his eyes as he stared at his brother " and you too. You didn't even tell me. "
Faisal rolled his eyes " Why should i"
Habib faked gasped " I can't believe you're doing me like this. We are brothers for Allah's sake. Here I am trying to match make you with other ladies not knowing you already have Kalthum. I'm hurt"
Faisal rolled his eyes once again at his brother childishness " just stop it already. If it makes you feel better, no one knows about it yet"
" What??! "
" Yeah you heard right "
" you two are hiding it? "
Faisal shrugged " it's her decision. If you leave it to me I don't want to hide any relationship with her. I love her just the way she is "
" She got you so badly. But how did it all happened?I could never imagine it. Even those times when I like teasing you about you two getting together, I was only saying it. I never knew it would come to past. " habib smiled
" so what are you trying to say?" asked Faisal sternly
" I'm not trying to say anything. I'm happy for you two, wallahi I am."
" Good then and please stop chatting almost everyday with my woman. She is taken "
" Subhanallah! Calm down bro, I know. I already told you. I see Kalthum just as a sister. Nothing more nothing less wallahi "
" it better be that way"
" Calm down" habib rolled his eyes
***
Kalthum couldn't help the smile that kept spreading on her face. It was their break time and she was on the phone with Faisal. Faisal together with habib left for office a while ago. Habib still insisted that she has a lot to explain when I next they meet.
Habib can be funny stones, she knew he meant well.
" I hope my mother didn't stress you too much "
" if you consider me doing all her laundry and cleaning her room stressful then " she shrugged even if he couldn't see her. She was sat outside the veranda .
" I've told you already Kalthum, you don't have to do this. I'm here for you. "
There was a long pause
" Faisal, I don't mind doing it all. I just don't want to look like a gold digger who is just after your money. Please let's just forget it "
He exhaled loudly through the phone " I've heard you"
" Thank you"
" I wish I could take you out like on a normal date " he said all of a sudden
" Faisal... You know I can't now. Let's keep it a secret till I finish working at your house "
" but it's going to be hard for me Kalthum. It's going to be hard seeing you working in my house and I wouldn't be able to do anything or to even tell everyone that you're mine. I don't like it "
" I know Faisal. I know. Please do this for me " she pouts even if he couldn't see her
" what other option do I have than to just go with whatever you want me to do"
" I love you Faisal and you know that "
" why are you emotional all of a sudden " he chuckled
" I don't know." she giggled
***
Basma frowned as she entered their room. She hates it when sir Faisal ignores her, first he was the one that requested her to work for him but why was he acting so cold as if she did something?
She thought he kind of liked her which was why he changed her from her previous post. It's not like she asked him in the first place! He is so insufferable.
What answer will she give their mom who has been persistent asking about her progress of making the Dantata men fall on her feet? She hasn't achieve anything up till now. She groaned in her pillow.
Her mom will be super mad at her, she thought to herself. Basma doesn't know what other step she was going to take again. She is at the point of regretting coming here. Atleast her salary is going to be intact, that's one thing she was sure about.
She checked her time and saw that break was over. She quickly wore her rubber slippers and sauntered out of the room.
On her was to the kitchen, she bumped into someone.
" YOU STUPID GIRL! "
Hajiya Basira yelled as she regained her postured " weren't you thought to always watch where you're going? "
Basma knew she was in trouble ,she bowed her head " I'm deeply sorry ma"
" You worthless people , when you're given the opportunity to associate with the rich you always end up showing your worthlessness. GET OUT OF MY FACE! "
Basma didn't need to be told twice. She ran out of her sight. She ran far away from the kitchen she was about to go in not wanting to cross paths with the witch as the maid love to call her.
Kalthum saw everything that happened. She felt half bad and half happy that Basma was told off. She felt half bad for her because Basma was totally embarrassed and she knows how it felt being in that kind of position and she felt happy it happened because she has never seen her sister this scared and it was just funny watching. She wasn't the only one who witnessed this, other maid's too saw what happened .
Basma made eye contact with Kalthum. She glared her before running away.
Scared kitten, Kalthum thought and laughed
Kalthum shook her head before going back to do her work too
***
After Faisal warning, Hajiya Basira took it upon herself to find out who this Kalthum was and was shock to find out that it was the same girl she slapped trice. The same girl who clean her room.
She decided to put her eyes on her, to find out whatever it was between her and her son. She still hasn't find anything on her yet. But unfortunately, she found out that she has a sister, who was the same girl that bumped into her.
Because her son threatened her not to touch Kalthum, she decided to put her anger on her elder sister. Hajiya Basira purposely bumped into the poor girl so she could snapped the hell out of her. And she felt satisfied with her actions.
Hajiya Basira's only wish is to know what was between Kalthum and her son. Faisal has never shouted at her over a maid before. This was a first for her. What was so special about Kalthum? She wonders.
She made a sigh of disgust. What she was thinking better not come to past!She will not sit and watch her son fall for a maid with no future. Over her dead body would she allow that to ever happen.