Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Kalthum ran to catch up with him

" Faisal please wait " she was out of breath by the time she stood in his front " I didn't do anything wrong. Why are you mad at me? "

He rubbed his stubbles " Really? Tell me how would you feel if you walk on me making a call with a friend of mine then you heard her confessing her feelings for me? How would you feel? "

She search his eye to see if he was actually serious. Faisal was jealous, she knew that. She broke into a fit of laughter " you can't be serious. Are you jealous? "

He scoffed " I don't know what you're talking about little Kalthum "

She raised a brows at him " Hm, I can't believe you're jealous. Wallahi, there is nothing going on between ya jamil and i"

He folded his arms almost pouting " but he doesn't see it the the way you see It. Can't you see that he said he will keep trying. The worst of all is that you told him that you'll call him back later! "

" Really? You know you're the only man that owns my heart. I love you. How many times do you want me to keep on reminding you about it "

" you can't blame me for being insecure. After all that I've heard abo_" He quickly realized what he was about to blurt out so he quickly shut up.

Kalthum looked at him shocked. She felt hurt " No, complete what you're about to say. Go ahead. You also think I'm a prostitute? But what more do you want me to do before you can finally believe me! " she yelled angrily

Faisal paced around " you can't blame me Kalthum. I'm sorry. It's just my insecurities getting the best out of me. "

She scoffed " then you need to get your insecurities in check then."

" I'm sorry " he moved forward to her side. He held her right hand " please forgive me "

She searched his eyes and saw that he was actually sincere " You don't get it. I don't want you to always feel this way about me. It's as if you don't trust me enough to be with me"

He rubbed his face " I'm trying, I'm trying. You need to understand the situation I'm in. It's normal for me to get jealous. I can't help seeing another man trying to confess his feelings to my woman. I love you "

She heaved a sigh. At least he still love her that much, she thought " I know and I promise not to pick his calls again. I have my eyes set on only you"

He smiled widely " That's what I'm talking about. I want your heart and soul to me mine alone and no one else's "

She hit his arm playfully " you're not serious "

He chuckled " I'm very much serious "

She rolled her eyes then turn around to see if anyone was looking. She has been having this feeling again, that someone was watching. Truth to her word, she saw a figure outside their lodge but the person ran inside the moment Kalthum turned around. Her heart raced faster. She prays it's not another maid. It'll  be better if it was Basma since she already knows.

Kalthum looked back at Faisal who gave a concerned look " are you alright. Why do I have a feeling that you saw a ghost "

She playfully glared at him " A ghost? "

He chuckled " I'm just joking. Anyways what is the matter? "

She fiddles with her nails " My sister knows about us "

Faisal looked at her confused. He doesn't get why she is sad about it " isn't that a good thing? I mean she's your sister right "

Sometimes she always forget that no one actually knows who the real Basma was. People around here always sees her as a nice girl who loves her younger sister. She mentally snort, She wish they knew that she was far from that.

She met with his confused face. If she tell him about her, how sure was she that he'd believe what she says. He might think she just want to put all blames on Basma and she can't risk losing Faisal if he doesn't believe her. So she did what she thought was right. Kalthum forced a wide smile instead .

" Yeah she is. I'm very happy she knows " she said. Her words almost scares her. If only he knew.

" Well then, why do you still sound mad about it? " he asked

" I'm not mad. I'm very happy that she knows. Can't you see the smile on my face " she smiled widely again . She could feel the pain on her jaw due to the fake smile.

Faisal could only look at her suspiciously " well,if you say so. Let's go sit over there"

They both walk to sit under a shield toward the parking lot.

She heaved a sigh as she sat down. Faisal Sat close too.

Kalthum faced him with a look Faisal couldn't comprehend. She held his coarse hand like her life depends on it " promise me. Promise me you'll always fight for our love. You won't let anyone or anything come between us, please "

He saw how serious she was. He also covered her hand which was on his left hand with his right hand

" I promise you. I'll never let anyone or anything come between us "

She smiled in relief " thank you"

He stared at her " You don't need to thank me. We're in this together "

***

Kalthum entered her room with a wide smile on her face. She felt so happy after the moment she shared with Faisal. She believes no one will be able to separate them after their heart to heart talk.

She smiled as she watched Basma sleeping figure on the bed. Dear big sister, there is nothing you can do to me .

Kalthum then went into the bathroom to perform ablution.

***

Kalthum groaned at the sound of her alarm.  She tossed and turned but finally gave up. She woke up and say a prayer before getting out of  bed. Kalthum entered the bathroom, she performed ablution then got out to pray.

Few minutes later she ended her fajr prayer. She folded the mat and kept it one side. She turned to look at Basma's sleeping figure. She took pity on her so she went to wake her up. Umm rasheed hates late comers.

" Basma... Basma wake up " she tap her on her hand

Basma groaned " what do you want? "

" you better wake up. It's almost seven "

Basma's eyes are wide open at the realization. She got out of bed at a fast rate almost losing a step on her way to the bathroom.

Kalthum chuckled then went on to sit on the small couch in the room. She decided to use the few minutes left to read the Holy Qur'an.

After thirty minutes later she and Basma where already ready for work.

Basma stood by the mirror tying her veil while Kalthum sat on the bed studying Basma standing figure. Kalthum just couldn't get why Basma hates her so much.

If it was beauty, Basma has this beauty that even Kalthum always feels insecure when they are together. Basma got more confident than her, Basma always takes all the attention whereas she is always the shy one, Kalthum thought.

" Are you done checking me out? " Basma said annoyed

Kalthum couldn't help but chuckle " why would I check you out. Sai kace namiji"

Basma scowled " whatever "

" I was just wondering ya Basma " she purposely added the ya " how did we end up like this? Why are we competing against each other ya Basma? We were once like best friends. Why did we allow the devil to come between us ?" Kalthum said almost in tears

Basma herself felt a twitch in her chest. She was fighting her feelings. She knew Kalthum was right but she doesn't want to dwell on that " I don't know what you're talking about " she said and left Kalthum in the room .

Kalthum sighed. She knew it will be hard to break her.

**

Basma rested her back on the door the moment she was outside. She felt something in her, something begging her to change but she can't. She has invested her heart on breaking Kalthum that she doesn't want to give up at this point.

She wiped off a threatening tears as she ran to the gate of the lodge. She kept running that she didn't see a figure coming her way. Basma and the person bumped into each other.

The person quickly held her around her waist before she could fall . She let out a gasped at the sudden contact.

" Are you alright? " he asked in concern. He stared in concern at her big eyes which was filled with tears ready to fall.

She quacked then pushed herself out of his hold. She blushed.

" I'm sorry Sir habeeb"

Habeeb chuckled at her cuteness " are you sure you're ok? "

She nodded shyly" I'll just be on my way now "

He shrugged " ok"

She nodded as she excused herself

" wait! " he called

She turned around " Sir? "

" is Kalthum almost out "

Here comes that feeling of jealousy Again. They all go for Kalthum. She plastered a fake smile on her face .

" yes sir, she'll soon be out "

" OK thank you. But are you sure you're OK? " here comes the concern look again.

" yes I am " she nodded " I'll take my leave now "

She left. Habeeb watched her retreating figure. He smiled not understanding this feeling he was having.

***

" and I was like really? This girl that I called my sister! " Habib was exaggerating about the whole 'not tell me about who you go out with '

Kalthum burst out into laughter " I've apologized countless times ya habib. What more do you want me to say"

He playfully glared at her " The feeling of betrayal just don't go away that easily "

She giggled " alright fine. I'm sorry, please please forgive me ,my so childish big brother "

He chuckles " you think I'm childish? "

" Hm" she nodded innocently. She knew he was about to attack her. She ran for her life.

" wait up" he called as he pursue her towards the garden.

She screamed as he got closer. Lucky for her ,Faisal was alrealdy dressed up ready for work. She ran to stand behind him ,using him as a shield.

" Help me" she said to Faisal.

Faisal found the while thing funny. Seeing as his six foot tall brother was running after a 5ft Kalthum.

" What did you do this time? " he asked

" She called me childish " habib said acting hurt

Kalthum giggles " but it's true"

Faisal  stood listening to their banters in shock " I don't have your time right now. I need to be at the office "he told them

Kalthum pouts " so you want to leave me to your brother? "

Facial looked at her with this expression saying "really? "

" Take back your word. Say it out loud that I'm not childish " habib said from where he was standing .

" No can do" she said.

This playful side which just suddenly came to life immediately does surprised her. The fact that the two popular sons of Alhaji Dantata are close to her even surprised her the more. Never have she ever imagined  herself becoming a friend to one and also a girlfriend to the other. It felt surreal and she loved the feeling.

She smiled widely at her thoughts. The two men finally turned the conversation to that of work. Kalthum knew it was her cue to leave. She turned around to see if anyone was watching. Lucky for her no one was around.

" I think I'll just leave since you two are busy talking about work" she said with a pout.

Faisal turned to her with a smirked " don't tell me you're jealous? "

She scoffed " me? Jealous? Never. "

" oh don't be jealous little Kalthum. "

Habib raised a brows at the two " can you two just stop it ? You two are already making me sick "

Faisal and Kalthum stared at him at the same time with a glare on their faces.

" OK fine. I'll just leave you two alone " habib said giving up. He scowl then left them standing.

They both burst out laughing watching habib's retreating back " you're not good"

" why me? You also laughed at him too" an amused Faisal said

Kalthum giggled " he really needs to get a wife "

" Tell me about it " Faisal rolled his eyes " After his late wife, he hasn't found the right person . All the ladies he has been with was just for show. He was never serious with them. I think he is just scared of falling in love again. "

Kalthum felt bad " I pray he meet the right person "

" me too"

***

We can always be partners. I'm ready to be at your service. Here is my number, call me 08032****** .

Hajiya Basira quickly typed down the number in her phone.