Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Umm Rasheed looked at Kalthum sternly " Make sure you get home on time and please don't waste my time by making calls with your darling boyfriend"

Kalthum chuckled " Haba Nanny why are you hostile to me today "

" I won't be hostile if you and Faisal don't stop your lovey-dovey in front of me "

Kalthum burst out laughing " but it's not our fault Nanny."

Nanny breath in " I'll give you a very dirty slap if you say that again. "

" Aww Nanny is jealous! " Kalthum sang and Nanny followed her out of the kitchen with a big spoon in hand .

" if I see your tiny legs in my kitchen, you'll know " Nanny warned playfully

Kalthum giggled " I'm sorry Nanny. Please forgive me "

" Oh don't even start with me. Make sure you get the right ingredients and there shouldn't be any mistakes if not ,you'll go back and buy the right one with your money "

The house has been in chaos because the Dantata's are going to be having visitors today. Nanny has been going halter skelter trying to make everything perfect. She looks tired and stressed and the worst of all is that Faisal and Kalthum aren't helping matters.

Faisal held Kalthum hostage in his study just because he doesn't want Kalthum to do anything and Umm Rasheed needed her right now since the other maids are busy.

Umm Rasheed had to go to the study to talk some senses into that boy before he finally freed her. Umm Rasheed couldn't help the shock she received seeing Faisal act like that. He is overly crazy in love with Kalthum and to think that it just happened in a matter of months.

He Sometimes almost fought with his mother because of too much work she gives Kalthum.

" OK I promise, I won't make a mistake. I'll get all we need and I'll be back on time "

Umm Rasheed heaved a sigh " Thank you"

" I'm sorry about earlier. Faisal and I didn't mean to stress you out "

Umm Rasheed waved it off " You don't need to apologize dear. I understood it's what love does to people. They can't stand been apart for a second"

" This reminds me Umm Rasheed. You haven't completed your story and I'd love to know how it all ended "

Umm Rasheed smiled " In due time dear, I'll finish it. Right now we need to focus on the visitors. They are very important people to the Dantatas"

Kalthum nodded thoughtfully " Yeah, you're right. If I may ask who are this people coming over? "

" They are some family friends dear. You'll get to meet them when they arrive. Before I forget, I need to warn you abou-

" Umm Rasheed? Hajiya Basira is asking for you " Maryam came in interrupting them .

" OK Maryam, I'll be there in few seconds "

" OK " Maryam left

Kalthum stared at Umm Rasheed seriously " what did you want to warn me about?

" Don't worry. I'll tell you later. It best you go get the stuff now before the supermarket closes"

" yeah you're right. " Kalthum nodded " See you later "

**

Kalthum crosscheck the list one more time, She didn't want to forget anything. She pushed her cart to the cashier who then calculated all the items "

" Your money is #20000. Are you paying cash or - " the cashier asked

" yes cash " Kalthum answered immediately as she count out #20000 from her purse. She hand it over to the cashier.

" Thanks for your patronage ma"

" You're welcome " Kalthum smile as she took the two nylons.

She made her way out of the supermarket. She was about to stop a tricycle when she heard someone calling her name

" Kalthum " the person called once again.

Kalthum turned around and was surprised to see Hindatu, the lady she thought was Faisal's girl friend jogging over to her with a smile on her face.

She also returned the smile when she got closer " hello hindatu"

" hey, what are you doing here? " Hindatu asked like they were best friends.

" I came to shop "

" Oh okay. So how have you been? It's been long we've seen each other " Hindatu said

This behavior of hers bothers Kalthum the more. Why was she acting like hey were buddies?

" I've been good and you? "

" Actually I'm pretty fine. Look Kalthum, I know you're surprised to see me talking to you. I'm only here to apologize about my behavior towards you at the office. I never knew you and Faisal were an item "

Kalthum was surprised the more " No no, you don't need to apologize. Faisal and I weren't dating then "

" oh? So what about now? "

Kalthum blushed " we are now "

Hindatu giggles, a sincered one " I'm very happy for you two. Faisal does deserve the best and I'm grateful he met you Kalthum "

" aren't you like angry about it? " Kalthum couldn't help but asked. She suspects that Hindatu kinda have feelings for him then but she doesn't know about now.

Hindatu laughed " well, how long will I be angry for. I accept, I actually loved Faisal and I believed we weren't meant to be. Infact, I've met someone else"

" oh wow! I'm very happy for you "

" Thank you " Hindatu blushed " well kalthum, I need your help "

Kalthum looked at her quizzically " My help? Why? "

" It's about Faisal. He hasn't been picking my calls. I know I caused it after avoiding him for months now. I think he is also trying to repay back. Please help me tell him that I'm very sorry and that Sameer miss him alot "

" uhm, OK? I'll see what I can do about it "

" Thanks alot kalthum, you don't know how helpful that will be for me "

" it's the least I can do "

" Thanks once again"

" Sure. I need to be home now "

Hindatu nodded understanding " Sure. I'll be on my way now "

Kalthum nodded as she watched Hindatu entering the supermarket. She shook her head surprised with the whole thing. She walked to the Main road to get a cab. Lucky for her a cab was already parked at the junction as if waiting for her. She entered first before telling the cab man her direction.

" OK ma "

She quickly raised her head and was surprised to see the man that caused her misery. The same man who was at the hotel with her sister, Basma .

" You? " she almost screamed " Stop the car! I said stop the car! "

His hand gripped the steering wheel seeing as she was busy trying to cause a scene.

" Miss you need to calm down " he told her " I don't mean any harm, Wallahi"

She relaxed a little but still didn't trust him one bit " where are you takimg me? " she asked in fear.

" If it makes you feel better, I'm only taking us to the park around the corner. I need to apologize "

" No! I've heard you. I swear I've forgiven you. Please just let me go " she yelled

The man didn't answer her, instead he speed into the park. Lucky for Kalthum she saw people around which made her mind at rest. At least he won't be able to kidnap her in the eyes of hundred of people, She thought.

He parked the car then released a sigh " Sorry for scaring you like that. I wasn't going to kidnap you miss. All I want is to just have a word with you please."

She stared at him accusingly " OK fine. You keep saying you just want to have a word so start talking ."She got out of the car holding the nylons.

He also got down too " please can we have a seat first ? "

She resisted at first but decided to get it over and done with. They both sat down " please Say what you have to say and please leave me alone. I've no business with you "

He chuckled at her .

She stared at him like he was crazy" you think it's funny? "

" OK I'm sorry. I just want to say I'm very sorry to have caused you alot of trouble. Especially the way my ex wife attacked you "

"Ex wife ?" she was confused " you two got divorced ?"

He nodded " yeah. I totally deserved it I know. I was busy chasing after young ladies when I already have a loving wife who will do anything for me "

Kalthum looked at him for a minute. He should be around the age of 40 or so. His looks is quite OK actually. No wonder Basma went after him.

She snorted " you just realized that now? "

He shrugged " I know it's too late now "

Kalthum heaved a sigh " now that you've said what you want to say. Can I leave now "

" yeah "

A bee fly over to where Kalthum was sitting. She screamed as she tried running away. The man quickly held her hand before she could fall. To others around the place, it'll look as if they were hugging.

She quickly moved away from him " I think I should just leave. Please stay away from me from now henceforth"

He raised his hand in surrender " I will, I promise. I only want to apologize and that's all. By the way, my name is Bashir "

" I want to be sure of something. Were you stalking me or was this meeting a coincidence? "

" I wasn't following you. I saw you entering the supermarket when I dropped a customer then I decided to wait for you"

She looked at him accusingly " How sure am I that you're saying the truth"

" I am, believe me. "

" OK then. So you were a taxi driver all along? " she didn't meant it to come out in a insulting manner.

He scratched his neck " Actually no,I was working in a law firm . After the divorce, everything went down the road for me . I got sacked and didn't have any means for living so I decided to be a taxi driver for the mean time. "

" oh. I hope you'd learnt your lessons"

He nodded his head " I have and I'm a changed man now "

She nodded " Good for you then. I'm heading home now " she turned around to leave.

" Wait!"

" what? " she asked confused

He was nervous " I can drop you home . It's the least I could do since I was the one that brought you here"

She shook her head " you don't need to bother. I'll find my way"

" No please. It will be hard for you to get a cab around here and earlier you mentioned you needed to be home on time. I insist, I will drop you home "

She thought about it for a second. He was right, this place was more like a secluded area and to get a cab here will be hard. She'll have to trek down the street which is very far. Most people here, brought their cars.

But what if Faisal sees her with him?. She was conflicted. The visitors . Right then she knew she should be home already.

" OK fine "

He grinned " perfect "

**

" For Allah's sake Kalthum we've been waiting for you " Umm Rasheed told her as they rushed to the kitchen " where have you been? "

" I'm so sorry Nanny"

" let's just hurry and prepare everything. The visitors are already in their rooms. At least, by the time they finish freshening up, we'll be done. "

They quickly got to work. They were going to prepare, Waina with Miyan taushe . Already,umm rasheed had made the waina mixture since in the morning. It made their work more faster.

***

" I sure praised whosoever made this food. It's so delicious that I think I'll be having waina for the rest of my stay here " Alhaji Tukur joked and the others on the table laughed along.

" All thanks to Umm Rasheed, she is the secret behind this delicious meal" Hajiya Basira told them.

Umm Rasheed also joined them on the table due to alhaji Dantata insistence. She was family too after all.

" Thanks alot for the meal " Alhaji Tukur thanked her

" you've got nothing to thank me for. I only did my job" Nanny said with a calm smile .

Faisal smiles, he loves the attention Nanny was getting. She does deserve it after all the years she's spent with them. She was more like a mother. Sometimes he wish Kalthum was also sitting with them. His gaze wanders to her, he saw her standing together with other maids as they waited for them to finish their meal.

Kalthum caught his gaze. He winked at her and She blushed bowing her head. By the time she raised her head up again, she was met with the piercing gaze of the heiress of Alhaji Tukur. She glared at Kalthum after witnessing what transpired between Kalthum and Faisal.

" Faisal, I was thinking maybe you can show me around town tomorrow " she asked but her eyes were on Kalthum, she was trying to gauge her reaction.

" I have work tomorrow Raihana" Faisal told her then continued with his meal.

She pouted " please "

Kalthum was annoyed from the look of things.

" Young man, help show my princess around town. She is new here " alhaji Tukur said .

" yes son. Atleast ,you might get to know Raihana more. Who knows, you two might end up getting married " Hajiya Basira butts in while the fathers laughed

" but mum, you know I have wo-"

" Son listen to your mother " Alhaji Dantata warned.

Faisal finally gave in,he has no choice. He wouldn't want to be rude in front of Alhaji Tukur.

" OK fine "

" Thanks alot son." Raihana's mom thanked him.

" It's the least I could do "

Habib who was quiet the whole time,turned around to look at Kalthum. He saw her head bowed down. He knew she must be hurting right now. This sure won't end well.