Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Basma sobbed quietly on the hospital bed. She has been doing that alot since she landed in the hospital. Her past bad behaviour hunts her alot anytime she think about it . Her mind isn't at rest anytime she remember all she have done and most especially what she did to her own blood sister, Kalthum.

Kalthum

Basma shook her head sadly as her sister's name passed through her lips. Her loving sister, she thought. How she wish she hasn't done all those things to kalthum, how she wish she can reverse time just to correct all her bad deeds. No-one will want a disgrace like her. No one will want someone like her in their life after they know what she has done.

Basma wants to correct everything. She wish everything was easy but it isn't. Finally, she will be heading home today and  she is scared of how Kalthum will face her. The last time they had an argument, it didn't end well. Kalthum refuses to believe that she have changed.

She sniffles quietly . She was emotionally drained. Aunty Suwayba went to get a tricycle so that they can finally leave.

Basma zipped up her bag and left the room to go check  on her mother. Lucky for her, aunty Suwayba was also coming up to call her.

" Mom! Have you stopped a tricycle yet"

Aunty Suwayba nodded " yes dear and he is already waiting downstairs "

" Alright mom. Mom? "

" yes dear "

Basma fiddles with her nails " I know you've spent alot through out my stay here and you've really tried alot for me mom. I truly appreciate it. I also want to let you know that Sir Faisal has paid my salaries. He even paid that of the next three months upon I haven't worked for it "

" Wow, that's really nice of him . I really don't know how to thank that young man enough. He was the one that settled all the bills. Imagine my surprise when the cashier told me. "

Basma smiled " He might have made a mistake before but he is really a good man"

" He is actually " aunty Suwayba nodded in agreement " but I really need to have a serious conversation with him. No matter the money he has, he still hurted my little girl. He still need to be dealt with "

Basma could only hummed

" Let's get going dear before the tricycle man gets tired of waiting "

***

Kalthum was lying on her bed pressing her phone when a message came in. She furrowed her brows because it looks like a message from her bank. She clicked on the message, just for it to open and was shock at what she saw.

Her account have been credited with a sum of one million naira. Her phone flew out of her hand due to the shock. She couldn't believe her eyes. After she was out of the shock, Kalthum took the phone again from the bed to check who must have sent the money. Only for her to see a name she dreaded calling. Faisal Umar Dantata came into view.

Kalthum felt a sudden rage at this. She couldn't believe why he will send such an amount of money to her. Is he trying to bribe her with his money? She thought. She never begged him for money so why would he send her one.

She quickly dialed his number and he picked up in an instant as if he has been expecting her call. Before she could say a word he beat her to it.

" Before you say anything, I promise I'm not trying to bribe you so you can come back to me or something. I only did that because it is the right thing to do"

She scoffed " really Faisal? You called that right thing to do? I never asked you for your money and I don't need it. Send me your account number so I can send it back to you. Did I ever told you that I'm hungry for money "

A loud sigh could be heard from the other side of the phone " please Kalthum don't get me wrong here. I owe you that money. It's your salary "

" Did I asked for my salary? Even if I did, is my salary up to that amount? Look Faisal, I really don't need that money. Please take it back. "

" I can't "

" Yes you'll have to "

" please don't make this harder for me. I'll really love it if  you keep it. Atlease I'll have a rest of mind after all I did to you. I know you're still angry with me but please don't return the money back because it's yours. Just yours kalthum "

She ended the call because she was short of words.

" what am I going to do? " she wondered to herself.

Knock knock

Kalthum quietly got down the bed. She sauntered out of her room to the living room to check who was by the door. Only for her to open it and found her mom and her sister.

"Mom? " she was surprised. She didn't know they were coming back today. All her thought was they will be back tomorrow.

Kalthum moved so they can enter. She avoided Basma's hurt gaze.

" Surprise! " aunty Suwayba squealed as she entered " well, the doctor told us we can finally leave and that we have nothing to worry about because your sister here is now 100% healthy "

Kalthum smiled " well, that's good to know . But mom, you should have called so I can prepare something for you. "

Basma went to sit on the two sitter.

" well dear, it's still not too late right now. You can still go into the kitchen to prepare something nice for us "

Kalthum chuckled and at thesame time went straight up to the kitchen to prepare launch.

***

Faisal has finally settled in. His new apartment was a sight to behold. It's big but not as big as the Dantata mansion. He haven't told his brother habib yet. He wanted it to be a surprise.

Faisal felt bad after leaving the house. He felt bad that he was leaving his two sisters behind after the promise he had made to them. He promised that he'll be there till they get married but now he was going against his promise. Although, hussaina the understanding one understood why he did what he did but as for Hassana, she refuses to talk to him till he left the house.

He stared at his quiet new house. He hummed then went to sit on his comfy cushion. He relaxed his body a little bit. Atleast, he can finally have peace of mind over here.

**

As Habib entered into his parent compound, he knew something was off but couldn't pinpoint what it was. He entered into the main house and was greeted by some maids. He gave them a curt nod.

" is Nanny around? " he asked them

" No sir, she went to the market " one of them answered.

" OK, you may leave" he told them and made his way upstairs.

He went straight to the study room because  Faisal loves staying there whenever he didn't go to work. Habib was surprised to find the study empty. He went to check Faisal's room only to find it empty too . Habib got confused. He brought out his phone to give his brother a call but unfortunately he  heard the screaming of his name.

Hassana ran over to hug him " ya Habib I really missed you"

Habib chuckled " Same here. "

Hassana pulled away " so you've heard too? "

He stared at her confused " heard what? "

" you didn't know?"

" Know what? Talk to me Hassana you're already scaring me. Did something terrible happened? "

She heaved a sigh " Ya Faisal has finally resigned. He's no more working at the company and the worst of it all is that he has moved out of the house "

" He did what?? "

" Yes ya habib, he moved out already"

Habib couldn't believe his ears " why didn't anybody call to tell me."

" I thought he must have told you. I didn't know that he didn't "

Habib paced round in worried " but do you know where he is right now? Infact don't worry I'll give him a call. "

" OK "

Habib nodded " where are they? Mom and dad? "

" In their living room"

" just wait for me here. I'll be back in a minute."

**

" I can't believe I've missed your cooking alot. Have I ever told you that you're the best cook? " Aunty suwayba praised Kalthum as she finished her food.

Basma chuckled a bit which does actually surprised Kalthum. Kalthum thought she was going to be jealous or something.

" Haba mama, are you trying to pull my legs? "

" oh you think I'm joking?ask Basma and see whether I'm lying or not. She witnessed how I Kept complaining about the hospital food and missed yours." aunty Suwayba told her then turned to look at Basma. " is that not true? "

Basma who is now the center of attention answered " ye_s" she stuttered out

Kalthum could only raise a brow at Basma's new behavior, she now behaves like a good girl.This is new.

" you see,Hope now you believe me?"

" Mom I know you're pulling my legs." Kalthum shook her head then smiled a little.

" uhm, I'll be heading to my room now " Basma excused herself.

After she was far from listening ears, aunty Suwayba faced her youngest daughter with a stern look.

" Why didn't you try asking about her health? "

Kalthum shrugged " it feels strange talking to her. I just don't understand "

" I know dear but please try to forgive her. She has already admitted that she was wrong. I just want to see my two babies happy again. " she heaved a sigh " I hate the way things are right now dear"

Kalthum rubbed her face " I know mom. I'm also doing my best and you know it "

" yes dear. I understand, I really do"

Kalthum sighed . After a while the money Faisal sent to her came to mind.

" Mom you can't imagine what happened before you two came in "

Aunty Suwayba sat appropriately on the chair " what happened? "

" It's faisal"

" What did he do again? "

Kalthum hand over her phone to her mom so she can see it for herself. First, aunty Suwayba couldn't believe her eyes.

" He sent you this amount of money? " she asked with mouth wide agape

" yes mom. Imagine my surprise too"

" but why would he do that? I just hope it's not what I'm thinking? "

Kalthum smiled as she understood what her Mother meant " well be rest assured mom, he said he wasn't trying to get me back with the money. According to him, it's my salaries for the months I've worked at his house "

" But still dear, it's too much. We need to send it back to him "

" He refused it mom. He said he won't accept it if I return it "

Aunty Suwayba raised a brow " really? "

Kalthum nodded " yes "

" So you'll keep it then? "

Kalthum smiled then shrugged " I guess so"

Aunty Suwayba hummed softly. " That man keeps on surprising me day by day. Did you know he actually paid off the hospital bills for us "

" He did what?? " Kalthum almost screamed " but why would he do that? "

" He did us a favor Kalthum and it's best we thank him for that but that doesn't mean I've forgotten what he did to you. How he hurted you. "

" He still need to be scolded for that and I thought of meeting up with him tomorrow. I really need to set things straight "

" Mom you really don't have to"

" it's my job as a mother dear. If I don't do it now I'll regret doing that later "

" Whatever you say " Kalthum said then stood up and stretched her body "  I'm heading to my room now "

" Alright dear and please think  about what I said about your sister"

" I will mom" Kalthum replied then went up straight to her room.

She went to the bathroom to perform wudu and when she was out she was surprised to see Basma sitting on her bed waiting for her.

" Basma? "

Basma quickly got up " I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have entered your room like this "