Chapter 43: Chapter 43

TWO YEARS LATER.

" I CONGRATULATE Y'ALL ONCE AGAIN." the VP congratulated. He waved at them as he left the stage.

There faces broke into a big smile. They were very happy, happy to be called a graduate. They've all waited for this wonderful and bliss day.

Kalthum hugged her sister like her life depends on it. She couldn't stop the wide smile on her face. She was just too happy for both of them.

" I'm so happy ya Basma!Finally we're now graduates! I can't believe it! "

Basma giggled " I can't believe it too kalthum. Mom would be so proud of us "

Basma should have graduated since last upper year but things didn't go as planned because that was the year she used to work at the Dantata's house, it wasn't possible. Last year, she thought she would be graduating after she finally resumed school,only to be shocked with a carryover.

Since Basma had a carry over in one of her core course last year, so she needed to add another year to be able to pass that course.

The two sisters use that moment to search for there mother in the crowd. They saw her waving and smiling at them. She sure looks like a very proud mother.

" Mom! " they screamed at the same time. They ran to catch up with her.

Immediately ,they hugged her at the same time as they neared her. Aunty Suwayba also hugged them back with same emotion. She teared up instantly.

" My baby girls. I'm very proud of you two, very very"

" Thanks alot mom" they pull away from the hug with the happiness still showing around them.

" You two don't know what this day actually meant to me. You just fulfilled one of my dreams for you and that made me so proud. I'm a very proud mother and thanks to  two of you " aunty Suwayba teared up again.

Basma and Kalthum also wiped up a threatening tear" we'll do anything to make you happy mom. You are all we've got  and this doesn't stops here, we promise to keep on making you proud for the rest of our lifes, inshaa Allah"

Kalthum also nodded in agreement at what Basma said " yes mom"

" Thanks alot"

" Can we finally go and snap the pictures? " kalthum asked eagerly with a pout

Aunty Suwayba chuckle " of course dear"

Basma shook her head at her sister then finally led the way.

**

Habib stared at the mirror for the tenth time today. It's been two good years now since he started dating Basma. He smiled remembering her expression the moment she found out that he was the mysterious guy chatting with her.

Basma almost fainted that day. She never expected that someone like habib was into her ,not even in her slightest dream. Quite alright, she found him handsome but the thought of dating him has never crossed her mind.

Basma punished him by not talking to him after finding out that he was the mysterious guy. She refused to talk to him for two good months. He pleaded but she didn't listen. Kalthum had to finally interfere before basma finally calmed down. After two month of lack of communication , habib had to court her for another one month making it three month of his suffering.

Finally, he now owns her heart and he is very grateful to Allah for that. He loves her alot and ready to take their relationship to the next level which is marriage. The only one delaying is Basma. According to her she want to resolve Faisal and Kalthum's issue before she can finally think of any marriage.

Today which is her graduation day together with Kalthum, habib planned on proposing to her for the second time today. Hopefully, she might say yes. But before he can finally go ahead with his plans, he needs to execute the plan basma shared with him on the phone and that plan is for him to persuade Faisal to also come for the graduation.

" Don't tell me you haven't left?! " a surprised Faisal asked immediately he entered into the sitting room looking fresh as usual. Last night, he just got back from the UK after one year of going. According to him, he needed a break from everything and now that he is back, his break was finally over.

Habib smirk " do you think I'll leave without you? You better go in and dress up, we're going there together "

Faisal groaned " I've told you that I'm not going. It's not by force "

Habib cock a brow " Really?"

" Why must I go? It's not as if I'm even needed anyways "

" Please Faisal, you can't keep on going like this. I really don't understand you two. One of you need to be the bigger person. Someone need to make a move first. Do you think things would work out on it own without any of you doing anything? "

Faisal collapsed on the couch ,he put his head in his hand " After two years, thinking I'll be able to forget her but I couldn't . You of all people should know that she doesn't want to see me. I'm scared of another rejection Habib, I'm scared. Don't forget what she did to me the last time "

" So what Faisal? So what if she walked out on you before ? It's normal with ladies , they love it when a guy chase them around. According to them,it really shows how that guy loves them and if you're giving up now, then that means you never liked her since from start. All your efforts will go to waste"

"I do "

" Then you need to try harder. Giving up won't help anything. Are you trying to throw away all your efforts? Just please do this for the last time and I'm very sure this time around she'll accept you with open arms. Kalthum loves you and I know that "

Faisal reasoned what he said for a seconds " what if_

" Enough with the what ifs! " Habib snapped " enough! Please just go in and dress up so we can finally leave "

" Fine "

***

Aunty Suwayba chuckled at a joke zainab said. Zainab have already passed out since last year and that didn't stop her from celebrating this day with her best friend kalthum.

" ikon Allah! Zainab you won't kill me with your jokes " aunty Suwayba giggles

Basma and Kalthum were busy laughing their heart out.

" You all need to see what I saw " Zainab ended with a smile. She loves the happiness she gives when she see people laughing and loving her jokes.

" we've heard you " Kalthum finally said as she sobered up.

The graduation ground was now left with few people. Some of the graduates left with their family to some restaurant to continue their celebration there.

" What is taking Habib long " Basma muttered to herself . Kalthum who was close to her heard then asked;

" is he coming alone? " she regretted it the moment the words left her lips.

Basma smirked " are you expecting someone to come with him? " she wiggled her brows.

Kalthum blushed " God! No! I was only asking "

Basma cock a brow " just asking? But it doesn't look as if you were just asking "

" Enough ya Basma! " she snapped

" I was only asking "

" Can you please stop it already ya Basma. Can't I ask a question again? " she folded her arms with a pout.

" of course you can, my bad " Basma left her side and went to  join their mom.

Kalthum felt bad for snapping at her like that. Zainab shook her head at her in disappointment.

" you shouldn't have snapped at her like that "

Kalthum groaned " I know I shouldn't. I'm just so frustrated zainab with the whole Faisal dilemma. I'm tired of everything. I'm tired of being so lonely . I'm tired that he left Nigeria without even telling me. I'm tired that I still love him and I want him here right now on this special day with me. I don't even know whether he is back or not. I don't even know whether he still loves me as much as I do. " she teared up.

Zainab immediately became alarmed .she dragged Kalthum to a private place far away from listening ears. she pulled her into a hug.

" But you drove him away kalthum. That man came to you to ask for forgiveness but you kept pushing him away with your excuse of wanting time for yourself "

They pulled away.

Kalthum wiped her tears " I know and now I'm already tired of pushing him away. I want him now. I need him in my life zainab. There is no passing day that I'll not think about him. I love him so much and I don't think I can live without him"

" Oh dear "

" I don't know what to do" she sobbed " every time I see ya Basma with Habib, i always asked myself why can't I also have this kind of moments with Faisal. I always keep on wishing that we were the one and finally when he came to me I kept on driving him away. I just don't understand anymore "

Zainab stood with wide eyes after seeing the figure behind Kalthum. Kalthum who hasn't caught on kept on ranting about her love for Faisal.

" I still love him zainab. I love Faisal and I need him back"

" Oh really? "

Kalthum freeze as she heard that voice. She closed her eyes tightly. Shame washed over her. She opened it once again to be met with Zainab's pleading eyes. Kalthum turned around slowly only to be met with sets of eyes on her. The only one that got to her was the person standing right in front of her. She couldn't take her eyes  off him.

" You're here" she whispered breathlessly

He smiled " in the flesh "

The rest slowly left without interrupting their moment.

" i_i_i_" she tried saying something but  words refuses to come out.

" How have you been? " Faisal asked trying to lighten the mood.

She nodded " I've been good. You? " she fiddles with her nails.

" I've been good too. By the way congratulations to you" he said with a sincere smile.

Kalthum faced the ground wishing  it could swallow her. She felt ashamed that he caught her red handed admitted her love for him to zainab.

" Thanks "

Kalthum stood from foot to foot without knowing what else to say " so you're back from the UK "

He raised a brow " you knew I travelled? I thought you never want anything to do with me " he said that  just to gauge her reaction.

She couldn't look him in the eyes" I never said I don't want to have anything to do with you " she defended

He snorted " Really now ? Have you forgotten how you walked out on me the last time as if I was a shit to you Kalthum. That day I couldn't sleep, I just kept on reminiscing all the words you said to me. I'm tired of the rejection, I'm tired. That rejection was the reason why I left the country, I couldn't bear it "

Kalthum fiddles with her nails. She vividly remember that night.

Flashback

On that faithful day, Kalthum was out of sub( subscription )and she needed it because she had an assignment to do so she needed to buy.

Kalthum took a thousand naira note from her purse. She told her mom where she was going to whom then told her to be back on time because it's about to rain.

She wanted taking an umbrella but decided against it with the hope that she'll be back before it starts to rain.

Kalthum got to the shop and immediately the guy handed her the recharge card. She crossed the road and made her way back home. Upon reaching the front of their gate, Kalthum was surprised to see Faisal's car parked outside the house.

Her plan was to just enter the house without talking to him but Faisal had another plan. Immediately he sighted her, he rushed out of the car to stop her.

" Wait Kalthum "

She glared at him " Faisal please stop this nonsense. I've told you already that I needed time. Don't you understand "

" This isn't fair Kalthum, you keep on saying you needed more time, it's already a year now. When will you not be needing more time? " he was tired of all this excuses of hers." you don't even want to see my face anymore. It's like I irk you or something. I really don't understand you kalthum. One minutes you're angry with me if I didn't come and when I'm finally here, you keep on driving me away like I'm a dog "

" I just need more time " she pressed

He shook his head " just tell me the truth Kalthum. Just say it already, all that you've been wanting to say to me "

Kalthum stared into his eyes in determination. She knew what she was about to say will stop him from looking for her ever again. School was a stress on it own and now that her love life is also a disaster, everything is just so hard for her to handle. She needed to let one go and that one she needed to let go was her love life.

" I don't love you Faisal. I really don't. It irks me anytime I see you. I don't want to see your face ever again. There, you have it "

He stared at her heartbroken " you're lying, I know you are "

She shook her head at him " Then you can believe whatever you want to believe. Infact I'm inlove with someone else, someone who isn't almost ten years older that me atlease " her heart broke as she saw the emotion in his eyes. She hurted him and she knew that. She needed to lie for her own sanity.

" you're lying Kalthum, I know you are. You love me "

The cloud was now entirely dark and it'll rain soon.

" You better go home Faisal. It's about to rain"

" Don't do this to me please. Don't hurt me this way. " he tried holding her hand but she moved away immediately.

" I'm sorry" with that she turned around and went into the house , leaving a heartbroken Faisal in the rain.

End of flash back

She remembered how she pushed him away for the last time. She still remembered the look of  hurt in his eyes. That night,Kalthum new she hurted him badly.

" I'm sorry " she pleaded

" Why did you do it Kalthum. Why did you hurt me that much? "

A threatening tear ran down her face " I'm sorry. I'm was put under alot of pressure at school. The lecturers didn't have mercy. You know how I was left behind and I needed to catch up on everything if not I'll fail the exams. At that time I just didn't want more problems added to what I have on ground and I just decided to do what I did that night. I'm so sorry faisal"

He exhaled loudly " so what about now? "

She stared at him with her red eyes " Excuse me? "

" Won't you drive me away "

Kalthum shook her head " No please don't say that. I was stupid then but I'm not now. I can't make the same mistake again. This time, I want to own up to my problems. Please forgive me faisal for pushing you even though I knew I much you love me. I'm very sorry"

He cracked up " look who is crying like a baby " he joked then slightly poked her cheeks.

Kalthum didn't even know when she let out a giggle in between her cries " you caused it ai"

He gasped " I caused it?"

She playfully glared at him while Faisal burst out laughing.

" you're mean " she pout.

He smirked " but that wasn't what I heard  you telling zainab " he wiggled his brow.

She covered her face shyly

" so you love me? " he asked teasingly

" please stop making fun of me faisal " she whined

" since you don't want me to make fun of you then you need to repeat what you told zainab about your love for me " he wiggled his brows.

She swats his arm " stop making fun of me "

He scoffed " I'll leave since you won't say it " he turned around pretending to leave.

" wait! " she stopped him " I_i

" you what? "

" i_i

" Cat got your tongue? You what? "

She groaned " fine. I LOVE YOU"

He broke into a smile " you what? I don't think I heard you right"

She rolled her eyes " you're insufferable "

He laughed " same as you"

She folded her arms with a pout .

Faisal walks closer to her. He held her hand then pecked it " I love you too "

She blushed deeply.

" Finally! They made up"  Basma squealed

Kalthum and Faisal almost caught of guard with the sudden squeal Basma let out, they look towards her direction only to see Basma standing together with the rest. Aunty Suwayba, Basma, habib, and zainab. They all sent them a smile . Habib thumbs up at the couple.

" We have two weddings to start preparing "

THE END