Chapter ten

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Faisal has been having a rethink of what his brother Habeeb told him. 'You need to get a life. Live for once ' those lines kept echoing in his head. He won't deny that he agreed with Habeeb but how can he get a life when he has so many responsibilities on his shoulders?

First on the list are his sisters. He can't just leave them all on their own and Habeeb is not always around. Although Faisal understood his reasons for all the countless travel. Rasheeda's death did take a toll on him.

He rubbed his forehead tiredly, and the headache is beginning to develop. Why wouldn't it, when he has been thinking since he got here. He closed his laptop and decided to call it a day. Faisal had somewhere to be. That place is just like a second home to him.

He got into his car and off he went. The ride was a thirty minutes ride because of how far the place was from his workplace. He smiled when he took note of the little toddler who was in his mother's arms. He already called that he was coming over to visit.

The toddler already used to Faisal kept jumping in his mother's arm hoping that she would release him so he can crawl over to his uncle Faisal in glee.

" Don't do that Sameer, you'll fall" the mother scolded

Faisal already used to the drama between these two angels, smiles and walks forward to them with two polythene bags in hand.

" Hello, Sameer " Faisal greeted when he was closer to them. He collected the little toddler from his mother's clutch and threw him up and the baby squealed happily already used to this habit of his uncle.

" Welcome Faisal " the Mother greeted with a small smile. She had missed his visits. The young mother understood that he might be too occupied with work.

" How have you been Hindatu? i hope you guys didn't miss me too much? " he wiggled his brows playfully and Hindu blushed

" of course Sameer missed you a lot. Come, let's go inside" she said and Faisal followed sooth as they entered inside.

The toddler wasn't letting Faisal go. He kept grabbing his ear like it was the most interesting thing he has ever seen in this world.

" Sameer! Don't do that! " his mother scolded when she saw what her child was doing to Faisal.

Faisal chuckled " allow the poor boy. I don't mind " he shrugged then took his seat.

Hindatu shook her head " you're spoiling this boy too much. He does things at times that can make one lose their mind "

As if Sameer knew they were talking about him, he let out a small giggle which made the adults st into laughter.

" you see what I told you, " Hindu said as she sobered up.

"Allowtthes still a baby. Don't be harsh on him"

" I know, I'm not " she let out a sigh " Oh Allah, forgive my manners, what can I get you? " she quickly stood up.

" you don't need to bother, I'm OK "

" No, insist "

" Alright then, water will do "

Hindatu smiled and went to bring the cup of water for him. While Faisal engaged himself with the baby.

Upon reaching the kitchen, Hindu broke down in tears. Seeing Faisal right now does remind her of all her mistakes and she regrets everything. The worst is that never abandoned her upon what she had done to him. Why is he this kind, such a man is so rare to find?

She wiped up her tears before Faisal begins to suspect anything as she was taking too long already. She took a glass cup and fetch water from the tap. That's how her life has turned into. She is now a broken record. Her mom does sure reminds her of her mistake each day that passes and it hurts a lot.

Hindatu forced a smile then went to join the two in the living room. She dropped the water on a small stool close to Faisal.

" Thank you"  Faisal took the glass of water and took a sip from it but unfortunately little Sameer wasn't having it, he also wants to have a taste of what was in the cup.

Faisal fed him the water and then drop the remaining one on the stool.

" let me have him, he won't let you rest with all his troubles, " Hindatu told Faisal as she stood up to take the baby from him. Faisal hand over the baby to her.

" it's so nice of you to come to check on us "

" You don't need to thank me. You can always count on me Hindu" Faisal sighed " I haven't seen your mom for a while and she doesn't come over to our house again. I hope all is well with her? " he inquired

Sameer was already asleep on her lap. Hindu fiddles with her nails

" please tell me what is happening? Did something happen that I don't know? Please tell me Hindu"

Her lips tremble" I caused it all. I caused everything "

" Please stop talking like that, just tell me what happened? Where is she? "

" Mom left me. She couldn't bear the shame so she left " she sobbed quietly

" What?! I thought she had forgiven you! "

" so I thought too. There was this day she went to your mansion to see you hoping to surprise you...

" And? " he waited for her to continue

"I'm very sure something happened that day, she was so angry when she got back. There wasn't any insult she didn't lay on me. She was so disappointed and heartbroken "

" she didn't tell you what happened? " he was getting angry now

" No she didn't but I'm very sure she got into a fight with your mom because  she kept saying how much I made her looked like a laughing stock over at your house "

" innalillahi wa Inna ilaihir raging! I never knew about this. "

" I know you don't " she wiped her tears

" but your mom shouldn't have gone just like that. How can she leave you in this house all alone! I can't believe this. "

" I caused it all and I know she would come back, I'm sure she only wants to clear her head " her voice cracked

" Please don't say that. It's in the past now. But why didn't you call to tell me about this happening? " Faisal asked

" I don't want to burden you with my problems. I've done enough already and it's high time I fight these battles myself. "

" Don't you trust me anymore Hindu?"

" I do. I trust you a lot Faisal but I need to stand on my own now. At least, l want to do something good for my child "

" I understand you but still, it isn't easy out there. You need a certificate to get a job. This is Nigeria we're talking about. Please let me help you "

She shook her head " No. I won't let you help, you've done a lot for me and I think it's time I also do something for you. I want to make you proud at least for once please "

He exhaled out of frustration. Hindus can be so stubborn at times " OK fine. But at least let me help you pay your university tuition. I know you stopped when you were in level two. Let me pay for the remaining two years and I promise I'll let you do the rest on your own"

Hindu was still adamant but with so much insistence on Faisal's side, she later agreed to accept his help.

***

Kalthum retired for the day. She felt so drained that she needed a nice sleep. She weakly pushed the door which she shares with her sister.

She met no one in the room. Kalthum noticed that her sister was beginning to spend most of her time with her new maid friend and it's beginning to scare her because of the things she has heard about her new friend. Kalthum shrugged. It's high time she stops disturbing herself cos of her sister. Basma had been avoiding her since the morning and she doesn't even know what crime she had committed.

Kalthum pulled out of her clothes then tied a towel around her body She then went into the bathroom to do her business. She finally came out some minutes later.

She dressed into her nighties then spread the praying mat so she could perform her prayer.

The door got opened but this time around by Basma. Upon seeing Kalthum praying, she rolled her eyes. Always behaving like she is the only one that loves praying, Basma mumbles to herself then moved forward to sit on the bed, and then brought out her phone to press.

Basma smiles as Faisal's name popped up in her Facebook Search box. She sent him a friend request and also followed him on Instagram. Basma was beginning to act like a stalker with the way she stalks him all over social media. Her only hope now is that he accepts her request.

" How was work? "

Basma got frightened to the extent that her phone nearly fell off her hand " don't scare me like that!

" Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. So how was work? "

" fine " she answered uninterestedly

Kalthum sighed " what have I done wrong this time? "

Basma shot her a harsh look " what have I said you did? "

The former scoffed " I don't get why you're always angry with me since we came here. Is this about Sir Faisal? "

" Just shut up already. Why do you always look for trouble? I happily walked into this room but you just had to spoil that happiness with your false accusation "

Kalthum raised a brow" so I making a false accusation? Then tell me why you've been avoiding me all this time? You left me no other option but to think that might be the cause"

Basma knew anger won't bring her closer to Faisal. She exhaled" I'm sorry OK. I don't know what is wrong with me. I just tend to get angry quickly this day. I think it's because I'm on my period "

Upon listening to her apology, quantum smiled " I understand. I also thought so too so how was work today? "

" It was ok. The room doesn't even need much cleaning. Let's just say today was a lucky day for me I didn't do much, you? "

Kalthum heaved a sigh " you're lucky wallahi. You need to see the amount of work I did today. It was just as if sir Faisal was punishing me. I feel so drained. I wish I could exchange with you "

" I wish too" Basma mumbles quietly

" so I noticed you have a new friend " Kalthum wiggled her brows.

" Really?! Are you now stalking me? "

" oh, God. Why is it that you take things so seriously? " she groaned

" you can't blame me. You know how I hate people interfering in my life"

" But I wasn't interfering! I was only asking and I've seen you two outside gisting like you've known each other for ages"

Basma rolled her eyes " she is just a maid just like me and we tend to get along well that's it "

" OK oo"

" That reminds me, have you called mom? She called me earlier asking of you "

" Subhanallah! My phone had been switched off since we got here. I haven't even called zainab either. How stupid of me"

" Thank God you know you're stupid at times " Basma snorts

" hey! I heard you"

" you were meant to hear anyways " Basma shrugged

Kalthum plugged in the charger and connect it with her phone.

" Uhm Basma do you have water over there? "

Basma shook her head " Nope I don't. Except you go to the kitchen to get one "

" ughhh" Kalthum groan " now I have to go to the main house "

" Please bring a bottle for me too" Basma flashed her a smile " thanks"

" I didn't say I was bringing one for you "

" Pretty please...you know I luff your honey bun. The sugar in my t..... "

"Geez, just stop it already. I'll get it for you"

" yay thanks and please as you do that make sure you bring some pack of chips. Two would do"

" you're so annoying " Kalthum groaned then left the room. She hates going there in the night especially now that sir Faisal thinks of her differently. She wouldn't want to give him another reason to suspect her but she is tasty.

She looked toward the parking lot hoping not to see his car and lucky her, the car he used today wasn't there. She quickly ran to the back door and entered through it. She took four bottles of cold water and four packs of chips. She giggled because of how the situation looks right now. If anyone sees her right now they would think she came to steal with how all the bulbs were switched off. She used a touch light instead.

After she was done, she turned around to follow the same door which she came in through but hell was about to get loose when she heard someone clearing their throat from behind. The worst is that the person switched on the light. Her legs were glued to the ground and her eyes wide open.

" it seems your true color is beginning to surface "

Her eyes widened twice their size at the recognition of that voice.

SHE IS DOOMED!!!