Chapter twelve

Recap

" of course she will leave! " Faisal said

" NO ONE IS LEAVING "

Heads turn towards the door where the owner of that booming voice was standing. " no one is leaving " Habeeb repeated

Present

Faisal glares at his brother " just stay out of this Habeeb. This has got nothing to do with you"

Habeeb took a long stride towards them. He spare a glance at Kalthum who also is surprised to have a second supporter. His gaze then met that of his brother's angry ones " I meant what I said faisal"

" What is this to you?You don't even know why we're sending her packing and the funniest of all is that you only got to meet her for the first time in the study room!. It's not like you've known her before so please explain why you're standing up for her, I don't get it " a confused Faisal stated

Habeeb's released a calming breath " I know this have something to do with the video clip but that aside, please don't send her packing "

" Why shouldn't I?" Faisal glared challengingly. Even Kalthum and Nanny were also eager to know his reasons. Habeeb have never stood up for a maid before, so why is this different?

Habeeb was clearly aware of the eyes on him. His gaze met that of Kalthum's again trying to see if truly she doesn't remember him. Her expression gave nothing away ,she stood looking confused like the others.

" Go on we are all ears" Faisal snapped him out of his thoughts " and please don't tell me you're one of her clients because that will be another reason why she should leave. " Faisal heard a loud gasped beside him and he knew whose it was but he doesn't care.

" Look I just think we all need to calm down. " Umm rasheed finally interfere. But she wouldn't deny the fact that she wants to know habib's reason for not driving the poor girl.

" No nanny he needs to say it. The more I know about his reason the more I know who this prostitute girl is and how harmful she might be in this house. You all know that I hate when I'm being told what to do so Habeeb needs to let us all know whether he was also one of her clients" Faisal vent out " wouldn't be surprised to know that anyways "

Why is he getting angry?, Faisal's inner self scolded.

Habib wasn't even bothered by his brother's abusive words, he took it calmly. Infact he gave a small smile and said " this is between Kalthum and I . If you don't want her as your maid I think  it's my cue to make her my maid then. What do you think BROTHER? "

" PLEASE you two should stop all this drama" umm Rasheeed couldn't take it anymore " Habib you can't just come in acting like a Samaritan without giving us all an explanation. We both know that you don't know Kalthum so why are we all making a fuss about all this. This innocent girl is already scared of getting sacked but now, you all are already adding more sauce to her problems "

Faisal rolled his eyes " Really nanny? You still believe that this girl is innocent?Why can't all of you just let her leave. Just look at us for instance, she is already causing a rift without lifting a finger. What more should we expect from her. Let her leave and her sister will stay. After all, she is the one we're having a problem with not the sister "

" No Faisal, I think you are the only one having a problem with her not us so please speak for yourself " Habeeb retorted . The two brothers stood glaring at each other.

" In my study room now " Faisal commanded his brother and left. The latter knew not to disobey, it's no like Habeeb was going to lose anything if he doesn't obey but out of his respect for his brother so he complied.

Immediately Faisal entered into his study he was beyond pissed with his brother. How dare him defy him in front of a maid, a prostitute, that little thing. He was pissed beyond words.

Habib came in few minutes later and already knew what to expect.

" What the hell is that all about " Faisal lashed out

" you need to calm down Faisal,okay"

" don't tell me to calm down when you're the reason for my anger. What is this to you Habeeb?is this one of your games? "

" God no. I think I should apologize for my actions, so I'm truly sorry Faisal " Habeeb said and went to take a seat comfortably

The way Habeeb took everything calmly, infuriated Faisal the more. He blew out a breath then went to take a seat too.

" Talk"

" she is someone I know " Habeeb started

" please don't tell me you're one of her clients." Faisal said expecting the worst.

" WHAT?! God no!. I'm not. Atleast not in that way " he was shocked Faisal sees him like that

" Then what do you mean by you know her? I don't understand and you are making it hard for me to understand "

" Do you remember the good Samaritan I once told you about, the one that helped donate a blood for Rasheeda?

Faisal already hating where this is going " the one that flee not taking a penny you mean? "

" yes " Habeeb nodded with a smile " it's Kalthum, the maid"

Faisal's eyes were wide open " are you sure about that? Bu-t but how comes she doesn't act like she knows you? "

" MY guess exactly, I don't know either. She doesn't seems to remember me "

" now I get your strange behavior towards her but that doesn't mean she is someone we can trust. For all we know she could be here to steal from us because I don't understand why someone who helped your wife will just vanish in thin air and two years later, she'll be back working in this house pretending as if she doesn't even recognize you? Don't you get it all suspicious? "

Habeeb shook his head " why do you expect  the worst from that girl? It's not like she has done something wrong to you then why do you find it hard to give her a chance. A chance to prove herself worthy of working here? "

" That stupid thing dares to raise her hand on me. She slapped me in the face can you believe that! "

" She did what! "

" imagine my surprise too"

Habeeb burst out laughing " now I get why you don't want her to stay. She is a fierce one I see"

" This isn't funny man. Stop laughing. It irks me enough that Nanny wants her to stay and now you also want her to stay. I hate the triumph look I see in her eyes. She is just a maid for Allah's sake." Faisal vent

" Then what is so bad about her being a maid? " Habeeb's ask with a brow raised.

" it's not just about her being a maid" Faisal said defeated

" then what about her? "

" I hate trouble and you know that Habeeb. Ever since I set my eyes on that girl she brings nothing but trouble to me. I don't need more troubles to the once I already have ,which is why I want her to leave. You and nanny might not believe me but I just know that I don't want her close to me or my family "

" Bro, I think you're just over thinking things. She might be a good girl if we all try to know her. This is why I said you should live a little. I think all the office work is getting a hold on you. Let's give her a chance "

" I still don't trust her"

" so does this means she stays? " Habeeb asked with a wide smile

Faisal rolled his eyes " I never said so. First I'll like you to confront her about you two knowing each other. I want to know how she would react and respond "

" Sure, infact I'm doing that right now. The earlier the better . I think I should leave now " Habeeb stood up

" please tell nanny I want to have a word with her "

" Sure  " Habeeb said and left to join the two ladies in the living room.

***

With sweaty hands, Kalthum wiped the sweat developing on her forehead. She wasn't claustrophobic but everything is just getting to her and she feels as if she is in more trouble when Sir Habeeb told her he wants to have a word with her. Her racing heart isn't helping at all.

Now they where in the smaller living room where no one can interrupt them. She clasped her hand together and sat down base on Sir Habeeb's order

" you don't need to be scared Kalthum " sir Habeeb assured. As if that would lessen her racing heart .

She took in a deep breathe which didn't go on notice by Habeeb.

" Do I make you scared? " he asked teasingly

" ye-NO! no sir" she doesn't trust her voice

" ya Allah. Kalthum please don't make me look like a bad person, please try to calm yourself. I'm not here to reprimand you. I just want to ask you some few questions, I promise "

" OK sir " she nodded fidgeting with her finger

" So, I'll like you to look at my face now Kalthum "

Kalthum who had her head down raised it up to meet his eyes "uhm? "

" Don't you think we've met before? Apart from yesterday of course? " Habeeb started while Kalthum shook her head

" No sir I don't think so"

" are you sure about that? Have you forgotten the woman whom you helped two years ago at the hospital. The one you kindly donate your blood to even though you'd never met before and you took off immediately not saying a good bye to anyone. Do you remember now? "

Kalthum let out a loud gasp " a-re y-ou, sh-e i-s oh Allah!"

Habeeb gave a sad smile " from your expression I can see that you've remembered "

" oh Allah I can't believe that I don't even recognize you " she felt bad " how is she? Your wife I mean? "

" she's gone "

"Subhanallah! I'm so sorry sir for your lost. "

"No,you don't need to apologize. It was meant to happen anyways. "

" so sorry sir"

Haabeeb chuckled "I've told you already, you don't need to apologize. For a minute i thought my good looks was hard to forget" he tried lightning the mood which he successfully did, clearly seeing the smile lingering on her lips.

"  but how come you took off like that the other day without even saying a goodbye to anyone? "

" I received a call from home saying I should be home as soon as possible. I wanted bidding a good bye but was caught in the moment of haste. I remember you were with a friend that day sir, sorry if I might be intruding "

" of course not you aren't" he shook his head " infact I like that you're already behaving freely with me "

" oh" she blushed this time around

" if I may ask Kalthum, at the hospital i never pegged you as a maid. You looked well off so what changed? "

She took her time before answering " I lost my father"

***

After the talk Kalthum had with sir Habeeb, she was excused to go back to her room and he assured her that she wasn't going to lose her job. He seems kind unlike his brother Sir Faisal.

Knowing that the lady she helped two years back hurts alot. She can't imagine what sir Habeeb might have gone through. She sighed and lay flat on her bed gazing at the ceiling.

" Look who we have here " Basma annoying voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She groaned quietly then decided to sit upright

" what do you want now? As far as I can remember you weren't sent packing so please don't disturb me right now, SISTER" kalthum sneered. She wasn't one with a rude behavior but remembering what her sister had told her about what would happen to her if she got sent away angers her to the core.

" how dare you talk to me like that " Basma jumped on her like an angry tigeress. She slapped Kalthum on the face twice ,which was definitely going to bruise .

" I'm your elder sister and you don't get to speak to me in that manner " she pushed Kalthum

Kalthum eyes shines with unshed tears " what has gotten over you Basma? What have I ever done to deserve this? "

" seriously! You're asking me that?! You annoy me so mush bitch"

" we are siblings for Allah's sake Basma, you were never like this before. just because I didn't retaliate doesn't mean  I'll let you slap me next time. You've lost the last ounce of respect I once had for you. " she got down from the bed to leave the room.

" come back here I'm not done with you " Basma held her arm in a tight hold

" let me go" Kalthum wrench her arm out of her sister's grip " next time you try this with me I promise you ELDER SISTER,  I won't hesitate to give you the taste of your medicine " Kalthum sneered. Seeing the expression on Basma face gave her the satisfaction she wanted. She then left the room and made sure to bang the door behind her.

Basma was shocked beyond belief . Did Kalthum just threatened her?