7

Tehzeeb woke up with headache because she couldn't sleep throughout the night. After praying she didn't have the strength to check on her parents so she lay down to rest for a while maybe the headache might reduce

Umma finish her morning azkar and she have not seen Tehzeeb so she got worried and decided to check on her daughter because it's unlike her. She walked to Tehzeeb room and saw her laying down

"Inallilahi Tehzeeb. What happened to you? Why are you like this?" Umma asked her in one breathe

"Umma don't stress yourself so much. It's just a magrin that's all" She said to her mother in a low voice

"Don't say that. Look at the way you're laying down and you're telling me it's just magrin. Wait. What did you do through out last night?" Umma question

"Nothing Umma"

"Nop, you can't tell me nothing. Don't tell me you were worried about what transpired between your father and Mallam Ilaro" her mother asked looking at her face to see her daughter's reaction

"Umma, it's not what you think"

"Then tell me what is it I should think. Tehzeeb" she called "don't stress yourself over this kind of issues. We are your parents. We are the ones to be worried about you not the other way round. All you have to do is to face your studies don't mingle in our affairs especially that of your Baba's own"

"Am sorry Umma. It's just that I don't want anything to happen to you both. I can't forgive myself if Mallam Ilaro take Baba to the police station" she said tears streaming down her face

"My dear nothing of such will happen. Have trust in your father and have faith in Allah. His not asleep and he will not forsake us when we need him most. Please daughter forget about the issue and don't allow your father to get a whiff of your predicament if not you know the rest"

"I know Umma and have heard you. I won't stress myself anymore"

"Good. Don't you have lectures today"

"I do Umma, but I don't think I can make it to school today"

"Sorry dear. Get some rest"

"Thank you Umma. I love you"

"I love you to dear" Umma said and left Tehzeeb room to do the morning chores

After Umma left her room she sighed and lay down again. She was thinking of a way to help her parents out so she decided to go out and look for a work even if it's pays a little atleast she will be able to help them. But she don't think her idea will be welcome by her parents, because they will not allow her to work under anyone. She's there prestige and anything that will make someone look down on her or bring any form of insult to her will never be welcome by them, but she have decided to give it a try. She slept off without knowing.

Tehzeeb slept for a while and was just waking up when she heard voices outside her room

"Umma let me check on her" the voice said

"Okay. It's time she wake up because she have not eaten" Umma reply. From the voice Tehzeeb already know who was talking to her Umma so she just sit upright from her laying position

"Oh God. Your damn lucky. I intended to smack you so hard till you wake up"

"Wicked soul. I know from the start that you don't love me Khady" Tehzeeb said frowning and pouting

"Ehw, Baby of the house. Yes I love you, that's what you want to hear" Khady said hugging Tehzeeb

"Awwn love you more" Tehzeeb hug her back

"Didn't see you in school which was unlike you, so I decided to check on my precious friend. Umma told me you had a magrin. How are you feeling now?" Khady said with concern

"Alhamdulillah I feel better now"

"That's good to hear. Lucky you the lectures didn't hold today"

"Like seriously?" Tehzeeb asked feeling a bit at eased

"Yes dear. There was a meeting so the lecturers couldn't come"

"Oh mashallah atleast I don't have to worry about missing any lecture"

"Judge bush daughter. So tell me what wrong with you. You don't look good and don't tell me it's the magrin because I won't take that from you, so you better spilled it out" Khady said waiting for Tehzeeb to start explaining. Tehzeeb knows there was no way out because if she didn't tell Khady she won't leave her alone and moreover they know each other secrets

"Hummm am sorry dear. I know how you feel. So what will you do now because I don't think Umma and Baba will allow you to work" Khady said

"I know but I have to convince them. I will try and talk to them. I pray they should allow me"

"I pray they do. I can help you look around and see if I can get you a place to work in"

"Oh I will be glad if you do that"

"Don't worry"

"Thank you Kawa"

"Mention not. Oh wait. What did you think about the shopping mall close to our side. There pay is good and the owner of the shop is nice"

"Humm I don't know. Let me talk to Umma and Baba first but you can still ask if there's vacancy"

"Alright then. Let me get going I want to be at home before magrib"

"Okay let me see you off"

"It's okay dear. You need to rest"

"Yes Doctor. But I will see you off" Khady was about to talk when Tehzeeb beat her to it "no but or if. Let's me just escort you and that's Final"

"Oh! On a second thought are you sure you didn't fake the magrin" Khady said smiling which Tehzeeb hit her "you're such a bully" Khady whined which Tehzeeb smiles

"That's the spirit girl. Atleast I got to see your smile before I leave"

"You're not serious"

"Oh I am. Since I arrived you didn't look like your normal self which bothers me. I don't like seeing you worried and sulking around"

"Thank you Khady. Am glad to have you as a friend and sister"

"Don't make me feel emotional dear. What are friends and sister for. Let me bid Umma farewell before I leave" they both walk to Umma room

"Umma am leaving already" Khady said

"Eat with us first"

"No Umma. I want to be at home before magrib"

"That's good and thoughtful of you. My regards to your Ammi"

"She will hear" with that Tehzeeb escort her and returned back home after Khady have gotten a cap to take her home

Tehzeeb have not said anything to her parents yet. She have decided to tell them after there dinner so she won't stop her parents from enjoying there meal. She perform wudu to pray Isha prayer. She sat on her praying mat for a while before she stand up and walk to her parents room.

"Welcome back Baba"

"Thank you dear. How's your health now?"

"Alhamdulillah Baba"

"That's good to hear" with that they all  sit in silent for a while before Baba talked when he notice how Tehzeeb was fidgeting with her hands which only means she have something to say but couldn't so he spoke

"Diyata" Baba called her which she raised her head before lowering her head down again " I know you have something to say. Feel free and talk to us we are your parents" Baba finally said.

"Hummm dama" she stammered

"It's okay. Say what you want don't be shy or afraid. Feel free to talk" Baba said encouraging her to speak

"Humm. Iwanttostartworking" she said in one breathe

Baba Chuckled "we don't get you, unless you're mother get what you said" Baba said looking at Umma

"No I don't. Because she didn't even breathe. I don't get what she said" Umma reply

"Come again dear and talk the way we will get what you're saying" Baba encouraged

"Baba, Umma" she called and sigh before she continues "I said I want to start working" she said finally waiting for her parents reply but got none so she raised her head to check her parents reaction which she saw them looking at her without any reaction on there faces. The silence was killing her because she knows it's was calm before the storm

_____________________________________

Will her parents agreed to her request or not?

Jum@ Kareem and Happy Sallah In Advance