6

She did as she was told before going out to join her parents to eat

"My daughter. How was the lecturers" asked Baba Mallam Audu

"It was fine. Alhamdulillah" replied Tehzeeb

"That's good. May the Lord see you through"

"Ameen Baba" with that they ate there food in silence. Tehzeeb pack the dishes to the kitchen before she performs wudu and enters her room.

She was not in the mood to go out to gist with her parents today, because if she does then they will know that something was bothering her which she don't want them to know.

"Tehzeeb dear. Aren't you coming out?" Umma asked from outside her room

"No Umma. I want to go through my books first"

"Oh dear. You need to rest. It's not been long you came back from school and you want to read again. Let's your brain rest for a while"

"Hummm" she sighed before she replies "Okay Umma have heard you. But I don't think I can come out now. I need to rest"

"It's okay, you need the rest. Goodnight dear"

"Night Umma" she replied resting her head on her ramshackle bed. She was turning from side to side because sleep couldn't come and she was still bothered of how to tell her parents. She was like that before she slept off without knowing.

Having eight o'clock lecture was not fun nor easy especially when you know the lecturer must attend the class and might write test which makes you to hurry up to school. That's the situation in which Tehzeeb was. She didn't sleep on time yesterday night and slept again after her fajir prayer while Umma didn't have any idea of her having eight o'clock lecture. Now she's running up and down to get dressed so she won't be late because she knows Professor Dennis will surely come to class. That man don't missed his class for anything.

She arrived before eight and hurriedly entered the class but was glad Prof. Was not there already. She saw Khady and walk to her because she saw an empty seat by her side.

"Babe. Why are you late?" Khady asked her immediately she was by her side

"Hummm I slept off walahi"

"That's unlike you. What happened are you sick?" Khady said concerned

"Geez Khady. Am not sick just couldn't sleep on time that's all"

"Are you sure?" Khady asked raising her eye brows

"I am, trust me. Was just reading that's all" Tehzeeb defended

"Well if you say so. But if I find out you're hiding anything from me. You know the rest" Khady threatened

"Yes ma" Tehzeeb said saluting Khady in a playful way. They talk for a while before Prof.Dennis entered the class

"Today we are going to talk about Meat Science. So who can tell me about Meat" Prof said waiting for one of the students to speak up.

Tehzeeb raise her hand "Go on. Tell me what you know about Meat"

"Meat is a soft part of an animal body with the expectation of feace's and bone. Meat also comprises of skeletal muscles, Gastro-intestinal tract and Reproductive system" Tehzeeb answered

"Good. That's was an excellent explanation. You know I recall when my grandmother will give us meat 😂😂 that's days were so sweet" he said laughing.

He continues to talk about everything and nothing until the time was over before he left the class.

"Oh! Prof" Khady sighed " He Can talk non stop if we let him" complained Khady

"Yeah he talks alot but you enjoyed his lectures" Tehzeeb said smiling

"I do. But his always talking about his grandmother. Everything my grandmother this my grandmother that. I wonder when he will say his mother did these or that"

"Hahaha" Tehzeeb laugh "you're not serious. Leave that old man alone Khadija"

"Have heard you. Let get going before Bagere will enter the class and humiliate us"

"Don't worry we won't be late" they both walk together to the class holding there hands

"So as I told you earlier before about the excurtion have come to a conclusion about how much each and every one of should would pay. Each person will pay the sum of ten thousand naira. Hope that's clear. The payment should start next week we have no time to waste" Bagere informed them before leaving the class since he was through with his lectures

"I don't know what wrong with this man. You didn't tell us where we're going and his telling us already to pay ten thousand naira like money is been plug from tree" Khady the complainer said

"I don't know when you will start leaving the lecturers alone"

"Oh! Don't worry not now. I will not stop any time soon unless they change"

"Allah shiryaki (May Allah change you)"

"Ameen. It's a prayer. Let's go home am famished"

"Foody" Tehzeeb tease her

"Thank you. As long as I will get what I want no problem. You can call me whatever you want" she replied smiling.

Tehzeeb was worried about the amount Bagere said but decided to let her parents know keeping it away from them will change nothing and she have no one apart from them. So  She made up her mind that if she reach home she will inform them.

Upon arriving at home what she saw couldn't even allow her to speak

"Audu I need my money. Am tired of your excuses all the time" the man said

"Mallam Ilaro I promised to pay you back. Give me from now till next week, I will personally bring it to you" Mallam Audu Tehzeeb father said

"Oh! I won't take that again. Now or police station" The man Mallam Audu called Mallam Ilori said.

Upon hearing police station Tehzeeb surged quickly to Mallam Ilori's front and kneel down

"I beg you in the name of Allah don't report my father to the police. We promised to pay next week In Sha Allah. But Dan Allah (because of Allah) let's not involve the police" Tehzeeb plead still on her knees

"Hummm" Mallam Ilori sighed "have heard you and will not get the police involved but if it exceed the time you said. Am sorry to say but I will surely involve police"

"Thank you. We will not disappoint you and we will not exceed next week" Tehzeeb said. Mallam Ilaro left without giving them a second glance. Mallam Audu rush to her daughter's side

"Am sorry" before he could continue Tehzeeb hug him "it's okay Baba. I know you don't have it but the Lord we serve is not asleep. He doesn't burned a soul with what he couldn't carry. Everything in life is a test from Allah. And we shall overcome it by his will and support. So don't think much about it. Let's just pray for the best" Tehzeeb said to her father in a soothing voice

"Am blessed to have you as my child. You're more than everything every parents would pray for. May Allah continue to bless you my child"

"Ameen Baba" with all of these going on Umma was to weak to even console her husband. They don't want there daughter to find out about all there sufferings but today she witness it

"Umma" Tehzeeb called "are you okay? What's wrong?" She asked her mother

"Nothing dear. Just a slight headache"

"Oh sorry. You need to lie down and rest for a well. I think it's will be better that way"

"Okay. Go and freshen up. Your food is in the kitchen"

"Okay Umma. Let's go to your room first" with that she held her mother's arm and gently guide her inside the room.

She went to freshen up and pray. She couldn't eat. Everything that happened not long ago was just coming back to her mind. How can she tell her parents now when they have alot to worry about. She was no longer bothered about the excurtion again. What was more important to her was how to raise the money her father was owing Mallam Ilaro because she can't afford to see her father being humiliated. When she see that seating down will not solve the problem she went to perform wudu and start praying to her lord

*********

Another Banga. From frying pan to fire

What's going to happen now?

Thank you all for reading.

Vote

                                        Mrs Zeeekadir