Chapter 14: Chapter 14

The lady was busy shopping while Tehzeeb was following her around with the basket in her hand. After a while Tehzeeb spoke "I'm sorry but please let me get the basket with wheels. it'll be easier for your goods" Tehzeeb said in a polite way as possible

"It's okay, you can get that" the lady responded which made her sigh in relief because she doesn't think the lady will be done any time soon with her shopping. She hurriedly went to pick the trolley basket and returned. "Sorry for wasting your time" Tehzeeb apologised

"It's okay dear" she responded. They walked for a while before the lady spoke up. "What's your name?" she asked from nowhere. Tehzeeb was a little bit taken aback by her question

"My name is Tehzeeb" she responded

"You have a nice name. Your name fits you smoothly, because you're showing the characteristics of your name. Tehzeeb which means Respect, if I'm not mistaken"

"Yeah, you're right" Tehzeeb answered calmly

"That's good. My name is Hajiya Turai and I'm pleased to see you here because you're calm and collective which is good"

"Thank you" Tehzeeb said shortly

"It's alright, just stating the fact and saying the truth" Hajiya Turai said. She continued to shop for a while because she entered every corner in the mall in the name of shopping and made sure she bought something from each section. Hajiya Turai was at the cashier's section paying off while Tehzeeb was bringing out her goods for the cashier to scan it with the computer. When the cashier was done with the calculations Tehzeeb packed the goods inside the shopping bag. Hajiya Turai did the payment and turned to leave while Tehzeeb was holding the shopping bags with her and followed her out to where her car was parked. She fixed everything in the trunk after Hajiya Turai opened it and was about to leave when she called her back. Hajiya Turai brought out some cash from her bag and handed it over to her but Tehzeeb didn't collect it. "I'm sorry Ma, but you don't need to pay me since I am doing my job" Tehzeeb stated

"I know, but not everyone can withstand me in terms of shopping because I know I do take a long time while shopping. So take it as a token of appreciation from me nothing else" Hajiya Turai reasoned. Tehzeeb was about to talk but she beats her to it "Take it my dear I mean no harm" Hajiya Turai said which Tehzeeb reluctantly agreed and collected the money from her

"Thank you ma"

"Oh mention not I'm glad you collected it" Hajiya Turai left and Tehzeeb went back inside and went straight to her Madam's office. Upon arriving she knocked and waited for a reply before she entered inside "Good morning ma" she greeted

"Morning Tehzeeb, how may I help you?"

"The customer that left now gave me some money, so I wanted to let you know" she said not looking straight at Hajiya Kaltumi's face rather she was facing down as a sign of respect

"It's okay Tehzeeb as long as you didn't ask for it, and was given to you by their free will, then I have no problem with that"

"Thank you. I will never ask them for money I promise"

"Then it's okay, you can leave if that's all"

"Yes it is. Thank you" Tehzeeb left with a broad smile on her face. She was happy about the money but didn't count it. She wanted to reach home and show it to her parents before  knowing the amount. She walked back to her duty post to seat with her co workers since they have arrived. She sat down without saying anything to anyone apart from greeting because she was tired for standing long following the woman around. She sat down and stretched her legs out to ease the pain. One of her co worker spoke

"Madam you have not seen anything. If you think you will be following all the people that comes for shopping with their shopping basket in your hand then you will need a stretcher soon" one of her colleague said

Tehzeeb did not respond to her and just sat there on her own and continued to stretch her leg, because if there's one thing she disliked it was unecessary talks, so she kept quiet and pretended not to hear her.

Customers were flowing in and out of the mall but most of them didn't need basket because they were there for one or two things which was easy for them to carry without any assistance. Tehzeeb had that time to rest until a pregnant woman walked in and was struggling a little bit. From the way she was walking one would know she was in her nineth  month or perhaps just had a big baby bump. The woman was sitting at home before she decided to go for a stroll and chose to shop for a while. She was about to pick the basket when Tehzeeb hurriedly walked to her. "Let me help you with the basket and just point at what you want and I will pick it and put it inside the basket for you" Tehzeeb said giving her, her best smile

"Thank you dear. You just saved me from the stress of holding the basket" the woman happily said

"It's okay, it's my duty" with that the woman began to point at what she wanted while Tehzeeb picked it for her and put it inside the basket for her. She finished shopping and was paying her bills while Tehzeeb package it for her. " Thank you for coming" Tehzeeb said

"I'm glad I came, atleast you helped me out. Thank you so much" the woman said with a broad smile on her face

"It's my pleasure ma"  she left while Tehzeeb turned to leave before Binta the receptionist called her name which she turned and went to meet her "you called me" she said immediately she reached Binta's place

"Yes I did. Just wanted to say weldone with your work"Binta said

Tehzeeb smiled before she replies "thank you, but you know that's my work, so no need of telling me weldone"

"I know but, I just felt like because you have been doing your work delightly"

"Yeah, I like the work even though it's a bit stressful by walking up and down, aside that it's okay" Tehzeeb said truthfully

"Alright dear. Keep the good work" Binta flashed her a smile.

"Thank you and same to you. Bye" she said and left without waiting for Binta's respond since she didn't want their boss to catch them chatting while working.

When it's was closing time Tehzeeb bid Binta farewell and left for home. She arrived shortly but her parents where not standing at the door step which she was relieved. She entered with Salam and went straight to the toilet because nature called. She quickly entered and came out after she finished. "Umma I'm back" she shouted

"And why are you shouting? Did I tell you I was deaf or what?" Umma said coming out from the kitchen to see Tehzeeb smiling sheepishly

"Awwn my Umma missed me so much" she said giving her mother a hug

"Welcome dear. How was your day?" Umma asked her

"It's was fine Umma"

"Good go and freshen up and pray before you come out for dinner"

"Alright Umma" she walked straight to her room and went to the bathroom. Immediately she came out from the toilet she performed wudu for prayer. By the time she was through her Baba was already back so she went out with her mini bag and welcomed her father. "Welcome Baba"

"Welcome dear. How was your day?"

"Fine and yours Baba?"

"Fine my dear. Let's eat because am tired and need to retire to bed on time" they all sat down and ate in silence. She quickly packed the dishes and went back to meet her parents before they retired for the day. "Baba I have something to show you both" she said bringing out the money from her bag

"Where did you get all this from?" Baba asked a bit alarmed.

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What do you think? Will Baba allow her to explain or not?

Thanks for the constant vote comments and reads. I really appreciate