Chapter 17: Chapter 17

One can strike fear only when he fears nothing or has nothing to lose

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Everything was going smoothly for Tehzeeb between her school and her work place. The only disturbance she had was that of her father's Debt because the two weeks that was given to them by Mallam Ilaro was fast approaching which she didn't want him to come and cause a scene in their house, so she decided to ask her father how much he was actually owing Mallam Ilaro. She was praying that her salary would be paid before the two weeks came. "What are you thinking that you didn't hear your name?" Umma said approaching Tehzeeb

"I'm sorry umma, I was lost in thoughts" She replied dryly

"And what could you be thinking of with so much intense that you couldn't hear me calling your name?"

"It's nothing serious. Don't bother yourself"

"That's it spill it young lady" Umma said going close to her daughter to sit with her "tell me dear, don't keep anything from me I'm your mother"

Tehzeeb sighed "Umma it's about Baba's Debt"

"And what happened to his Debt?" She questioned

"I don't know. The two weeks is fast approaching and I've not been paid"

"Don't stress yourself too much my dear, Allah is in control"

"I know but what if?"

"Always think of the positive way, not what if. Have trust in your Lord, he will see us through"

"I know but do you know how much Baba is owing Mallam Ilaro, so I could know how much is remaining"

"Hmm" Umma said before she spoke "I don't know my dear. I can't really say this is the amount but I know it's a hug amount since he used it for his business"

"I just wish I knew how much is it"

"Even if you know, what will you do?" Umma question

"Nothing but atleast I should know what we're dealing with here. Mallam Ilaro can do anything to get his money back and I'm afraid"

"He will not do anything. I heard your baba saying he had some money with him that he will go and give him before the two weeks ends so he could  ask him for some weeks again"

"I think that money is much. I just wish I know how much I would be paid, then I won't stress myself over this issue"

"You chose to stress yourself dear. Keep your mind at ease and everything will be okay. Don't ask your father about the money he's owing Mallam Ilaro, you know how he acts sometimes. Let him handle his problems"

"Okay Umma I promise not to ask him"

"That's good of you. Now get up and go and perform wudu, it's time to pray"

"Alright Umma" and they both stood up and went to perform ablution for prayer

Immediately they both finished praying they came out of their rooms.

"Umma what's for dinner?" Tehzeeb asked her mother

"I don't know what to cook. Anything you decide is okay" Umma answered

"Okay. Let me just cook couscous and veggies"

"It's okay. Bring the pepper and onion let me help you with that"

"Leave everything to me I will do it. Just sit down and let's gist"

"I don't have any gist, unless you will gist me" Umma said while Tehzeeb entered the kitchen to make the fire before she coming back to sit with her mother.

"That reminds me Umma. It's been long you visited Mama, she has been asking of you all the time" Tehzeeb said cutting the onion in her hand

"You're right dear. It's been long I visited her that am even ashamed to see her"

"Don't worry Umma. I told her you always send your regards and that you will soon visit her"

"Oh thank you dear. I will try my possible best to visit her this weekend then we will come back together when you're through from work since it's close"

"That's a nice idea. She will be excited to see you"

"I know! How is her health now. I hope there's improvement with that her leg"

"Toh Alhamdulillah. It's just better than before if not the improvement is not that much, but with time everything will be back to normal"

"I hope and pray so. It's been long I saw Khady hope you girls have not started that your cat and rat quarell?"

"We're now big girls Umma. We no longer do that, we're grown ups already"

"I pray so. Go and check the fire so you can start cooking on time. Your father will soon be back"

"Don't worry Umma. It's couscous and it's does not take much time, before you know I will be done"

"As you wish" they continued to gist till Tehzeeb was done cooking and Baba walked in.

"Guess you're having a nice time without me" Baba said walking inside the compound

"Welcome Baba" Tehzeeb greated

"Thank you my dear"

"Welcome Mallam" Umma said

"Thank you Matan Mallam (Mallam's wife)" Baba said with a smile on his face. "Let me go and pray in the masjid. Just want to check on you both before I entered for prayers" Baba said dropping the leather in his hand and went out to the masjid for prayers. Umma and Tehzeeb arranged every where before they performed ablution to pray.

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"Khady are you sure you want to go for this tailoring class" Khady's mother asked

"You worry too much. I'm the one that said I will do it, then let it be" Khady responded

"I hope you don't go there and start complaining"

"I will not, can't you trust me for once?" Khady said not liking how her mother was viewing things

"Don't blame me. You don't like being bossed around, which is so uncalled for. As far as you want to learn you must be bossed around"

"Okay fine. I've heard you. I will not complain so please drop that issue already"

"I don't even know how you mingle with people in school, no wonder you are always together with Tehzeeb who will like to be friends with you when you get angry easily. This your hot temper is not a good thing and it will not take you anywhere, you're a lady and a day is coming that you will go to your husband's house. Is this how you will go and be misbehaving with your husband?" Mama asked Khady

"Oh God mama, why bringing the issue of husband's house now, from tailoring to husband's house"

"Well I can't help it. I'm just looking out for you. You can't continue like this you need to control your temper. Some husbands can be bossy, try to endure it now before it's too late" Mama adviced

"I promise to try, but you have to help me with prayers too"

"I'm always doing that my dear"

"Good, let's talk about something else. How are you feeling now?"

"Alhamdulillah it's much better than before, with time I will heal"

"You will, by Allah's grace. Tehzeeb said I should great you"

"I'm answering, hope she's fine"

"Yes she is let me go and prepare the dinner. It's getting late"

"Okay, if you need my help let me know"

"Don't worry I got it covered". Mama and Khady are always like that, just like sisters always arguing and shouting at each other. Whenever mama tries to tell her the truth about her attitude of not being bossed around Khady always gets angry, she doesn't like her mother's constant reminder of her temper, so it always turns the other way round but they always get settled in the midst of all the argument again.