Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Hajiya Kaltumi could not drive by herself so it was her driver that drives them to Tehzeeb's house since that's where Aisha's corpse was taken too.

Upon there arrival Gogo Ramatu started crying again more than the previous one she was crying in the hospital, because Mallam Audu asked her to come her bath her daughter for the last time

(Indeed death is inevitable and there's nothing in this world. Islamically there are three types of bath in this world. Firstly, the bath taken when you were born. Secondly, the bath taken when you're getting married and thirdly the bath taken when you're dead. And all these bath is not taken by our own hands, rather taken by others for us. May Allah forgive us all)

Gogo Ramatu could not control her tears so Mrs Habiba and Hajiya Kaltumi walk close to her with tears in there eyes "you have to take heart and bath her. I know it's not easy but this will be her final bath in this duniya(life), so please endeavor to do this for her" Mrs Habiba said in tears

"Please get hold of your self Gogo Ramatu, I know how you feel but know that Allah loves her more than we do that's why he have taken her away from us. So please try and do this for her for the last time" Hajiya Kaltumi said tears streaming down her face. With difficulty Gogo Ramatu bathed Aisha for the last with her shaking hands and trembling lips. Gogo Ramatu couldn't believe she bathed her daughter first instead of the other way round, she never in her wildest dreams thought she would bath Aisha rather Aisha will bath her for the last. But what Allah have in store for them is different.

After Gogo Ramatu finished bathing Aisha she dressed her just like every soul is dressed in white cotton, when they're being taken to there final destination which is the grave. Gogo Ramatu prayed for her daughter for the last time before she was taken out for her last prayer (indeed Allah is great and wonderful, because before burying the dead he/she will be prayed upon) with that Aisha was taken to her final destination and that was the end of Aisha's chapter in this world.

It's already the third day since Aisha's demise and Tehzeeb have not been going to school. Tehzeeb was seating close to Gogo Ramatu when visitors begin to come in for greating. Khady came inside and greated Gogo Ramatu before she turned and face Tehzeeb "some of our course mate are here to great you" Khady said to Aisha

"Who are they?" Tehzeeb asked bewildered because she was sure she didn't have any friend apart from Khady in the school

"It's Amina Sarki and Khadija Sidi " Khady answered

"Let them in please" and Khady went to tell them to come inside. They came in and greated Tehzeeb before expressing there condolences to her and Gogo Ramatu which Tehzeeb was glad because she never expected any of her course mate to show up. Amina Sarki and Khadija Sidi left after a while.

It's was already ten days after Aisha's demise and things have been getting better, the temperature in the house is not that high like before. It's weekend so Tehzeeb and Umma we're cleaning the house when Hajiya Kaltumi came in " Welcome Hajiya, visitation without notice" Mrs Habiba said gesturing for Hajiya Kaltumi to sit down

"I think we have passed that phase of informing you before coming?" Hajiya Kaltumi asked Mrs Habiba with smile on her face

"Of course we have" comes Umma reply

"Just come to check on Gogo Ramatu"

"That's good of you. May Allah reward you"

"Good morning Hajiya" Tehzeeb greated

"I thought I said you should stop calling me that already. Enough of the formalities you know we're one now" Hajiya Kaltumi said to Tehzeeb. Tehzeeb was about to go and call Gogo Ramatu when she emerge out of the room with a bag in her hand

"Mama where are you going to?" That was the first question Tehzeeb asked when she saw Gogo Ramatu ambled out of the room

"Oh dear don't worry, was just about to leave" comes Gogo Ramatu reply

"To where?" Asked Mrs Habiba "and with whose permission and decision?" Asked Mrs Habiba again

"Am sorry for not telling you before hand" Gogo Ramatu sighed "but I have to go, I can't continue staying here and be a burden to you all" Gogo Ramatu answers

"Well if you think you're a burden to them, atleast you should have come to me" Hajiya Kaltumi chip in

"Am sorry but I can't withstand staying with you all" comes Gogo Ramatu reply again

"You mean all this while you did not take us as your family? Or rather you did not enjoy your stay with us" Mrs Habiba asked dropping the broom in her hand, while all Tehzeeb do was to stare at Gogo Ramatu with tears in her eyes

"It's not what you think, I can't bare to see you all, because am reminded of the past and Aisha, and how you have all been there for me" Gogo Ramatu said in tears "I know I have no where to go but I have to leave, I can't withstand the pain, am not use to people liking me or having family" and she burst into tears

"Stop crying mama. Wipe your tears mama" Tehzeeb said using her hand sleeve to wipe away Gogo Ramatu tears "you should have let it all out. You shouldn't have deprived yourself from crying. Mama don't you know that when you allow the tears to flow from your eyes you feel better and stronger?" Asked Tehzeeb " don't put yourself in a tight position just because you want to hold it all in alone, let it out and feel better. Letting it out does not mean your weak, rather it's shows and prove that you're stronger. I know I might not be Aisha but take me as your daughter, do whatever you do with Aisha that makes you happy with her, am also your daughter mama, please don't go" Tehzeeb pleaded with Gogo Ramatu holding her hands in hers "if you leave where will you go? Remember you have no family, we're your new family and if you think your tired of staying with us you can go with Hajiya Kaltumi. Haven't she said your always welcome?" She did, so please even if you're leaving, don't go anywhere but Hajiya Kaltumi's house. Please Mama" Tehzeeb continues to plead with Gogo Ramatu that made Hajiya Kaltumi and Mrs Habiba keep quiet because they have nothing left to say

"Am sorry dear for causing you pain. Am sorry for making you cry and sad, I promised not to leave again because you're also my daughter, your just another God sent to me. You're just like Aisha to me. Am sorry for saying am leaving without informing you or knowing how you will feel" Gogo Ramatu said in tears hugging Tehzeeb before she raised her head to look at Hajiya Kaltumi and Mrs Habiba "am sorry for taking the decision without informing you both, despite all you have done for me. I hoped you will forgive me?" Gogo Ramatu asked them both which they nod there heads in response

After everything was settle Hajiya Kaltumi speaks up "Gogo Ramatu I think after Aisha's fourty days, you should come and stay with me or what did you think?" Hajiya Kaltumi asked Gogo Ramatu

"I don't know yet but I will think about it" comes Gogo Ramatu reply

"It's okay take your time"

"Thank you" and Hajiya Kaltumi left after some hours.

Things have been going smoothly without any hindrance from anyone. Tehzeeb Kawu(uncle) did not visit them again after the incident which Tehzeeb is still surprised as to why he did not come back again and whenever she asked her father or mother they always reply with "I don't know what stop him, maybe he have decided to let you continue with your education" which Tehzeeb is always suspicious about there response, which she decided not to ask them again since they don't want to tell her anything

There excursion was fun and successful because since then Tehzeeb have been mingling with Amina Sarki and Khadija Sidi after there visitation during Aisha's death.

Tehzeeb is now in 400level writing her first semester exam in 400level and preparing for her IT. Tehzeeb couldn't get to submit her form on time because most of the company where she could submit her form was filled up, but finally she got to submit her form at Ladan's Company and Co which her resume is next month

*****

He was walking majestically down from the plane stairs with his suit case beside. He pose for a while and removed his black sun shade from his face before he speaks "finally am home after one year" he said happily "I can't wait to resume and start with my plans" he said before putting back the shade and walked down the remaining stairs. He was searching to see the car that come to pick him before he heard some ones voice by his side

"Welcome back sir" the driver greated

"Are you out of your senses or what? Since when where you told to come and pick me up? Are you not supposed to come and wait for me before I arrived?" He shouted at the driver

"Am sorry sir"

"Keep your sorry to yourself, but know that you are fired. Immediately you drop me off at home pack your things and leave, don't allow me to repeat myself when we get home" he said and walk past the driver leaving his suit case behind for him to take. The driver was sweating already because he knows his stay and other staff members stay at the house is at stake since the boss is back

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Who did you think is back?

Thanks for all the reads and comments