Immediately they arrived home, Tehzeeb had tears streaming down her face. She was in pain about what happened. She was an emotional mess especially when it comes to her parents. She loathed seeing them in pain or being looked down on just because they were not wealthy. The wealth which she knows Allah can take away from whosoever he wishes but because of that worldly things some people looked down on her parents.
Whenever she remembered the look the guy gave her parents she cried even more and clutched onto her chest tightly
"Haba Tehzeeb. Why are you crying? You slapped him which I suppose you should be better but here you are crying, why?" Mallam Audu her father asked
"Am sorry Baba I just" she hiccuped "I just don't like it when someone disrespects you. I can't do that to anyone's parent but look at what what said to you. Someone like that who is a nobody said what he felt like without any ounce of respect just because we are poor" and she burst into tears again clenching her chest tighter than before because she was really hurting deep down her heart from what transpired between them with that disgusting guy
"Diyata (my daughter), why are you doing this to yourself? Someone that knows the worth and value of his parents would never do what that guy did. You know our worth and value that's why you stood up for us by slapping him even though you weren't supposed to. It's okay dear cry no more. I'm proud of you and would forever be proud of you. "Now wipe your tears" her Mother said smiling
"I'm sorry Umma" she said and turned to her father "I'm sorry Baba, I promise not to slap anyone again. I never had the intention of raising my hand on him but he was rude to you and I couldn't take that, that's why I did that. I never meant to upset or disappoint you because you raised me well" she said still in tears
"It's okay my daughter. I know and I'm not disappointed in you neither am I mad at you. I'm always proud of you never think you will disappoint me my child" with that he gave them both a hug and they stayed that way for a while before breaking the hug. Alhaji Audu returned back to his shop to continue his business because the day was still young.
Tehzeeb arranged both her room and her parents' before she swept the compound and took out all their laundry to do.
"Don't tell me you're going to wash all those clothes" Umma asked her walking towards where she was sitting
"They're not much. Don't worry I will soon be done with it" reply Tehzeeb
"No no, they're too much reduce it or rather return your father's own to the room when I have the strength I will wash them myself"
"No, Umma let me do it. Don't worry, just rest you need it"
"No I won't. Unless I help you rinse it so the work would faster and easier. What do you think?" Umma asked
"Okay Umma, if you say so. If not I don't mind doing it myself"
"It's okay dear. Let me assist you. I'm tired of sitting without doing anything"
"Okay, If you rinse I will spread it so you won't get tired of walking to and fro"
"Tehzeeb kenan, I've heard you" they both washed the clothes together which made it easier and faster. Before they knew it, they had finished washing all the clothes
It's been a month now since the incident. Tehzeeb has been going for her lectures without any distractions because Umma had regained her strength and fully well.
*
Ibrahim didn't go back to the office again he went back home in anger because of what transpired between him and Tehzeeb. He vowed to look for her and made sure she paid the price for slapping him. No one dared misbehaved with him and went Scot free. So he made a promise which he was going to fulfil no matter how long it would take him he wil not rest until she pays.
It's been a month now after the incident but Ibrahim was still adamant on revenging because he had vowed not to leave her alone, but he had been occupied with the company's work so he hasn't had the time to execute his plans till he's less busy.
Ibrahim was sitting in his office when the director came into his office
"Welcome sir" Ibrahim quickly greeted
"Forget about the formalities. I'm here to inform you that you will be going for a year course" the director said
"Okay sir" he replied but this was not what he wanted or planned but, he knew better not to interrupt or say anything while his superior was talking
"You will be leaving tomorrow"said the director
"But" Ibrahim wanted to protest
"No buts, everything has been finalized and you will be leaving by tomorrow because your ticket has been booked and your flight will be by seven o'clock a.m. Go home and prepare" with that being said the director left Ibrahim office without listening to him for any excuse
"Shit! shit!" Ibrahim shouted hitting the table and throwing things in the office like a brat that he is. He immediately left the office before the director would come back and see him when he has been dismissed
He drove back home like a lunatic and went straight to his mummy's room
"Mummy" he whined like a child
"What is it again?" Mummy asked
"I'd be traveling for a year course. I will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning as early as possible" he said scrunching his face
"Then why are you whining? You should be happy and start preparing for your trip"
"You're chasing me away mummy. Aren't you going to miss me?" He asked pretending to be angry
"You know I will. But at the same time you have to prepare. I don't think you'd want to be late for your flight" his mummy said to him which he nodded and left to prepare for the trip.
He walked back to his side of the house and started packing the necessary things he will need over there.
***
Guess Tehzeeb will be free for now
Thank you all for reading my novel.
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