Ibrahim was sitting comfortably on his chair with a phone on his hand, which he was receiving a call with.

"Mummy, you don't miss me at all," Ibrahim complained from the other side of the phone

"Of course I missed you. And moreover if I don't miss you who will?" Mummy asked

"Hmm, that's what you will say."

"No, that's how it is,"

"Okay. How are you doing over there, mummy?" He asked in a serious tone

"I'm fine son, how are you doing over there. I hope you do eat and pray on time?" Mummy asked Ibrahim with concern laced on her voice

"Don't worry, mummy, I'm fine, Alhamdulillah."

"Good to hear that. Ibrahim, " she called him and kept quiet before she continued," I know you're a good and religious son, but please don't allow bad friends to influence you, which will lead you astray. Always have the fear of Allah wherever you are. Remember, I might not be there to see you, but the Lord we serve doesn't sleep. So please absent yourself from bad influence and bad things, " she reminded him in a soothing voice. She never gets tired of reminding him of his religion and his character because the world we live in now is becoming something else.

"In Sha Allah, I will not disappoint you, mummy. Always pray for me, " He said

"I will always do that. And about your anger issues, please Ibrahim learn how to calm yourself. Your anger issue disturbs me more than anything. Please be more prayerful. "

"I will, What of Daddy?" He diverted the topic because he knew if he didn't, she would continue to talk

"He's fine, but still at work,"

"Good my regards to him,"

"I won't. He's your father call him," mummy said in a serious tone

He laughed because he knew that's what she would say. Whenever he's not around and called to check up on her and asks her to send his regards to his father that's the reply she always gave him which always made him laugh "Okay I will bye"

"Bye, son." With that, the call was disconnected, which left Ibrahim's face plastered with a smile. Whenever he talked to his mother, he always felt happy and contented. He picked up his phone and dialled another number again on the first and second ring. The person didn't pick up until the third ring before the call was picked up

"Kai cousy. You just forgot about me, " Ibrahim said

"How on Earth will I forget my one and only cousy. It's impossible, " the person called cousy answered from the other side of the phone

"You have already done that. Since you don't call me until I call you myself, "

"Haba bro, it's not like that. You know how my work is"

"That's the only excuse you have on this earth. Always work work. I pity your future wife. "

"Don't get started with me, or else I will end the call,"

"Oopps, sorry. I've forgotten you want to die a bachelor. "

"Says the person that doesn't have a fiance. See Pot calling kettle black, " cousy said, laughing from the other side of the phone

"Don't worry, soon I will get Hitched with a queen."

"I can't wait. So how are you doing?"

"I'm fine and you?"

"Alhamdulillah. But it's not been easy. "

"Sorry, cousy. You chose that yourself. "

"Ooh, that's what you have to say? Fine good bye"

"Just tell me duty calls, and I will free you,"

"Whatever. Bye, talk some other time. "

"Bye." With that being said, Ibrahim hung up. He sat on his seat, turning around and thinking about his encounter with Tehzeeb

"Enjoy yourself while it's last. When I come back, I will turn everything upside down for you, " Ibrahim said, laughing devilishly.

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Tehzeeb was busy sweeping the compound because she'd be starting her work today. Which made her happy and eager to go. She couldn't wait to see herself in her new workplace

She hurriedly finished her house chores and went to bathe before she came out for breakfast together with her parents. Baba said he would wait for her to leave before going to his shop today.

"Good morning to you, my daughter."

"Morning, Baba. Morning Umma"

"How was your night?" Baba said with a hint on tease

"It's was splendid," Tehzeeb replied dreamily

"I can see someone is eager to reach her work place,"

"Awwn baba," Tehzeeb said, covering her face. "You're making me blush," she said in her babyish voice, which made her parents laugh

"Don't go and show them at your workplace that you're a baby. If not, they will not respect you, " Umma said, still smiling, which made Tehzeeb pout

"Don't worry, I won't. You know I'm a big girl, " she said 

"Let's eat. You can't afford to be late on your first day at work, " Baba reasoned

"Gaskiya, you're right," Umma reckoned

"Ouch, I can see you both can't wait for me to leave the house for you," Tehzeeb said, feigning hurt. She looked at her parents with a smile on her face. They ate together on the same plate. After they were done, Tehzeeb packed the plates and took them to the kitchen before she entered her room to take her hijab.

"I'm ready," she said to her parents

"Please be yourself, Tehzeeb. Don't intrude on what's not your business. Behave yourself and respect those above you. I know you will do all that, but it's not bad to be reminded of what's right and wrong. Wish you all the best. No evil eyes shall cast on you, " Umma said almost on the verge of tears. She doesn't like seeing her daughter far away from her. Apart from school, Tehzeeb has not been far from them before. Before she when began university, she never allowed her because she was scared of losing her only daughter to the world. But Baba made her understand. So now that she's going to work, she's afraid again but needs to let her emotions at bay, since that's what her daughter wants

"Don't miss me too much, Umma. Before you know I will be back or do you want me to stay back?" Tehzeeb asked her Umma, getting a hold of her hand

"It's okay dear, I will try not to miss you much. Have a blessed day ahead. "

"Thank you, Umma."

"Finally. You both can notice me, " Baba said, feigning sadness, which made Umma and Tehzeeb laugh, which was what Baba wanted. He doesn't want to see his wife look vulnerable. "we need to start going if you don't want to be late. Which will not be a good idea since it's your first day at work. Till I come back, my wifey, " Baba said, giving Umma a hug. Tehzeeb was just smiling sheepishly because of her father's open affection. He doesn't care who is there or not. Whatever he intends to do with Umma, he will do just it, which always made Tehzeeb happy and wonder how their love life was.

"May Allah's guidance be with you both," Umma prayed

"Ameen," Tehzeeb and Baba answered in unison before they left

On their way going before Tehzeeb stopped , Keke Baba talked, "My daughter, I know who you are and what you're capable of doing, so please, when you reach your workplace, behave yourself. Don't give them the impression for them to think otherwise about giving you the job. Good impressions matter in terms of work. And don't go there and start making any sort of friends. I know you will not, but a reminder won't cause any harm. "

"In Sha Allah Baba. I will do as you say, and I won't be a disappointment to you. "

"Mashallah, my daughter. Stay blessed. Come and start going since I have reached my destination. "

"Alright." With that, she stopped a Keke and told him her destination, "Bye Baba, don't miss me too much," she said, waving at her father

"May Allah protect you, my dear," Baba said, waving back at her

Tehzeeb arrived shortly and stopped in front of Khady's house since she would be taking her there for the introduction. "Assalamualaikum," she said, entering inside the house

"Walaikum Salam. Is that Tehzeeb I'm seeing, or is it a dream?" the aged woman seating on a chair said smiling at her

"Yes, Mama, it's me. You're not dreaming, " Tehzeeb said, going close to the woman with a smile plastered on her face

"Haba daughter, it's been a long since I saw you. Hope you have been doing great?"

"Alhamdulillah, mama. How is your health now?"

"Fine, thank you, dear. I'm okay and fit now, "

"Mashallah. That's good to hear. Where's Khady?" Tehzeeb asked, looking around for any sign of Khady in the house

"Don't mind that one she's in her room doing God knows what there," Mama replies to Tehzeeb

"Let's me check on her,"

"Okay," she left for Khady's room but saw her sleeping shamelessly on the bed, so she raised her hand and smacked her on the back. "Sleeping by this time? Please stand up. "

"You used that your strong hand to beat me. Kai, you're wicked. "

"Wicked ke wicked ni. Dressed up and let's go to my workplace. "

"Can't you go by yourself?" Khady asked, sitting upright from her laying position

"If I can go by myself, then I wouldn't have bothered to come here. Stand up and let's go, since you don't know anything apart from sleeping all the time. "

"Let's go. I don't need to dress up again since I'm wearing clothes. Let me just put on my hijab and I will be good to go. " Khady stood up and got her hijab before they both walked out of her room. "Mama, let me take Tehzeeb to Mrs Kaltumi's shop."

"Adawo lafiya" with that, they both ambled out of the house straight to Mrs Kaltumi's shop where Tehzeeb would start working

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Mrs. Zeeekadir