The driver hand is shaking due to the tension in the car. He is afraid to make a mistake and get an ear full from Ibrahim. "Can't you even drive properly? Are you that dumb?" Came Ibrahim's voice from the owner's corner, which made the driver more timid because he knows who he is dealing with. With continuous rant from Ibrahim, they arrived safely at home , and the driver quickly went to open the car door for Ibrahim. Immediately he came out, he started shouting

"You better pack your things and leave before I come out to meet you again" comes Ibrahim's voice in high pitched not knowing that his mother was outside waiting for him to come back so she could welcome him

"Well-done land lord,"Hajiya Kande said, coming closer to where Ibrahim and the driver were standing. "I said well-done land lord our oga. Since you're the one that employed him, that's why you asked him to leave ko"Ibrahim's mother asked him "see you Oga that have the right to fire him or asked him to leave right?" Hajiya Kande said, looking at Ibrahim, who is about to talk, which she beat him to it." Go and continue with your work. You're going nowhere, since you're my driver and not his, " Hajiya Kande said with finality lace on her voice, which Ibrahim have no room to talk.

"Nagode Hajiya(thank you)," the driver said, kneeling down as a way of showing gratitude

"It's okay. Go back to your duty post, "and the driver left, which Hajiya Kande turned and walked back inside without even taking a second glance to look at where Ibrahim was standing. She's fed up with Ibrahim's attitude that she doesn't know what to do again. She tried all her possible best to see he had changed, but he didn't, but she didn't plan on giving up anytime soon. Ibrahim, seeing his mother, didn't welcome him again. She quickly followed her inside to apologize because he knew she's angry with him already

"Haba Mummy na( why my mummy). You did not even welcome and started shouting on me, " Ibrahim said like a child

"Why would I welcome you?" Hajiya Kande asked her son

"I just got back from a trip, mummy. At least you should be happy. I am back, "

"I was happy you're back, but that was before what you did to the driver. For God sake Ibro that's my driver and not yours, and moreover I think this my house and I have the right to employ and sack someone, not you doing that for me" before Hajiya Kande could continue Ibrahim interrupt her "am sorry mummy, such thing won't happen again, I promise. Now, can you please welcome me the way you planned it? " Ibrahim said, raising his eyebrows

"I will not because you have ruined the welcome party already,"

"But I said am sorry Mummy,"

"It's okay, son. Welcome back, " she said, embracing him in a motherly hug because she missed her son despite his attitude

"Yeah, that's my mom. I missed you so much, mummy. "

"I missed you to son. But firstly go and change, so you can come down and eat before you rest. "

"Okay, mummy. Give me some minutes, " and he walked out of the parlour to his room, leaving Hajiya Kande all alone in the parlour with thought

*****

"Hello babe,"

"Don't even Babe me there. You told me you're coming back, but you did not. Have you ever missed me for once, or did you have another mother apart from me?" Hajiya Kaltumi said, feeling disappointed

"Am sorry, marmee. The day I promised to come back, I did, but before I reached home, I was called back from the duty post, " the caller said from the other side of the phone

"That's the excuse you always give Ashafa. I don't think I can continue to watch you like this and lose you too. I think you should quiet your job and come back home already, " Hajiya Kaltumi said, very pissed off

"Marmee, it's have not gotten to that extent. I promised to take a leave and come back, but please stop saying this"

"Ashafa Alkali Ladan, don't let me repeat myself. If you want to continue with your work, then you have to come back and see me because even as a mother, I have a right over you. Don't allow me to repeat myself or else, you know the rest, "Hajiya Kaltumi said in a Stern voice, which she hardly used on her son, but when she does, he knows she's not joking

"I promised I would take the leave and come back immediately. And I am sorry for stressing you out, my babe, "Ashafa said in a low voice, which he knows is the only way out for his marmee to cool down

"Good. How is work and how are you doing over there?"asked Hajiya Kaltumi

"Alhamdulillah babe,"

"That's good to hear. Hope you are hearing from your sister?"

"Yes, I do. I will even call her after we finish talking,"

"That's good and thoughtful of you. Please, sweetheart, do take care of yourself and be prayerful. Don't play with your prayers and azkar. Always do the right thing at the right time. "

"In Sha Allah marmee I won't."

"May Allah continue to bless you and guide you for me,"

"Ameen, my babe,"

"Okay, byee," and Ashafa disconnected the call before he called his sister. On the first ring, she picked up the call-up

"Hope I am safe?" Was the first question the receiver said upon picking the call

"Walaikum salam, Deedee," Ashafa replied

"Oh, come on. Am supposed to ask you that first because I know you're always busy, and when you call, then something is fishy, and oh yes, Assalamualaikum to you too, " Deedee said

"I can't even call my own sister again,"

"Be a sincere guy, you hardly call me," Deedee said in a low and weak voice

"Not you too. Am sorry I didn't mean to it's the way of my work"

"I know, but at least you should have time for us. Remember, I am the only sister and sibling you have. "

"I know, gal, please don't use that card on me too," Ashafa said

"Guess you finished talking with marmee, and she scolded you, or should I say, threatened you?" Asked Deedee

"You know already not until I tell you," Ashafa said, smiling

"I know something like Ashafa Alkali Ladan, don't let me repeat myself. If you want to continue with your work, then you have to come back and see me, because even as a mother, I have a right over you. Don't allow me to repeat myself or else, you know the rest, " Deedee said before they bought a burst into a series of laughter

"You know my babe so much," Ashafa said, smiling in content because it's been long he talked with his sister like this

"Oh please, can't you stop calling her babe already? What if you had a girlfriend or got married and she heard you saying this? Believe me, she will think otherwise. " Deedee told his brother the truth

"Hadiza Ladan, don't you dare start with me?" Ashafa scolded

"Oh my bad, I am sorry. But guy, I am saying the truth, and I have to tell you know before things go other way round later. "

"Don't worry, and thanks for the advice, ma. My regards to my little boy"

"He will hear,"

"Goodbye."

"Bye, bro. I missed you, " Deedee said, finally heartbroken

"Bye, sis, missed you more and promised to call often. Don't cry, please, you know I hate seeing your tears, " Ashafa said, trying his possible best to control his emotions

"Alright, bye then," and Deedee ends the call. That's how their calls always end because Deedee always missed her dad whenever she talked to her brother, and that's the reason why he hardly called her because of her emotional breakdown whenever he called. Ashafa sighed and dropped his phone before he stood up to perform wudu and pray

****

"Umma, I will be starting my IT next week since I am through with my exams," Tehzeeb told her mother that is busy sewing

"May we be among those that will live to witness next week,"

"Ameen. I can't just wait to finish with my studies. "

"Don't worry dear, you will. Everything in life is one step at a time, when you're in a rush you delay reaching your destination because you feel like the time is not moving but one step at a time you will get there easily. Just pray for the best"

"In Sha Allah, I will. Let me help you with the sewing"

"No, thank you. I didn't know when you started sewing that you would help me out. "

"Haba Umma na. It's me oo your lovely daughter"

"I know that, but no, I won't give you my sewing machine to sit on." Before Tehzeeb could say another thing, Gogo Ramatu came out of the room

"Don't mind her daughter. I will buy one for you too, so that you will start sewing my clothes and yours, " Gogo Ramatu said, sitting close to Umma and Tehzeeb

"That's my mama. And I will not help Umma and sew"

"Daga baya kenan(that's from the end)," Umma said, smiling. " I won't even give you my own, so don't stress yourself over something that's won't be possible.

"Mama, did you hear what Umma is saying?" Tehzeeb said in a childish way

"Don't worry, my daughter, we're going to surprise her,"

"I can't wait for the surprised from the chief tailor," Umma teased

"Mama, let's go out for strolling," Tehzeeb said, grabbing Gogo Ramatu's hand in hers

"Daughter, there's sun. Let's go out later, but this sun is not friendly. " comes Gogo Ramatu's reply

"Okay then, we will go out later without Umma,"

"Am not taking the invitation, so thank you,"

"I didn't invite you, Umma. Or Mama, did I?"

"No, you didn't, my daughter," Tehzeeb smiled and looked at both Mama and Umma because she's always happy whenever she saw them both smiling freely without any worry on their faces

***********