This chapter is dedicated to  ishabdool and  Aishanana22

Tehzeeb was preparing to go to work when she went to meet her Umma in the parlour"Umma" she said

"Yes, what is it? Because I know you have something to say so quickly say it and leave because you will be late for work, "said Umma without stopping what she's doing

"You know me too well," smiled Tehzeeb

"Yes, I do, because you're my daughter. So what is it?"

"It's Bashir, he said he want to send his people but I told him to wait first, Cox I have to let you know first before he does that" said Tehzeeb not looking at her mother

"Mashallah, he can do that if it's okay with you too,"

"Alright, but where should they go?"

"Where else if not Abba's place, because I don't think them going to your uncle house will be a good thing rather it's will be nothing but a disaster" Umma reason

"I thought as much. Alright then, I will inform him, see you soon. "

"Okay, be safe, and I will be going to Hajiya Kaltumi's house to see Gogo."

"Okay, my regards to her." Thus, she left for work. As usual, she had some chit-chat with Maryam before going to her duty post. She has no worries because ever since the day she slapped Tolani, she dares not try her again. During the break period her phone rings which she fish it out from her bag and she smiled seeing the caller but as usual she did not pick the call, till he called back for the second time "My lady" Bashir said which Tehzeeb blush "how are you and work?" He asked because he knows he won't get any answer from her

"It's fine, and yours,"

"Fine, but I am seriously missing you here, I wished I could come over, but I  know you won't allow me,"

"Am sorry, it's not allowed, and moreover, we will see each other this night,"

"Hummm, I don't think I will be able to make it," Bashir said, and the smile on Tehzeeb face disappeared instantly

"Are you serious? Why?" She asked, disappointed

"Just don't feel like coming because I am the only one missing you all the time, for once you have not missed me,"

"Says who? I do miss you too. " Tehzeeb blurt out without thinking but gasped when she recalled what she said and immediately ended the call and covered her face. Her phone rang again , and she knew it's Bashir even without checking, he called her almost four times before she picked up the call on the fifth ring. "Why did you end the call?" Bashir teased, which made Tehzeeb cover her face as if he saw her."Don't be shy, I am happy you said it, at least for the first time. I can't wait to hear the word am dieing to hear from your mouth" Bashir reply happily which Tehzeeb could not say anything because she was shy and was praying for the ground to open and swallow her "since am the only one talking let me leave you alone, I know the break is almost over. See you in the night, " and he ended the call, which Tehzeeb sighed, touching her chest. She couldn't believe she said that out

Tehzeeb walked out when she heard Maryam's voice. "I can smell love in the air," she teased immediately she saw Tehzeeb blushing, which made her blush harder. "Oh! God, someone is turning crimstone red, I can't believe this. Did you see your face and ear? Oh my God, " Maryam teased, which Tehzeeb was turning red because of blushing "love in the air. " Maryam quote

"Oh, stop it, please," Tehzeeb said. "And how can you smell love, is it food, or those it has a scent and hidden aroma we don't know about?" Tehzeeb asked, raising her eyebrows and waiting for a reply, which Maryam laughed

"Don't worry soon, you will know, maybe it's food or scent,"Maryam replied. It's was closing time, so Tehzeeb called her Umma to confirm where she was

"Umma, are you at home or still with Gogo?" she asked

"Still with Gogo"

"Okay will come and meet you there" she end the call before she went out to get a ride, she stand there for a while and got none which Hajiya Kaltumi parked in front of her "Tehzeeb, come in let me drop you" Tehzebb knowing she's not going home hop in "thank you, am heading to your place, Umma is still with Gogo" Tehzeeb said immediately she entered the car

"Alright then. So how are your studies?"

"It's fine, thank you,"

"Final year, right?"

"Yes, after this semester, then I will be through."

"That's good to hear. After school marriage or did you have other plans?Hajiya Kaltumi asked which Tehzeeb could not answer her because she's still shy of her "oh feel free and talk to me, don't be shy. You know I am your mother too, so I am listening to "

"Humm, I don't have any plan yet."

"Are you telling me you don't have anyone right now?"

"I do, but it's not official yet,his yet to meet my people."

"Oh!" Hajiya Kaltumi said, not knowing what to say again, but still yet she continues."So who is he?" She asked

"Dr Bashir"

"You mean the one in General Hospital?"

"Yes."

"Woow, that's great. His a nice guy, and I pray you have a blessed matrimonial home. "

"Thank you," and they arrived at Hajiya Kaltumi's house. Hajiya Kaltumi parked the car, and they aliated from the car and ambled inside the parlour where they saw Umma and Gogo busy talking. "Welcome back." Both GogoUmma greated

"Thank you," Hajiya said before she went up to freshen up

"Mama," Tehzeeb said, hugging Gogo

"How is work. let me get you something to eat. I know you're hungry, "

"No, I am not." Hajiya Kaltumi comes back receiving a call, smiling from ear to ear by mare. Looking at her, you could tell she's happy. When she ended the call, she faced them

"Congratulations to us all. AA has been promoted"

"Mashallah, that's good news,"Umma said

"Am happy for him, may Allah continue to bless him," said Gogo

"Thank you,"

"Congratulations, Marmie,"comes Tehzeeb voice

"Not me alone, congratulations to us all. AA is now a general. I can't believe it. "

"This called for celebration, we need a grand walimat"

"Yes we do,let me call Kande" after a while Tehzeeb and Umma bid them farewell which Hajiya asked the driver to drop them off, since it's will be difficult for them to get a ride home. He drops them and left

"They're back from their night work," Jumai said, the woman that's always mocking and saying rubbish to Tehzeeb, and Umma said immediately they entered the compound. Tehzeeb didn't move. Rather, she faced her

"Thank God we have something doing, not gossiping about people all the time or putting eyes on what's not her business, no wonder your husband don't come home because of your useless habit" Tehzeeb fired

"Are you talking to me like this?" Jumai said

"No, it's your second person behind you. I am talking to. Useless people everywhere, better know how to control that mouth of yours because I won't keep quiet again, " said Tehzeeb before she walked past her to their room, Umma following behind. When they entered their room, Umma did not say anything the way Tehzeeb expected,so she quickly bathed and changed to her night gown since she had prayed and eaten. Bashir was not able to come because Tehzeeb did not come back on time, and it's was late already, so he called her.

"My lady, hope you arrived safely?"

"Yes, thank you. Am sorry for keeping you waiting. "

"It's nothing. Tomorrow is there. So what about our discussion?"

"Hummm, I have talked to Umma, and she said they can come. She will tell Abba,"

"Thank you, my lady. They will come this weekend by God's will. "

"Alright. How was your work today?"

"It was fine, but today was dull since I couldn't see you."

"Don't worry, tomorrow is there,"

"Alright, goodnight. I know you're tired,"

"Yeah, a little bit. Goodnight"

"I love you," Bashir said and was about to end the call when Tehzeeb answered

"I love you too," and she ends the call

***

That night, Bashir could not sleep because he was busy thinking about Tehzeeb and what she said. He toast fro.one side of the bed to another because of lack of sleep. He was happy at the same surprised because it's was the first time she said that. He wished he could forward the night so he could tell his mother about what Tehzeeb said and his uncle's will go and see her people.

First thing in the morning, Bashir dressed up and walked to his mother's side "Amma" he shouted

"Bash early this morning shouting my name,and why did you look so happy this morning?" Amma asked, looking at his son

"Amma, you won't understand how excited I am."

"Tell me, what is it? You know this your happiness is contagious. "

"Tehzeeb has agreed for my people to come and see hers."

"Woow, that's good news. No wonder you can't close your teeth, I will talk to your father so he can talk to his brothers, and this weekend they will go. Cox, this one you're so eager to bring her home. "

"Amma," he said. "You're the one that's always complaining that i should get married. Now you're taunting me again."

"I know, I know, just joking. Your breakfast is on the dining table. Go and eat and come and be going before you're late. "

"Alright. Thank you, " Bashir ate and left for his work.

Things have been going smoothly between the two lovers because Tehzeeb was opening up to Bashir little by little, which Bashir could not hide his excitement because his glad she's expressing her feelings towards him. Bashir Uncle's will be going to there Tehzeeb house today, but Bashir didn't want one of his uncle to follow them because his a bad news, but he has no other way out. So here they are sitting with Khadija's father, who talked about what brought them and left. On their way, going back home, one of Bashir's uncle speaks up

"Bashir, don't tell me you're seaking for a wife in that family? Can't you see they're not in the same standard as us?" His uncle, which Bashir didn't want him to follow them, speaks. Bashir knows him very well, not to like poor people

"Why will you say something like that? Both the rich and poor are created the same way. So why discriminating?" Bashir other uncle said, which Bashir like most because they have the same name. He, being the elder of the first one that talks keep quiet, but immediately they enter Amma's parlour, he speaks

"Hajiya, I don't think that girl is good enough for our son. They have nothing. So I think it's better he start looking for another girl because I don't think that marriage will be possible, " Bashir Uncle said

"I thought have told you to stop saying that Idi or I can no longer talk to you" Uncle B the elder one said "Hajiya don't mind him, you know him to always have problem with the less privileged" Uncle B said before they ate and left

"Bashir, come here," Amma said immediately they left. "Don't worry, son, you know how Idi is. He don't like people that don't have,which I don't know what they have done to him. But worry not, I won't allow him to discourage your father. " Amma tried to talk to Bashir because he looks heartbroken. Bashir knows fully well what his uncle is capable of doing. He just doesn't know why problems always arise from the father's side, especially father's brothers called Uncle. He can't really understand them and why they're always like that

**********

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