In life, no matter what you do, people will suspect or point fingers at you. So it's better to stay at a clear cost. We own our lives, not others

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The tension in the room was too much and became unbearable for Tehzeeb, but she dared not walk out on her parents since she was not brought up like that. She hangs her head low, expecting the inevitable because she knows her father will give her his piece of mind. Their silence was disturbing her, but she couldn't talk since she had spilt the beans. She was about to say something when she heard her father cleared his throat. She sighed in relief because that alone lessened the tension in the room

"Tehzeeb," Mallam Audu called her name. She shivered with the way he called her name. The tune in which he used to call her name was rarely used by him unless it's something serious, which her situation warrants.

"Na'am (yes) Baba," she replied quietly

"Why did you want to work? Did you lack anything? Have you been deprived of anything you want? Anything you asked for is usually given to you. Then why did you choose to work?" He asked his voice a little bit high. Tehzeeb didn't expect these questions to come her way. She should have known that something was coming her way. What will she say, how will she respond. That's what she was thinking before her father talked again

"You didn't answer me?" Mallam Audu said, losing his calm

"Am sorry, Baba. I didn't mean to upset you. Is just that" she couldn't complete her statement before her father interrupted

"Is just that what?" He said, using his hand to clean his face before he spoke again."And you're sorry?, about what exactly are you sorry about Tehzeeb. I don't get why you're asking for forgiveness when you have not given me the answer I want to hear from you. So now tell me why?. Why did you choose to work?" Baba asked again, but this time more calmly because Umma got hold of his hand, which calmed him down a little bit.

"It's not what you think, Baba. Am sorry and I mean it, but I don't like seeing you like this. I know you're doing everything in your possible way to see that I get everything I need or want, but I want to assist you. I want to help you with something's, I know you're not complaining, but things are too much on your shoulder and are getting out of hand. Let me help you out with what I can. I know you don't want me to stress myself or rather work under anyone, but you should let me give it a trial since condition warrent. I promise not to disappoint you. But your shop has not been doing well and I know it's because of the way things are moving. You need an assisting hand, Baba. You can't do it alone, Baba, " she said and crawled next to her father, taking his hand in hers "Baba please. I beg you in the name of Allah to let me assist you. I can't take it any longer. I am not a kid anymore it's high time you allow me to assist you. You can't always keep me in the dark and pretend that everything is alright and fine when it's not. Remember, I am a grown-up lady. It's high time you let me know what's going on in your life's, don't block me out or keep me in the dark, am not a kid anymore. I will get married one day, but before that, I want to help and see you in comfort. I know what we have now, Alhamdulillah, because some are out there that want something like ours but couldn't. Not that I am complaining of our lives, but I can't stand and wait till someone brings police to arrest you just because of money. You have been threatened already, which I don't like and have made a promise, that will be the first and last one, no one, I repeat, no one will do such a thing again. But you have to let me work, I want to assist not because I lack anything but because I know things are not moving the way they were before. Please, Baba, let me assist you, " she said, wiping her tears

"Shuuuu, it's okay," Baba said, cleaning her tears with his hand before he hugged her. "I am sorry dear. We didn't intend to keep you in the dark nor block you out of our lives. We want the best for you and just want you to focus on your studies, that's why. Am not stopping you from working. I am just scared of the outside world. I know you're not a kid anymore. You can take care of yourself and handle things your way but what of the outside world. The  opulence (rich) don't care about us the penury (poor), they don't regard us as anything. They disregard us and think we're not worthy enough to be in the same space with them, just because we're less privileged. I can't afford to see you being walked over. For me, I am used to it, but I don't want you to undergo that, and that's the main reason I am stopping you from working. I am worried they might treat you like trash. And moreover, you're still studying, I don't want your education to get affected when you start working, " Baba said, holding Tehzeeb on her shoulder, looking deep into her eyes. He knows his daughter wouldn't allow anyone to walk over her, but what if she had an encounter with someone more powerful than her

"Baba, don't worry yourself too much. Let have hope and be positive for once. Let's forget about the negativity of it and about my education. I promised that nothing would change. I will have time for more studies and will still be able to work. Let's just pray for the best"

"That's the problem, my child. We can't just overlook the negative side of it. But since you have made up your mind. I won't deprive you of working, and I wish you all the best in the work you're about to start and your education. Always remember that education should be your top priority. "

"No, Baba. If you're not okay with it, let it be. Allah will see us through, and in Sha Allah, I will always remember that knowledge should be my first on my to-do list. "

"Ameen, my child. But it's okay, you can work. Or what did you think? " Baba said, looking at Umma, who had been quiet throughout the discussion

"It's okay. May Allah guard, guide, and protect her from all evil. " Umma prayed

"Ameen," they replied together

"So. Now, where did you plan to work? " Baba asked Tehzeeb

"Well. Khady said she would help me out, " Tehzeeb said

"Oh! You have already planned that without informing us first, "

"It's not like that, Baba. I told her I would talk to you first before I started searching for where to work, and she decided that she would help me out. "

"Okay. But how would she help you out?. Last I checked, she doesn't have a shop of her own. " Baba inquires

"The shopping mall close to their house. She said she would check if there's vacancy. "

"I pray this the best way out," Umma prayed

"In Sha Allah, it will be. Let's just have faith in Allah and be positive. "

"May the Lord continue to bless you, my child. Am proud to have you as my daughter. You're a blessing to us. Always remember that, " Baba said, giving both Tehzeeb and Umma a hug at the same time

"Ameen, my Baba. Let me go to my room it's getting late. Goodnight, and I love you both, " she said, giving them both a peck at their forehead

"Night, dear. We love you, and May we be among those that witness tomorrow"

"Ameen" with that being said, she walks out of her parents' room to her room but performs wudu before entering her room. Upon arriving, she sighed and smiled and sprayed the praying mat to give thanks to the Almighty Allah for making it easier for her and for helping her out and for her parents to understand her. She never thought it would be these easy to convince her parents, but Alhamdulillah, it works out perfectly. She hopes to get good feedback from Khady tomorrow. She prayed for a while before she moulded to her praying mat and lay down after saying her azkar.

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Happy Eid~Mubarak to you all. I wish you all a wonderful and blessed celebration

                                              31~July~2020