Seven

Depression is a disease that has no cure. May Allah protect us from it

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Tehzeeb woke up with headache because she couldn't sleep throughout the night. After praying she didn't have the strength to check on her parents so she laid down to rest for a while maybe the headache might reduce

Umma finished her morning azkar and she had not seen Tehzeeb so she got worried and decided to check on her because it was unlike her. She walked to Tehzeeb's room and saw her laying down

"Inallilahi Tehzeeb, what happened to you? Why are you like this?" Umma asked her in one breath

"Umma don't stress yourself so much. It's just a headache that's all" She said to her mother in a low voice

"Don't say that, look at the way you're laying down and you're telling me it's just a headache. Wait, what did you do through out last night?" Umma questioned

"Nothing Umma"

"No, you can't tell me nothing. Don't tell me you were worried about what transpired between your father and Mallam Ilaro" her mother asked looking at her face to see her daughter's reaction

"Umma, it's not what you think"

"Then tell me what it is I should think Tehzeeb" she said "don't stress yourself over this kind of issue, we are your parents. We are the ones to be worried about you not the other way round. All you have to do is to face your studies don't mingle in our affairs especially that of your father's"

"I'm sorry Umma, it's just that I don't want anything to happen to you both. I can't forgive myself if Mallam Ilaro takes Baba to the police station" she said tears streaming down her face

"My dear nothing of such will happen. Have trust in your father and have faith in Allah. He's not asleep and he will not forsake us when we need him most. Please daughter forget about the issue and don't allow your father to get a whiff of your predicament if not you know the rest"

"I know Umma and I have heard you. I won't stress myself anymore"

"Good, don't you have lectures today?"

"I do Umma, but I don't think I can make it to school today"

"Sorry dear, get some rest"

"Thank you Umma. I love you"

"I love you too dear" Umma said and left Tehzeeb's room to do the morning chores

After Umma left her room she sighed and laid down again. She was thinking of a way to help her parents out so she decided to go out and look for a job even if it's pays a little atleast she will be able to help them. But she didn't think her idea would be welcomed by her parents. They would not allow her work under anyone. She's there prestige and anything that would make anyone look down on her or bring any form of insult to her will never be welcomed by them, but she had decided to give it a try. She slept off without knowing.

Tehzeeb slept for a while and as she woke up, she heard voices outside her room

"Umma let me check on her" the voice said

"Okay. It's time she wakes up because she has not eaten" Umma reply. From the voice Tehzeeb already knew who was talking to her Umma so she just sat upright from her laying position

"Oh God, you are damn lucky. I intended to smack you so hard till you wake up"

"Wicked soul. I knew from the start that you didn't love me Khady" Tehzeeb said frowning and pouting

"Ehw, Baby of the house. Yes I love you, that's what you want to hear" Khady said hugging Tehzeeb

"Awwn love you more" Tehzeeb hugged her back

"Didn't see you in school which was unlike you, so I decided to check up on my precious friend. Umma told me you had a headache. How are you feeling now?" Khady said with concern

"Alhamdulillah I'm feeling better now"

"That's good to hear. Lucky you the lectures didn't hold today"

"Really?" Tehzeeb asked feeling a bit at eased

"Yes dear. There was a meeting so the lecturers couldn't come"

"Oh Mashallah atleast I don't have to worry about missing any lecture"

"Judge bush's daughter. So tell me what's wrong with you. You don't look good and don't tell me it's the headache because I won't take that from you. So you better spill it out" Khady said waiting for Tehzeeb to start explaining. Tehzeeb knows there was no way out because if she didn't tell Khady she won't leave her alone and moreover they knew each other's secrets

"Hmmm I'm sorry dear. I know how you feel. So what will you do now because I don't think Umma and Baba will allow you to work" Khady said

"I know but I have to convince them. I will try and talk to them. I pray they let me"

"I pray they do. I can help you look around and see if I can get you a place to work in"

"Oh I will be glad if you do that"

"Don't worry"

"Thank you Kawa"

"Mention not Oh wait, What do you think about the shopping mall close to our side. Their pay is good and the owner of the shop is nice"

"Hmm I don't know. Let me talk to Umma and Baba first but you can still ask if there's vacancy"

"Alright then. Let me get going I want to be at home before maghrib"

"Okay let me see you off"

"It's okay dear. You need to rest"

"Yes Doctor, but I will see you off" Khady was about to talk when Tehzeeb beat her to it "no but or if. Let's me just accompany you and that's Final"

"Oh! On a second thought are you sure you didn't fake the headache" Khady said smiling which Tehzeeb hit her "you're such a bully" Khady whined which made Tehzeeb smiled

"That's the spirit girl. Atleast I got to see your smile before leaving"

"You're not serious"

"Oh I am. Since I arrived you didn't look like your normal self which bothered me. I don't like seeing you worried and sulking around"

"Thank you Khady. I'm glad to have you as a friend and sister"

"Don't make me feel emotional dear. What are friends and sisters for. Let me bid Umma farewell before I leave" they both walked to Umma's room

"Umma I'm leaving" Khady said

"Eat with us first"

"No Umma. I want to be home before magrib"

"That's good and thoughtful of you. My regards to your Ammi"

"She will hear" with that Tehzeeb accompanied her and returned back home after Khady had gotten a cab to take her home

Tehzeeb had not said anything to her parents yet. She has decided to tell them after  dinner so she won't stop her parents from enjoying their meal. She performed wudu to pray Isha prayer. She sat on her praying mat for a while before she stood up and walked to her parent's room.

"Welcome back Baba"

"Thank you dear. How's your health now?"

"Alhamdulillah Baba"

"That's good to hear" with that they all sat in silence for a while before Baba talked when he noticed how Tehzeeb was fidgeting with her hands which only means she had something to say but couldn't so he spoke

"Diyata" Baba called her which she raised her head before lowering her head down again " I know you have something to say. Feel free and talk to us we are your parents" Baba finally said.

"Hmmm dama" she stammered

"It's okay. Say what you want don't be shy or afraid. Feel free to talk" Baba said encouraging her to speak

"Hmm. Iwanttostartworking" she said in one breathe

Baba Chuckled "we don't get you, unless your mother got what you said" Baba said looking at Umma

"No I didn't because she didn't even breathe. I didn't get what she said" Umma replied

"Come again dear and talk the way we will get what you're saying" Baba encouraged

"Baba, Umma" she called and sighed before she continued "I said I want to start working" she said finally waiting for her parent's reply but got none so she raised her head to check her parent's reaction, which she saw them looking at her without any reaction on there faces. The silence was killing her because she knew it was calm before the storm

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Will her parents agree to her request or not?