No escape from you (Taken Down For Polishing)

8: Prayers

He was on his way back from work when his mother called him.

" Hello, Salam alaikum ", He answered the phone.

" My son, Walaikum salam warahmatullah ", She responded. " Please where are you now?"

" I'm just leaving work, why, what's wrong?"

He heard her sigh. " My car, it won't start and I need to go and visit one of the teachers who fell ill yesterday. "

" Okay, should I come pick you?"

" Yes, please, I'd have asked your father but you're closer", His mother said.

" No problem, give me thirty minutes or so."

" Drive safely. "

He ended the call and made a U-turn at the next junction. The black car drove down the street and turning here and there until he eventually reached the front of the school. He turned off the engine and alighted from the car, entering through the gate and into the compound.

He saw his mother at a distance, the bonnet of her car opened and a man dressed in dark clothes whom he assumed to be the mechanic was hands deep in the engine.

" Oh Fauzan", She beamed when she noticed her son.

" Mum", he greeted with a smile. Then to the mechanic, he asked, " What exactly is wrong with it?"

The man tapped the engine. " Nothing much. It's overheated and a few parts are a bit damaged. Give me an hour or two and it will be done."

" I've asked Mr. Fowowe to help me check it out once he's done", His mother told him. " He's staying back in school to finish some works. I can't come back to collect the car today."

After Fauzan asked for the price for the mechanic's service, he paid him and directed his mother towards his car.

" You look a bit tired. How was work today, son? ", His mother asked once they were in the vehicle and moving.

" Fine, Alhamdulilah, I've got a bit of a headache though."

" I knew you were stressed out, or maybe I should postpone visiting the teacher till tomorrow? "

" No, no, it's nothing serious", He assured her. " And how was work today?"

" Fine, Alhamdulilah, the kids had a small quiz competition in the morning, I was thinking about adding that as a weekly thing for them, different kids get to do a quiz every week", She stated. She was the Proprietor of a small primary school. It was never because of extra funds, no, for she had a son who took care of her well in that aspect. She needed to busy herself with something, and involving with kids was what she loved.

" Every week?"

" Yes", She confirmed.

" I feel if you do that, it will simply make some kids feel they have intellectual superiority over the other."

" I thought about that too, but everyone gets to learn."

" Why not organise a program for them instead? Teach them something out of the curriculum."

His mother drew her brows together in thought.

" Like a documentary show? Or some fun ways of learning? Like singing, writing on cards and so on. I'm sure Mrs. Jihad will have some great ideas in that aspect."

He nodded. " Exactly. "

She patted his arm. " Shukran, Habeebi, I'll discuss it more with the teachers after assembly tomorrow. "