My New Home

Chapter Twenty-seven

Monday morning met me unprepared. I was so tired the other night and had forgotten that I had landed a job, coupled with the drama and blossom during the weekend. As a result, I forgot to pick out my Monday wear. I also don’t have any clothes ironed. So I had to start rushing to do everything and meet up with time.

I put my multitasking talent in to complete use. I ironed and ate simultaneously, greeted the family while cleaning my shoes and also completed my Adhkaar while preparing breakfast. In the end, I was able to ride with Alhaji to school and still arrived on time.

After the morning assembly, Hadeeza joined me at my corner. She had permanently repositioned her table. Even though she told me the other time to be close to others and not form a clique, she was still the one to go against her words and moved to my place so we can have our own private time but I don’t blame her because she has been alone for far too long and might have wanted to get her fair share of attention.

“How was your weekend Ukhti (sister)?" She asked.

“It was adventurous, Alhamdullilah”. I replied.

I saw her face brighten with my opening speech and asked me to elaborate on the adventure?

“You’ve been teaching for a while, so, you’re already an expert. I started. So you can go to class with little or no preparation and still perform excellently but I have been a teacher in less than a month so I can’t afford the same luxury. My point is, I need to prepare for class and when I’m through with today’s classes, we can gist as much as you wanted”.

She pouted and moved back to her seat. “It’s not fair, Look at others. She said while pointing at other staff members. They’re gisting about their weekend and I’ll have to wait to hear my own version”.

“There would soon be changes. Sorry. I apologized. Moreover, I thought you don’t like such gathering, you said they’re hypocritical and you’re suggesting we do the same thing they did to earn that title”

“It’s not the same at all. She said, we’re not gossiping, I’m simply asking about your weekend and nothing else, we don’t have to talk about someone behind their backs before we can have a good time. So, be ready to tell me what I want to hear as soon as we’re both free”.

I nodded and went for my class after preparation. Today’s lesson was more interesting because we dealt with words and antonyms and they were able to cite examples from their environment.

I didn’tknow what I have been doing all my life before stepping into the class room, teaching was that fun.

Immediately I stepped into the staffroom, I received a call from my sister informing me that mum had decided to let Sulaiman alternate between the hospital and the church.

“It seemed her pastor talked some senses into her”. Kabeera said. “I thought they were both dumb; excuse me for saying that about my own Mum. At first, I was scared that something must have gone wrong before mum allowed him to go for his appointment but he’s perfectly okay”.

“Alhamdullilah, I simply replied. Dad also told me that you’re all practising your Islam well. I’m so glad to hear that”.

“How could dad have told you that already? She said with a hint of disappointment showing in her voice. I wanted it to be a surprise. It’s good anyway and I’m happy to have a stable religion, dad is also supporting us full time, it was as if he’s now a changed person. I guess it was not only our life you impacted within a short period of time. You should be a teacher, it would suit you”.

“I’m already a teacher. Didn’t I tell you? I asked incredulously. I thought I informed you all already”.

“You didn’t tell me. Perhaps you informed your parents but not me”. She said in mock offense.