The Young Scholar Episode 11

Author’s POV

No matter the pain we feel when we get disappointed and hurt by someone, we should learn to forgive and forget. Forgiveness helps free the disease in our hearts and makes us merciful.

(Starting from where Episode 10 stopped)

Khadijah: I think I now know what happened to you yesterday… The reason why you fainted…

Abdulrasaq: (In shocked waiting to hear what she has to say)

Khadijah: let’s go home so you will see it for yourself

They both walked down together, Abdulrasaq was kept in suspense this time around. As they got closer they could hear voices of people shouting “evil woman” you want to kill this young boy like that, you thought no one saw you.

Khadijah quickly ran to witness more of these scene leaving Abdulrasaq behind.

Abdulrasaq entered the premises and everyone kept silent for a while. One of the notable men in the town named Alhaji Bello was the first to speak out. He wasn’t a neighbor but a big politician in Apelle.

Abdulrasaq: Assalamualaikum to you all. (He spoke with a loud voice)

The crowd responded: Wa alaikum Salam….

Alhaji Bello: Wa alaikum Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Abdulrasaq the issue we are trying to settle here is about you and this woman here (He pointed at the woman who was sitting on the floor)

She bent her heads down to the earth, while she shed tears. It seems more like she had been beaten up by the people around.

Abdulrasaq: okay sir (Abdulrasaq could identify her even though everywhere was dark)

Alhaji Bello: Do you and this woman here have any argument any day or anytime? Or have you in one way or the other disrespect her or even insult her?

Abdulrasaq: No sir… I haven’t done anything to her, you can ask her.

The people surrending the compound murmured… (Hmmm wickedness – small boy when no do you anything na you won kill throwey like that)

Alhaji Bello: please everyone calm down.. (He turned in search of the eye witness) Where is Zainab? Please come over here.

Zainab: I’m here Sir.

Alhaji Bello: Tell Abdulrasaq and the crowd what you witnessed. (As he was standing he received a phone call from his friend who came to visit him)

They were both politicians and only them had money to buy phones at then.

Hello zubairu, ask my boy to show you the way here. (He hanged up).

Zainab: Yesterday evening when I returned home from madrasat, I saw mummy Habib turning a substance in Abdulrasaq’s food and I passed like I didn’t see anything and then greeted her and left. When I returned home from school today, She dragged me to a corner because she suspected that I might know something and thought I changed Abdulrasaq’s food yesterday. I told her I didn’t have idea about what she added to his food but she didn’t believe me bbecause he survived. She was questioning me when my mom caught us unaware. If not for my mom I wouldn’t know what she would have done to me.

Alhaji Bello: Alhamdulilah, Thank God your mom came at the right time. (He faced Abdulrasaq and said), Abdulrasaq This woman here poisoned your food in other to kill you for no reason, if not that God intervene you’d have been dead by now. Tell us what do you want us to do to her. The ball is in your court!

Her husband and her son stood in pain waiting to hear what Abdulrasaq will decide. Mummy Khadijah was feeling really bad and sorry for her friend. Meanwhile, Alhaji Bello friend arrived at the scene.

Abdulrasaq: (Stared at their faces and said…) I knew someone poisoned me because the test report confirmed it. In someway I might have offended this woman here (Mummy Habib) but not intentionally. Right here in the presence of everyone I apologise to you ma “Please forgive me if the examples I made while preaching on Friday was as if I was talking to you directly” I was only doing the work of Allah and giving a reminder to What Allah has written.

Mummy Habib: (Was shocked to hear this statement made by Abdulrasaq).

Abdulrasaq: In life we create our own enemies knowingly and unknowingly. To make peace and spread Islam, I need everyone to let go of this matter and do not slander for Allah hates it. (He held mummy Habib’s hand and assist her up ) get up ma’am you’ve surely commit a grave sin, so seek forgiveness from Allah and change your ways.

Mummy Habib: I’m really sorry Abdulrasaq for everything… Please I hope you’ll forgive me?.

The crowd murmured…

Alhaji Bello: Since this is your final decision, so be it. Please everyone go to your various home.

The crowd marched out and left… Alhaji Bello and his Friend Ahmed Zubairu met with Abdulrasaq while the rest of his neighbors went into their homes.

Alhaji Bello: (speaking with his friend) This is the Young boy I was talking to you about