"Ade, I concur with doctor Imran. I told you already that we need to sue the boy and his, family", Mrs. Ade said almost shouting. "No we won't", Mr. Ade opposed. "Why if I may ask?" "Is that the solution? We should be focused on how to make our daughter happy and not this", he replied as he sat down. "But he won't learn a lesson. How can he harass my daughter? Who does he think he is? He entered my den and tampered with my lamb, he ought not to go scot-free", Mrs. Ade insisted. "Ibukun", he called softly. "I said no." "Ade, I won't take it. He needs to be punished." Mr. Ade was surprised at the insistence. "Where are all these coming from? You are talking with venom? Has he done something to you before all these?" Mrs. Ade scoffed. "Ade, don't be stupid. He would have raped my daughter if she hadn't stood up to him. Why are you being unreasonable?" "Did you just call me stupid?" He glared at her. "... I..no...I'm sorry." "Ibukun, you are silly. She is my daughter too. Is it now you want to take responsibility in a hard way? Where were you when she was traumatized? I was there for her. Now you want to start acting like the most caring mother in the world. The stupid one is you. I'm out of here", he said picking his car keys, and stormed out leaving his wife utterly speechless. Mrs. Ade was having a mixed feelings of anger and guilt. She was clueless on what else to do. "I have accepted that and asked for my daughter's forgiveness, what else am I supposed to do again?" She asked within herself. She knew she did the wrong thing by not staying by her daughter's side when she needed her the most. But the question is if it was her fault? That doesn't mean she doesn't love or care for her daughter. Salamat came out of her and the love was inevitable and an unconditional one. She remembered her husband's remark and she fumed. She exhaled deeply and slumped to the sofa. Salamat was in the bedroom having a nap. Her mother helped her to her room immediately after they got back from the hospital in the morning. The doctor discharged her around 10 a.m after advising his friend to take the issue up legally. ***** Mr. Ade got into his car and drove off. He was going to the office to pack the files there before locking the place up. He had informed all his employees of his intention to relocate Up North and they had stopped working. Even though he was not happy for making them unemployed, he had no choice. If only he could get someone willing to take over the company by paying him without having to change the staff, he would be extremely happy. After informing them of his relocation, most of them couldn't help but cry. They were going to miss him. He knew it and he was going to miss them too. He was a few distances away from home when he sighted a familiar figure along the road. "Is that not brother Jamiu?", he asked himself. He got closer and parked his car. "Brother Jamiu", Mr. Ade said peering out of the car's window. "Ademola, Boni (How far)?", Brother Jamiu said with a grin. He was carrying some papers. "Where are you going to in this kind of weather? Come in, let me give you a ride." Brother Jamiu entered the car and thanked him. "I'm going home. I'm just coming back from my poultry farm." "Oh! Okay. How is the family?" Brother Jamiu was a family friend and a father to Bimpe. "Everyone is fine. How is yours too?" "We are fine." "I heard you are relocating", he stated. "Oh! Yes, that's true. We just need a change of environment." "I heard about what happened to your daughter too", he announced. He was met with silence. The silence lingered for a while as they drove before he added, "As parents, we have a lot to inculcate morally into the lives of our children. When they make mistakes, we should let them know their wrongs. And the way to do that is by disciplinary means." Mr. Ade was confused. "What do you mean by that Brother Jamiu? I don't get you." "I saw the picture of your daughter in a hotel with a man and funny enough, she was with a hijab. She was abusing the use of that garment. You ought to punish her. That is what I am saying." "Where the hell did you hear that from? My daughter was raped", he almost yelled. "The picture was clear enough to show us that she wasn't raped. It was a willing act." "Are you ok? I know my daughter more than you do. Stop spilling rubbish." "The truth is bitter but I will still tell you the truth. We've known each other since we were little. Your father and my father dined and wined together, so I won't hesitate to tell you the truth even if others are scared of saying it. Salamat is wayward. You shouldn't hide it. Let the world know so they can help you discipline and mold her to the path of righteousness." Mr. Ade stopped the car abruptly. His hands were shaking and he was perspiring heavily. He was enraged and he was trying to control the anger. So this is what everyone thinks of my daughter? They all think she is wayward. Where did the idea emanate from? It is now obvious that his wife was right about sueing Habib. Habib's family had succeeded in tarnishing the image of his family and that of his daughter, especially. Being here will cause more harm than good to his daughter. He felt the sudden need to cry and it was causing an unexplainable ache in his heart. "......I know as a parent it is hard to take. But I think to me, it is better to marry such a child off before it gets out of hand...." "Brother Jamiu, get out of my car", Mr. Ade interrupted him with his anger rising. This was so unlike him. He doesn't get angry easily but this was about his family. His daughter's future was at stake. "What?", Brother Jamiu exclaimed in surprise. "Since you don't believe me, get out." "Ade...." "I said get out or else I will push you out myself", he yelled glancing at the man. Brother Jamiu stared back at him wondering how a calm person such as Ade could turn red in the face all because of the truth. "Fine", he said and got out. He bent down to view him from the car window. "Take my words to use and you won't regret it. I have the best interest of your family at heart and......" Mr. Ade zoomed off leaving his words uncompleted. Brother Jamiu stared with mouth agape at the moving vehicle that was out of his sight seconds later because of the high speed and he shook his head.