Wrong Suffered At Hands (Chapter Nine)

9.

 

Like a human thrown among hordes of untamed barbarians, she scrutinized each stare at her, the stares that outlined dread and shock. The shuffling of her own footwear was thunderous over the clapping of those heeled shoes, her breathing clearly bothersome to her, heart pounding into her ear, the pulse throbbing against her skin to her temple. Even when she was stimulated to appear in front of the headmaster, she didn't raise her head. She would gulp with each fleeting moment; her throat began to dry up as she anticipated about what would actually occur next.

What did she do? What is way off the mark?

Even when her teachers accused her of engaging in illicit behavior in the restrooms with Kainat, with another girl, she remained discreet. By explaining that they had been misunderstood for something they hadn't even done, Kainat attempted to make them both comprehensible in their teacher's views.

But, deep inside the ocean, along with the rough waves, Afiyah discovered a face grinning at her, the expressions of accomplishment, mockery, and ridicule in a grin. She first believed that her mind and inner self were leading her to believe such thing, but then she was certain since she had really spotted Urooj among the dense crowd. Urooj's grin and mischievous glances tracked Afiyah walk out the cubicle and all the way to the principal's office.

Even though she attempted to convince herself that Urooj was the only one responsible for the mayhem, she was unable to accept the idea that a person would intentionally harm another person in order to demonstrate what it feels like to triumph.

The most crucial question is how a female can treat another female in such a way just because the latter spurned her meaningless, immoral, and repulsive wants.

Kind and clever, she thought of Urooj. She imagined Urooj as having an angelic face with a demonic spirit.

Yet again, she was broken to the cores. She felt broken, like if a bulldozer had ploughed straight into her chest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Tomorrow, bring your parents to school. And the person who skips school tomorrow would be dismissed."

Atop of her skin, the voice roared. Admittedly, she had predicted it, but who should she bring? Papa, Sameer or Hareem? She's still learning the ropes.

"It will become evident to you as well if you allow us to explain. This is a mess, an inventive mess.”

She heard Kainat express with distress. She wanted to prod her and urge her to quit talking. She sounded exhausted and useless, and Afiyah shattered even more as a consequence. Because she is unwilling to witness her suffering, she wanted to beg her to quit attempting to explain.

“You two locked in a restroom together, what else should we expect? That inside the cubicle, you two were consuming foods and drinks? What do you two think we are, an idiot or maybe blind?

Afiyah attempted to take deep breaths and rid herself of the headache brought on by all the harsh voices' yelling. She genuinely thought she was destined to fail. She was about to be kicked out of her house, would forfeit her studies, and would eventually be put in a room. She could already picture herself groaning in darkness before being starved to death.

She was aware that her father wouldn't heed her. How would she respond to Sameer? She was suspected of engaging in illicit acts with a girl within the cubicles, how would she persuade one of them to visit her school?

She experienced internal blistering from all the inquiries, which left scorch marks on her brain.

“Demonstrate that I'm mistaken. Proof the world wrong, tell me what I heard was just a lie and I'll let you pass for the good.”

Like a wadded scrap of paper gradually unfolding, her father’s words nailed further into her. While waiting for her father's arrival, she strolled next to the main gate. She became increasingly uneasy when Hareem would periodically visit and check on her.

She didn't wait around to unlock the gates when the horn blared. She assumed the shopping bags her father delivered her that contained citrus fruits and beverages.

 "Papa Jan" She called out for him but her voice appeared as a whisper and nearly imperceptible. She cleared her throat when her father didn’t pay heed to her, “Papa Jan.”

He swiveled around, "What is it?" he queried, peering through his spectacles at her, "Visit me in my room in 10 minutes if it's essential."

"No, hold on. I want to talk to you here..." she nearly shrieked, "In addition, I don't want anyone to overhear us, therefore it's absolutely vital."

"Hurry it up, I need to use the toilet." her father confronted her.

“So,” she inhaled,”There is that girl in my school, and we are best friends. And then another girl locks us from behind while we are in the bathrooms today, claiming that we were..."  She stumbled as she grew out of words. She needed to voice as quickly as possible despite her twitching tongue. She was unable to locate a suitable piece to describe.

 "What then? What happened next, explain because I don’t have hours to linger here and pay any attention to you for the rest of my day?” Her father deadpanned.

 "They stated they needed to meet you." Afiyah continued, struggling to keep her eyes from him.

“Who said?”

"My instructors and headmaster."

"Why me? What did you do again?”

Again?

"I took no action...."

Their conversation was cut short when the phone rang. His father glanced at her before answering the call, which made Afiyah's stomach fold in knots.

Her father spoke to someone more in the manner of yeah, yes, and then alright. He looked at Afiyah and she considered she captured something in his eyes, righteous anger maybe.

“I pay my apologies and sure I’ll be there, or maybe my wife would be there by tomorrow.”

Afiyah accomplished that she hasn’t heaved since the phone call, she decided to release her breath unsteadily when her father faced her after hanging up the phone.

"You're a cunning woman indeed; you're incredibly brilliant at creating your own stories. They said they wanted to meet a girl, not a guy, from our house but they didn't mention anything else. What actions did you take this time?"

When her father was instantly indoctrinated, Afiyah was unable to talk either. He snapped his tongue and strolled through the patio.

Her brace toughened around the grocery bags, fearful of spilling them; she wandered behind her father through the patio with a frightened conscience.

 

 

Afiyah's was sheltered by a gloomy overcast despite the bright and sunlit weather outside. The scenario didn't seem to bother her, but the way her step mother was dressed definitely made her feel embarrassed for herself. Every time she reached to push a strand of hair behind her ears, her gold bangles would clatter; the nut brown velvet blouse that was embellished with glittering beads from her shoulders to the bottom. She resisted the need to turn her head up since doing so would compel her gaze to focus on Hareem's golden heels.

“I’m not intended to assume it; she is still a young girl who watches animated films all the time. She has never given us the opportunity to hold her responsible for anything absurd in the three months leading up to my wedding. I have never seen her sitting by alone in her room."  Hareem clarified upon the rattling of her bangles that hung from her wrists.

“Watching children's cartoons all day doesn't have anything to do with the unethical acts she conducted with Kainat." her headmaster sighed, as she overheard her. "Her father requested us to keep a watchful eye on her, so we gave her repeated warnings. Even other girls have observed them using the restrooms in order to smoke."

Afiyah's stomach churned, and she raised her beseeching eyes to look for something encouraging in Hareem's gaze, but all she gave her was an angry scowl.

"Furthermore, the majority of her classmates have witnessed them leave the classroom unnoticed during every other session. They band together and engage in foul behavior-"

"I oppose to that.  Do you have any evidence that she had been engaging in illegal activity with Kainat in the cubicles?" Hareem demanded, raising her voice, “She previously informed me that the door was locked from the outside.”

“The door was locked from the inside as well.  Girls have observed them entering the cubicle and closing the door.” Her biology instructor remarked.

Once more lifting her gaze, Afiyah noticed Hareem inhaling deeply as her shoulder rose and then gently fell. "Give us a day, and I'll have a quick chat with her about this chapter. Still, refrain from degrading them in front of the school. Despite not having attended school my entire life, I understand how important your reputation and esteem are to you. We'll fix it."

"We have expelled them from their respective schools, therefore there is nothing to fix. In addition, we will undoubtedly annotate both certificates with the illicit participation. They won't be allowed to study again, I'll certainly make sure.”

No, Afiyah wished to express, plead, or perhaps even weep on her knees. She felt crushed beneath the weight of the stone that getting out of studying had already placed on her.

"This is unfair..."

"We are doing as we should." This time, the headmaster turned to face Afiyah and said, "Leave; I need to speak with your mother."

Without acknowledging her or giving her a glance, Afiyah left the office and drew in a deep breath. Her throat ached from all the crying she'd been attempting to hold back as anxiety takes over her system. She struggled to breathe, and she was put on display in front of Hareem in a way that she never intended.

She slanted her head to the side and spotted Kainat. Her mother was having a conversation with a teacher while they both stood there. Kainat passed her a smile, a concerned and dejected smile. Afiyah couldn’t smile back, her lips aching if she tried to. She attempted to ignore Kainat by turning her head aside while carrying a rock on her chest.

 

 

 

 

 

Through her entire life, Afiyah had never felt so worthless and powerless as she did when she stood before of her father. She was unaware of the specifics of what her father knew and didn't know. She assumed that Hareem had told him everything. However, she was unable to remain motionless due to the uneasiness in the ether surrounding her. Leaning against the headboard, her father peered at her while maintaining a blank face.  

 "They advised me to arrange your marriage as quickly as possible."

Afiyah witnessed the collapse of her entire existence and the crushing impact of her fate. An utterance caused her to take a step back out of fear of passing out.

"Hareem isn't saying anything to me. She continues insisting that you change schools because the teachers are filthy-minded. However, your teacher calls and advises that I marry you for my own welfare. Tell me what is going on? ”

“I don’t know, Papa Jan.”

“You don’t know?

This time, she chose to keep her lips sealed because she knew she had lost, she suffered a loss in front of her unfortunate existence.

She considered the phrase Get her married. What if she marries at such a tender age? She may spend the entire day in the kitchen or even sweep the home till dark. She saw herself cooking for her in-laws while soaked in perspiration. At the very least, she was never required to work here, but after marriage, she would be required to perform the same tasks as a maid, which she didn't want to do. She imagined herself as a maid who receives no salary.

“What should I do? Her father inquired, courteous this time. "Tell me what to do next. Regarding you, I am helpless. Afiyah, you once more rendered me helpless."

Although Afiyah wanted to scream, her throat was constricting. She had to stop crying. She needed a break since she was worn out. She was unaware of when she left her father's room and entered her own. She burrowed herself into the comforter till she felt smothered and was unable to breathe. And then, she cried.