Destined

Chapter 3

Naureen

I sat listening or more like pretending to listen to Sidra who was talking non stop about some stuffs regarding school work. She is very talkative.

I couldnt pay attention to her as I was lost in my thoughts. Thoughts which never leave me alone. The incidence keeps on repeating in my head.

I was staring at the kids from the window, when I saw a boy sitting alone under a tree, far away from other kids.
I left my seat to reach the window for clear image, to see his face. And I saw the same boy whom I had confronted before for not doing any sums and who was not even answering my questions.

I told Sidra that I'll be back in few minutes and left. I walked towards him. He didnt notice me coming. I bet something is wrong with him.

"Hey, Saif." I said

He looked up to me, his face  expression less. And he didn't even said a word.

"Why are you sitting alone here? Don't you want to have lunch?" I asked

"No. I'm not hungry" he said

"Then atleast play with your friends, dont you like to play?" I said pointing towards few kids who are busy playing.

"No" he said

"Whats wrong with you child? If you have any problem you can share it with me? I'll help you out." I gave him a small smile

"No" he said and ran out from there, not letting me speak further.

Whats wrong with him?He's not even playing nor eating. I just don't understand it.

I asked few of his classmates the reason behind his strange behaviour. And they just shrugged saying , they don't know.

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Sidra rushed to the classroom and I sat alone in the staffroom as I didn't have any lecture.
I started checking the papers, when I found a paper which had lots of mistakes and many questions were unsolved.
Did I teach that bad?
I mean it was first time when I found this kind of paper otherwise the students score pretty good in mathematics.
I wonder whose answer sheet is this?

I looked closely to it and found the name Saif Hamid written on the sheet.
The same boy.
Is he that poor in maths?
There's something strange about this kid. I think something is bothering him.
I'll have to find out.

I searched for the record book in the drawers. Finding the book I opened the VI grade section and scrolled my finger to find his name.
I found that he is consistently poor in all the subjects.

I searched for last exams records and was shocked seeing it.
He scored 95 marks out of 100 in mathematics. And he scored good in other subjects too. And now in this answer sheet he has not even got 15.
How can this happen?
Why is he neglecting his studies.
I just don't get it.

I asked Sidra about it and she said that he is a bright student but he is behaving little low since few weeks.
He doesnt even pay attention in the classes.

I think he is physically present here in school but mentally he is somewhere else.
I have to know the reason of his abnormality.
And if I ask him he won't tell me anything so I'll try calling his parents. They may know the reason.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Later in the evening I decided to call Saif's parents. Picking up the school register I ran my fingers along the name starting from S.

Finding his name I dailed the number.

After three rings, the person picked up.

"Hello?" Came a rather raspy male voice

"Hello assalam wa alaikum ,sir. I'm Naureen, Saif's teacher."

"Wa alaikum assalam. Yes?"

"Actually I have called beacuse he has not been doing well lately. He is a bright student Masha Allah but I am worried about him. Shall we talk this out sir?"

"Yeah um...when should I pay a visit?"

"Tomorrow, at the end of the classes would be fine." I replied

"Okay....Allah Hafiz" he said.

"All-", the line went dead before I could reply to the greeting.

"-ah hafiz..." I stared at the screen weirdly before going off to my last lecture.

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love,
TheHijabQueen