peer-e-kamil(English)

chapter 1 (part 2)

For the fourth time, Mrs. Samantha Richards stared at the bos sitting on the first chair in the second row by the window. With complete disregard for the class, he was busy staring out of the window. From tune to time he would look at Mrs. Richards, and then turn back to the view from the window.

This was her first day as biology teacher at one of the international schools in Islamabad. She was a diplomat's wife and a teacher by profession. They had recently arrived in Islamabad. At all her husband's postings, she had taken up teaching assignments in the schools attached to the embassy.

Continuing the syllabus and teaching schedule of her predecessor Ms. Mariam, after a brief introduction to the class Mrs Richards began explaining the function of the heart and the circulation system and drew a diagram on the board.

She looked at the student who was looking distractedly out of the window and, using a time-worn technique, she fixed her gaze on him and stopped speaking. A hush fell over the class. The boy turned back to the class. Meeting his gaze, Mrs. Richards smiled and resumed her lecture. For a while she continued to keep her gaze on the boy who was now busy writing in his notebook. Then she turned her attention to the class.

She believed the boy was embarrassed enough not to let his attention wander, but just a couple of minutes later she found him looking out of the window again. Once more, she stopped her lecture, and he turned to look at her. This time she did not smile. She continued addressing the class. As she turned to the

writing board, the student again turned to the windern, lente ih annoyance crossed her face and as she fell silent again, the hy looked at her with a frown, and looked away beyond the window.

His attitude was so insulting that Mrs. Samantha Richards face flushed. 'Salar, what are you looking at?' she asked sternty, 'Nothing,' came the one word reply. He gave her a piercing look.

'Do you know what I am teaching?

'Hope so.' His tone was so rude that Samantha Richards capped the marker she had in her hand and slapped it dowieso

the table. 'If that is so, then come up here and draw and label the

diagram.'

She erased the figure on the board. The boy's face changed myriad colors. She saw the students in the class exchange glances. The boy stared coldly at Samantha Richards. As she cleaned the last trace of her diagram from the board, he left he seat. Moving swiftly, he picked up the marker from the table and with lightning speed-in exactly two minutes and fifty-seven seconds he had drawn and labeled the diagram. Replacing the cap on the marker, he slapped it down on the table just as Mrs. Richards had done, and, without looking at her, returned to his seat.

Mrs. Richards did not see him tossing down the marker or walking back to his seat. She was looking in disbelief at the diagram-which had taken her ten minutes to make-and which he had completed in less than three minutes. It was far better than her work: she could not find even a minor flaw in it. Somewhat embarrassed, she turned to look at the boy. Once again he was looking out of the window.

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Waseem knocked on the door for the third time; this time he could hear Imama inside.

'Who is it?"

"Imama it's me. Open the door,' said Waseem standing back. There was silence on the other side.

A little later, the lock clicked and Waseem turned the door knob to enter. Imama moved towards her bed, with her back to Waseem.

What brings you here at this time?'

'Why did you turn in so early? It's only ten now, replied Waseem as he walked in.

'I was sleepy.' She sat down on the bed. Waseem was alarmed to see her.

'Have you been crying? It was a spontaneous remark. Imama's eyes were red and swollen and she was trying to look away.

'No-no, I wasn't crying. Just a bad headache. She tried to smile.

Waseem, sitting down beside her, held her hand, trying to check her temperature. 'Any fever?' he asked with some concern. Then he let go of her hand. 'You don't have fever. Perhaps you should take a tablet for your headache.'

'I have.'

'Good. Go to sleep then. I had come to talk to you but you're in no state...' Waseem turned to leave the room. Imama made no effort to stop him. She followed him to the door and shut it behind him.

Flinging herself on the bed, she buried her face in the pillow-she was sobbing again.

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The thirteen-year-old boy was engrossed in a music show on TV when Tyyaba peeped in. She looked at her son somewhat uncertainly, and entered the room, irritated.

'What's going on?'

'I'm watching TV,' he replied without looking at her.

'Watching TV, For God's sake! Are you aware that your exams have started?' Tyyaba asked, standing in front of him.

'So what?' he said, annoyed.

'So what? You should be in your room with your books, not sitting here watching this vulgar show, Tyyaba scolded him.

'I have studied as much as I need to. Now please move out of my way. His tone reflected his irritation.

'All the same go in and study. Tyyaba stood her ground.

'No. I will not get up, nor will I go in and study. My studies and my papers are my concern, not yours.'

'If you were concerned about your studies, would you be sitting here?'

'Step aside.' He ignored Tyyaba's comment and rudely shooed her away.

'I'm going to talk to your father today.' Tyyaba tried a threat.

'You can talk to him for all I care. What will happen? What is he going to do? I've told you that I've already prepared for my exams, so then what's your problem?'

'This is your final examination. You should be concerned about it.' Tyyaba softened her tone.

'I am not a four-year-old who you need to nag. I have a better understanding of my responsibilities than you so don't pester me with your silly advice.'

'Your exams are on. Pay attention to your studies. You should be in your room. I will have a word with your father!'

'What rubbish!' Standing up, he flung the remote control at the wall and stomping his feet, left the room. Tyyaba, helpless and humiliated, watched him go.