~Make You Feel My Love~

Dead or Alive?

First day of school. Although it is the same batch as last year the excitement still hits my mind before any other thought and I instantly roll off the bed to get ready. I brush my teeth, wash my face and go over my usual skincare routine. "Hala it's almost time for school hurry up or you'll be late!" I hear my mom's muffled exclaimation through the door and "hurry up" like she said because being late was the last thing I wanted today. After bidding goodbye to mom and dad and having my favourite breakfast, no-fat milk with sugar-free biscuits to be specific, I wear my bag on my shoulders and head out for the bus. It arrived way earlier than it should have but I decide to forgive uncle Asim and board the bus.

I enter the school building that I have been seeing for the past 5 years. Keeping my excitement to myself, I head towards the assigned classroom. Now to be honest there isn't anything unique or new. It is the same old classroom, same familiar faces and the same everyday routine. I don't know what I was expecting. It is not that bad and I don't get bored of it but my expectations were different. I greet the teacher and everyone else and sit in the front row.

I am half an hour in the first lecture when Farya barges in the classroom and drops flat on the floor. Everyone gasps in shock. Her nose and mouth are bleeding excessively. The teacher and almost everyone approach her to help her or to stand and stare. But I stay back, creeped out by the sudden behaviour. In an instant Farya gets up on her legs and her body jerks. It is obvious that she is having a seizure. A few more seconds and she jumps onto Rumaisa, falling over her as she bites a chunk of her face off. Everyone steps back trying to process what is happening and I take a moment before running out of the classroom without looking back. I ignore everyone else staring at me as I passed right before them. I enter a classroom and lock myself in, sliding and falling against the door in terror. The whole class approaches me to feed their curiousity and I explain everything that happened. "I don't know if she was dead or alive!"