A Thing, Beyond Forever

15.

P.T.M Meeting.

"I'm glad to tell you, Mrs Hussain, that your daughter Zukroof hasn't given us any trouble this year. Alhamdulillah for that", my teacher Miss Farisa said smiling formally only for a good couple of seconds.

"But, to my surprise, this time she is not up to the mark!", She said furrowing her eyebrows at me. My mother shot me a look as if I failed. 

I knew I worked hard. I knew this for sure that I didn't fail. "Um, what makes you say so?", inquired.

"Miss Sapphire house captain, I guess your work is being a distraction to your studies. You never scored below 95%, but this time", she said keeping a hand near her temples. My breath was hitching in my throat.

"Wh-wh-at-t  ha-happ-ppen th-this-ss time?" 

"You are at 90%, Miss Hussain, You know that it would just be at A2 and not A1? you're a bright student Zukroof, this is your cumulative percentage of the first term and mid-term. You have your pre-finals next then boards, do you see how serious it is getting? I want improvement next time!", She said handing my report card to my mother.

Okay. So this was my cumulative percentage. I breathed relief. I knew I didn't do well in the first term but I did the best of the best in the second term. I thanked god. Alhumdulilah at least I didn't fail. I knew it would go low because of my school work I had to deal with so many Inter-House competitions and Inter-School competitions.

"Um yeah sure Ma'am, I'll pass with 10.0 In sha Allah", I assured her as I sealed my lips in a tight smile. 

"By the way, which college and stream and you are looking forward to taking for after graduation?", she asked me.

"Uhm, I guess---",

"She will be attending High school in Kuwait", said my mum interrupting me

Okay, this was brand new information. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I was bewildered and every other word that comes as a synonym to the word shock. I was staring at my mother simply. Why didn't she tell me before bombarding it here?

Patience Zukroof! Patience!

"Oh, that's nice, I wish you all the best for your future endeavors", My teacher wished.

As soon as my mum ended her meeting. I nudged her, "Mumma, what's is this? You didn't tell me about sending me to Kuwait? When did all this happen?" I asked in exasperation.

It was just yesterday when I and my friends were planning on taking in the same colleges. We hadn't yet come to a conclusion of which stream we wanted to take but we wanted to stay together even after graduation. I didn't know how I would be breaking this news to my friends now. 

"We all are shifting to Kuwait forever after your graduation. Zuki, It's time that we move on with your dad for your higher studies. The environment here in India is getting worse day by day and, I can't obviously look after you and your sister together all by myself. There's a point in both of your lives when your father's surveillance is needed", she said, walking down the stairs with me.

I suddenly felt like all my saliva dried up. Suddenly I felt so tongue-tied and thirsty. "I...I completely understand that Mumma, but is this how you both plan all of a sudden? My high school, my career, my opinion is not considered?"

"Who said your opinion is not considered? You come home, we will talk about it", she said as I dropped her till the entrance.

I knew what her 'we will talk'  meant. She would just take whatever I would say and put her on motherly logic in response along with a pinch of emotional blackmail to taste and toss my opinion into the garbage. I was actually pissed. Obviously, I loved Kuwait. I used to pay visits during holidays but...shifting there completely? leaving my friends? It's gonna be harder than I imagine.