A Thing, Beyond Forever

31

Ah, why is this so difficult. Gosh! tears are flowing like a river. I sniffed as I chopped the onions mum told me to chop for her.

Just then, dad entered from the main door holding few packets of fruits and vegetables with him. The kitchen was aligned with the main door.

I went to him took those packets from his hand and helped him keep them in the refrigerator. He looked at me as I was sniffing.

"Why are your eyes so red? he asked.

I sniffed again as I wiped the tears off my cheeks, "Oh, nothing much. I have been chopping onions".

He went straight into the kitchen, "Yasmeen, didn't I tell you not to make her do the chores of the kitchen?"

"When will she learn then? I had to make this curry quickly that's why I asked her!"

"I'll chop them for you, don't ask her nor Nashra. They'll do other chores but not this kitchen stuff. She isn't able to chop them, see her eyes are all red"

The next thing I knew was he took the knife from my hands and chopped the onions so fast not a tear fell from his eyes. My saviour, I admired him as I watched his back. He was a well-built man. Perfectly, lined beard covering his jaw. Rich black hair and black eyes. He loved wearing thobe and always had a cap on his head. The cap men wear while offering salah.

I went back to my room sat on my bed and looked at the prospectus given today at my High school.

The emphasis on high school is only because the day at that stupid The Indian Community School Kuwait was very annoying. Students their emphasize being in HIGH SCHOOL

After the process of my admission was done. I was admitted to my class. As it was already late that I got admission, I missed my first term. I was on my way to the block of my class. I had this long pinafore that reached till my ankle underneath which I had a white plain shirt to wear as a uniform. I used to curse the uniform I wore during my school time at Hyderabad where this was the worst case. At least I could run, jump, hop and dance wearing that salwar kameez compared to what I can do wearing this pinafore till my ankle. I can't even walk fast. Even if I did, I would find myself tripping.

Great start of the day!, I thought to myself.

I entered the block where I was told to visit the office of the head teacher. I knocked and entered.

There was a lady dressed in south Indian saree, a big braid of white and grey hair hanging across from her shoulder and a big red dot on her forehead. Sitting in front of her desk, she gestured me to come in

I quickly scanned her room. Above her PC, was a huge monitor installed, wherein several cameras were displayed.

"Good morning Ma'am. I'm Zukroof Hussain from Hyderabad. I just took admission in the 11th standard and I opted for Computer science. I was informed to come to you and hand you this chit" I said.

She nodded and smiled slightly taking the chit from my hands. It had my G.R (General Registration) Number. She typed something on her PC, wrote something on my chit and then handed it to me.

I took it from her and saw what was written, "Eleventh K"

"You may leave now"

I looked up at her, "Thank you Ma'am" I said and left.

Ya Allah, how am I supposed to know where this class is?

In front of her office were stairs and on top was a board written, "XI -XII"( meaning 11th- 12th)

I walked upstairs as per the direction. It was a two-story building, when I reached the first floor, on the entrance was a board indicating, "XI-XII" and the arrow mark given upstairs.