The Orphan Child

ch4

While Zahra grasped at the idea of how someone could accidentally leave the taps on full she thought of all the water that had gone to waste by a silly mistake. How can you miss the unmistakable noise that the water makes when it gushes out? Allah surely knew who it was but as for the Principal who stood furious at the front red in the face, he was fuming as he repeated all the damages that were made by the flood on the second floor in the boys toilets.

It was a disaster and all the kids kept their mouths shut not wanting to experience the wrath of Principal Haq when he was angry. He could get pretty angry and no one fancied the beats that would come after.

Zahra however, had never in her life experienced the fury of any elders and nor had any beatings, all by the grace of her Lord. He had kept her clean and away from harms way. Mostly because of her kind nature and the good heart that resided within.

"Whoever did this or knows anything about it must own up before school ends or there will be detention for the whole school." Principle Haq finalises.

He was of course furious because he didn't have the financial means and would do whatever it took to find the culprit who had done such a terrible deed.

When he will find out-and surely he knew someone would fess up by the end of the day- he would make it clear that Israaf (Extravagance/waste) is unacceptable in his school.

The door to the great hall slams with heavy sound on accident as a late comer enters. His late entrance was noticed by all as he struggled to shut the doors quietly with shaking hands.

Zahra who was also curious strained her neck sideways getting a clear image of the late comer. His laces were undone and his clothes a little ruffled. As she observed closely she noticed his right hand shake slightly red at the palm, but before she could observe any further, he had shoved his hands in his pocket strolling to the back to take his seat with the bigger kids.

Principal Haq brought back the attention to him with a clear of his throat.

"Now Salat Az-Zhur will take place shortly I want everyone to the masjid immediately. Anyone who is late will get an immediate detention. Assalamu Alaykum." Principal Haq left first and it wasn't until the doors shut closed that everyone finally let out a breath being able to discuss the subject with their classmates.

However the answer remained unknown to everyone. Who could have done so?

The next 15 short minutes were spent with everyone scurrying to their classes and finishing their lunch. The Principals words rang clear in everyone's mind as some began to make a head start at making wudhu.

....

Harris walked past all the accusing eyes that watched him carefully until he turned the corner to his tree.

He plopped down feeling anxious about his next classes. So far no teacher had caught onto the absence of his planner. If he is caught in his last lesson then for sure he will get a detention which ultimately means he won't be going home to his Grandma soon enough.

A few kids walked pasts snickering. Harris paid no attention to them because he had found that he stays out of trouble that way. They do their own thing and he does his. There was no need for friends because half the kids thought him out to be a criminal or the likes of it because that's how the teachers would treat him.

He couldn't wait to leave school and start a life somewhere away from this place. When he had enough money and was old enough he had planned to take his Grandma and himself far away maybe to a farm because his grandma was very much fond of nature and animals. They could maybe grow their own food and live happily side by side.