Anguish of a Little Soul

The Confession

The students entered the classroom and took their seats. Hiba immediately looked at her bag and then the teachers. The teachers were looking at Hiba. Without any further eye contact she ran to her seat and stared at an empty page in her notebook.

The teachers had checked the entire school bag during Hiba's absence. They found nothing strange. Ms. Dinukshi was sure it was one of Zoya's belongings and she had told Ms. Hanan she will make sure Hiba returns it before she leaves home for the day.

Again lessons started and Hiba was back in her nervous self. Ms. Dinukshi no longer looked confused, but stern.

The last bell went off indicating the end of the school day. All students stood up for the school anthem, and walked out in pairs. Amrin and Hiba held hands and walked towards the door, when the Ms. Hanan stopped Hiba, and asked Amrin to leave.

When everyone had left Ms. Dinukshi began her "interrogation".

"Hiba, where have you hid it? I know what you took from Zoya. I want you to give it to me right away. If not I will have to call in your parents."

Hiba's eyes widened with fear, and her hands trembled. She wanted to just vanish from that moment.

"Stealing is a bad habit Hiba, don't you know? Your mom wouldn't feel proud about it, would she? You give it to us and we will return it to Zoya. No names will be mentioned and this will end here." said Ms. Hanan calmly.

"Ma'am, I didn't steal" said Hiba, now with big tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Stop it, Hiba! We know what you have done. I have always admired how well brought up you were. You never was excited by these fancy stationery your classmates had, but today, I am really disappointed. No more talking. I want you to handover right now and walk out." finished Ms. Dinukshi sternly. Ms. Hanan sighed and looked at Hiba empathetically.

Hiba opened her bag, pulled out her lunch box and left it on the teachers' table.

"I promise Ma'am, I didn't steal. I didn't lie. I was embarrassed"

Ms. Hanan opened the lunchbox and her eyes widened in shock. She passed an awkward look to Ms. Dinukshi. She looked into the lunchbox too and looked confused.

"Sandwich!" exclaimed Ms. Hanan. Her voice was a mixture of confusion and sadness.

"I didn't steal it Ma'am. I took it from the waste paper basket. Zoya threw it there. I took it for my brother."

Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her breathing became faster. The words were hardly making out their way from her mouth.

"He has never eaten anything other than rice or roast bread, and he is always hungry. I wanted to give this to him"

Ms. Hanan was already in tears. Ms. Dinukshi's stern face had now relaxed, and was blank.

"I....I was scared that the class will make fun of me. I will not repeat this." The words made through heavy sobs. "Please let me go"

Hiba's sobs grew louder and teary-eyed Ms. Hanan opened the door.