Strings Attached

~Chapter 16~ (Contd.)

I decided to post the rest of the chapter in a new part... My indecision worries me sometimes, lol!

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Manchester, England.

(Daniyal Hasan)

"Would any of you care to explain to me why my directions were never followed?" the Headmistress asks us, distinctly pronouncing each word of her question as if she's talking to two dumb-witted persons.

Of course, I forgot that it was the 1st of September today. And we were to present ourselves to report our progress on our joint project, the result of the fracas that had ensued because of me, exactly a month ago. Sadly, the woman sitting across from us never forgot about it. She is one obsessive person if you ask me. Perpetually interested in her students' lives.

Project is such a big word to describe it, I think when I was only supposed to walk around like this insufferable girl's eternal slave. The very definition of modern-day bonded labour, I tell you!

"Mr. Hasan, would you care to supply me with a reason?" Her tone is accusing like I'm the only one to blame, and that pushes me to reveal what I'd decided not to.

"Actually, I would, ma'am," I finally tell her and the woman raises an eyebrow in response.

"You see, I tried to do the duties you gave me. I'm a sincere guy, you know." She raises both her eyebrows this time. I push back a chair and plonk down on it, slowly coming into my element. The woman indicates Hidayah to take the chair beside me and the girl sits down gingerly on the further end of it.

I roll my eyes at her action. Either she's scared of me or thinks I'm carrying some sort of disease. This world has got some crazy specimens for people, I swear.

I turn my body to face the girl and address her instead. "If you're such a good Muslim as your name would suggest to people, why don't you tell her that I did carry your books for you, huh? Also, I tried taking your notebook to work in, but you stuck it to yourself as if your life depended on it, didn't you?" I ask her acidly, narrowing my eyes, throwing back that Muslim jibe she struck me with, last night.

She looks back at me, her eyes going wider. Oh yes, I remember sweetheart.

She darts her eyes in quick succession in the Head's direction and then at me, in that order and keeps blinking them rapidly. She didn't realize I'd try to vindicate myself.

"I-- that's not true, ma'am." Oh, so she found her voice. About time too! "He— he made fun of me in front of nearly the whole school. He harassed me to get the detention scrapped. So, naturally, I was scared. But he acted as if nothing ever happened between us."

I never, ever thought she'd reveal that to the Head! I feel fuming with the old hot anger right now. How she even dare?!

"And then, he ganged up on me with his friends and forcefully pried my books off me, ma'am." The girl tries to steady her voice as it wobbles at the end, but in vain. She keeps sniffling beside me as I constantly rub my forehead to keep my anger in check. But I think I'm a second away from bursting.