“Their exams are next month and she failed again. This is the fourth test in a row.” Zain heard his fellow worker’s voice, groaning with the sound of his whining heard by the whole staff room.
“What happened, Sir Kasim?” Zain asked, leaning, chuckling at his demeanor, wearing his black shirt and pants with sleeves rolled to the elbow, tie perfectly worn, eye-catching to all female students but it’s too late to cast an eye upon him, he was already wearing his engagement ring as a pendant around his neck.
“It’s Hoorain, she was an above average student, a truly good one but for the past few weeks, she has been failing her tests constantly, doesn’t focus. She needs to know the importance of it but no, she wants to stumble at the very end. I honestly don’t understand that girl’s ordeal.” Kasim sighed, taking off his glasses, putting his tests aside and rubbing his temples to relieve the stress his students gave him.
“Hoorain?” Zain asked, hoping he heard him wrong, that she can’t fall back now. “Who else? She is even doing worse in the tests she performed well before.” He hissed, not opening his eyes. “Me too. I wonder what’s with her.” Another professor said from behind, shrugging his shoulders.
“What about you? Did her grades fall in your subject as well?” Kasim asked, looking up at Zain, narrowing his eyes, “Yeah, they did. Not terrible as yours but passable.” He sighed, looking away, trying to avoid her topic as some strange awkwardness arised in his chest.
“This won’t do. One of us has to talk to her.” Kasim said sternly as they all nodded in agreement.
“Why don’t you do it, Zain? She will surely listen to you.” Anaya smirked from behind, pinching but he frowned and replied, “We are prohibited to talk after class. I can’t insult her in front of the class.” She smirked, wiped off, turning her head away, “Oh, how boring.” Muttering, she turned her attention back to her phone. Zain raised his brows at her words but ignored them.
“I will talk to her.” Kasim said, shrugging his shoulders and another idea poked Anaya’s mind and she said again, “Why don’t Zain give her tuition? She will surely learn well with you.” She asked, smiling widely but Zain sighed in irritation.
“Will you please stop emphasizing on ‘you’ Mrs Singh?” He asked, turning his head to her. “What? I am not wrong. She listens to whatever you say.” She smirked, indulging in his irked reactions.
“Do you want another rumor to arise?” Zain asked deadpanned. “What rumor could get out now anyways. We know you are engaged and if it does, it’s our duty to bury that matter.” Another professor spoke from behind while checking the tests.
“But-” He tried to argue, “I think Anaya is right. She will listen to you, you are an all arounder, you can help her in every subject. You are her fiance, you should help her.” His beats dropped upon hearing it, an eerie sensation knocked on his heart. “Exactly.” Anaya smirked wickedly and he glared at her to shut up but she acted innocently.
“That’s decided, we cannot risk a student’s future, Especially when she is our young boy’s fiance. I will tell her about it, you are going to save her degree, Zain. It’s all on you, Young man.” Kasim laughed, being the youngest among the staff, his lips were sealed by the forced vows of being her partner, as a professor and once again, he couldn’t argue with them.
Because deep down, he did want to help her, He couldn’t leave her in this state.
“Good luck.” Anaya winked but he scoffed, rubbing his temples. “Don’t make this face, we know you are delighted by it. Don’t worry, only the three of us know, we won’t tell anyone.” Kasim grinned, patting his back, laughing to himself. “But, Sir-” He tried to argue but he stopped him, “Oh, hush, I am going for my class.” He said and left, leaving Zain vexed and frozen in anticipation.
Understandable before, he could be cold, rude but now he is her fiance, he has no idea how to deal with it; the awkwardness piling in his chest was growing immense, “Dammit.” Cursing under his breath, he grabbed his book and got up.
“Zain?” Anaya noticed his infuriated expression but before she could ask, he left in a hurry. With a scowl plastered on his face, the sound of his feet stomping around could be heard easily, he rushed to the class before it could start,
“Haziqa!” he called, motioning her to come closer. She was about to leave with Hoorain, talking to her merrily but their smiles were wiped when he came. “Go.. I will wait for you in class.” Hoorain whispered, glancing at Zain for a second eye contact, leaving for her class.
“Yes, Sir?” She asked, coming closer. He watched Hoorain leave for a few seconds and cleared his throat, resting his hands in his pants. “Yes, I wanted to talk to you.” His voice came out dominant, “About?”
“I know you know everything. Even if I strictly warned her about keeping her mouth shut but she didn’t, right?” He asked, voice blended with ire and stress. Haziqa’s throat dried, not wanting to put her friend in trouble, “What.. are you talking about?” She asked, acting innocent.
“Don’t try to fool me. Best friends know everything, I know. That’s why.” Sighing, he took a step closer, she felt tense and kept looking down, “Tell her my exact words; Don-” He was about to order assertively but his voice faded in between. Just say it, don’t bring yourself more troubles. Mentally scolding himself.
“Don’t?” Haziqa completed his sentence, bewildered. Exhaling, he moved back, “Don’t agree with Sir Kasim. I have other things to do as well.” He said and left.
Haziqa was dumbfounded at his words but shrugging her shoulders, she left for her class, “What was it? Did he say something?” Hoorain asked hopelessly. “I..” She paused, wondering whether she should tell her or not. “Say it.” She whispered and narrowing her eyes in compassion, she sat beside her, “He was asking about work, there’s nothing to worry about.” She smiled.
I know I should have told her but if she could get one chance.. Just one.. Haziqa thought and grinned as their classes started and Hoorain earned a long series of scolding.
“How are you going to pass with these grades? What is wrong with you, Hoorain?” Sir Kasim scolded but she kept looking down, “I am sorry, Sir. I will try better next time.” She whispered, nibbling her bottom lips. What was it about, Sir Kasim? Haziqa thought.
“Meet me after class.” He sighed, shaking his head and continued teaching. Later, after class. Hoorain went to see Sir Kasim while Haziqa was pondering about her friend’s tribulations, hoping to do something for her.
“Lack of communication and separations will only make things worse. How will they work it out if they won’t talk?” She asked herself, considering her decision for the betterment.
Muteness does lead to destruction after all..