else. Apparently, something had happened in the second last period and Tejas was called down to the Principal’s office. Then, Mrs Dhir was seen rushing out of her class, leaving the students rushing out behind her, to the office as well.
Later it was announced that Tejas was suspended for ten working days . . . along with Kabir!
It was near my bus stop that Jaya filled me in. Her elder sister’s class faced the offices and that’s how she and others of her room overheard everything.
Apparently Kabir was caught fighting with Tejas, brutally, after Tejas got the suspension. Tejas was found to have entered the map details AFTER it was fully evaluated and been shown in the class. He usually did this, but someone saw him do it this time and reported it to Mrs. Ratna later in the day.
It was confirmed that the answers were written after he had seen the papers in class and his parents were called to inform about the same and Tejas was suspended with Mrs. Ratna cleared of any error.
Tejas was furious that his trick had back fired. He was also a bit embarrassed to face all those to whom he had fed lies the entire day and especially Anjali who he knew would not miss rubbing his nose in this mess.
But, more so he was convinced it was Kabir who had reported him and therefore, without confirmation or any notice he had pounced on Kabir in the senior boy’s locker room and there had been a huge fight between them. The result was that even Kabir was now facing suspension for five working days.
I was aware that Kabir had been listening to Tejas brawl about the marks all day. But I was sure, because of the excess work load; he had not had the time to ponder over this much. Therefore, I had a nagging feeling that someone else was involved in all this and I was determined to find it out.
The next day, both Tejas and Kabir were absent from the class. As the day progressed I saw and observed carefully all the pupils in my class gossip about them. I noticed different reflections of excitement and awe on their faces. ALL were amazed by this episode and therefore this seemed a very normal response, shown by all sixteen year olds . . . except one!
Joy Ghosh.
Joy sat mute and smiled remotely whenever anything related to suspension was spoken. I was convinced he knew something. So in recess, I asked him.
“Joy . . . Kabir did not report Tejas. I know it.” I spoke confidently. I saw Joy suck in air.
“Do you know who did?” I asked again. Joy was transfixed to the spot. I knew now that it was a few more minutes before I could break his silence, but he looked ready to faint that very moment.
“Joy? Joy?” I shook him by the arm. He was transfixed, it seemed.
“Joy? Sit down ok . . . sit.” I literally pulled him down on the bench where we usually sat and had food.
“Look Joy, you can tell me everything. I know you know and so I have an obligation to tell the teachers. But if you confide in me, I promise, your name won’t come up. I will take everything on me, whatever the consequences!” I tried my most convincing tone.
Joy took his time, but finally he narrated the entire episode to me as to how he had rolled his pencil under the bench and as he had bent down to look for it, he had spotted Tejas making the additions to his then, empty map. He had not known that it would become such a huge issue.
I knew what had to be done. So as soon as the recess was over, I found myself outside the Principal’s office, awaiting the call of my name.
“Yes, dear. Why did you wish to meet me?” My Principal looked up from her bifocals and smiled at me. I was a popular student.
“Ma’am . . . there is something very crucial I must confide in you, but I can’t disclose my resource . . .” I told her everything. She sat there politely listening to every word I said.
“Ma’am, we just assumed Kabir to have done it. He did not, at least not this time.” I finally ended my statement.
“Are you sure about this resource of yours?”
Later it was announced that Tejas was suspended for ten working days . . . along with Kabir!
It was near my bus stop that Jaya filled me in. Her elder sister’s class faced the offices and that’s how she and others of her room overheard everything.
Apparently Kabir was caught fighting with Tejas, brutally, after Tejas got the suspension. Tejas was found to have entered the map details AFTER it was fully evaluated and been shown in the class. He usually did this, but someone saw him do it this time and reported it to Mrs. Ratna later in the day.
It was confirmed that the answers were written after he had seen the papers in class and his parents were called to inform about the same and Tejas was suspended with Mrs. Ratna cleared of any error.
Tejas was furious that his trick had back fired. He was also a bit embarrassed to face all those to whom he had fed lies the entire day and especially Anjali who he knew would not miss rubbing his nose in this mess.
But, more so he was convinced it was Kabir who had reported him and therefore, without confirmation or any notice he had pounced on Kabir in the senior boy’s locker room and there had been a huge fight between them. The result was that even Kabir was now facing suspension for five working days.
I was aware that Kabir had been listening to Tejas brawl about the marks all day. But I was sure, because of the excess work load; he had not had the time to ponder over this much. Therefore, I had a nagging feeling that someone else was involved in all this and I was determined to find it out.
The next day, both Tejas and Kabir were absent from the class. As the day progressed I saw and observed carefully all the pupils in my class gossip about them. I noticed different reflections of excitement and awe on their faces. ALL were amazed by this episode and therefore this seemed a very normal response, shown by all sixteen year olds . . . except one!
Joy Ghosh.
Joy sat mute and smiled remotely whenever anything related to suspension was spoken. I was convinced he knew something. So in recess, I asked him.
“Joy . . . Kabir did not report Tejas. I know it.” I spoke confidently. I saw Joy suck in air.
“Do you know who did?” I asked again. Joy was transfixed to the spot. I knew now that it was a few more minutes before I could break his silence, but he looked ready to faint that very moment.
“Joy? Joy?” I shook him by the arm. He was transfixed, it seemed.
“Joy? Sit down ok . . . sit.” I literally pulled him down on the bench where we usually sat and had food.
“Look Joy, you can tell me everything. I know you know and so I have an obligation to tell the teachers. But if you confide in me, I promise, your name won’t come up. I will take everything on me, whatever the consequences!” I tried my most convincing tone.
Joy took his time, but finally he narrated the entire episode to me as to how he had rolled his pencil under the bench and as he had bent down to look for it, he had spotted Tejas making the additions to his then, empty map. He had not known that it would become such a huge issue.
I knew what had to be done. So as soon as the recess was over, I found myself outside the Principal’s office, awaiting the call of my name.
“Yes, dear. Why did you wish to meet me?” My Principal looked up from her bifocals and smiled at me. I was a popular student.
“Ma’am . . . there is something very crucial I must confide in you, but I can’t disclose my resource . . .” I told her everything. She sat there politely listening to every word I said.
“Ma’am, we just assumed Kabir to have done it. He did not, at least not this time.” I finally ended my statement.
“Are you sure about this resource of yours?”
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