Scene 1: The Waiting Chairs
The atmosphere in the principal's office was tense.
The hum of the ceiling fan seemed louder than usual. Two women sat on the guest chairs, their faces tight with worry and anger.
Maryam sat upright, her dupatta carefully placed on her head, eyes firm but protective, like a lioness guarding her cub. Beside her, Mrs. Sabahat Arain—mother of Yaqoob—shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She was dressed in an embroidered shawl, her face flushed with irritation.
Maryam glanced at her son, Irfan, who stood silently with his head lowered, his small hands clutched tightly in front of him. On the other side, Yaqoob leaned lazily against the wall, smirking every now and then, chewing the end of a pencil as if none of this mattered.
Mrs. Sabahat noticed and quickly spoke, breaking the silence.
Mrs. Sabahat (snapping): "Principal sahiba, I am telling you again, my Yaqoob is innocent. He never starts any fight. It is always this Irfan who provokes him. You know how clever children are these days."
Maryam turned toward her, her eyes flashing.
Maryam (calm but sharp): "Innocent? Your son is the one who hit my child first. Irfan only defended himself. Every time, Yaqoob bullies him and others. How long do you expect us mothers to stay quiet?"
Mrs. Sabahat (defensive, raising her chin): "Aray, boys fight. This is normal! Why are you making such a big issue? Maybe Irfan himself has some problem—he looks stubborn."
Irfan looked up at his mother, his lips trembling, but Maryam gently placed her hand over his shoulder.
Maryam (with controlled anger): "Don't you dare blame my son without proof."
The office door creaked open, and Principal Mrs. Uzma Rashid walked in, holding a thick file. She was in her late 40s, wearing a light grey shalwar kameez and spectacles, her presence instantly commanding silence.
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Scene 2: The Principal's Intervention
Principal Uzma (placing her file on the desk): "Bas! Enough of accusations. We will not argue like children here. We believe in evidence, not in assumptions."
She turned to the smart LED screen on the wall.
Principal Uzma: "Last week we installed new CCTV cameras in classrooms and corridors. Today, we'll watch the footage together. Then there will be no more shouting, only truth."
Maryam's lips curved into a faint smile, while Mrs. Sabahat's face paled slightly.
Mrs. Sabahat (stammering): "Principal sahiba… footage? Is that necessary? Kids forget such things quickly. Why dig into it so much?"
Principal Uzma (firm): "It is necessary because this is not the first complaint about Yaqoob. I want both parents to see what really happened."
She picked up the remote and clicked. The LED screen lit up, showing the corridor footage.
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Scene 3: The Truth on Screen
The video started. Children were leaving the classroom during break. The angle clearly showed Yaqoob pushing Irfan against the wall, snatching his notebook, and laughing with two boys.
Irfan tried to pull it back, asking politely. Yaqoob shoved him harder. The moment Irfan lost balance, Yaqoob slapped him. At that point, Irfan snapped, shoving Yaqoob back, and the two exchanged blows before the teacher intervened.
The video ended.
A heavy silence filled the room.
Maryam looked at Mrs. Sabahat with raised eyebrows.
Maryam (soft but cutting): "So… this is your innocent son?"
Mrs. Sabahat's lips trembled. She looked at her son, then at the principal. Yaqoob lowered his head now, no smirk left.
Principal Uzma (sternly): "Mrs. Sabahat, what do you have to say now?"
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Scene 4: The Mother Cornered
Mrs. Sabahat (hesitant, searching for words): "Actually… maybe he was just… playing roughly. Boys sometimes don't realize—"
Principal Uzma (interrupting, voice rising): "This is not play! This is bullying. And it's not the first time. I have records of Yaqoob failing most of his tests, disturbing teachers, and fighting with classmates. He is a typical backbencher, uninterested in studies, creating problems for others. Why, Mrs. Sabahat? Tell me the reason."
Mrs. Sabahat fumbled with her shawl, her eyes avoiding the principal's.
Mrs. Sabahat (weakly): "At home… his father is strict. Maybe too strict. He doesn't pay much attention to studies himself, only scolds. Yaqoob spends most of his time outside with neighborhood boys. I… I cannot control him."
Maryam (quietly, with dignity): "Then don't blame others for your failures, Mrs. Sabahat."
Sabahat looked as if she had been slapped.
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Scene 5: The Judgment
Principal Uzma (with finality): "Maryam, you may take your children home. Irfan is innocent. I am sorry he had to go through this."
Maryam stood, placing a protective arm around Irfan's shoulder.
Maryam (respectfully): "Thank you, Principal sahiba. I knew truth would come out."
She walked out of the office with her son, her head held high.
Inside, silence loomed. Mrs. Sabahat sat frozen, clutching her handbag tightly.
Principal Uzma (after a pause): "Mrs. Sabahat, we will not tolerate this behavior anymore. Consider this a final warning. Here—"
She scribbled on a form, stamped it, and handed it over.
Principal Uzma: "This is an official warning letter for your son's misconduct. If he repeats such actions, we will consider suspension."
Sabahat's face turned red with embarrassment. She stood slowly, nodded stiffly, and dragged Yaqoob out of the office.
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Scene 6: The Long Walk Home
Outside the school gate, Sabahat grabbed Yaqoob's arm tightly.
Mrs. Sabahat (furious, whispering angrily): "You fool! Because of you, I had to hear all this in front of that Maryam. Do you know the humiliation I faced?"
Yaqoob tried to free his arm.
Yaqoob (grumbling): "Ammi, I was just having fun. Everyone does it. Why are you making it such a big deal?"
Her voice rose as they walked toward the rickshaw stand.
Mrs. Sabahat: "Fun? This fun will ruin your life! You fail every subject, you fight every week. Do you think this will make me proud? Today the principal exposed you in front of everyone. I was left speechless. And you still don't feel ashamed?"
Yaqoob (muttering): "Principal only listens to teachers… no one listens to me."
Sabahat stopped in the middle of the road, glaring at him.
Mrs. Sabahat (shouting): "Because you are wrong! Because you lie! Because you don't study! From today, no more roaming outside, no more games. Straight home from school. And you will sit with me until you complete your homework. Samajh aya?"
Yaqoob nodded reluctantly, eyes down.
They climbed into a rickshaw, Sabahat still muttering under her breath, scolding him all the way home.
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Scene 7: Maryam at Home
Back at Maryam's house, Irfan was lying on the sofa, still shaken but comforted by his mother. Ubaid, his elder brother, sat beside him, patting his shoulder like a little guardian.
Ubaid (seriously, to Irfan): "Don't worry, bhai. I'm with you. Next time that Yaqoob tries anything, he'll have to face me too."
Maryam smiled faintly at their bond, stroking Irfan's hair.
Maryam (softly): "No, beta. You both will focus on your studies. Violence only ruins hearts. Today, truth protected us. Always remember, truth never hides."
The boys nodded, leaning against their mother, the storm of the day finally easing into quiet comfort.
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