chapter 8

The following day, their principal arrived from his trip and almost every student was aware of his return. Mean while Sadik had started making new friends in class with those who were interested in football."Which. Football club are you supporting?" One of the students asked."Oh I'm supporting Real Madrid" Sadik responded."Wow! That's fantastic. I'm supporting Real Madrid too" the boy said."I think is the best club in the world" Sadik claimed. They talked to each other and laughed. Sarah who was sitting in the front had been listening to all of their conversations. She was happy that Sadik was finally making new friends.

When the closing bell rang, Sadik and Sarah came out with their school bags on their backs and they met with Mary on their way out."I'm surprised that your friend did not bother you today" Sarah said."And who are you referring to?" Sadik questioned."I'm referring to James" Sarah laughed."Oh I would have understood you better if you said Mr fool" Sadik said and Sarah could not resist laughing out loud."You know he's a nice person if you get to know him" Mary opposed."Well, I pray I don't get to know him" Sadik concluded.

They found Peter waiting for Sadik under a tree beside the school main road."Come on let's go Peter" Sadik called out. The four of them were walking, and then appeared the head boy before them."You should go to the office of the principal, he said to tell you that he needs to see you right away" the head boy delivered."Okay you two should go ahead, while I and Mary will go to the clinic" Said Sarah and they all went their ways. Sadik and Peter went to the administration building. As they were about to walk into the building, they came across Fatima walking out with her friend Maryam. Again, Sadik felt a strong force pulling him towards Fatima. He kept looking at her until they made an eye contact. They looked at each other for almost 3 seconds until she broke the eye contact. After they passed each other with few metres away, Sadik looked back and caught her looking back also and she quickly looked away."Did she just turned and looked at me?" Sadik Surprisingly questioned himself. And suddenly, a smile spread on his like the waves of an ocean. He kept smiling until they got to the office of the principal. At the office of the principal, his secretary asked them to go in. They entered the office and found the principal sitting."Good afternoon sir" they greeted."Afternoon boys, how are you doing?" The principal asked."We are doing okay sir" they answered."I was not in the country for the past weeks, I hope you enjoyed it here?" The principal questioned."Very much sir, I feel so privileged to be here sir" Sadik responded."I'm happy to hear that, you will have to impress me with your result at the end of the term to show your gratitude" the principal said."I pray so sir" Sadik replied."Looks like you've gotten yourself a new friend" the principal noticed Peter."What class are you my small friend?" The principal asked."I'm in Jss 2 sir" Peter replied."And what should I call you?" The principal requested."I'm called Peter sir" Peter answered."Ok Peter, please take care of your friend for me" the principal joked."Okay sir" Peter smiled."The school will be celebrating its 20th anniversary at the end of this term. Your results will be announced during ceremony in the presence of your parents" the principal announced."Wow! Really sir?" Sadik and Peter astonishingly asked."Yes, so you have to prepare very well in other to impress your parents" the Principal advised."Thank you sir" Sadik and Peter replied and they walked out of the principal's office.

When they got out the administration building, they saw Fatima talking with the head boy. Sadik felt a pain in his chest like he never felt before. It was the first time he had ever felt something like that. He had never wished to be in the position of someone until then. "What a rare occasion do we have here? This is the first time I'm seeing Fatima talking to a boy. Looks like the head boy has broken the record" Peter said. Sadik was quiet, lost in the world of jealousy, anger and fear."Oh sorry I must have said this at the wrong place" Peter pleaded."Don't worry Peter, you didn't say anything wrong. After all, I'm not a match for her in the first place" Sadik sadly said."No you can't give up so soon Sadik, you have to try your luck first" Peter tried to pacify."Let me go to the mosque, we'll talk in the hostel" Sadik concluded.

During their lunch in the dining hall, all Final year students kept whispering about Fatima and the head boy."I know the head boy since when we were children, I have never seen a case where a girl went free after she's fallen into his trap" one of the final year students said. When Sadik heard that, he decided he will give up and never to look at where Fatima was.

In the night during their studies, Sadik was reading his books and the bell for closing time for girls rang. Sadik felt an urge pulling him to go to washroom and see Fatima passing on the main road, but he fought it and controlled himself. He couldn't sleep that night, the image of the head boy and Fatima kept bumping into his head. He felt a pain he couldn't describe. He tried to read his books, but he couldn't read too.