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THE ULTIMATE TRUTHChapter 1

It was a beautiful clear morning of the small town of Zreeha, “the land of industrious people”, as they said it. People were ready to leave their homes just after half an hour of dawn. Breakfasts were ready, there were voices & noises everywhere and one could hear the clattering of utensils put in the sink for immediate wash. It seemed that the towninhabitants were making themselves ready for a war.But there was no war! Rather it was their enthusiasm which was showing it up in their preparation for a good start of the day. It was a routine for the people of Zreeha to getearly in the morning, offer prayers according to their belief and start their preparation for going to their workplace whether it be an office, the fields or a small home basedindustry. Each and every day of theirs was full of hard work and devotion and they were NEVER late for anything. They were so punctual in their routines and dealings that theword “late” has long been forgotten.But this was not true for everyone in Zreeha. There were few exceptions and one of themwas Aimal. She was the only one in her house who was always late. She was never onright time, not even during her exams. On every exam day she tried to her best to be therein school at the right time but she never was! And that’s why she was used to being punished and scolded.It was yet another exam day when she was late as usual as before. It took her fortyminutes to reach the magnificent building of ‘The Learners School for Girls’, from her home. She was on her bicycle, with a shopping bag containing her geometry box and paper pad hanging on the left side of handle, when she entered from school gate. Another ten minutes were gone in covering the distance from cycle parking to her class room. Bythe time she entered the exam hall-turned-class room she was fifteen minutes late. Shewas happy that it was only fifteen.“Miss Aimal! Will you ever become serious in your life? Will you ever prove that you area resident of Zreeha?” The scolding welcome by Mrs. Masira made her tremble.“Madam I ... I …”“Shut up! Take your seat and start your paper. Meet me in faculty room after the paper”she cried.Aimal had hardly finished her paper in the available time when the fear of Miss Masira pounded her heart fiercely. With shivering body she took her belongings from her desk and headed towards the faculty room.It was not the first time that she was late like this but it

was

for the first time that she wascalled by a teacher. She has been repeatedly scolded and warned but nothing couldchange her habit and it was not known that what would be done to her now.“I did not want to do this! I don’t know why I do this? Why I always become late despiteall my efforts to make myself punctual? O Lord! Help me! Help me!” she was whisperingin her heart and did not know when she closed her eyes while moving.

“Oooo …” she bumped with someone and immediately opened her eyes with the second person’s shriek.“You careless silly girl, always late and always pre-occupied” other side was someonefamiliar with her.“Barina! You! What are you doing here?” Aimal shouted and than circumspect thecorridor. There was no one except them.“I think I can ask you the same question. Well, I was coming from the principal’s officeafter having a fine for …”“Being late?” Aimal cut her.“Yes, and I think you are going for the same reason?” Barina popped“Same reason but not to the principal’s office, miss Masira called me when I got onlyfifteen minutes late” Aimal said frantically.“Thank God it’s not the principal yet. And for Miss Masira, have a tip from me. Justapologize straightforwardly, no err and say that you won’t do this again. She will giveyou the last warning, simply nod and that’s it and than everything will be alright. After you are done, come back to …”“The same place?”“Yes, the same place.” Barina patted her and went on.Upon reaching the faculty room, she put her shivering hand on the door handle andhesitantly opened it. Miss Masira was the first to be seen looking straight to her and thanshe saw others, all busy in their matters. No one else was looking at her, she felt a littlerelief.“Sit down” she heard a firm voice and acted accordingly.“Aimal! It was your last paper today and I wish it must be the last day of your life as alate comer. From now onwards you must be as punctual and regular as zreehans are. Iwill not tolerate this next time” with a little pause she started again “you are a goodstudent Aimal and that’s why you are very dear to me but your attitude towards punctuality is extremely careless which is a big stigma on you. I can call your parents butI think it is quite enough for a student, a GOOD student, to be called by a teacher becauseof her violation of discipline. I hope you won’t do this again and you must not be, because Zreeha perishes those who don’t maintain its customs.” Last sentence wasunbearable. Tears of embarrassment went down her cheeks. She was sobbing silently andafter some moments she opened her mouth to say something.“Go wash your face and come to me again” this time a soft voice ordered her. After sometime she came back with glowing washed face. Just after taking her seat, she muttered,“I am sorry madam …”“No old sentences! And no need of new ones little girl!” she smiled “your new classes aregoing to start next week and I will be your Social Studies instructor this time. You probably know that six class has projects for every subject and I want you to do a History project from my subject”“I am ready Miss Masira” she began excitedly “what the project is about?”“I have a complete list of projects and it will be displayed at the beginning of next sessioni.e. next week. You can have your own ideas for project proposals and you have to work in a group of three. Important thing is you can choose students from other sections too.Think about it in your week-holidays and decide about the group. You can go now.” Sheconcluded.“Thank you Madam!” she got up and headed hurriedly towards the backside of school.