MISUNDERSDANDING

The next day was a disaster. Everything turned upside down and broke Eli’s heart.

Last night Eli thought of how Hana with such a small frail body punched the big boy, he was amused by what he saw and laughed. He wanted to be friends with her that’s why he was planning to talk with her the next day when he meets her. Hana looked like a simple girl but was not weak. She never wanted to punch anyone but she was tired of getting bullied every day by Eliot and Johnny that’s why she wanted to teach them a lesson that day. She didn’t talk with Eli because she was embarrassed as he saw her that day. To avoid explaining the situation to Eli she decided to just ignore him. She heard everything that the girls were saying about Eli but she showed no interest because she thought if she talked with Eli, he might ask her about that incident. But the next day Eli was determined to be friends with her. But no matter how many times he wanted to talk with her, he could never. As soon as the bell hits all the girls will crowd him by asking him out to dinner, outing, or other activities. He could never avoid this crowd and talk with Hana. Hana will always leave the class first. Soon a week passed by. He failed every attempt. No matter where the school field, cafeteria, auditorium the girls never left him alone. The next week was their math test. That’s when he saw Hana cheating from her friend. As everyone was discussing their answers Eli took the chance and went to talk with her. But he didn’t know what to say so instead of talking he ended up teasing her about the cold drinks. But Hana was busy finishing her assignment. Poor Eli got kicked instead of being friends. He got so angry he wanted Hana and only Hana to fondle him as other girls did so he decided to make her fall for him and keep her with him forever. Eli sure did had a crazy childish idea which was completely useless. When Hana came back to the classroom she thought she shouldn’t have kicked Eli so strongly. Then she went back to the cafeteria to buy a cold drink for Eli. As she left the classroom for a cold drink Eli got even more frustrated that she didn’t even say sorry for the kick. At one point he thought of not talking with her at all. While he was grumbling over his angry thoughts someone put a cold drink bottle in front of him. When he looked up it was Hana. Hana apologized for kicking him earlier, he was disturbing her and the deadline was till tiffin break so she had to get rid of him and finish it. She was about to leave but he stopped her and asked her to be his friend Hana and every other girl in the class was shocked, no matter how much the other girls persuaded him he never wanted to be friends with anyone other than Hana. Hana felt happy but she had trust issues so she said no and went to her seat, she thought this was a prank. But Eli was so happy after getting that cold drink he didn’t care how coldly she said no he was determined to be friends with her. He followed her everywhere, he even started to walk with her to her work pace. Hana would always say that she will not be his friend but he kept following her, he even ate his tiffin with Hana, at first Hana would show an angry expression but gradually she didn’t anymore. Despite all those angry expressions she was always happy. One day while going home from work Hana found a lost kitten, she bought it home. But her father was against her keeping it so the next day she took the kitten and went to school. Hana had good relationships with all of her teachers so went to ask permission if she could keep the kitten at the back of the school. At first, the teacher wanted to say no, but since she was always modest he decided to listen to her first request. He gave her permission on one condition that she will have to clean the kitten’s dirt and take good care of it. Hana happily agreed. She took the kitten and its box at the back of the school secretly. Because she knew if anyone saw this they would hurt the kitten to bully Hana more. She set up the kitten’s box, made a bed with her old muffler, and set up the food n water pots. Every day she would disappear during break periods. Eli was anxious as he couldn’t spend much time with her. So he decided to follow her. When he followed her he saw her feeding the kitten and smiling while playing with the kitten. She looked so beautiful in Eli’s eyes that time that Eli wanted to keep this smiling face preserved in his heart. He didn’t want anyone to see her beautiful smile except for him. He kept looking at her as she played with the kitten. But soon the next class started so she went to her class. Then Eli went to the kitten, the kitten was so friendly she purred when Eli stroke his. Eli was touched he said he will also take care of the kitten. He hugged and kissed him then he put him back in his box and went to his class. Since then Eli would always visit the kitten, he would often clean the place and even give the kitten food. When Hana saw this she was surprised but also happy that there was someone else loving the kitten too. Like this, both of them secretly kept looking at the kitten for a week but this time Hana really wanted to see who was the person. So she stayed in hiding to see who was it. Then she saw Eli loving and playing with the kitten. Eli would talk a lot with the kitten while saying that he was the dad and Hana was the mom. Hana laughed secretly as she heard him saying that but Eli heard it so he shouted

“who’s there, come out”

Hana came out and said while laughing I never thought you wanted to be a cat’s father. Eli was embarrassed. To not make him even more shy Hana thanked him and said she was happy that he loved the kitten too. This poor little one needs lots of care. Eli said he will keep looking after the kitten even if Hana gets busy someday with her work. So she should rely on him more and take it easy. She felt really happy and they both sat down and played with the kitten and when it was time for class again they left for the class. Soon the other girls began to notice that every day during every break period Eli was nowhere to be found as well as Hana. They wanted to know where they disappear every day. But they never managed to catch up with any of those two. They knew they were being followed so they both purposely mislead them and after that went to the kitten. Both of them will play and have their own meals at the back of the school. Eli felt this was the best time of his life. Eli would always tell her lots of stories. He even told her about his childhood friend. When Hana heard the story about the childhood friend she kept looking at his face for a while then said he was a really good friend, he still remembers a friend who is long lost. Eli told her that one day he will find her and ask her name. Hana said she hopes that he meets and he had a really jolly expression. Hana also told him about many stuff and also about Eliot and Johnny. Eli asked why they bullied her, she said maybe they thought this will be amusing so they did it. Eli didn’t want to make her uncomfortable so never asked why didn’t her parents ever do anything about this. Hana knew what he had in his mind so she said even though he never asked that she never told her parents about anything. She wanted to become strong and teach them a lesson. And she did, she was satisfied with it too. Hana was never a silent girl she would always smile and talk a lot but these bullies caused her to lose that smile. Eli said he wanted her to smile always like this, she didn’t say anything and just smile a little. Eli told her no one will laugh at her if she stays this much happy, at least I will not laugh at you, I will always be your friend. Hana felt happy and said yes with a very big smile. The next day when she went to her class she wanted to smile and talk with others as Eli advised.

She tried saying good morning when she met her classmates. She was afraid they would ignore her but they all said morning in return. She was so happy. Then during class, the girl next to her didn’t have a pen Hana gave her one and chatted a little. After the class, that girl told everyone that she might not be a rude person as they heard from Eliot. Eliot was the bully, she would even spread rude words about Hana too. They all thought of talking with her the next day. That day while feeding the cat Hana told Eli everything. Eli smiled and said she did her best and keep on trying. The next day everyone tried talking with Hana while asking for many bits of help about study or pen or books. Hana helped them all they understood that she was a good girl. So they wanted to become her friends both boys and girls. They asked her to have lunch with them but Hana had to feed the kitten. She looked at Eli but he was busy writing his report, so he didn’t hear anything. She couldn’t tell them no or lie. So she told them the truth. They all wanted to meet the kitten so took them there. They all were touched by how friendly and lovely the kitten was. When Eli went there he was not happy at all. Everyone said they will come to visit the kitten often and help Hana with anything she needs. Hana was happy with so many friends. When they left Eli asked why Hana showed them this place. She explained and said it is a good thing that there are so many people loving the kitten now. Eli was not happy at all but he didn’t say anything. This was his and Hana’s secret place which now was no longer secret. But he thought it’s okay as long as Hana is happy. The next day when Hana came to class all of her friends wanted to know what the kitten's name was. But she told them she was yet to give him a name. she was still thinking. That’s when a boy named Mike in her class stood up on the bench and said they should all write what they like on a page then they will shuffle and choose a paper and that will be the kitten's name. they all agreed. They all wrote a name. then Mike shuffled them and asked Hana to pick a one since she is the one taking care of him since the start. Then Hana said she wasn’t alone. Eli was helping her too. Everyone was surprised to hear that. They all said they never thought Eli was so kind. Hana asked Eli to choose the name. Eli picked one and the name written on it was BUBBLES. They all said that this was a cute name but some of them wanted to choose other names but still they went with the name bubbles. That day they all gathered money and bought a collar with the name bubbles for the kitten and went to see him with Hana and Eli. They all played and loved the kitten and after some time left. Hana was about to go too but Eli stopped her and said he had something for her. he gave her a bracelet made with colorful stones. He said while buying the collar with others he saw this and wanted to buy it. He said it looked so pretty that he bought it but he was not a girl it would go to waste if he throws so she can keep it. At first, she didn’t want to but Eli said he will have to throw it then. It was so pretty that it will be a shame to throw it so took it and wore it looked really pretty on her wrist. They both said goodbye to the kitten and left.

The next day when Hana and two other boys went with her to see the kitten they saw Eli standing there with a knife in his hand and on his other hand was bubbles covered in blood wounded, aching in pain.