THE CULPRIT

When Hana and the two other students Henry and Lason saw Eli holding a knife and injured Bubbles, the two boys rushed towards Eli and took Bubbles and questioned him how could he do this? They thought Eli hurt bubbles. They quickly took bubbles to the school infirmary to get treated. Eli stood there shocked he couldn’t look Hana in the eyes. He thought she will hate him now. He kept his gaze lowered and left that place. But Hana never even thought that Eli would do this, she knew this was someone else’s doing. But before she could say anything Eli left. She thought Eli would hate her now that she didn’t believe him. They were both thinking the same but both were wrong. None of them hated each other but both were sad. Hana couldn’t do anything that time so she went to check on bubbles. She thought she will talk when she meets Eli in the classroom. She went to the infirmary, the infirmary nurse told her that bubbles had few broken nails and she was stabbed by a knife but luckily it was only a flesh wound that will heal after some time. She told Hana that she cannot prescribe bubbles any medication so she has to take bubbles to a vet for proper medication. Hana took bubbles, the kitten's wound was properly bandaged but still, she wanted to take him to the vet. Classes were done for the day so Hana took bubbles to her classroom to get her bag and talk with Eli but when she went there everyone came to her to meet bubbles and asked how she was, Hana told them, then suddenly they started saying how could Eli do such a cruel thing and started badmouthing him. Hana got angry she spoke in a loud voice that it wasn’t Eli who did this, he would never do this. Then they all asked who would it be if it wasn’t Eli, Hana said she will find the culprit. She requested everyone not to think badly about Eli before the truth is found out properly. They all agreed and decided to help. The two boys who took bubbles to the infirmary were the ones who told everything to the class. They wanted to say sorry to Eli as well. But they couldn’t find Eli on the campus anymore. Eli left for home already. Hana and both of those boys decided they will talk to Eli tomorrow when he comes to school.

But Eli didn’t come to school the next day. Eli was too sad and embarrassed to face Hana or anyone in the class. He thought they all will blame him for what happened to bubbles. So he didn’t go to school and told his parents he wasn’t feeling well. His parents let him stay in bed to take rest for the day.

That day Hana really wanted to talk with Eli but he didn’t come. She waited all day but he didn’t come. Hana had to keep bubbles with her continuously because of the medicine the vet gave her. so kept bubbles with the school watchman while she was in the class. She didn’t want to keep bubbles in the previous staying place anymore. The watchman was a kind man so agreed to let bubbles stay with him till Hana finishes her class. When Hana came to fetch bubbles she saw some packets of cat food were there. The watchman said her friend gave it for bubbles. When she asked who it was the watchman said the boy was from her class but he couldn’t remember his name. Hana quickly went out of school to look for him there she saw Eli was standing a bit further. Eli saw her too. He was about to run away from that place, but Hana ran after him and grabbed his jacket. Eli fell to the ground. They both took a rest after running like that. Eli said she strangled him. Hana got angry and said he shouldn’t have run in the first place. Then after some rest, she asked why he ran like that. Eli said he couldn’t face her. he thinks Hana hates him now so he didn’t have the courage to meet her. Hana had an expression that clearly stated that Eli was an idiot. Eli got embarrassed and told her not to look at him like he is an idiot. She said, well you are one though. Eli got all grumpy. She said she never thought it was Eli who hurt bubbles, she knew it was someone else. She wanted Eli to help find the culprit so bubbles never get hurt like that again. Eli said the others might still be blaming him. Hana told him everything that happened last day in the class after he left. Eli felt relieved.

Hana asked him come to school normally from tomorrow. Eli nodded his head. She went back and took bubbles and thanked Eli for the cat food while walking home with him. Later they both parted ways at the junction and went home. The next day Eli came to school he entered the classroom with a fear that they might look angry but when he went inside,

The two boys came and said sorry. They all apologized for misunderstanding him. Eli was happy that his friends were not angry. They all agreed to help Hana to find the culprit but they wanted to know how can they help.

They all looked at Hana, she then asked them to stay after school for 5-10 minutes then they will discuss the matter.

Later that day after school they all stayed. Hana asked them all to ask everyone they know that if they saw anyone going to the back when bubbles was alone. She said they will have to do it secretly without letting anyone getting suspicious of them. They all agreed with her plan and said they will start asking from tomorrow. After that, they all left for their homes.

Hana looked worried. Eli asked her why she looked worried, she then explained. She was taking bubbles home secretly every day without her parents knowing but this morning her other found out and asked her not to bring the kitten home anymore. She didn’t know where to keep bubbles for the night. Eli suggested keeping bubbles at his home. Hana didn’t want to burden him so she didn’t agree at first. Then Eli said how cruel mother she was to keep the son away from his father. She laughed, Eli said he had no problem and will take good care of bubbles. Hana thought no one else will take better care of bubbles than Eli, since he loved him from the beginning. So agreed and Eli took bubbles to his house that day.

When he went home Cordelia was not happy to see a cat, but when Eli explained the dangerous incident that happened with bubbles her heart softens. She agreed on one condition that he will have to take proper care of the kitten.

Eli happily agreed. The next day the whole class started asking everyone they could without making anyone specious. And when the culprit was caught finally, they were shocked to know the reason for this cruelty.