Framing Inayah

YEAR 3 CLASS C.

While everyone was at the morning assembly, Selina snuck into the empty classroom holding a pack of cigarette and a match. She went to Samantha's desk and removed the latter's purse from her bag and turned to Inayah's desk. She opened Inayah's bag and placed the cigarette and matches into the left side of the bag before dropping the purse inside and zipped it up. She scanned the classroom before going out.

A while later, everyone returned from the morning assemble. Inayah was at still at the hallway chatting with Bertha, and Clara as they walked towards the classroom.

''You don't have to bother with him. Why is he acting like a kid anyways?'' Clara shook her head and they turned, entering the classroom.

''My purse is missing'' Samantha stood up from her desk and spoke.

Inayah and Bertha looked at each other before going to their desks.

''Whoever took my purse had better return it or I am going to the principal's office.

''You can ahead. Who wants your cheap purse anyways?'' Sandra said angrily.

''Someone is in a bad mood today'' Inayah teased.

''She is always in a bad mood'' Bertha added as she sat next to Sandra.

Samantha looked at them and frowned before walking out of the classroom. ''Don't say I didn't give you a chance to redeem yourself''

Principal's Office.

Samantha sat across the Principal and asked smugly after reporting her missing purse. 'Principal, what are you going to do about this? My purse is missing. I need permission to search the class. Who knows, the thief might just be there. Also, my purse is a customised one, very expensive. My mom bought it from City H''

''Samantha, why did you bring it to school when you know it is a customized purse from City H?''

''I wanted to show it to my friends. How was I to know someone would steal it?''

''Go back to class, I would let your homeroom teacher come and ask your classmates about it''

''Okay, but, you need to be fast about it. My mom would be very mad when she finds out my purse was stolen in school'' Samantha said before leaving the office. She knew the Principal would act at the mention of her mother because her parents were one of the main people that supported the school and funded a lot of their activities.

The Principal sighed and picked up the landline. ''Come to my office right now''

YEAR 3 CLASS C

When Samantha returned to the class, she saw Clara sitting on Bertha and Sandra's desk chatting with them while Inayah placed her head on her desk with her headphones on, seemingly listening to music.

She turned and saw the homeroom teaching entering, so she went to her desk.

Everybody sit down. I have an important announcement to make. Miss Ibrahim, sit well'' he said, referring to Clara since she shared the same last name with Inayah.

Inayah sat up properly and Clara joined her. Bertha turned and met Gideon's gaze on her. she frowned and looked away.

''Okay, everybody. Your classmate Samantha Logan here says someone stole her purse'' the homeroom teacher announced and the students started murmuring. Samantha turned to look at Selina who gave her a knowing nod.

''Her purse is missing? Who wants a fake purse?'' Sandra commented and her classmates laughed.

''Comport yourself, Sandra. Now, if you know you have her purse; just bring it out. We won't punish you for it''

''Aren't purses supposed to be with ladies always? Why did hers get missing if she is supposed to be carrying it all the time?'' Noah asked.

''Stolen to be precise, Noah. My purse was stolen. I left it briefly because I was going to the Monday assembly. I didn't know someone had their eyes on it'' Samantha said smugly.

''What a bunch of lies. Why would someone steal a common purse?'' Bertha muttered.

''Precisely, Bertha. But, you see, this is not a common purse. That purse is from City H and is the only one of its kind in Country C. My mother bought it to gift to me after I decided to return to school here even after all the trauma I had''

''Only one, my arse'' Clara scoffed.

''No cussing Miss Ibrahim''

''Yes, sir''

''Now, I want everyone to put your bags on your desks. I will come around and search them''

Sandra placed her hand protectively over her bag as she said to the teacher. ''This is not right, sir. This is clearly abuse of our right. Why should our bags be searched? There has never been any theft case in this school; if suddenly Samantha here says her purse was stolen then it means she is targeting someone''

''What do you mean by that, Sandra? Why would Samantha target someone?'' Selina asked defensively.

''If Samantha's purse was stolen, then it also means that we have a thief in our midst'' Joy added.

Bertha turned to them and asked. ''What will you do if you don't find the purse in here?''

''That's right. You're accusing all of us. What will you do if you don't find the purse in this class?'' Clara also asked.

''I will apologise if I don't find my purse. But, what if I find it…?'' Samantha asked and they heard a soft chuckle coming from Inayah who had been quiet all that while. ''Did you just laugh? What's funny, Ayah?''

Inayah looked at their homeroom teach and said to him. ''Sir, why don't you go ahead and search our bags? I believe everyone wants to get over this and have a relaxing morning''

''Very well. Everyone, put your bags on the table and open them, remove everything in them and leave the bag empty. We're coming around to look at them'' the homeroom teacher said and everyone picked their bags and placed them on the tables and started removing their books.

Samantha stood up from her desk and walked over to Inayah. Inayah frowned when she saw Samantha in front of her.

''What do you want here?'' Inayah asked her.

''I want to see what you have in there'' Samantha said with a smirk.

''Suit yourself…'' Inayah said and started removing her books. The purse and pack of cigarette along with the matches fell out of her bag.

''Oh my God, Ayah. What are all these?'' Samantha shouted, drawing everyone's attention to Inayah's desk.

''What are these doing in my bag?'' Inayah picked up the purse and pack of cigarette from the floor. she looked genuinely confused.

''I should ask you the same thing, Inayah. And this cigarettes? Ayah, do you smoke?''

Inayah looked at the homeroom teacher and shook her head. ''Sir, you have to believe me. These; I have no idea what they are doing in my bag'' Inayah became frantic as she looked at Bertha and Clara. She was scared that they wouldn't believe her.

''We believe you, Ayah'' Bertha said.

''Miss Ibrahim. I know is tough without your parents but even after going to rehab. You shouldn't be doing this'' the homeroom teacher said to Inayah.

''I did not do this. I have no idea how this got into my bag. I don't smoke and I am not a thief''

''Sir, I believe Inayah. She is telling the truth'' Clara touched Inayah's shoulder.

''Hey, Inayah. ''How can you still be so thick-skinned after all the evidence? You were so arrogant with your words when you said the search should be done but now that you are caught, you want to act like you are innocent?'' Selina stood up and asked.

''How could you reduce yourself to a thief?'' Joy also asked.

Samantha looked at Inayah and sighed. ''Ayah, I know is tough, but if you need money; I could always give you some. Did you have to steal from me? And these cigarettes? Why do you want to destroy your life this way?''

''Shut up!'' Inayah looked at her coldly.

''Are you stressed up?'' Samantha smirked.

''I said shut up. Sir, I don't know how this got into my bag but I don't know anything about it''

The homeroom teacher picked the purse and pack of cigarettes as evidence. He looked at Inayah, ''this is stealing; the evidence is clear. Miss Ibrahim, I request you to bring your guardian to school tomorrow''

''Actually, sir. Since I've found my purse; I won't press any charges against Ayah based on our past friendship. But, with the issue of the cigarettes; I can't say anything much about it. This is all I can do for you Ayah''

''This is getting boring. Don't you think?'' Sandra looked at Samantha before turning to the homeroom teacher, ''teacher, this is pretty obvious that Inayah was framed. We are 30 students in this class, but at that moment, Samantha only came to Inayah. Why? Because she knew that whatever she was looking for would be with her''

''What are you talking about, Sandra? Why would I frame Ayah?''

''Come with me, Miss Ibrahim'' the homeroom teacher said as he left the classroom. Inayah followed him.