CHAPTER 10

We woke up to good news. We were allowed to go back to our

homes. But we were not allowed to take leave unless having a

genuine reason to do so. So, that meant attending classes

along with the investigation and interrogation. The

interrogation was to be conducted by a team of NCO's. Not all

of the school would be interrogated, only the teachers, the

HM, the students who studies with the victim and anyone who

they would suspect. We were informed this by officer Badr Al Din in an assembly that he conducted. I didn't get to meet him

this morning, we were immediately sent back to our homes. I

went back home and I was bombarded with questions like:

"Is it true? It can't be."

"Is there really a murderer roaming around in your school?"

"Is this our clue to take a TC?"

"Will they shut down the school permanently?"

"Will they really call CID to investigate?" This one was from

my brother.

I was really nervous. I still could not muster up the courage to

do so. I had not forgotten about Aqsa's warning from the other

day.

"You shouldn't get involved in such matters, Fatima."

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from it?"

I sighed; this wasn't the time to back off. We were a few

minutes away from our school.

"Come to meet me in the morning." he had told me.

The bus came to a stop and I waited until everyone else got

off.

"Is it too late now? Should I tell the driver to drop me back

home? And what excuse will I give him? Huh, simple. Uncle I

am feeling sick, could you drop me back?"

"Fatima, do you plan to get off the bus today?" I heard Hayat's

voice.

"Ya coming."

I kept my bag in my class and descended the stairs. I stood

outside the corridor, the door to his office was slightly open.

He was talking to someone inside. He looked fresh and

energetic something I wished to look in the morning but I

looked dead as what Hayat had said to me one day. I mentally

practiced my statement.

Good morning, sir. I wanted to inform you that I am the sole

witness of the murder. I was on my way to my classroom when

I saw a classmate of mine with the victim...

I saw her, she was standing in front of the gate of the building.

She was looking at me almost creepily. The image of her

coming towards me with a knife in her hands flashed before

my eyes and without a second thought I ran upstairs. I went to

my bench and sat down, my heart beating strongly within my

ribcage. She entered the classroom. I looked down; I didn't

want to see her face. Bloody child murderer I thought, the

person who burns happiness I thought, what did that innocent

child do to her that she killed her mercilessly.

I was walking back to my class after our prayer break, when I

felt someone grab my arm. It was her; she was pulling me to

an empty classroom.

"What the hell? Where the hell are you taking me? Let go of

my arm."

I was struggling to get my arm out of her tight grip, her nails

were literally digging through the sleeve of my Abaya and the

sleeve of my uniform right into my skin. She harshly pushed

me inside an empty classroom.

"What do you want? Why did you close the door?" I yelled and

rushed towards the door but she pushed me back

"Do you plan to murder me too, like you killed that little girl?"

I yelled.

"So, you saw it?" she asks me with a stoic expression.

I froze.

"Did I just blurt that out? No, I shouldn't have done that. No,

how can I be so stupid.

I shook my head vigorously.

"I didn.. I did"

"Let me go, I didn't see I..." I saw her bending down, she was

bent downwards her hands touching her feet and I could see

her shaking. She looked possessed.

"What are you... I stop and observe her. She was shaking

slightly.

"Let me go."

Suddenly she got up and came towards me with a little pocket

knife. It all happened in a second, I didn't get time to retreat. I

raised up my hand to defend myself and she stabbed the knife

on my left hand, dangerously close to my wrist. I screamed

and gripped my hand. The little knife was inside my skin, a lot

of blood was oozing out. I looked up and she was gone. I

screamed again. "Why the hell is anyone not coming to help

me?" I screamed again. It was paining too much. I tried to

touch the knife attempting to take it out but it was paining too

much. I had never received such a deep injury before, never. I

started crying. "Help me" I screamed again. Finally, someone

heard me. Some juniors of mine came in. They were speaking

in Arabic. One of them ran outside to inform the teachers I

suppose. Three of them came to me and crouched down. I was

crying hysterically; I had never experienced such pain before.

A few teachers came in worriedly. "Call an ambulance" I heard

someone scream loudly near me. I couldn't see anything

besides my hand. They held my shoulders and helped me

stand up. I walked outside with them. Someone had held my

arm and I was trying to free my arm from that grip. I didn't

want anyone to touch my precious arm. The ambulance

arrived and I sat inside with one of the teachers.

"Child, please calm down." I heard a nurse.

"How the hell should I calm down?" I wanted to shout at her

face but I silently cried.

She inspected my arm, but I was trying to free my arm from

his grip. It was hurting too much.

"Make her lie down"

I lied down and closed my eyes. She was applying pressure on

my wound. It hurt too much. I wanted to scream but I wanted

to stay strong. "I am stronger than you think." I remembered

all those times when I would say this to family and friends.

Now my hand was burning. I could feel a burning sensation.

"Stop, please." I whispered to no one in particular.

I heard a voice in my ears, the kind of voice I always heard

before fainting. I opened my eyes and I saw the nurse

inspecting my wound. I closed my eyes. I wanted to sleep.

I woke up feeling terrible. I couldn't open my eyes. I think I

slept for too long. I lifted my right arm and rubbed one of my

eyes. I opened my eyes and shut them quickly. It was very

bright.

"Switch off the lights." I whispered to myself.

I blinked a few times, trying to adjust my eyes to the

brightness. I looked around and I saw beige curtains beside

me. I looked at my left hand. I couldn't feel it. There was a

little stitch on the place where she had stabbed me. Just a little

stitch.

"Why can't I feel my left hand?"

The curtain shifted to the side and a Filipino nurse came in.

"How are you feeling?" she asked me while wearing gloves.

"Why can't I feel my left hand?"

"That's because you were given an anesthetic, don't worry it

isn't anything serious. Your wound will heal up within a few

weeks."

I don't speak instead I silently cry.

'Kisshu.' I heard a familiar voice.

'Mummy.' I tried to wake up, she came to stand by my side.

My mum was a strong woman. I always wanted to be like her.

So, I stopped crying pretending to be fine.

"It is going to be fine. "She smiled at me.

"Are you hungry?"

"No, I am dirty. I need to take a long shower." I sniffed myself.

"No need. Take some rest."

'Fatma.' I heard another familiar voice, it was Hajera.

'Hey.' I waved at her.

"I am sorry." I spoke up after a while remembering about our

little fight.

She shrugged. My mom got up and walked outside.

"How are you feeling?"

"I am fine." I replied in a small voice, I didn't want to talk to

anyone, my throat was extremely dry.

'Water.' I gestured towards the little fridge.

"So, where are we?"

"In a hospital."

"I know that idiot, I am asking which one?"

"Jeddah National Hospital."

"Oh, my favorite one." I smile.

"Why would anyone have a favorite hospital?" she sounded

amused.

"Sometimes you don't have a reason to like something, you

just like it."

"Just kidding. I actually saw a doctor around here who is

really charming."

She shook her head.

"You were better off when you were sleeping." she smiled at

me.

"Ya, my dreamland is better than the reality." I looked to my

side; I saw a figure on the other side of my curtain.

"Hajera, who's there?" I pointed towards the curtain.

"Huh, must be your charming doctor." she scoffed.

"Help me with my Hijab."

She lifted the blanket and pulled it over my face.

"What are you doing?" I pulled it down.

"Hijab, please." I pleaded as she laughed.

"By the way, there's no charming doctor around here, all of

them are oldies."

The curtain moved to the side and I saw Fouzia ma'am come

in with officer Badr Al-Din. I looked down; I didn't want to be

interrogated now.

"How are you feeling, Fatima?" Fouzia ma'am inquired, her

tone soft.

"I'm fine ma'am."

"Officer would like to speak to you, Fatima." I nodded and

they sent Hajera outside.

He sat down on the stool beside my bed.

'Madaam.'

"Yes, sir."

"Fatima."

I looked up and he gives me a reassuring look. I looked away.

"How are you feeling?" I heard his deep voice.

"Good, sir."

"Alright, so I am guessing it wasn't an accident."

"Yes, sir."

"Eyes up here." he snapped his fingers before my face, I

looked up.

"Now, I need you to look at me when you answer my

questions. Alright?"

I nodded.

"So, first of all. What were you doing in an empty classroom?"

"Sir, I..." the curtain shifted to the side and a doctor walked in.

"Officer, I need to inspect her." he stated whilst checking the

IV machine. I looked at officer Badr Al- Din, he looked almost

angry.

"Alright, we will be outside." I heard Fouzia ma'am say and I

saw him getting up from the stool.

"How are you feeling?" the doctor asked me, he lifted my hand

up and I winced. The effect of anesthetic was fading away.

He took out my IV fluid set. I winced again. That thing hurts.

The nurse bandaged my stitch.

I looked at the stitch. A forever reminder of her hurting me.

"Once the wound turns into a scab you can wash it with soap

and water once or twice a day." the doctor instructed me.

"Yes, doctor."

"How long until it heals, doctor?"

"1 to 2 weeks."

"You are discharged, you can go to your home now." the

doctor announced and walked out.

My mom came inside and helped me to get up and wear my

Abaya.

"Look the hospital gave you this as a treat." she held up a big

Butter Cookies box.

I took the box from her hands and held it close to my chest.

We walked outside and I saw Officer Badr Al- Din and Fouzia

ma'am waiting outside.

"Will you come to school tomorrow?" Ma'am asked me and I

glanced towards officer Badr. He looked at me too waiting for

me to answer.

"Yes, ma'am. I will try."

"Alright, go home and take some rest." she patted my back.

"So, you saw it?" she asked me whilst holding a knife.

"No, I didn't. I swear I didn't. Let me go." I replied whist

crying.

"That's not happening." she caressed the knife.

"I won't tell anyone. Believe me, I won't tell anyone." I cried

and walked towards the door.

"It won't hurt much, I promise." she started walking in my

direction.

"Stop, please."

I tried to run towards the door, but she was quick. She kicked

my leg and I fell down. Taking it as an opportunity she

stabbed the knife on the back of my neck. I screamed. She got

up dusting her hands. She walked out and closed the door

behind her. I screamed again but it seems I was in a place

where no one could hear me.

I woke up breathing hard. I around. My sister was sleeping

beside me. I glanced at the huge clock hanging above my bed.

"3:15 am"

I slumped back on the bed. My wound was burning. It hurt so

much. I don't think I can go to school tomorrow.