EPISODE TWENTY THREE 23 : TRIAL

**CHAPTER 23: HADIZAH'S POV**

I trudged home wearily, my shoes in hand, though the distance from school felt like mere steps. As I entered the house, I approached my mum, collapsing against her thighs before she could finish asking why I was home at this hour.

"Mummy, I'm getting suspended," I cried.

"What do you mean, Oko Mi (my dear)?" Her voice trembled with concern.

I recounted the whole ordeal between sobs, and she gently patted my head, promising to accompany me to school the next day.

"Don't worry, Adunni, you will get through this," she assured me.

"Mummy," I lifted my head, wiping tears away, "I want to change schools after whatever punishment they give me."

"But Adunni, you know I can't afford prestigious schools like this," she sighed.

"No problem, mummy. I'll go to a public school, I don't mind," I said, drying my tears.

"Are you sure?" She searched my eyes for resolve.

"Yes, ma. I'm sure. I'll go upstairs to freshen up," I said, heading off.

After cleaning up, I lay on my bed, reflecting on everything that had happened. I'd never been someone who could boast about her life. I was fed up with this madhouse of a school and everything in it. But I'd miss Ava, Daniel, Chase, Ethan, Julianna, and especially Julian. They were the bright spots in my school days, but perhaps things were destined to change forever.

The next morning, my mum and I drove to school in silence. At the receptionist's office, we were called in to meet with the board.

Despite facing expulsion, I was still struck by the grandeur of the meeting room. Thirteen seats surrounded the main chair, presumably for the principal and board members. My mum sat quietly in the back, while I nervously took my place in front of the microphone.

I glanced back at my mum; her reassuring smile helped calm my nerves. Soon, the board members entered, followed by the principal, and I stood up out of respect.

The session began, and anxiety clenched at my chest; my eyes stung with sweat, pupils dilated with fear.

"On the 3rd of December, Miss Damilare was accused of cheating during an exam. Due to damage to the CCTV, we lack evidence, so we are open to any evidence you may provide to prove your innocence," the principal explained.

I stood and spoke into the microphone, "No, ma'am, I don't have any," my voice quivered as I fought back tears, then sat back down.

"We anticipated this. Do you have anything further to add before we proceed with your punishment?" she inquired.

"Yes, ma'am," I stood again, adjusting my hijab nervously, "I want you to know I've always been a diligent student. If the lack of evidence is enough to tarnish my record, then perhaps we all need to reconsider our approach. I've never even received detention, let alone disturbed a teacher's class. I know I did not cheat; I wonder how a small piece of paper can determine my future. I only hope the school will administer a just punishment. That's all," I concluded.

"In two hours, we will make our decision. Until then, you may wait outside with your mother," the principal announced.

My mum and I stepped outside, where I recited prayers silently, hoping for divine intervention.

⏲️ Two hours later ⏲️

We returned to the hall and took our seats. My mum squeezed my hand tightly, providing some comfort amidst the tension.

"The board has reached its decision," the principal began.

Your name will not be entered into the black book," she stated, and I let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Alhamdulillah, (all thanks belongs to Allah)" I whispered.

"You will be suspended for two weeks and will take the rest of your exams in isolation from your classmates," she continued.

I was relieved, but still concerned about my scholarship. Why did I still care? I'd already decided I didn't want to return to this school. Was I being indecisive?

"Your scholarship will not be revoked, but you will be placed on probation when you return from the holidays. Any further infractions will result in expulsion from this prestigious institution," the principal concluded.

A tear slid down my mum's face as she weakly smiled; I definitely inherited her meek and gentle nature.

"During the Christmas party and carols week, you are not expected to be at school. Your suspension letter will be given to your mother," she added.

"Yes, ma'am," I acknowledged into the microphone.

"This session is concluded," the secretary announced, and we waited for them to leave before exiting the hall.

"Who cares about Christmas; we don't even celebrate it," I thought to myself. "I just want to get this over with."

My mum collected the suspension letter, and we prepared to leave when an unwelcome figure approached us.

"Mummy, you can go to the car. I'll join you in ten or fifteen minutes," I said to her.

"Okay," she agreed, heading off.

"What do you want? Are you here to make my life even worse, or maybe you 'didn't know' you were walking towards me?" I confronted Michael, emphasizing 'didn't know'.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do. I hope you're not too angry," Michael apologized.

"You know what? I have no right to be mad at you. I was foolish to think I could rely on a sadist like you, who doesn't live life but leaves it," I retorted.

"You have no right to speak to me like that," Michael gritted his teeth.

"What are you going to do about it? Hit me, or maybe kill me? You have no idea how much I despise you right now. You're just a... I don't even know," I raged.

He grabbed my forearms tightly, causing pain to shoot through me.

You have no idea what I'm going through,” he said and he had a glint in his eyes, are those tears, am I hurting him, who cares he hurt me first.

"Let go of me," I demanded, wrenching my arm free.

"If I weren't leaving this school for good, I would make sure to get back at you," I vowed.

"You're leaving?" His voice dropped.

"Yes, Michael, and I hope we never meet again," I declared, walking away from him.

Instead of feeling relief, I felt... unsettled. I couldn't quite place the feeling.

I decided to ease myself before heading out but instead I met Ava, I didn't want her to see me like this.

“Hadi, she called out,” but instead I turned away.

“Please leave me I don't wanna talk to you or anybody,” I said as I started to shed tears, I was lying, I wanted to talk to her so badly, she understood me the most.

“Look into my eyes and say you don't wanna see me,”she said.

I turned slowly and said, “you are the last person in this world I wanna see, everybody in this school disgusts me.”

“Including me,” she said.

“Yes Ava, including you,”I said and I held on firmly.

“The feeling is mutual Hadizah, I don't wanna see you either,”she said and she cleaned her tears hastily, leaving me there.

Oh God I'm so stupid, I'm practically the dumbest person on earth. I could have just told her to stay and she would have done so, man things were getting worse for me and I was not liking it. I'm supposed to be close to people instead I'm pushing them away, everytime I hope things gets better, it only gets worse.

I walked a few steps remembering I had left my social studies study guide in the library, I am having that exam tomorrow, I stalled my mum a bit as I rushed to get it.

I headed towards the library to retrieve my social studies study guide for tomorrow's exam, stalling my return to the car.

Inside the library, I spotted Julian among his friends, Harry and Steve, they were his childhood friends, I only met them few weeks ago.

I'd never seen him in the library before. I tried to slip away unnoticed, but my clumsy nature betrayed me.

"Hadizah," Julian called out.

I grabbed my book hastily, ready to flee.

"Wait, Hadizah," he said, catching me before I could escape.

He led me outside to avoid causing a scene.

"I heard you got suspended. Is it true?" he asked.

"Word sure does travel fast," I thought to myself.

"Now you know,now live me OK, you never have to see me again, you can live with that, I'm sure of it, " I replied, preparing to leave.

Why do I keep lying to myself, Julian is the last person I earth I want to forget me, he was so different and he accepted me for who I am.

"Are you sure about that?" Julian questioned.

"I'm absolutely sure, Julian," I insisted, walking away.

"Hadizah," he called after me. It was the first time he'd used my name.

"Keep running away from life and continue to be a coward, as if that's what your religion as taught you, to run away from your problems" he said.

How smart of him to use my religion against me, he knew my vulnerable self and he knew how to tackle me down.

"Fine then. Let me be a coward. At least I'm doing it with dignity," I replied sharply.

"Just keep lying to yourself," he murmured.

"Thank you very much. I hope this is the last time we speak," I said, turning away from him.

As I left, it dawned on me that Maya wasn't entirely wrong about me being a "bitch." For once, she might be right.

I wiped away my tears and hurried to my mum's car.

"Are you okay?" she asked as we drove off.

"I'm fine, mum. I'm totally fine," I lied again.

I didn't want to burden my mum further. She was already in so much pain, and I didn't want to add to it.

Back home, I removed my coat, grateful for the warmth of our heater. After a bath, I lay in bed, clutching my pillow and sobbing out all my tears. I'd lost Ava, and especially, Julian. I was being foolish, and I prayed to Allah ( God) for strength to endure.

As exhaustion washed over me, I drifted off into slumber.

WRITER'S NOTE :

Another update, I'm a good writer aren't I.

Who else agrees that Hadizah is being a bitch. We all know she is going through a lot let's look it over, shall we.

QOTD :

You must find the courage to leave the table if respect is no longer being served.