Fida and Luke’s school had awarded study leave for a month in order for the students to prepare for the Class X [ML1] board exam. Fida was busy with her lessons. ‘What’s in your hand, Luke?’ she asked.
‘Oh sis! You said you had a terrible headache, so I just made some tea for you. It will refresh you and help you concentrate more on your studies.’ Fida scowled at him.
‘Luke, you too have exams,’ she reminded her brother. ‘Don’t forget that.’ She ordered him to go and get his school books. ‘I’ll help you.’
‘No, not that,’ Luke said dismissively.
Fida was furious. She immediately got up from the chair she’d been sitting in and yelled, ‘Don’t you feel any shame? You’ve sat in the same class for three years. You know if this goes on then … then … your classmates will start addressing you as “Uncle”. You know, “Uncle, can you take me to toilet?” and “Uncle, can you clean the floor?”’ ‘Stop it!’ cried Luke, feeling humiliated. ‘Just stop it. Can’t you see that I’m trying? But I can’t … just can’t,’ he whimpered. ‘Don’t you realise how I feel to be stuck—stuck in the same class for—for …,’ he stammered. He felt miserable that Fida had said what she had said.
‘Don’t yell, Luke. Tell me why you can’t.’
‘I don’t know!’ Luke cried. He moved to hug his sister. ‘But you can, sis, you can. I will be pleased to see your marks.’ Luke wiped his tears. ‘Don’t worry about me, sis. I may not get good marks like you, but I will pass. Don’t you know why?’ Fida looked at him in surprise. With a painful smile Luke said, ‘School policy is that no child will be in the same class for three years.’ He tried to laugh, but his eyes were filled with tears.
‘I’m sorry, Luke.’ Fida felt pity for him. ‘But tell me, how can I help you? I’m there whenever you want me.’
‘I know, sis. You … Papa … Mama … all there to help me, but … I promise I won’t be like this forever; one day I will come to you with good marks, I promise.’ Luke left the room.