Con, Guilt and Truth

The paper plane accidentally hit Miss Malati on her face. The colossal chaos in the classroom ended abruptly. No one had seen her entering the class and no one knew where that plane came from.

"Is this some sort of missile"?- Miss Malati asked picking that paper plane. The class was silent. It was a terrible thing to happen. A paper plane, hitting the senior most teacher, right on her face.

Short, fair skinned and Grey haired woman in her mid 50s, Miss Malati came across as the most rigidly accurate teacher of the school. She taught us English and Social Studies. I was extremely good at Geography- Maps, Countries, Latitudes and Longitudes, Rain forest, I knew it all! And my love towards Geography made me her special student.

Speak up? Who did this? She fumed looking at our faces.

She then stared at Sashi-The bully of the class. Sashi was the most feared guy of the class with his bold stunts like chewing a gum and placing it on the teachers chair, mixing itching powder in a chalk box, sticking nude images on library books and many other notorious activities under his sleeve. The entire class too gave Sashi an accusing look. He enjoyed the attention but gave a "Not me"look. Miss Malati turned to the boys of the first bench. She crushed the paper plane in her palm and displayed her anger. The entire class stood in silence as if attending somebody's funeral.

All of you, get out of the class! She roared like a hungry Lioness. No more classes for you till you do not come forward and confess She looked into our eyes menacingly. Next, our entire 8A section stepped out and assembled outside the class on that sunny morning.

"I know who did that" muttered Ram looking at Sashi. Ram was the class leader and topper.

Hurray! No more classes for today , a jubilant Sashi screamed. A few other boys including me joined the celebration. Little did we realize what actually Miss Malati meant was no more classes till the confessor admits the act. The first day was full of fun. No more classes, we all gossiped, played chits, Word ladder, Book Cricket. The day ended when the final home bell rang and we ran inside to pick our bags and leave for home. It looked like an excursion for us.

Miss Malati entered the class the next day morning.

"I think I told you guys that there will not be anymore classes unless you tell me who did that" She said that and sat in her chair.

One by one all of us again left the classroom and breathed the fresh air outside. The excitement was high and we anticipated second consecutive holiday. In the midst of all this fun, some studious boys actually became worried. Nevertheless, even after the second day we happily went home without a single lecture. Hoping things would be back to normal the next day.

This went on the third day too and then we sensed something very serious. We cannot possibly be having a ball of our lives everyday. A few boys suspected and blamed Shashi for this act. Sashi became furious.

Why the fuck are you guys after me? I am not the one. He said that looking at a group of boys. No one was willing to believe him for that answer he gave.

A little later our Head Principal arrived and spoke to Miss Malati inside the classroom. We were unable to hear their conversation but we realized that we were in deep shit. The Head Principal left after a brief conversation with Miss Malati.

I was busy playing a game that involved us to write the classmates names in reverse. Ram called for an emergency meeting. I suggested that we give an apology letter to Miss Malati. The whole class agreed except Sashi who gave me an intimidating look. Finally, the apology letter was drafted and the next question was " Who will give that letter to Miss Malati? I nominated Shreedhar- the most unacquainted boy of the class. He was someone like the character Pea from Swami and Friends. A puny boy who will do whatever asked to. Shreedhar went into the class with the letter in his hand. We all peeped inside through the window of the classroom.

Miss Malati tore that letter without even reading the content. The next moment we stayed off the window and hid ourselves.

We could hear her shout inside- "I want the culprit to come forward. Don't write cock and bull stories" Understand? Now get out!

Poor Shreedhar came back shaken and stirred. He didn't utter a word after that.

On the fourth day, the matter had become worse. We had already lost 3 days of academic portion. Oh Dear! "Why can't the culprit come out for gods sake? We are heading for a doom! exclaimed Ram, who was beginning to lose his temper. Sashi, who was chewing a gum, laughed loudly at Ram.

Since the culprit was not coming out, I gathered a few classmates and hatched a plan to convince a boy named Jai to go ahead and masquerade as the culprit. I told Jai that Miss Malati would be impressed by his honesty and that would also serve as a lesson for the actual culprit. My intention was to hint Sashi.

After a lot of persuasion, Jai agreed to go. I saw a curious Sashi watching Jai enter the classroom. Jai went ahead and confessed that he was sorry for that paper plane act. Miss Malati out rightly rejected his confession.

You think you are some Satya Harishchandra? eh? Get out and send the actual culprit!

More than Jai, the entire class was amazed at this surprise twist in the tale. By now it was clear that Miss Malati was aware of the culprits identity. Jai came back extremely pleased with himself. It was a victory that he lost!! Like Rajesh Khanna, he gained public sympathy and the boys patted him for his bold attempt.

By now, Ram lost his cool. He looked at Sashi and howledYou Rascal! I know it's all because of you! You are responsible for the shit situation we are in! Ram's anger grew by leaps and bounds.

Oh yeah! It must be you! That's why you are reacting so much. Why the fuck can't you go in and confess? Bloody Class leader! Sashi gave it back.

Next, both of them pounced on one another and socked each other badly. A few boys tried to separate the two. It was a dreaded situation and I stood there, sheepishly looking at the scuffle. I wasn't able to take it anymore.

Please stop both of you! I know who it is. - I intervened and said meekly. I separated both of them.

Sashi and Ram stopped hitting each other but continued to exchange dirty words. The entire class became silent. I glanced at Jai who looked at me with raised eyebrows. I saw Shreedhar who stood between two burly lads of our class. He was petrified at the situation.

I think I know what I must do!- I said and walked into the classroom to meet Miss Malati. Had I turned back to see the reactions of my classmates, I would have written about that too. I went straight to Miss Malati.

Miss Malati was reading a book. The moment she saw me, she took off her spectacles and put that on the table. She looked into my eyes.

I stood before her, stiffly like an Army officer and said:

"I am extremely sorry Ma'am"!

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