Our school days were passing by. We had our daily recess during which we could go into the school grounds. Its time always seemed to pass by in a flash.
Soon, our tests began, and by Allah’s (swt) help, I got good marks in almost every subject. When I got the top position, everyone came forward to congratulate me. They were all happy for me. But Ayesha seemed unhappy – maybe because she used to achieve the top position before me.
I soon became the centre of attention in my class without wanting to be so. I had a group of friends, and everyone seemed to be my best friend.
Then things began to go wrong. Books and stationery began to disappear. When the bags were searched, I was proven guilty. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was being framed for sure but I couldn’t prove it. To make matters worse, this started to become a daily routine. News about such incidents spread throughout the school.
It seemed I was alone in the class every time something disappeared. Then the stolen item would also appear in my bag. I seemed to be the culprit without doubt. The school management decided to take this matter seriously and suspend me for a week. I was guilty until proven innocent.
Just then, Maria, one of my best friends, who had been observing all this silently, stepped up. Before all the teachers and the principal, she put forward a strong argument that there were no eyewitnesses who had actually seen me steal. She put her own neck on the guillotine by saying that if I was proven guilty, she should be suspended too.
I have never seen a friend truer than Maria. She trusted me and had faith in my innocence. When a series of counselling sessions were conducted, by Allah’s (swt) mercy, one very shy classmate admitted that she had seen Ayesha take books and stationery out of a bag and put it in mine.
Once the matter was resolved, Ayesha was suspended. Maria was awarded a Noble Conduct Award for her sincerity and faith in her best friend.
Ofrah Winfrey said: “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limousine, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limousine breaks down.”
By Mahrukh Shahzad
Reflections School
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