TatTatTatTat…

The rain continues to fall.

Mona gazes at the window as her mind drifts along the distant clouds.

Her cheselnut hair is neatly tied with a ribbon in contrast to the green of the classroom walls.

The said walls are full of educational posters showcasing the periodic table or maps of the United States with inspirational quotes in bold fonts here and there. Next to a chalkboard filled with notes and diagrams written in white chalk hangs an American flag.

The boys in collared shirts and slacks, and the girls in dresses or skirts with blouses, are seated attentively. Their eyes are fixed on our middle-aged teacher standing at the front of the room.

“Who wants to be the next?”

I raise my hand with enthusiasm. A few others do the same. Me! Please choose me! Teacher!

“Briam.”

Teacher Sarah points at me. Yes!

“Yes, teacher.”

Haha! I’ve really worked hard on my essay. This will surely impress Mona!

Even my usually uninterested father was impressed. He patted my head and said he was proud of me, which is rare coming from him.

“Please come to the board and show us what you’ve written.”

I take my notebook and heed her words.

“Ehm.”

I clear my throat before starting. Oh no! I can’t let them know I’m nervous!

I look at Mona, and she looks at me.

This is it! Focus! My father has told me not to let pretty faces distract me from my purpose. I’m not sure what he meant by that, but he’s the smartest person I’ve ever known, so he never lies.

“Briam?”

Oh no. Concentrate, Briam, concentrate.

“I want to become a scientist.”

Everybody becomes silent. There have been essays about many things, but no one has wanted to become a scientist so far. Some wanted to become doctors to help their parents. Others wanted to become teachers and artists and whatnot.

This is good. I’m sure Mona loves science. I also love science. We have many things in common that others don’t have.

“I would help the world by discovering new things that can be helpful and can help improve the lives of people. I can also research and give results to people.”

It suddenly becomes sunny, making it a bit hard to read. Ugh. I raise my notebook to cover the sunlight.

“My father is an engineer. They make our lives easy and beautiful. Most things are made by an engineer, from a pin to a car and a bridge to even a tower!”

But I aim even higher!

“Scientists can do even more. There would be no cars or towers without the science behind it. I can also warn people about any natural disaster. This is why I want to become a scientist and help not only engineers but also doctors and even cosmonauts make life simpler.”

That’s right. A better understanding of science would help the whole world. It would cause fewer diseases, too, and also more exciting things in life. Ugh, I should’ve included that in my essay.

Clap Clap Clap

I look at my classmates cheering—well, all except Mona. She is always expressionless. This is a bit saddening, but she has always been like that.

“Very good, Briam. Science aids us in our understanding of the mysteries of God's creation. This can deepen faith and appreciation for our creator who designed our magnificent world.”

Is that so? This makes science even greater! Helping others will help me get to heaven. Haha! Maybe I’ll one day become as smart as my father. No, I’ll definitely surpass him!

“You get a full A. Go bring me your grade book.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I go and bring my grade book to get my grade. This will make my mother very happy. Perhaps she’ll even make me a pizza.

“Who wants to go next?”

Most have already shared their essays. There are very few with raised hands.

“Monica, how about you?”

Mona doesn’t respond.

“Monica!”

She shifts her gaze toward our teacher and nods.

“Show some respect! Did your parents not teach you proper behavior?”

She lowers her head.

“Did you do your homework?”

Mona shakes her head.

“Why!? This is not your first time, too. Everybody has done their homework. Do you think you’re any special?

Mona shakes her head.

“Speak to me! God didn't give us a tongue to keep it tied. Stand up this very moment and come to the board!”

The lone girl at the back of the room rises from her seat with tentative movements. The other students watch as she begins her timid walk to the front. Her shoes barely produce a scrape on the polished wooden floor.

She reaches the desk and murmurs in a soft whisper, “I’m sorry, teacher.” She then looks the teacher in the eyes. “I couldn’t write it.”

“Why?” Teacher Sarah asks. “How did you even get accepted to the most prestigious school in our city? Did you cheat? Have you ever seen others come unprepared for the class? This has been going on for a while already. Do your parents not check your grades?”

I know Mona must have had a reason! The teacher doesn’t know, but Mona studies most of us. She spends most of her day in the school library. My father works with his father, and he tells me Mona studies all day long, even at home. Again, he never lies!

“I don’t know.”

Tears trace down her cheeks. Nobody is taken aback by this since she always cries, sometimes even randomly.

“Then why do others know?”

“I don’t know. I want to know, too. How can others know, but I don’t? I try to know, but I don’t. I can’t know.”

Teacher Sarah slams her hands at the desk. “Nonsense! What are you blabbering about!? How can you not complete such a simple task? If you’re unsure, just write what you think it can be. Do you truly have no idea?”

Mona shivers. “I don’t want to know. I know that if I know, it’ll harm me. It will harm others. Why would I do something that harms me and others? That goes against the teachings of God.” She raises her voice and locks her eyes with the teacher’s.

“What nonsense!?”

Mona points at the teacher. “Ephesians 4:29 advises, ‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.’”

Teacher Sarah knits her brows. “That is the wrong interpretation! Who has even taught you that!? The true meaning is that keeping silent when one has the opportunity to encourage or help others is a missed chance to fulfill this directive. The exact opposite! How dare you twist the words of The Holy Scripture? And how is that even related to a simple essay about your future?”

“I don’t know!”

Ugh. I know what’s about to come. This has happened many times already. They always quarrel with each other.

“Go bring me your grade book this very instant!” She yells.

“No!” Mona retorts.

“What did you say?”

“You always reprimand me when I don’t do my homework! You know it! Others also miss homework and, at times, even cheat on their tests. You just gloss over it! You hate me, don’t you? Being empty-minded is still better than being narrow-minded! Matthew 7:1-2 advises, ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you—’”

“I never discriminate between my students—”

“Lies!”

“Enough is enough!” Teacher Sarah slams her hands down on the desk. It makes several students jump from their seats.

Her jaw clenches. She leans closer to her desk and brushes her hand against the wooden surface.

Mona shakes her head. “Ha, do you threaten me? Go ahead, beat me up. That’s the best you can do. This is the only education you’re capable of giving!” She says so.

But her cries only intensify.

Teacher Sarah reaches down to open the drawer of her desk. “I’ll ingrain in you what your parents missed on.” She draws out a sharp object.

“Don’t you dare talk about my parents!” Mona weakly points her finger at her.

The classroom holds its breath as Sarah’s fingers curl around the cane’s smooth handle. She slowly lifts it. “If it weren’t for the fact that you do well in all your other subjects, I would’ve ensured that you were excluded from the school.”

Mona takes a few steps back. Her body shrivels to the ground. I can tell she is scared of the pain that is about to come. I want to help her, but I can’t. Nobody can. No one would dare to go against the teacher’s authority.

“Stand up, Monica.”

“I would have! But I won’t! ”

Except for her.

The teacher’s brows knit further as veins pop on her head.

She brings the cane down. The crack of dark wood against flesh resounds with her knuckles white against it.

“Arghhhhhh!” Mona screams as her pale face tells of her fear.

Teacher Sarah raises the cane above her head and downs it on Mona’s outstretched hands.

She continues to put more effort into each strike.

Cunch.

Cunch.

Cunch.

The teacher heaves a tired sigh.

“Why did you stop? Might as well continue.” Mona whispers.

“Your education didn’t teach shit yet.”

Cunch!