Nothing serious was happening; this teacher, who had been around Rama for a few years, decided to protect him from the teacher's obvious grudges. They had always gotten along well, chatting like friends, even running into each other in the neighborhood. If you had seen them, you'd think they were just ordinary friends, not a student and teacher.
Their connection started when the teacher moved into the neighborhood. She had run into some rowdy kids who were planning trouble, but Rama stepped in and scared them off. Since then, they'd been close friends, meeting and chatting often. There were no formalities of seniority—age didn't matter between them.
Even at school, if any dangerous situation had arisen, Rama would have been fully informed by her from start to finish. As long as he stayed safe and could study peacefully, nothing else mattered.
"Alright, give me the full scoop. What made Manje decide to harass you again? I heard the staff are furious and your friends are talking," Rama asked.
"Since it's you, how could I hide it again? The teacher was after Frida, so he called me in her office. he wanted to punish me for something that made no sense. I flipped out—almost went off on him. he couldn't even handle it when I got serious," he replied with a laugh.
"Ha! I know you, little one. If you'd let him get away, two people would've exploded in his office. I've never heard you joke or hold back when defending yourself—you would've smashed your teacher with those fists," Rama teased.
"Yeah, I was just waiting for h to touch me. I would've handed out things she's never experienced, until he woke up lying flat in Temeke hospital . I wasn't doing this for revenge—it's the neighborhood stuff spilling into home," he added.
"You know, I don't hate my friend for this kind of behavior. But those four first-year students? I hear he's walked all over them in his office—they have no say. That Siyawezi girl, I wanted to bring the file to her office the other day, but the door was shut and she was inside."
"Ah, forget Siyawezi. But the others, that's a real issue. I bet she goes through every day like it's a personal mission. Even if it's rough, you just have to let it be. The younger ones are the problem now," Rama said.
"Where do I even start? The principal, his assistant, even the head of academics trust him completely. Parents have put so much faith in him. I fear showing personal grudge… little one, at work, people collide, and some really clash. That's my only worry. Honestly, her behavior isn't pleasing. I wish someone had warned me, but I've seen it myself," he said, shaking his head.
"(Grabbing his shoulder) Listen, if you care about justice too much, stay away from this system. Live like nothing happened. Your peace is more important—even the girls' affairs supervisor has settled quietly," the teacher advised.
"And where should I start talking? While her husband and Manje drink together at breaks. They fit together like a ring and a finger. I just have to keep quiet like you said, even if it hurts," Rama replied.
"Exactly, you focus on your work. Don't overthink, just know you won't succeed if you try too hard," she said.
---
When the students began gathering for cleaning duty, Manjenje had no reason to stay and supervise. He left with his stick—this wasn't his week to manage. His grudge alone had made him camp there, waiting for someone to slip up. Monica couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of his attitude.
When the chores were done, they sat down to chat, the big story being about complaining about that teacher. Her behavior was well-known; the girls were irritated by her assertiveness and wanted to vent.
Nothing annoys girls more than someone pursuing a crush foolishly. They see the person as clueless and disrespectful, fearing only his intensity. That's what happened here—they decided to have a meeting.
The girls of the class held a small gathering, chatting and laughing. Even those who didn't get along were there, observing or joining in. They analyzed the teacher, dissecting everything they knew, with no one showing fear.
"My friend, I heard Asma the other day at the office. When I got there, she had grabbed him by the waist. When she saw me, she acted startled, claiming he did something wrong. I told my friend the head teacher intervened, so she let go," one student said.
"Hehe! I'm telling you, if she'd been a bit late and the door had been shut, your friend would've been trapped," Rahima laughed, high-fiving her friend.
"Yeah, if she saw him and his tight pants, trying to go one way while he goes the other… even the older ones couldn't handle that. Who would want that kind of mess? Asma said she was just scared, didn't even want to see him until finished. She'd avoid him if called, but in her office, she doesn't go," she explained.
---
The bell rang. Rama left the teachers' office, heading toward the students' gathering. He didn't want to linger; the previous incident was over. Walking determinedly, he bumped into Manjenje, who was holding his stick. Their eyes met, full of tension—Manjenje clearly angry, despite being his teacher in an important subject.
"You're walking around like you didn't hear the bell?" she said, following him angrily.
"My leg hurts, I can't run," Rama answered boldly, meeting her glare without fear.
"A hurting leg, huh? I saw you running to school before," she said, tightening her grip on the stick, clearly intending to strike. Rama dodged and rushed toward the line of students, ignoring her calls.
He joined his classmates without concern for the teacher. They formed a line, and he began sweeping with them. Manjenje hadn't reached them yet, making Rama feel the whole thing was over—revenge no longer an option. He realized he had tricked himself.