Lost Students
Chapter 4: "The Incident"
We had all gathered inside the school cafeteria, carrying our trays and trying to share the food as best as we could. The air was thick with tension, and it didn't take long before a small disagreement about food portions escalated into a heated argument. Ziyad, with his irritating attitude, sparked the fire, and Haroun was no longer able to tolerate his childish behavior.
Haroun snapped, his voice sharp and eyes blazing with anger:
"You don't even deserve to share food with us, you jerk!"
Ziyad smirked with mockery and shot back defiantly:
"And who do you think you are, you insect?"
The tension grew heavier. Haroun pressed on, bringing up a past incident:
"You're nothing but a troublemaker. Didn't you beat up Hani in the bathroom?"
Ziyad turned to Hani, his voice laced with cruel sarcasm:
"Oh, did you go cry like a little baby?"
Hani couldn't take the humiliation. He shoved his chair back and stormed out of the cafeteria without touching his food, burying his anger in silence.
Ziyad laughed mockingly:
"Well, guess I'll just take the spoiled kid's share!"
He reached for Hani's plate, but Haroun blocked him with a clenched fist. Before things could explode further, Louay stepped in, trying to calm the situation:
"Hey, calm down… Let's find a peaceful solution."
But Ziyad shoved him aside coldly:
"Stay out of this, you pest."
Louay backed off, realizing there was no point in arguing. He didn't want to get himself further involved.
Then, Nargis stepped forward bravely and offered half her meal to Ziyad, pleading softly:
"Take half of my food... Please, just leave."
Ziyad gave her a sly grin, snatching the food as he muttered:
"Thanks, sweetheart."
He walked out triumphantly, leaving the rest of us exchanging silent looks. One by one, everyone grabbed their food and left—everyone except Haroun. He sat there, lost in thought, knowing Ziyad's presence would only bring them more trouble.
Determined, he picked up both his and Hani's meals. He had to find him.
Flashback – Haroun's Past
Haroun used to be a bright, well-loved student. He had great friends and a little sister named Yasmine, two years younger than him—his whole world.
But everything changed on that cursed day.
He was in class when he got the devastating news: Yasmine had been hit by a truck. She was rushed to the hospital, barely hanging on. But it didn't last long. She passed away, leaving a wound in Haroun's heart that never truly healed.
From that moment on, he changed. He became more withdrawn, choosing loneliness over companionship.
One day, a new student joined their class. Her name was Maria… and she looked so painfully similar to Yasmine.
Every time Haroun looked at her, grief consumed him. He began avoiding her. Maria noticed—and it bothered her deeply. Whispers started spreading among the girls, until she eventually learned the truth.
One day, Maria walked into the classroom and saw Haroun sitting alone. Their eyes met for a moment before she stepped forward and asked:
"Do I look like her?"
Haroun froze, then asked coldly:
"Who do you mean?"
She replied softly:
"Yasmine."
Haroun slammed the desk with his fist, yelling:
"Why are you asking that?!"
Tears welled up in Maria's eyes as she said angrily:
"The way you look at me... like I'm some kind of criminal... it hurts!"
She ran out of the classroom in tears. Haroun realized how harsh he'd been and rushed after her, breathless.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to."
Maria wiped her tears and whispered:
"I forgive you."
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. The two walked home together, Haroun drowning in memories of his sister.
Then, out of nowhere, a heavy hand landed on Haroun's shoulder. A boy with a scowl stood behind him and growled:
"Stay away from her."
Haroun turned in shock:
"What?!"
Maria quickly stepped in:
"Stop it, Farouk."
But Farouk shouted at her:
"You're mine!"
Maria scoffed:
"In your dreams, Farouk. I see you like any other friend... just like Haroun."
Farouk's rage boiled over. He shoved Maria violently. She stumbled backward—right into the street.
A truck sped by.
The impact was brutal.
The silence afterward was deafening.
Farouk tried to defend himself, claiming it was a "moment of rage," and since he was a minor, he was released after a few days. He returned to school as if nothing had happened.
But when Haroun saw him again, fury consumed him. He launched at Farouk and nearly strangled him before students pulled him off.
Haroun left the classroom that day, overcome with grief and rage. But Farouk wasn't done yet.
He followed Haroun and pushed him down the stairs.
As he fell, Haroun noticed a strange smoke rising from below. Before he could react, the smoke swallowed him whole, and he lost consciousness.
When he woke up…
He found himself in a mysterious high school, floating in the middle of an endless sea.
Back to the Present
Hani sat alone, drowning in his sorrow. Haroun approached quietly and handed him his untouched tray before sitting beside him.
Haroun spoke with pain flickering in his eyes:
"I don't know who Yassine is... or what he did to you. But whatever it was, I doubt it compares to what Farouk did to me."
He stood and walked away, leaving Hani lost in thought. Hani stared down at his meal, then turned to the endless sea ahead.
To be continued...