C4 JOHN'S COME BACK

As Matilda enters the classroom, she noticed that everyone has already left her. She gets inside the room seated at her armchair and suddenly burst into tears.

“Oh God. What have I done? What am I supposed to do? Everybody’s eyes are all into me. I should have not done this. Even Justin can’t look at me straightly in the eyes. I’m sure he’s mad at me. My parents. I made them embarrassed..”, she cried grievously.

“Matilda? Are you crying in here? Oh my goodness. The rude girl cried.”, said one of her friends jokingly.

“Shut up!”, she replied.

“Actually I saw you came over here so I followed you. Your parents are in the Principal’s Office.”, replied one of her friends.

“Alright. Thanks..”, she slowly replied.

She went immediately to the office and noticed her parents were talking to Ms. Jane and the principal. The door is opened. She decided to hid herself behind the boundary wall and started listening to what they are discussing.

“So what should we do to Matilda?”, asked Juliet.

“We should punish her.”, replied Henry.

“What? But how? Don’t say that you will hit her physically.”, asked Juliet, his wife.

“Ahmm.. Actually the only thing we can do since Matilda your daughter break the rule is that she can’t be included in the waiting list for graduation.”, replied Ms. Jane.

“But Ms. Jane, I know my daughter has a conscience. Can we give her a second chance?”, asked Juliet.

“Why Juliet? That’s why Matilda is like that because of you. She is very dependent of you. You make her spoiled even more.” Explained Henry.

“We should follow the rule Juliet. I apologize for this but we should show them that we cannot just let Matilda surpass for what she has done to Kiesha. Kiesha was deeply badly hurt I tell you. I don’t know why Matilda is like that always to Kiesha.”, said Madam Principal.

“Yeah. I know Madam but I think Matilda was only carried away by her emotions that’s why she did it to Kiesha. But trust me, our daughter was once a good girl.”, said Juliet.

“Enough Juliet! We need to give Matilda a lesson.”, replied Henry.

“Matilda will be embarrassed. And so we are!”, yelled Juliet.

“This is the school rule Mrs. Juliet. It’s in the student handbook. It states that a student caught cheating or caught a crime will be subject to suspension.”, explained Ms. Jane.

“But it’s her first time to do such offense Ms. Jane.”, replied Juliet.

“But that offense is enormous Mrs. Juliet. It’s the school’s 3rd day of final examination for 4th Grading Period. I did not expect Matilda is so rude for this matter.”, explained the Principal.

“Well, what can I do? Kneel before you? No way!”, replied Juliet.

After a minute, Matilda showed up after hiding behind the boundary wall. She heard everything. She decided to come out and let her parents, Ms. Jane and Madam Principal look at her physically and know their reactions.

“I am here. I heard everything Mom and Dad.”, she said.

“I know you’re hiding in there Ms. Matilda.”, replied the Principal.

“Why did you do such great offense?”, asked Ms. Jane.

“We’re so embarrassed dear.”, added her mother.

“We did not teach you to ruin other people’s lives Matilda.”, replied her father.

“But why did you do that? Be honest.”, he added.

“First of all, I am deeply sorry for what I have done yesterday. For what I have done to Kiesha. I envied her. She is smart, kind and intelligent. Everyone loves her. Everyone likes her. Even my parents support her whenever her parents are not around in school events. Their family is not that suitable for a rich living unlike us but it seems she’s better than me. Why?”, she asked everybody.

“You know what Kiesha, the answer to that is contentment. If you’re not happy of other people’s achievements, you cannot make yourself happy because of envy and jealous. I thought you’re happy living with us dear.”, said Juliet.

“Yes Mom. I am totally happy whenever I’m with you.”, replied Matilda.

“But…”, she added.

“What?...”, asked his father.

“Is your envy and jealousy strikes because of Kiesha and Justin’s closeness?”, asked her mother.

Ms. Jane and the Principal were shocked of what they heard.

“Yes Ms. Jane our daughter was the girlfriend of Justin for almost 4 years since they stepped in high school. Justin’s parents are our business partners maybe that’s why it brings them closer together.”, explained Mrs. Juliet.

“If that’s so, what’s the mother Matilda? I know Kiesha and Justin are only friends. I observed the two. Is it your big deal already? That’s why you framed up Kiesha?”, asked Ms. Jane.

“Yes, Mrs. Jane. I already did it for revenge. But I was wrong. I admit it.”, replied Matilda.

“Have you forgotten that Justin’s parents owned this school huh?”, said her mother.

“If he’s parents found out, oh Matilda. I don’t know. Maybe they’ll let their son break up with you.”, added her mother.

Matilda did not say a word. She rushed to get her things and immediately went outside.

“Hey! Matilda! Where are you going? Come back here! We’re not done yet!”, shouted her father at her.

“For what Dad?! I already knew it! You can’t even give me a second chance! It’s okay with you for me not to graduate this year!”, she shouted.

“Matilda! Dear!”, shouted as well her mother.

“You know what? Just leave me alone! Just forget that I’m your daughter! Go on! Fight for Kiesha that idiot! I quit okay?”, she yelled.

She ran so fast that she can hardly breathe.

“Oh Matilda? You’re face so red. What happened? Why are you on a rush? I think your parents are still in the room.”, asked the body guard.

“I quit!”, shouted Matilda angrily.

She rushed outside the gate while everyone looks at her and laughing Matilda don’t know where to go. She doesn’t want to go home. Instead she contacted her closest friend named Maria to rescue her from the judgmental people around her. Maria was the best friend of Matilda since Elementary. She was not a bad influence to her but Matilda avoids her since Maria was already joining another group of friends. On the other hand, Kiesha’s family arrived home already, after visiting the church. Kiesha’s mother placed the fruits on the floor which they bought from the market.

“Kiesha dear, how are you? We hope you’re okay now. We believe that you’ve not the one who did it. Imagine? Matilda has everything. A supportive family. She can buy whatever she wants. A nice home and luxurious living. Yet, there’s something about her that’s so rude and cruel. I didn’t expect Henry’s daughter was like that. To mock poor people.”, said Elizabeth.

“Actually, I was definitely hurt how she bullied Matilda in front of us.”, said Alexa.

“If John was here, he will definitely slap that girl.”, she added.

“Why? What’s wrong?”, said John as he came over.

“Oh brother!”, shouted Kiesha.

“Oh John! My son!”, said Edmund surprisingly.

“John?”, asked Alexa.

“Where did you go? Why didn’t you tell me?”, asked Kiesha.

“Tell what?”, asked John.

“That you’re leaving for a week.”, replied Kiesha.

“Because I want to surprise you.”, replied John.

“What surprise?”, asked Kiesha.

Elizabeth came over to John and gave him a hug.

“Oh son. Where have you been?”, asked Elizabeth.

“ I am just here in the city mother, looking for greater opportunities.”, replied John.

“Like what?”, asked Elizabeth.

“Just forget about it. I have something for all of you.”, said John.

“What’s that? What’s that?”, asked Kiesha excitedly.

“Since I was away for how many weeks already, I decided that before I return home, I will make it sure that my return will pay off. Here, I brought you plenty of fruits, expensive delicacies and meals, and of course mother, I won’t forget what you prayed for. A television!”, he explained happily.

“What? Wow! You’re amazing my brother John! How did you do that? See Alex? Our brother really worked hard huh.”, said Kiesha.

“Yeah I know. Thanks John! You really made us happy today uh.”, replied Alexa.

“Wait, what??”, asked her mother shockingly.

“Are you serious?”, she added.

“Yes,”, replied John.

“Where is it?”, she replied.

“Oh, but I forgot to bring it though.”, he replied.

“Hahahahaha. Nice one son!”, said Edmund while laughing.

“Oh, stop being ridiculous John. It’s not funny.”, said Elizabeth.

“Oh shoot. I thought you already brought it brother.”, said Kiesha.

“Yeah. Actually I am planning to buy a television. Just give me more time and soon, I will surely bring it home. I have already decided the design and type of it because I visited a store last week. But it was not yelled fully-paid though.”, he replied.

“Oh alright. So it’s true then.”, replied Alexa.

“Yes of course!”, he replied.

“By the way, let me clarify what I heard lately. What did I just heard from you Alexa?”, he asked.

“Ahm.. It’s about Ms. Jane’s false accusations towards her.”, replied Alexa.

“False accusations? Why? Who’s that freaking Jane?”, he asked.

“Oh brother, just don’t call her freak. Actually Ms. Jane is my teacher.”, replied Kiesha.

“But don’t worry case closed already.”, said Edmund.

“Case? As in you’re in the court?”, replied John.

“No. It’s just his term dear.”, replied Elizabeth.

“What father was saying is that the issue has been already solved already. So it’s no more issue at all. The issue now is literally focused on Matilda haha.”, replied Alexa.

“Fine. But I don’t understand. Why there are so many people involved in that so-called issue. What just happened?”, asked John.

“Alright.. alright.. I’ll be the one to tell. Listen.”, replied Alexa.

“Kiesha was been accused of cheating.”, she added.

“What? But why?”, replied John.

“Go on Kiesha just tell him.”, said Alexa.

“Brother, I’m sorry for what you have heard. I mean it’s not actually my fault. It started during our last day of final examination. Someone get my bag and placed a test paper inside of it.”, explained Kiesha.

“Who’s that idiot?”, asked John.

“Her classmate. Actually the daughter of my boss in the construction site.”, replied

“Really father? How dare that girl of hers. Who’s that envious, freak and jealous daughter of Mr. Henry?”, asked John.

“Son, how did you know his name by the way?”, asked his father.

“Oh father, don’t you remember you arrived here drunk and Mr. Henry drove you here? Actually he’s kind but her daughter was rude.”, replied John.

“You’re totally, absolutely, definitely right!”, replied Alexa.

“What’s the name of her daughter?”, asked John.

“Matilda.”, replied Alexa.

“Oh, Matilda. It’s really a cruel name. Isn’t it?”, replied John.

“Stop it brother.”, replied Kiesha.

“Oh Kiesha, do you mean it’s okay with you that Matilda did that? Just don’t talk.”, replied John.

“No. I mean even though Matilda showed her ugly side, I know deep down, she hides her good side as well.”, replied Kiesha.

“No. It must be confusing. I don’t tolerate that behavior of yours. Just practice being mad sometimes Kiesha.”, said her brother.

Kiesha did not even say a word. She get the fruits which John brought and washed all of it.

“I’m sorry Kiesha. I just cannot accept it at some point.”, replied John.

Kiesha nodded and headed her way outside to reach the water pump.

“Where are you going dear?”, asked her mother.

“I’m just going to wash the fruits which John brought.”, replied Kiesha.

“Oh thanks sis!”, replied Alexa.

“So going back.”, said John.

“After? What happened? Why the issue has been solved already? What did the school do to help Kiesha?”, asked John.

“We don’t know that the school has its CCTV footage. The day after the incident happened, Ms. Jane recommended all parents in 4th year to come in school to witness the recorded video from the hidden cameras placed at every corner in school. And at last, the truth came out. It wasn’t Kiesha who did the crime but Matilda was the culprit.”, replied Alexa.

“Then, I want to know Matilda’s expressions and reactions. How about her parents?”, asked John.

“Of course, all of them are dismayed. Even Ms. Jane, the Principal and Matilda’s parents. Mr. Henry slapped her daughter in front of us.”, she replied.

“Good for her.”, replied John.

“Actually I haven’t seen that girl. I want to know more about her. I can’t accept how she treated Kiesha that way. Is it because Kiesha came from a poor family?”, he added.

“Exactly. That’s what she said.”, replied Elizabeth.

“Really? If I crossed her on the street, maybe I want to slap her even more.”, he replied.

“Stop it son. Only God knows the best thing to do for the cruel people.”, replied Edmund.

John suddenly halted and realized his father’s words.

“So after all knew the truth? Did Matilda’s parents apologize for it? How about Matilda? Did she came to you and Kiesha to say sorry for the evil act she has done to our family? She really made Kiesha embarrassed first before all of the people in school knew the truth.”, he replied.

“At least we are now free from allegations.”, replied Elizabeth.

John was really mad at Matilda.

“I think that girl needs a proper discipline from her parents. She is really a spoiled brat.”, replied John.

“Yes. That girl is really spoiled. Karma will soon come to Matilda.”, replied Alexa.

“Stop it Alexa. Enough.”, said Elizabeth.

“Why mother? What’s the problem?”, asked Alexa.

“Enough for it dear. At least Kiesha is relieved now.”, replied Elizabeth.

“By the way, where’s Kiesha? Is she hasn’t done yet washing the fruits?”, asked Alexa.

John went outside and came over to Kiesha.

“Hey, what’s the matter? Are you crying?”, asked John.

“Yeah… Actually the reason I cried it’s because I didn’t expect that my family will support me this time.”, she replied.

“At this time only? We already supported you Kiesha since you were a baby. We are very happy you came into this world. We are very happy to have you as our sister and a member of our family. Aside from that, you were also given an intelligent mind by God in which me and Alexa can’t have. See? You almost graduate because of hard work.”, replied John.

“Thank you very much John.”, replied Kiesha as she hugged her brother.