The Black Sheep - 2

I had to wait till interval to know what Vinod had in mind. Vinod was one of the class bully, and thats why he was made the assistant leader. I was just hoping he is not upto one of his tough ways of getting things done.

I barely put my mind into what was happening that period. Me and Vinod kept checking the wall clock. It was hard passing through every second and the period seem to be longer than usual. I realized there was sweat on my fore head as I was waiting for the staff to leave.


As soon as the staff left Vinod ran to the door stopping anyone from going outside and ordered all the students to sit down, I now doubt who the leader is. He gestured me to come to him took my hand in his hand and said "I make mother promise that I dint steal the money" and asked me to do the same.

That was the big plan? Bullies, but I didn't want to argue and I saw a potential for getting a clue. So I let him continue.

This is going to work.


One by one people started promising and it was Krishna's turn. I never liked this guy. He is a wacko, a sly. He is know pretty well for his ability to pretend, he has mastered this art through the years of practicing for evading punishments. He is cunning, if I could suspect some one in the whole class it was him.

He created a ruckus by not promising, he argued that it was too much asking to make mother promise and said he will promise on anything we will ask to. But Vinod was adamant and atlast Krishna had to give in. This made my doubts stronger.

And then it was Samuel's turn, this is going to be hard. Sam is even more a bully than Vinod, the fact that his mother is one among the staff is hat that kept him in line. He was among the tallest and known for his aggressiveness and fool hardy attitude. But I can never doubt him, I know he is a good guy. he may do something bad coz of his short temper but never can do something like this.

"I was frisked my bag checked, and you can check once again if you want, nothing on me so why should I make some stupid promise."

Bully rivalry, I have to interfere if I don't want this to turn ugly. I persuaded Sam. He is a friend of mine he trusts me so it went smooth. I believe Vinod is taking it over rivalry.


At last it was the turn of little Anand. He was short, puny, was aheart patient so was given some attention always. He wouldnt do such a thing, he is a nice kid. But he too was reluctant to make the promise. I was taken back.

"See I have proved my suspects what do u say?" said Vinod.

"Never underestimate others" I made a note to myself as a learnings of a 6th grader.

I just shook my head yes. I still couldn't believe that we have a thief in the class. But I couldnt understand why Anand.

Vinod explained me that Anand was the one present in class during the prayers as he was feeling weak that day. Hmm a circumstantial suspect, evidence against him. And I cant let friendship make me biased.

Damn I am good I patted myself.

We selected a few guys to keep an eye on the class room at all time. We didnt wanna take chances if the culprit was an outsider.

Nothing happened for the next two days We never let our classroom out of sight. During lunch break we are always playing under the tamarind tree, which gave us some cover also we were able to keep an eye on the class room.

Vinod had been trailing Sam and Sam came out clean. Our guys were losing hope of finding the culprit.

I too realized its just the curiosity of a 6th grader and we actually cant do anything in this. Vinod had become pessimistic we were loosing hope. Just then Kranthi was there he was giving away some candies to the group and gave me a Big Bubble. Hmm he usually doesn't do that, shares a bite of chocolate with his closest of friends thats all he can afford, but I can see he is trying to do something for us.

"We will get it" I was giving some false hope to Kranthi. I didnt like it, may be we should be doing something else to get the money and leave the culprit alone.

May be I am not a good detective.

The following day, this was the hot discussion during lunch, and there was some one peeping into our class. Vinod poked me, it was my little brother. "I think he is searching for you" said Vinod.

Ravi went to get him.

What were u doing I asked?

"I was searching for you, I didnt bring 35 rs for the drawing book, PT sir will beat me."

He was almost crying. I looked around we didnt have that much. I cant let him down. This little guy was there when i needed him. last year Annual exam - maths I forgot my instrument box, I was nervous. This lil kid ran home 2kms away crossing the dreaded Grand southern trunk road all alone and got me my box.

Once he took off I was more worried for him than my exam.

He was panting when he was in my hall to give it. Sweating all over, smilingly he gestured all the best. Now it was my turn, Vinod gave me his keys "Here take my cycle we have 20 mins you can make it".

I was happy I assured my bro and took off. Just before crossing the main road I saw that, I believe I got a clue but little did I know that its going to solve the mystery for us.

To be solved...

The black sheep

I am not answerable for it, I could have done nothing to stop it, its not my duty to stop something like this from happening, no one is even going to question me, still my heart raced. And as a leader I felt its my responsibility and I should take the onus of resolving it.

Thoughts thoughts and thoughts running through my mind, all those talks and cries and consolation buzzing in my ears, someone tapped me and brought me back to senses. It was my assistant Vinod, a couple of inches shorter than me, but stout and the scar on his eyebrow added more toughness to his serious face.

He was worried too,but I was able to see in his eyes, he has already planned the next move. He kept his hand on my shoulders and said
"There's nothing we can do, we will have to wait".

"Wait for?"

He explained me the plan, I nodded assuring him that's exactly what we are going to do.

So we both stood at the door keeping our eyes on everyone and not allowing anyone to step out of the room.

We started to wait, wait for her.

And there came Miss.Lalitha our class teacher. We waited till she took the attendance. I don,t know if she had noted the abnormal silence in the class, it seemed she didn't.

"Hand writing note books" she said.

I looked at Vinod, he gestured me to bring up the issue.

I once again looked at the faces of the victims Elizabeth and Kranthi. Elizabeth was worried and nervous, but Kranthi though being a boy had cried hard, his face was swollen, he cant help it cause I know he comes from a poor family. Stays away from his parents with his uncle's family for his studies.

This shouldn't have happened to him, I pitied.

I stood up, again there was silence and there was big question on Miss.Lalitha's face. I knew what it meant - You have not done your home work??

Something has happened. Period

What? she said.

Money was lost, seems it was stolen.

From our class? she screamed her lungs out.

I know she too was not able to believe this. The situation was grim, very grim. This class was known for its skill in studies and talents in extracurricular activities and a few sportsmen. 6th A was known to everyone for good reasons this will bring a bad name for sure.

Who lost the money? she asked.

Elizabeth and Kranthi stood. Kranthi's cheeks were still red from the crying. And it was a pitiful sight when he started crying as he was explaining. Poor chap brought that 100 Rs given by his father on his last visit, to buy new shoes. PT sir had been tormenting him too much.

Elizabeth had brought a 100 rs note to pay for the new work book that she didn't pay, as she joined late this year.

But we got to do what we had to do, I started checking bags while Vinod frisked their pockets. It was hurting to search the belongings of your friends who you would trust your life with, for a penny theft.

Everyone was clean. No one went out of the class after prayers and everyone was in the assembly during prayers. So it should be the job of an outsider. Miss.Lalitha thought that way too.

"We will collect some money among ourselves to put up for their losses, and we shall not make it a big issue. But please be careful in the future" announced miss.Lalitha.

The class went on as usual. But there was something troubling me. As Miss.L left the class she gestured me to come and gestured at vinod too.

She said in a hushed tone "You two better keep an eye during intervals and lunch breaks who ever did it might try again, so ask the people to be careful" and left.

"I still believe that this is the work of an insider" said Vinod.

"Do you suspect someone?" I asked.

"Anand, Samuel, and Krishna. And I have a plan we will have to wait till the break".

I didn't know what was on his mind, but I believe it should be good.

Yet to be solved........

Poems and women

The breeze was pretty cool yesterday, I looked up to see if any signs of rain. But no the sky was clear and I was able to count some stars.

I wanted to stay out and enjoy the breeze but my friend pulled me in "Spider man -II" is starting. I never had a special liking towards spider man -II still I had to give in for my friend's request.

I was watching the movie a little detached from it, then came this scene where Peter Parker is introduced to Dr.Octavious, well technically speaking he his yet not Dr.Octavious at that point of the film.

The conversation they have is pretty interesting, in the way they build up the rapport. You know thats how like minds share their interest and become friends.

But now comes the interesting part, where the prof. introduces Parker to his wife. And he says how she will go crazy about the poems while he will just be shaking his head not understanding a word.

And Parker and me were sitting like man what do we do now, we can write no poems. All that Parker know is to spin webs all around the city and all that I know is to spin words in the blogs. Wow we have something in common. And I said to him "man its seems we can get a gal without poems".

But Octavius has a point, doesnt he?

There IS something with women and poems. Both are little complex to understand and it takes something to appreciate them. But the interesting is the fact that day by day the number of guys writing poems specially on love is getting increased.

Hmmm! now thats something that realy needs a peek.
And where is that investigative journalist? Dude I have an assignment for you. :D

Finally whoever wrote the poem, Octavius still got the girl and that - I liked. ;)