"Never Under-rate Us"

“…..We’ve been living this way since summer,” Che Mailosi told his fellow students. They had gathered together that evening at their usual hiding place. The ring leaders were now planning something un-thought of. “It is not over until this is over… Let’s not give up guys…. To us, this battle is unavoidable as determined by the current state of affairs,” he whispered. His remarks were followed by a loud applause from all corners of the room. The gathering assented to the leaders’ request.

“These students claim that our present administration is corrupt,” The superior began. “What should we do to put this house in order, which is also your house? Yesterday, I received an anonymous letter which was left in my office by an anonymous mortal. I was really puzzled with what was in it. Iiii! I don’t believe any of the words in it…. How can our so-called “leaders of tomorrow” write such a message full of insults?” She questioned. There was silence in the room. No one ever dared to respond to her question. Was the muteness in the boardroom the consequence of her point-outs? In these present times, some say we should keep quiet to avoid embarrassment, but was this silence necessary regarding the situation the superior was in, with her predecessors?

“Nah….” The snot-nosed Namalika seated at the far right corner began. “Is it possible to identify the writers’ handwriting…. if he or she is from this school…?” In no time, the superior answered, “No, it’s not possible. These students have faked the writing. It is difficult to clearly see the words, but this is part of what is in it.” She then began reading the contents of the letter.

“…… We are very shocked with the way you are running the resources here. You call yourself an intellectual property capable of transforming the school to a higher level, which is obviously false. You, and your so called ‘staff members’ are big for nothing. Just look at yourself madam, why do you think you are unmarried to this day? Che Namalika, so arrogant and knowledgeable…yet you pretend to be Stephen Samuel Wise, lol. We are tired with your infertile promises and we’ve decided to take action…ourselves …..”

“Raze everything to the ground so that they know we weren’t just talking. When we say something, we do it. Our rights need to be granted… otherwise we bring this school to ruins,” the deputy ring-leader commanded. “Eh, eh, eh! Oh, oh, oh… Our rights, our rights, our rights….” The disgruntled students chanted over and over.

Everything made up of glass was destroyed. The windows were smashed and fluorescent lights removed. Flames could be seen from the distance as the tires burned. Placards were everywhere inciting violence. One of the placards read: “World War III is here…. Selfishness has ignited the hatred of the voiceless”.

“Ey! Law enforcers are on the way… But let’s not pull back until we find the madam, her deputy and some of their juniors within. Some of you must come with me to the boardroom where we can find them,” ordered Che Mailosi.

The room was abandoned. The once exquisite curtains were seen soiling on the floor. “Watch out your footsteps! Brocken glasses…. are almost everywhere….” faltered the leader. The room was silence as the grave. “Someone must have tipped them off before the actual phenomenon started,” he continued. “…and who could this be?”

And then there was a bang on the ground in one of the rooms. A teargas had just been thrown and the gas immediately spread to all the rooms. “Quick, quick… Cover your face and head for the back door… but watch out for the enemy!” He spoke in a low voice. They all escaped by a hair’s-breadth.