On the second day, I observed everyone again but found nothing.
On the third day, after observing the first hour, I stepped out briefly. When the next teacher entered and began teaching, I re-entered the classroom. At this time, four students entered a bit late., all sitting at the back benches. Sometimes, people make mistakes when they're in a hurry, so I began observing them closely. Among them, there were three boys and one girl.
The girl had a dusky complexion, wore a reddish-yellow dress, and glasses, and held a notebook and pen. The three boys sat together, each carrying a bag. One of them was quite tall, likely around 5'8", fair-skinned, wearing a white shirt and black pants. The one sitting to his right was of average height, probably around 5'5", dusky in complexion, wearing a checkered shirt and full pant, with his shirt tucked in and a leather belt. The boy on the far right was wearing a light blue T-shirt and striped trousers, with spiked hair.
The differing attire of the boy in the middle caught my attention. After that class, I went out to gather my thoughts.
Upon stepping out, I saw Meem. She seemed to be headed towards the common room and looked at me in surprise.
Seeing her expression, I asked, "Is there something written on my face that you're staring at me like that?"
She replied, "No, I am just surprised to see you."
"Why?"
She exclaimed, "I could never imagine seeing you like this. You look just like an officer!"
I muttered under my breath, "I'm barely holding it together here."
She didn't hear and asked, "Did you say something?"
"No, nothing."
She then asked, "How's the investigation going? Have you identified the culprit?"
"I think so, but I'll need your help."
Meem, filled with curiosity, asked, "What do you need me to do?"
Handing her a ball, I said, "You just need to throw this."
Confused, she asked, "What did you say?"
"Just throw the ball."
"Where did you get this? And where and when should I throw it? What does this have to do with the culprit?"
I answered, "I borrowed it from Jubair. They have a match today. After our next class, when I signal from here, throw it towards me."
Meem asked, "What's the connection with the culprit?"
"I'll explain everything later."
"Okay."
I entered the next class, about fifteen minutes late. Nazimuddin Sir is a calm person, so he didn't say anything. This was the last class for today.
After class, everyone started leaving. I followed that boy out. I signaled Meem to throw the ball. She threw it as instructed, and the ball flew over the boy's head towards me. Startled, the boy blocked it with his left hand.
He turned to Meem and shouted, "Why did you throw that ball?"
Meem looked frightened. I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and said, "I told her to."
The boy seemed at a loss for words and asked, "Why, Senpai?"
I signaled for Meem to leave and told the boy, "I needed the ball, and I didn't have time to get it myself. Anyway, I apologize on her behalf."
He responded, "No problem, Senpai."
I met with Meem afterward. She angrily asked, "Why did you tell me to throw it in a crowd? I was scared!"
I offered her a chocolate, saying, "Here, take this chocolate and calm down."
She grew even more annoyed, replying, "Do you think I'm a child?"
I said, "Oh, sorry. I was suspicious of that guy."
Her expression changed, and she asked, "Who?"
"The one who scolded you."
"Why?"
Just then, Sir called me and asked me to meet him. Before leaving, I said goodbye to Meem. She asked, "Aren't you going to tell me?"
I told her, "I'll explain later. I have to go now."
She protested, "No, you can't just leave. You made me get scolded, and now you'll get away without a punishment?"
Looking away, I said, "I'm already getting punished for not getting to watch anime and being here."
She said, "Nope, your punishment is that you'll take me out today."
"Don't you think it's too late for that?"
"Not at all."
With a deep sigh, I said, "Fine. I'll come back after meeting Sir."
I entered the professor's room. Showing me an envelope from his pocket, he said, "Another letter arrived today."
I took the envelope in my hand and opened the letter inside to see the same message. There was a look of concern on the professor's face. Mental harassment!
With a sigh of frustration, he said, "How long will this go on?"
I told him, "The culprit will be caught in two days."
The professor asked, "How?"
"He'll come forward and confess on his own."
"Do you know him?"
"Not yet, sir. But I'll recognize him soon enough."
"How?"
For some reason, it seemed he still couldn't believe me, yet he clearly wanted to be free from this torment.
I told him to wait, and he seemed a bit calmer. Then, I left.
Now it was time take Meem out to someplace. She was waiting for me near the gate. Seeing me, she asked, "What did the professor say?"
"The professor received another letter today."
"Again? what's the culprit's deal!!"
"Who knows?"
We started walking forward. There was no campus bus now; three would leave again in an hour and a half. Local buses were available to get home, though.
I glanced at Meem. She seemed to be deep in thought. I asked, "What's the name of the guy who yelled at you?"
"Mahdi."
"Oh, I see."
Meem laughed and said, "Forget about that now. Get ready to enjoy your punishment."
"Yes, that's what I'm doing, my lady."
Then she gave a smug expression. Man!! I will never get tired of watching her various facial expressions.
The next day
I went to the cafeteria. I saw Mahdi sitting alone, having lunch. I walked up to him and said, "Hello, Mahdi. What's up? How's your study going?"
He seemed startled to see me and replied, "It's going well. You came early today, huh? There's still an hour left."
I said, "I got off work early. Didn't have anything else to do, so I came to campus. Today I have classes until four, so I thought I'd have lunch."
"Oh, I see."
I placed an order. My food would take some time, so I took out a 4th yearbook and pretended to study. He finished one of his sandwiches. Then he suddenly paused and asked, "Brother, can I ask you a question?"
I looked at him. "Sure, go ahead."
"Where do you work?"
"At a small company in Mirpur. I manage their accounts. They told me to finish my degree for a promotion."
"Oh, nice! You found a job so quickly."
We were silent for a while after that. He was busy with his own world, scrolling through Facebook. From the reflection on his glasses, I could tell it was his mobile screen. I asked him, "Do you know when the next midterm is?"
He pressed the home button to lock his phone. "Yes, the day after tomorrow."
Then I asked, "When did they announce the date?"
"Yesterday."
"Could you give me the syllabus? I couldn't make it to the first period yesterday."
He gave me the syllabus. Then he asked, "How many courses do you have left?"
While taking a photo of the syllabus, I replied, "I'll finish my courses at the end of this year."
"Oh."
"By the way, I remember something. A guy from your class mentioned that someone has been sending letters to Sharif sir, though there's no name on them. He told me the professor had asked him to find the sender of the letters."
Mahdi looked a bit shocked and glanced away. "Oh, I see."
He stayed silent, a frown creasing his forehead. I took a photo of the syllabus. While checking if the image was clear, I said, "Yeah, the guy asked me to help him. But I've been away for so long I don't know many people here."
He looked away and said, "No. This is the first I've heard of it from you."
I looked at him and said, "Oh, I wonder who could have done it."
He gave a nervous laugh and said, "Kids these days are quite the troublemakers. Threatening teachers through letters just for fun."
"Right."
He told me, "Okay. If I hear anything about it, I'll let you know."
You are leaving already? So easily? Not a chance. I had to keep up this disguise and attend senior-year classes for a few days because of you. I'm not letting you off so easily. He stayed silent for a while. Then he stood up.
I told him, "Thank you very much. But there's no need anymore. We've found the sender of the letters."
He grew even more nervous. "What? I don't understand."
"Don't rush it. I will tell you eventually."
He looked around. He noticed that there weren't many people around us.
"Who is it?"
"The person is standing right in front of me."
He sat down, visibly nervous. Then he asked, "What are you trying to say?"
I gave him a slight smile and said, "Earlier, I mentioned the letter but didn't say it was a threat letter. How did you know it was a threat? It could have been a love letter too."
He gulped and said, "That doesn't prove anything."
"You are right, it doesn't prove anything. Two days ago, you wore your belt in reverse. Usually, we wear a belt from left to right or counterclockwise. But left-handed people often wear the belt from right to left, that is, clockwise. Perhaps that day, in a hurry, you insert the belt with your left hand. So, I thought you might be left-handed. But then, I saw you writing in class with your right hand, and I was confused. That's why I asked Meem to throw the ball. And you caught it instantly with your left hand."
He grew more anxious, and his voice grew heavy. He asked, "Who are you? Are you really here to study?"
I smiled and said, "I'm here to study, but not as a senior. I'm a first-year student. I was sitting in on the senior classes at the professor's request. Anyway, we've caught the culprit, so my work here is done. I won't have to attend these boring classes anymore."
Mahdi chuckled and said, "But you have no evidence."
I chuckled too and said, "I do."
He was startled and said, "What! Where's the evidence?"
"Why should I tell you that? I'll provide the proof to Sir."
Fearfully, he replied, "You're lying. If you had evidence, why would you come to me?"
"To give you a warning. I thought if you confessed your crime, I'd talk to the professor and see about reducing your punishment. Anyway, I'm short on time. I need to quickly solve this problem for the professor and head home."
I said this and started walking away. Suddenly, Mahdi stood up from his chair.
He said, "Yes, I did it. But if the professor finds out now, I'll get expelled."
I reassured him, "Don't worry. I'll explain to the professor. Just go and confess your mistake to him. He's a kind man; he'll forgive you."
He replied, "Okay."