UNEXPECTED CAT CHASE IN RECEPTION HALL, PUBLIC FREAK-OUT FOLLOWS

A berserk cat chase arose in break-time today in the main hall in front of the lobby/reception. The hot pursuit involved considerable panic, alarm and even an intense injury. Here’s what happened.

It was a fine Tuesday morning and a debate training session was to begin soon when a member of the support staff walked into the main hall and signaled ‘meow’. It was the indication that a wild chase was to follow.

Indeed, it was. After a few minutes of five guys, peeking under the stage where the cat hid and making noises that would apparently scare it, it was realized that it wasn’t enough.

Next up, the broom. The member of support staff and Mohammad Ammar brought a broom each and started reaching out for the cat, who we shall refer to as James. James dashed out and Ammar and the member of support staff tried shooing it off, but it ran under a table. Finally, after various attempts, James was made to run out of the main hall.

The pursuit wasn’t over, James sprung around the lobby, causing much distress to whoever was present, along with comedy to a few others. Members of staff, and others ran behind it in vain, namely: Mohammad Ammar, Muaadh Jameel, Faiez Haroon, Zubair Mumin, and Syed Ali.

If the broom wasn’t doing the job, then a more vigorous weapon was required, and in came Ammar with a flat mop and what happened next infuriated those who were staunch supporters of animal welfare and would definitely enrage PETA. The details of the action are too graphic to be stated in a school newspaper.

It was getting too much for James who then erupted in terror like a symbiote cornered by the SWAT. A seventh grader happened to be walking down the stairs nearby, the same staircase which James decided to run up unfortunately. Unfortunate enough as the kid, Nemon, happened to be a cat-enthusiast who had experience with cats he owned back in Russia. Nemon picked up James to try to calm down the situation but the contrary happened; James struggled to leave Nemon’s grip, ending up severely injuring him by clawing his face and hand. Nemon, who was bleeding heavily, had to be rushed to the doctor, so I myself and Syed Ali were sent to take him.

The doctor was in the Arabic section and going there was an interesting experience. Firstly, it was astounding to know that Manarat had its own express ambulance service, a school bus that took sick and injured students to the Arabic section gates and back. Secondly, the Arabic section’s infrastructure was notable and quite modern-looking, with wide corridors and spacious bathrooms.

Anyway, Nemon was healed by the doctor, and we returned to attend the debate session, which was about to conclude by then. It was also reassuring to know that James had been successfully driven out of the building.

The highly intriguing question is how exactly James managed to make its way into the main hall, especially with the windows of the main hall being barred with Manarat’s signature concrete triangles. James could not have made its way in through the door either as there is always someone at the reception.

A reminder to all that the response for the food drive has been quite poor, bring in food to Mr. Ra’ad’s office.

Also, visit Mr. Qamrul to register as a volunteer to clean the prayer hall carpets. P.s.  Shout out to Areez Abdullah for heroically stopping a fight involving more than a hundred students that day after school ended!