Omar Rising

Omar receives another C in English. He considers asking for Moiz’s help, as Amal suggested, but the idea makes him feel ill. Aiden walks by their room and greets Kareem, who nods back, and Omar is shocked by the genial exchange. He learns that Aiden also stayed at Ghalib over break, and that he and Kareem started talking and playing foosball together. Kareem says that Aiden is different when he is alone, and Omar is stunned that the two are now friends. Kareem suggests that Omar would have befriended Aiden in the same situation, but Omar, thinking of Aiden’s past insults, disagrees.

Kareem and Omar are alone for the next parent open house event. Shuaib bakes them a special dish of paratha, knowing that the day will be hard for them. They study, then break to play basketball. Aiden appears in the gym doorway, watching. At first, Omar assumes that he is trying to scare them away, but Aiden soon shares that he used to play “horse,” a basketball shooting game. Omar reflects on how he tried to hurt Aiden by saying that his parents did not care about him, but now, Omar realizes just how true that taunt turned out to be, so he invites Aiden to play. After basketball, they visit the cafeteria. Kareem scrounges for food while Aiden confesses that his parents forgot about the winter break and have now skipped the open house as well. Aiden is accustomed to being alone and has attended schools in many countries. He feels that it is pointless to make friends, since he knows that he will just have to move again. Omar says that friends can help make school easier. Aiden apologies for being mean and thinks that Omar is “lucky” to talk to his mother so much. Omar realizes that despite his hardships at Ghalib, he is lucky in his friends, family, and community. He urges Aiden to make friends.

Omar titles his collage project “Stubbornly Optimistic” and explains to Mr. Adeel that Pluto is the work’s focal point because Pluto is stubborn. Even though Pluto had its planetary status revoked, it still functions like the other planets. Omar compares Pluto’s experience to his own struggles at Ghalib. Mr. Adeel is proud that Omar has connected the “spirit” of Shehzil Malik’s works to his own life.

Omar knows that he must do whatever it takes to “stubbornly” stay at Ghalib and bravely decides to ask Headmaster Moiz for help in English. Moiz is surprised to see Omar, but the boy explains that although he is doing well in his other classes, English grammar and essays are very difficult for him. He asks if Moiz can help. Moiz is silent for a moment, and Omar thinks that the headmaster will decline, but Moiz agrees. Omar is surprised that it was so easy to ask for and receive help.

Working with Moiz, Omar becomes more hopeful and less afraid of the headmaster. Moiz explains that Omar has been summarizing in his essays rather than analyzing and supporting his ideas with evidence from the text. Omar realizes that Moiz does want him to succeed. Omar expresses his difficulty with grammar, but Moiz says that English and its rules are like any language; they are hard for those who are unaccustomed to them. Moiz taught his son English, who in turn taught his sons. Omar considers Moiz’s family photograph and realizes that the headmaster has a life outside of Ghalib. Omar soon has a breakthrough in English; he suddenly understands the assignments and no longer fears the class. He even earns his first A grade, and he is optimistic that things are changing for the better.

Aiden, who is now firm friends with Omar and Kareem, praises Omar’s collage and invites the two scholarship boys to play soccer. Omar decides to take Mr. Adeel’s advice to take time to enjoy life. To celebrate his A in English, Omar has fun playing with Aiden, Kareem, Humza, and Marwan. Faisal and a group of boys arrive to prepare the wall for the new mural. Its theme will be picked by the upperclassmen. Omar volunteers to help. He enjoys painting the wall blank white for a new and possibly better mural. Omar talks with Amal, and she tells him that she is first on the waitlist for Iqra and is hopeful that she will be accepted. Amal is thrilled at Omar’s A in English. She is proud of his courage in asking Moiz for help.

Omar is both amazed and flattered that Mr. Adeel wants to add his collage to his Hall of Fame board. Mr. Adeel appreciates how the work reflects Omar and Shehzil Malik’s inspiration. Omar also meets with the guidance counselor, Mrs. Rashid, at her request that afternoon and sees Naveed hurrying out of her office as he arrives. Mrs. Rashid asks about Omar’s year and is dismayed that Omar hid his early difficulties from her by saying that everything was fine. Mrs. Rashid is impressed with Omar’s grades and his improvement, but she sadly explains that the overall average of his semesters results in a grade point average that is not good enough for him to keep his scholarship. Omar protests that finals are still coming, but Mrs. Rashid declares that even if he got perfect scores, Omar’s first semester still brings his final grade down too much. Omar feels physically ill and wonders if Naveed and Kareem have also been kicked out of school. Mrs. Rashid praises Omar, saying that she has never seen a student turn things around like he has, but she is bound to follow the school rules. She says that Omar can stay through the end of the semester and use his grades to apply to another school, but he knows that he is becoming a “ghost boy.”

Omar learns that Naveed has also been kicked out. Naveed knows his parents will be devastated; he now thinks that his talk show host’s advice to “believe in yourself” is bogus (169). Omar despondently thinks that his own life and future are destroyed. He has failed. He does not think they could have worked any harder. Kareem, who is not being kicked out, is shocked to hear that Omar and Naveed have been cut. Kareem desperately tries to think of a solution, but Omar shuts him down. Omar does not want Kareem’s consolation or hopeless plans, because he is certain that no one can help them and nothing can fix the situation.

Omar is first to present his art project and his artistic inspiration in class. He talks first about Shehzil Malik, who believes in hope and perseverance. Her artwork, which supported the Women’s March in Islamabad, speaks out against inequality and injustice. However, when it is time for Omar to describe his collage, he freezes, reflecting that all of his hard work and personal sacrifice at Ghalib have been for nothing. He now believes that Malik’s message of keeping hope and optimism is false. As the pause lengthens, Mr. Adeel asks if he is all right. Omar haltingly explains that he has been kicked out because he does not have the required A-plus average. Hearing this, the students are outraged, and Humza and Aiden declare that Ghalib’s policies for scholarship students are unfair; they do not have good grades. Marwan thinks the administration is trying to trick them into working harder, but Kareem explains about the different standards for scholarship students. Mr. Adeel agrees that the rule is “ridiculous” and has lost Ghalib many smart, talented students over the years. Humza tells Omar not to give up, but Omar believes that there is nothing he can do. He feels hopeless and tells the others that the rules are different for him, Naveed, and Kareem because they are from lower socioeconomic classes.