Early in the morning, at Akash's home—
"What! A job after passing the exam?!"
Akash's mother speaks with great surprise.
"Yes."
Akash replies in a calm, quiet voice.
"You must pass this somehow, understand? But what kind of job is it, and how much salary will you get?" his mother asks.
"The job will depend on the subject in which my marks are the highest, and which one I want to choose. They haven't told the exact salary yet… but they said it will be a lot."
Akash says.
Hearing this, his mother suddenly exclaims,
"Oh my son! Then you have to succeed in this. This is too good… really!"
Akash's grandfather laughs softly and says,
"She's right. If you can get a job this quickly just by clearing one exam and the government covers all expenses, then that's truly amazing."
"It is amazing. Anyway, it's time now. I should leave."
Akash says and starts walking out.
"Wait, did you study properly for the exam?" his mother asks.
"Don't worry about that. I've prepared everything."
Akash answers with a small smile.
"Fine, if you say so. Listen, if you get stuck, pray to God, remember your family, remember your grandfather, grandmother, mother, father, everyone."
His mother continues saying.
"Yes, yes, I know…"
Akash says as he walks away.
After he leaves, his mother asks,
"Our son has grown up now… he'll complete the exam properly… right?"
"Do you trust him?" his father asks.
"More than anyone in the world."
His mother answers with a smile.
"Then there's nothing to worry about."
His father says.
They smile at each other, and on the other side, Akash's grandparents smile seeing them.
In Akash's classroom, all the students are memorizing as fast as they can.
Some are revising different topics, some asking for help—
"Quick, study!"
"Did you prepare?"
"Bro help me, please!"
"We both are in this together, right?"
"Where is Akash? He still hasn't come! What do I do now?"
Dhruv panics.
"I should go find him. Yes, I'll go find him!"
He heads toward the classroom door, and just as he reaches it—
Akash appears.
"AAAAAHH!"
Dhruv screams loudly.
"What happened? Why are you shouting?"
Akash asks.
"Bro bro bro bro bro! You're finally here! Thank God! I'm saved! You did study, right?"
"Yes, don't worry about that. Did you do what I told you?"
Akash asks.
"Yes, I did."
Dhruv replies.
"Good. Go to your seat, time's about to start."
"Okay."
Dhruv says.
A few minutes later, the sound announcing the start of the exam echoes, and the examiners enter the class.
"So, is everyone here? And did everyone study properly?"
they ask.
All the students respond together, "Yes, sir!"
"Good. Now write this exam with a calm mind. Don't carry any stress, alright?"
they tell the students.
"Yes, sir!" the whole class answers.
Question papers and answer sheets are handed out to everyone.
"You may begin!"
the examiners say.
The room becomes completely silent.
Cold morning air and sunlight flow through the windows, creating a mix of chill and soft warmth inside.
"Remember what I said?"
Akash whispers to Dhruv.
"Yes, I remember."
Dhruv replies.
Yesterday—
"What!! Are you crazy?!"
Dhruv stands up and shouts at Akash.
"Just listen to me."
Akash says.
"No, no, no, no! You're my friend, but you're telling me to come without studying anything? Akash, I need a job too! I want to succeed in life!"
Dhruv speaks anxiously.
"Stop shouting! You're my best friend. Do you trust me or not?"
Akash asks.
"I trust you. But this isn't about trust!"
Dhruv argues.
Akash grabs his shoulder.
"Believe me. You know we've done things like this before."
"F-fine… but only this once. Next time I won't do it."
Dhruv says.
Akash hugs him.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Present—
"Alright, let's begin this exam… and let's succeed together."
Akash tells Dhruv.
"Okay."
Dhruv answers.
But while writing the answers, Akash notices something.
He smirks to himself and thinks,
"What's this? Hahahaha… so that's how it is. Now this is going to be interesting."