The moment Akash looks at the exam, his mind begins to race.
Three hours for this exam… when the actual exam is only one hour long.
The strangest part is that all the other subjects have extremely easy questions.
But Dharshan ,philosophy, logic, psychology, deduction, observation anything that uses real thinking, especially detective-style reasoning those questions are on another level.
A cosmology question asks: "According to science, what is the age of the universe?"
Another: "How did the universe begin?"
Those aren't even that hard. They're straightforward.
But this philosophical question: "If truth exists above humanity, can a human even think about it? And if a human can think about it, does that thought itself become truth?"
This isn't some simple, standard philosophy question.
If you think deeply, it's extremely difficult.
Most of the questions in these subjects are far harder than the others.
What does this even mean?
Around him, every student is happily writing down answers they memorised, convinced they will get the job.
Poor kids…
While Akash is thinking all this, Dhruv calls out to him.
"Akash!"
"What happened?" Akash replies.
"Bro, look at these questions! They're so easy! I thought they'd be hard. We're definitely getting the job now. Come on, start writing fast and tell me the answers too, so I can write them in my own handwriting. They shouldn't suspect anything." Dhruv says.
"No," Akash says. "We're not doing the easy ones. We're doing the hardest ones. And I won't tell you the answers, and you won't write them."
"What?! Why? What happened now?" Dhruv panics.
"Relax. This is exactly why I told you not to study. Just watch me quietly," Akash tells him.
"Oh… so that's why you told me that. I'm doomed…" Dhruv says sadly.
"Don't be sad. Just trust me," Akash says.
"Well… what else can I even do?" Dhruv grumbles with a sulking face.
On the other side, the rest of the class is laughing, writing the exam confidently, thinking everything is easy unaware of what is coming.
Meanwhile, the four examiners talk among themselves.
"Do you really think this is the class? And that these are the special students who can complete the task? Do you honestly believe they can do it? Tell me, Aditya," Ratri asks.
Hearing this, Aditya smiles and replies,
"I'm completely sure that the four students we're looking for are in this very class. And they will complete the task."
"Oh really? Then tell us who those four are," Ayush asks.
"You'll find out only at the end of the exam," Aditya replies.
Mehak laughs and says,
"Yes, we'll find out at the end. But after the exam ends and those four are selected, I'm going to take their first test myself. Everyone fine with that?"
Everyone laughs and agrees.
Back to Akash—
"Alright, look here. This one is a philosophical question. Let's do this," Akash says to Dhruv.
"Yeah, yeah, okay. I'm a great philosopher. Don't worry, I'll tell you the answer," Dhruv says proudly.
"Oh really? Let's see," Akash replies.
Akash then reads the question softly:
"Should suffering disappear from this world forever?"
Hearing this, Dhruv bursts out laughing.
"Hahahahaha! What kind of question is this? It's so easy! Akash, just write yes as the answer.
But during explaining this Dhruv's tone started becoming more heavy and intense
His voice started becoming more deeper.
If everyone is happy, this world will be amazing. No suffering means no pain, no killing, no fights, no wars, no discrimination, no misery. No evil acts. Even innocent animals, birds, and plants won't suffer. Everyone will live happily.
All the sins, all the pain, all the innocent people who die, old people who suffer, innocent girls who get hurt everything will end. All the cries of innocent beings will vanish. Everyone will live together peacefully."
"Wow. That's a beautiful answer you gave," Akash says.
"Oh, it was nothing. Hahaha…" Dhruv says happily.
"Alright, on that note, let's write the answer," Akash says.
"Yes, write 'yes,' the answer is—" Dhruv begins, but Akash cuts him off.
"No."
"What?! I just explained everything so well! Why 'no'?!" Dhruv yells angrily.
Seeing Dhruv getting angry, Akash speaks calmly,
"Relax, brother. What you said is right… but only on the surface. If you think deeply, you'll understand why the answer is 'no.'
Happiness and sadness can never exist without each other.
Without happiness, sadness doesn't exist.
Without sadness, happiness doesn't exist."
"What are you talking about?" Dhruv asks.
"Let me give you an example," Akash says.
"Imagine a world. And in that world, everyone is happy."
"Okay, I imagined it. And that's exactly what I want! A perfect world," Dhruv says.
"Fine. But how would they know they're happy?" Akash asks.
"What do you mean?" Dhruv asks, confused.
"If the whole world is filled only with happiness, how will they know what sadness even is? And if they don't know what sadness is, how will they ever recognise happiness?
Who will tell them what sadness feels like?
Who will teach them that they're happy?
It's the same for a world filled only with sadness—if there's no happiness, they can't understand sadness either.
Happiness and sadness can never exist alone.
I hope you understand now."
"Wait… yeah… but…" Dhruv starts thinking.
"Don't overthink. This kind of question needs intellect, not emotions," Akash says.
"Fine, but still…" Dhruv mutters.
"Forget the 'buts.' Now look at this next question it's a psychological detective question," Akash says.