Thanks to the Pad Machine invention, I had successfully won the competition.
The moment the final result was announced, the entire hall erupted into applause.
My mothers were cheering at the top of their lungs, completely forgetting their usual dignity. They looked happier than I had ever seen them.
My teacher stood nearby, her eyes filled with tears. Her usually calm and composed face was trembling with emotion.
I honestly didn't know whether she was happier because I had won the competition... or because she was finally free from the fiancé who had been pestering her for so long.
But one thing was certain.
She was definitely happy.
As my name echoed through the auditorium, I walked toward the stage.
The judges greeted me with warm smiles before placing a shining gold medal around my neck. A large ceremonial cheque containing the prize money was handed to me amid thunderous applause.
The moment I turned around—
Flash! Flash! Flash!
The media went completely crazy.
Countless cameras pointed toward me from every direction. The bright flashes were so intense that for a moment I could barely keep my eyes open.
My entire field of vision was filled with white lights.
As I was about to leave the stage, a reporter suddenly pushed forward through the crowd.
"Student Vijay!"
"Student Vijay, over here!"
"Please look this way!"
Several microphones were instantly stretched toward me.
One female reporter spoke first.
"Student Vijay, could you please tell us what you plan to do with this machine?"
"Also, what will you do with the prize money you have won today?"
I looked at her for a moment before turning my gaze toward the cameraman's lens.
Then I answered calmly.
"I currently hold the patent rights for this machine."
"My goal is to work with the government so that tribal women and women living in remote villages can use this technology at a very low cost."
A brief silence fell over the crowd.
I continued.
"As for the prize money..."
"The first thing I will do is reclaim our house from the bank."
"My mothers took loans and made countless sacrifices to help me participate in this competition."
"I want to repay every debt they have taken because of me."
I smiled slightly.
"And whatever money remains after that, my family and I will discuss creating a charity fund to help people in need."
For a second, the entire hall became silent.
Then loud applause erupted once again.
Even some reporters looked genuinely impressed.
After the interview ended, we quietly left the venue without informing anyone.
The excitement of the competition was finally over.
For the first time in months, all of us could relax.
On the way home, we ordered cakes and enough food to feed an entire wedding party.
Tonight was a celebration.
No studying.
No inventions.
No competitions.
Just family.
Fortunately, because most people were still busy around the competition venue, the roads were unusually clear.
As a result, we reached home by eight o'clock in the evening.
The moment we entered through the gate, everyone let out exhausted sighs.
My mothers dropped onto the sofa as if their souls had left their bodies.
I wasn't much better.
After an entire day of interviews, speeches, and cameras, even sitting down felt like heaven.
The house was peaceful.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Home.
Then—
Ring! Ring! Ring!
The sudden sound of a phone shattered the silence.
Neelam blinked in surprise and pulled her mobile from her pocket.
The moment she looked at the screen, her eyes widened.
For a few seconds, she simply stared at it.
Then she swallowed nervously.
"Uh..."
Everyone turned toward her.
"What happened?" I asked.
Neelam slowly raised the phone so that all of us could see the caller ID.
On the screen, a single name was displayed.
C.M. Sir Calling...
The room instantly fell silent.