Final exams started on 25th February.
Our first exam was English, and I honestly didn't take English as a serious subject. So I ended up wasting my preparation leave doing Mathematics and Science instead.
I reached the examination centre with Ajay, and we were waiting outside for the gates to open. Other students were standing there, revising their English notes.
I was just wandering around, and that's when I saw Sakshi standing alone, revising from her notebook. We looked at each other, but we didn't talk.
The gates opened. I checked the seating plan and went to my assigned room. The exam started, and I got the question paper. When I looked at the questions, I realized I barely knew 50% of the answers.
I started writing and somehow finished my exam in one and a half hours. I asked the invigilator if I could leave after submitting my answer sheet, but he refused. So I had no choice but to sit in the examination hall for two more long hours.
Time was up, and we submitted our answer sheets. After the exam, everyone was discussing their answers, but I just walked home with Ajay.
At tuition, we were studying for the Science exam. Before class started, Neetu and I discussed our English paper—and honestly, my answers didn't make any sense.
Later, all our exams ended.
And now the only thing left to do was wait for the results—whether we would pass or fail.
On 1st April
Our tuition teacher started new classes ahead of the results.
Before moving ahead, a little context:
In India, after passing the 10th-grade exams, we have to choose subjects for 11th grade.
For Science students, there are two major options:
PCB – Medical students (doctor)
PCM – Non-medical students (engineer)
PCMB – Both medical & non-medical (difficult because students have to study both Mathematics and Biology)
There are also two more streams:
Commerce
Humanities
I had already decided in 8th grade that I wanted to become an engineer. It was my dream.
So I chose PCM as my core subjects.
I reached the tuition centre and saw Neetu standing in front of the parking area.
I said — "hey, how are you?"
She said — "are you also planning to continue in science field" with charming eyes.
I replied — "yes, i wanna became an engineer that's why i'm taking PCM as my core subjects what about you?"
She said — "ohh, i'll take PCB as my core subject. Because i don't like mathematics."
We entered the class together, and I saw Ankit.
I asked him — "you are also going to take science?"
He said — "I didn't think about it yet, i'm just exploring subjects."
The class started.
I had forgotten my book at home, so I asked Neetu to share her book with me.
Our class lasts around 3 hours.
In the last hour, our teacher announced, "Those who are medical students can leave now. We are starting mathematics class in 5 minutes."
I thought Neetu would leave, but she didn't. So I asked why she wasn't leaving. She said she was still confused between PCB and PCMB.
I told her, "Do what your heart says."
Next day
I asked Nitesh to come along with me. When we reached tuition, we saw a new girl standing with Neetu.
We were going upstairs when Neetu suddenly stopped me, took me to the new girl, and said — "Harsh meet Saniya."
I said — "hii saniya."
Saniya replied — "nice to meet you harsh" and then she asked Neetu — "he's the one you are talking about?"
Neetu covered Saniya's mouth and said to me — "Just ignore, what she says."