TIME TEACHES TO LAUGH

SLEEPLESS MINDS

One day my teacher announced in the classroom that I was selected for an inter school quiz competition which would take place outside our state. I got selected as I was the one with highest marks for monthly quiz competitions. I had a partner for attending the competition and she was three years older than me. We had one week to prepare for the contest. I thought it over and realized that it would not be easy just like our monthly quizzes. I was not that good in general knowledge, and I said her that I need a day to think about it. She said that it was a fantastic opportunity and people were waiting to grab this chance. I had nothing to say. She wrote my details in the list and just walked away.

I met with the other girl, and she was so damn excited about the contest. I wondered what was so great about this. Because I was not that interested. I went back home and told them. They reacted like I won an Oscar. They were so excited that they even asked me to plan and start packing. They did not even ask me if I was ready. If they would have given me a choice, I would have chosen to step back from the contest. But I was forced to act along.

Thinking about it now, I feel that I should have strongly made my opinion that I was not interested. But I was too kind to accept everything that came my way. Sometimes you have to say no, no matter how much it would hurt others. If we hurt ourselves for the sake of others, we will never be able to forgive our own self and that is the hardest.

Anyways, I started preparing for the contest. A day before the contest, some rules and regulations were published. At first, I had no idea about the contest, but everyone else knew. This took place yearly and everyone knew how it would take place. I got stunned on hearing the rules. Participants cannot sleep. They have to stay focused always. Competition starts at night of first day. Next round at midnight and third round at early morning. Again, time to prepare until next evening. Next rounds at night, mid-night, and early morning, respectively. Then, the results of finalists. And one final round. I was about to faint on realizing how difficult this task was. I knew that I cannot stay sleepless for something I was not interested.

I lived for another day, with deep thoughts on this. I woke up early to catch up my train. My senior and her mom waited at the station. My mom accompanied me. We reached the venue by afternoon. Parents were not allowed inside. They gave us separate rooms. Those rooms were so small and unclean that I was about to vomit on seeing the bathroom and all. I thought of leaving the place right away. I could not withstand unclean situations. I never left my home and that is why I was so uncomfortable to stay away from my own house. And this place was so dirty like hell.

I was amazed on seeing how the other girl tried to fit in. She had no expression, and she was okay. She started changing the bed sheets and all. I did nothing, as I was not sure of anything yet. She told me to hurry up and start preparing. I was not in a mood. But I forced myself and started reading some things.

On the day of the competition, I felt so weak. I heard everyone telling us to win the prize. That gave me more pressure. She was noticeably confident. But I was not.

The rounds started and somehow, we ended up passing the first round. She was so happy. To be honest, I felt happy too. But winning that round alone was nothing.

Every time we went out for coffee, I got messages and calls from my school, highlighting that we should grab this ever-rolling trophy for school, no matter what it takes. Our parents too repeated that statement and literally I was frustrated. That reminders pressured me, and I became more nervous.

We went back to the competition arena. It was night and I started becoming sleepy. I kept on yawning, one after the other. She shouted at me to concentrate and that made me embarrassed. I apologized and tried to have a good relationship with her.