|| THE RESULT DAY ||

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(NEXT DAY)

In the modest kitchen of their home, chaos reigns as Smaran's mother bustles around with frantic, hurried movements. The clatter of pots and pans mixes with the sound of tea boiling on the stove. The aroma of breakfast—freshly made parathas and chai—wafts through the air, but the warmth of the food does little to alleviate the tension.

Smaran, clad in casual clothes, wanders into the kitchen, trying to avoid the frenzied activity. He glances at the wall clock: it is just past 10 a.m. The results of his exams are set to be announced at 12 p.m., and the anxiety that permeates the house is almost tangible.

His mother, eyes darting between the stove and the clock, is preparing tea and setting the table for two neighbor women who are about to arrive. The sound of her muttering under her breath—words of encouragement and worry—does little to soothe Smaran.

"Mom, why are you rushing so much?" Smaran asks, attempting to inject some calm into the situation as he takes a seat at the kitchen table.

His mother, her hair slightly disheveled and her face lined with worry, doesn't look up. "If I don't hurry, what should I do? Your result is coming, and your father hasn't managed to take a leave to come here. How important this is for you, what if..."

"Mom, relax," Smaran interrupts, trying to sound more composed than he feels. "I've done my best, and I'm sure the result will be good."

Smaran's mother gradually calms and says, "Okay, now go take a shower." Smaran's face shows a hint of reluctance. "Is it really necessary to bathe so early?" he asks. His mother lifts her rolling pin as if to threaten him. "Either you go now or I'll give you one."

Smaran, to save himself, hurriedly heads off to bathe.

After bathing, as he stands in front of the dress mirror, combing his hair, Smaran's mother enters his room with a piece of clothing. "Here, wear this today," she says, handing him a sherwani.

Smaran looks at the garment with confusion and says, "This is a sherwani."

His mother replies, "Yes, it belongs to your maternal uncle from Nistakpur."

"So what?" Smaran asks, puzzled.

"You don't know about their heroic story?" his mother inquires.

Smaran raises his eyebrows. "No."

His mother begins narrating while adjusting the pillows. "Your uncle's wedding was taking place, and he was sitting on a horse. During the wedding procession, someone must have burst a firecracker, scaring the horse away. Both the horse and your uncle fell and were injured. Despite the unfortunate incident, your uncle didn't give up. He continued preparing for the competitive exam in that condition, and now he is a TTE."

Smaran asks, "What does this have to do with the sherwani?"

"After his leg was injured, the girl's family refused the marriage," Smaran's mother explains as she gives the bedsheets a good clean. "But your uncle used this incident to motivate himself. He wore this sherwani during his entire exam preparation." What madness is this!

"So in last summer, did you visit their house just to get this sherwani?" he asks.

"Yes," she replies, stepping out the door. "Now wear it. It will bring you good luck."

Smaran shows a bit of resistance. "Mom, I don't want to wear it."

Smaran's mother, while stepping down to the stairs, insists, "Enough arguing. Just wear it quietly and come with me."

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