Whimsical Orange Road (Master Retelling) [Abandoned! Temporary Hiatus]

XIII. Is this the end?

One thing I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme
To explain in due timeAll I know
Time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day
The clock ticks life away
It's so unreal
Didn't look out below
Watch the time go right out the window
Tryin' to hold on, did-didn't even know
I wasted it all just to watch you goI kept everything inside and even though I tried
It all fell apartWhat it meant to me will eventually
Be a memory of a time when I tried so hardI tried so hard and got so far
But in the end it doesn't even matter
I had to fall to lose it all
But in the end it doesn't even matter- 'In the end' by 'Linkin Park'***********************************************************

The upcoming week was like a weird mix of uncharacteristic food items. Election preparations were being made, committees were being formed, and all the while lectures and assignments seemed in no position to disappear 🫠 anytime soon 😞. Giving the finishing touches to my notes as the lectures ended for the day. I started collecting my things and made my way to the exit when the professor handed me my graded assignments.

"Could you also pass this one to Sri?" He inquired, handing me another sheet.

Giving out a quick positive reply, I finally exited the dreaded lecture hall. I got a stinking 87 on an open assignment. How was that even possible? Cursing myself for my tardiness, I took a glance at Sri's paper and stopped dead in my tracks. I wouldn't have been surprised if my eyeballs fell out with how I was staring at the score. After schooling myself, I made my way to the courtyards, where everyone was busy with election preparations. Making my way over to the gang, I announced my presence as I took hold of the pamphlets that Sri was handing over to someone with some instructions. "Hey, you guys, you won't believe what I found. Look, Sri, it's your assignment score." I showed him his scores with a smile that seemed a little too kind. "See, they look like political tell-tales. So, riddle me this: How does one get a score below 30 in an open book assignment?"

For the next few seconds, there was pin-drop silence, so deadening that it even woke JD up, who was up until now somewhere off in his dream world. Letting out an exasperated sigh, I told him, "You have till 9 a.m. tomorrow to resubmit this assignment. I requested that the professor allow you to resubmit. So pick up your pace, go to the library, and get started."

"But the election-"

"Can go to hell. You are going to submit this assignment. What are you, a moron? Your final score is going to depend on this, not your election. You know what? I will handle the election."

I replied, reassuring him, but handed the pamphlets to the person closest to me with a bored look on my face. "Take this and don't show me your face again."

"But you just told Sri that -"

"Yea, yea, go get help from your JD sir." I quickly responded, but before anyone else could speak, JD started his preaching of the day.

"You know you should fulfill the responsibilities you take on." I deadpan at his comment, "which is exactly why you should help them because it was you who arranged for this dreadful election in the first place. Bye, I have to go." I disappeared from there as fast as I could.

Weeks passed, and elections were finally completed. The results were going to be declared today, so like the brave and courageous person I am, I decided the best course of action would be to hide away in my blanket. All the thoughts that were having a crazed sports competition in my head were giving me a headache. I wanted to go to college, but I was already aware of the fight that would ensue once the results were announced, and I had no intention of getting caught in the crossfire. On the other hand, I didn't want to see everyone else get injured, but what will I tell them? I am suddenly psychic, and there is no way I will be able to completely stop this incident from happening unless I can magically make Savita lose the elections. So, JD would be leaving the college anyway, and staying away seemed like the best option.