𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 ♡ (Under Editing)

| CHAPTER 1 |

My fingers were constantly tapping on the desk, faster and faster, matching the rhythm of my heartbeat. The screen right in front of me seemed to mock my nerves, loading at its own slow, cruel pace. My whole body felt tense, like I’d been holding my breath for hours.

I am very nervous at this point like seriously, my heart is thumping so loud I can practically hear it echoing inside my head. The screen is loading like it’s enjoying my torture, "For god's sake, please increase your speed."

It’s weird how a few seconds can feel like forever when your future depends on them. The screen was hyping up that it’s about to reveal my future and reality, and here I am, freaking out because I have no idea what’s coming in a few minutes. My hands are trembling, and I keep biting my lip.

I was getting nervous from time to time, whispering prayers under my breath.

I keep assuring myself, "Everything will be alright, Ruhi. Everything will be fine."

But somewhere deep inside, that little voice of doubt doesn’t shut up.

My parents are standing right next to me, eagerly waiting for my result. They look calm, but I know them too well that calmness is just the surface.

Behind those eyes, they are already calculating, expecting, hoping for nothing less than perfect.

Then suddenly, a notification pops up saying the results portal is live. Oh God, please help me out here.

I open the screen, type in my roll number, and just pray, 'Please is baar sab accha ho'

(Please, let everything be okay this time)

I know how much effort I've put into this, those sleepless nights, skipped meals, crying quietly because the syllabus never seemed to end. I gave it my all. The screen displays my result, and my eyes dart across the lines. My heart literally stops for a second when I read it.

For a moment, everything goes quiet. My brain freezes, and I blink twice just to make sure I'm not seeing things.

Yes! It's showing 93.2%! Hurrray! I scored 93.2% in my 10th board exams. Yay...!!!!!

Guess what, I aced my 10th board exams with a score of 93.2%!

I was all set to celebrate, but then I noticed my dad was on a call and my mom gave me that curious look, probably wondering about my marks.

"I got 93.2%," I said, smiling nervously, waiting for that warm proud reaction, a hug, a smile, maybe a "we are proud of you." But their faces stayed unreadable.

Their reactions were neutral, almost cold. My excitement slowly faded. My smile trembled. For a second, I thought maybe they didn’t hear me properly. But they did. And that’s what made my chest ache.

My mind started racing with negative thoughts...Are they not happy? Did I disappoint them? Was it not enough again?

And then my dad had to go and say, "That's all, just 93.2%?"