AbhiRa : Duriya

10

Akshara's POV

"Sir, may I inquire as to why my name, along with Abhimanyu Birla from B section, is conspicuously absent from the final merit list?" I addressed our Principal with a mixture of confusion and concern, having just discovered that our names had been inexplicably removed from the list despite our top-ranking performance in the recent merit exam.

The merit test had been a monumental achievement for us, marking the first time in our school's history that two students had secured a perfect score. Not only did our performance promise us scholarships, but it also opened doors to prestigious institutions like the Sharma Institute, the Bhosale Institute of Excellence, or even FITE, allowing us to pursue our dreams of higher education.

As I stood before the Principal, the weight of our hard-earned accomplishment hung in the air, overshadowed by the uncertainty of our sudden exclusion. It was a perplexing turn of events, one that threatened to derail our dreams and cast doubt upon the integrity of the merit evaluation process.

"Don't argue," the Principal retorted sternly, his tone laced with dismissiveness. "You've been a scholarship student here for years, benefiting from the free education provided by this school. Be grateful for what you've received thus far. As for the merit list, rest assured, you'll still gain admission to a good college based on your impressive board exam results. And as for your scholarship funds, if needed, Aarohi's father has graciously offered to provide separate funding."

His words hit me like a blow to the gut, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place with sickening clarity. So, this was why Aarohi's name had miraculously appeared on the list, despite her mediocre academic performance. It wasn't about merit; it was about privilege and influence—about ensuring that the offspring of the affluent elite could effortlessly secure coveted spots in prestigious institutions, regardless of their actual abilities.

Anger simmered within me as I realized the extent of the corruption and injustice permeating the system. Talented students like Abhi and myself were being sidelined, our hard work and achievements overshadowed by the unchecked influence of wealth and power.

Despite my best efforts to reason with the principal, he remained steadfast in his decision. It seemed futile to fight against the entrenched system of privilege and corruption that governed our school's affairs. Defeated and disheartened, I made my way towards the secluded backyard of the school, seeking solace amidst the whispering leaves and rustling bushes.

There, amidst the shadows cast by overhanging branches, I found Abhi—a solitary figure kneeling beside the bushes, tenderly offering bread crumbs to the stray cats that sought refuge in the school grounds. My heart ached at the sight of him, knowing the burden he carried—the recent loss of his mother to a long battle with cancer, a secret she had kept from him to shield him from their financial struggles.

He had made a promise to his late mother—a promise to carve out a better life for himself, to rise above their circumstances and find success against all odds. Abhi had poured his heart and soul into his studies, striving to excel and secure a promising future for himself. The merit list, with its promise of scholarships and prestigious college admissions, had been a beacon of hope for both of us—a chance to fulfill our dreams and honor the sacrifices of those we loved.

But now, that hope lay shattered, stolen by the manipulative machinations of the privileged few. As I stood there, witnessing the injustice that had befallen us, I couldn't help but feel a sense of profound despair. The realization dawned upon me that our dreams had been callously snatched away by the machinations of the privileged few, leaving us stranded in a sea of uncertainty.