'It's out.'
I stared at my dad incredulously. "How can it be out? It's just June 4, results are coming out at 14 right?"
But that's what Geetha said. Her son got some 590 marks....
I tuned out almost immediately. We were at a coffee shop. Just me and my Dad. Chilling.
After one year of 10 minute phone calls 3 days a week, we really missed each other.
I fished out my phone. 13 %. I guess that will have to do.
After all, it doesn't take more than 2 minutes to see what your entire life has amounted to. THE DREAM, since 9th standard...TO BE A DOCTOR.
Now was the moment that dream merges with reality in the form of taciturn numbers. Cold and indiscriminating.
"642, That's your score", my dad said happily. "And your rank...." . His face changed, his dimples returned to their hiding places.
"What is it?"
"Must be some mistake, That can't be right."
"Show me!!" At long last I glanced at my scorecard and my dad's last sentiments echoed in my thought.
NEET-UG.
The one objective exam that determines admissions to MBBS, BDS and various allied sciences to colleges according to rank.
The one I sacrificed 2 years of my life for. I couldn't get a good enough rank in my first attempt. A rank that could facilitate my admission to the much coveted government medical colleges where you essentially study on a huge scholarship.
I mean don't get me wrong. My dad makes a decent amount of money. However with the number of bad investments he had made, we weren't doing so well financially. I really wanted to relieve this burden off my dad. Medical colleges ain't that cheap.
But the numbers said a different story. One that would require bigger numbers in our account statements.
We expected some inflation in ranks...Many found the paper easy this time. Not me though, I found it just as difficult as my last attempt if not more.
I didn't get the rank. I failed.
In the background, I could hear my dad talking, consoling. I couldn't hear anything. It's as though a tuning fork was being rung in my head. Multiple times.
A bell that wouldn't stop ringing.
An entire year passed through my eyes...Late nights, 4 AM mornings and a whole bunch of promises that I made sincerely...Truly made sincerely.
And I remembered.....Aisha.
"I hope she's okay."
Our sins were coming to take their vengeance.
YOU ARE READING
Studying for LOVE
HumorA student in India is not just a student, he's a son. But what if he's the pride of his family? What if his family let down their life's dreams only for him? And what if he is reminded of this every second of the day. When every single action or und...
