Chasing Tomorrow

chapter 15

A month flew by, and the day finally arrived for Raya and her friends to receive their pre-board exam results. She felt a mix of nervousness and excitement, but deep down, she was hopeful. She had worked hard, determined to make herself and her family proud. When she saw her name near the top of the results list, a huge smile broke across her face. She’d done well, and it was clear that her efforts had paid off.

In the crowded school hallway, Raya was met with cheers from her friends. "Raya! You did amazing!" Raiza exclaimed, throwing her arms around her in a celebratory hug. Jake, standing beside them, gave her a proud smile, his eyes showing admiration he didn’t try to hide.

“You totally aced it, Raya!” he said with a grin. “I always knew you had it in you.”

With the pre-board results in, reality started to sink in for everyone. The next step was the real board exams, and this was where things truly mattered. The teachers were now in full preparation mode, organizing revision sessions, distributing additional study materials, and reminding students of the importance of these exams.

During lunch, the group gathered, discussing their results and the coming board prep. Raya sat at the table, listening as her friends shared their plans for the next few months.

"It’s finally time," Lili said with a mock sigh, "no more fun, I guess."

Josh rolled his eyes. "Speak for yourself. I plan to take breaks. I can’t spend every minute studying."

Raya laughed, shaking her head. "Balance, Josh. That's what it’s all about." She knew how important these next two months were, but she also believed in giving herself moments to relax and unwind.

Jake, who had been quieter than usual, watched her intently. He was feeling a mixture of pride and something deeper—a feeling he couldn’t quite label. He was falling for her more every day, but a part of him held back. Maybe it was too soon to say anything; maybe they were both too focused on their studies to explore anything beyond friendship.

That evening, Raya sat down with her family for dinner. Her parents were beaming with pride over her pre-board results, and her mom couldn't help but bring it up every few minutes.

"You really made us proud, Raya," her mom said with a warm smile, passing her a bowl of rice. "Keep up this momentum, and you’ll do just as well on your boards."

Her father, usually quieter, looked at her with a rare smile. "Yes, we're proud of you, Raya. But remember, don't stress yourself too much. Just keep doing your best."

Raya nodded, feeling a swell of warmth in her chest. It felt good to make them proud, to feel that her hard work was paying off. She knew that these moments—sharing achievements with her family—were what motivated her to keep pushing forward.

Later that night, as Raya lay in bed, her thoughts drifted back to Jake. She knew he was feeling something, maybe even hoping for something between them, but she wasn’t ready to explore it just yet. They were about to face the biggest exams of their lives, and this was their future on the line. She admired Jake deeply, valued him as her best friend, but love? Maybe that would be a question for another time. She didn’t want to blur the lines now, knowing how much was at stake.

"This is too early for us," she whispered to herself, thinking about the life plans they both still had to pursue.

With that thought, she drifted off to sleep, her heart full but grounded in the reality of the road ahead. For now, her focus was clear: the boards, her dreams, and making her family proud. Anything else could wait.