may be your's

She sat at the dining table, the report card resting in her hands, her heart pounding as her parents entered the room, eager to see her results. She hesitated, then handed it over. Her mom took it first, scanning the scores quickly. A wide smile spread across her face, and she passed it to her husband, pride shining in her eyes.

Her dad looked at the card, his face lighting up. "You've done it! You've topped again!" he exclaimed.

Her mom's voice was warm, full of affection. "I knew you'd excel. You always do."

For a brief moment, she felt proud, a sense of accomplishment swelling inside her. But just as she was about to bask in that feeling, her dad brought up the inevitable comparison.

"You know," he began, "he didn't score this high in his boards. You've beaten him!"

Her heart sank slightly, the weight of the comparison clouding her pride. Her cousin-he was always the one she was compared to, the family's academic star. It wasn't the first time she'd heard it, and the familiar discomfort returned.

Her mom's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes! He always set the bar high, but look at you now. You've surpassed him!"

"I didn't think of it that way," she said quietly, trying to hide her unease.

Her dad's voice was filled with enthusiasm. "But you should! This is huge. He's been the talk of the family for years, but now it's your turn. You're the one everyone will be talking about."

She smiled faintly, but the sense of satisfaction felt distant. She had wanted recognition for her own success, but now it felt tainted, overshadowed by the comparison to her cousin.

"You're just as good as him," her mom continued. "Maybe even better."

She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I guess." Inside, the constant comparison left her feeling unsettled, even as her parents celebrated. She resolved to take pride in her achievement for herself, no longer in her cousin's shadow.