The next paper was Maths.
And let me just say it straight — I'm dumb in Maths. Like… legendary level dumb.
I walked into class, clutching my admit card like it was a lifeline, and the moment I stepped in, everyone smiled at me — Ayyan, Nayaan, Prann, Shela, Era, Vish, even Kunal. Literally the whole row.
And me? I gave back the most awkward smile of my life.
"Prepared?" someone asked.
I laughed nervously. "Sorry guys, but I'm dumb in Maths. So… god knows."
But instead of laughing at me, they all said the same thing:
> "We believe in you."
Like… excuse me?? You barely even know me! But fine, I knew what it meant. It was exam time, and I was their only option.
Then Anisha walked in. Her smile wasn't friendly — it was the warning smile. The one that screamed "Remember yesterday's deal… don't help Ayyan or else!"
I gulped. Yeah, yeah… I remembered.
---
The exam started.
Within 10 minutes, I was ready to cry. MCQs? Forget it. I skipped them all and focused on the long questions. Meanwhile, my classmates? They were going insane.
Vish was poking me every 2 minutes.
Shela was whispering like she was at a vegetable market.
Era was practically climbing over her desk to see my sheet.
And I… I was one second away from standing up and shouting "EVERYONE SHUT UP!"
For the first time in my life, I cursed the lockdown. Teachers were acting blind, pretending they didn't see the cheating. Why? Why today?
I ripped out my supplement page and passed it to them. My peace offering.
Then it happened.
> "Can you please show me this?"
It was Ayyan.
He didn't demand, didn't poke, didn't irritate. He just asked softly — calm, even though he was stressed too. And of course… I gave him my supplement.
Kunal, sitting behind him, leaned in. "Siya, are your answers correct?"
Excuse me?? Did he just—
I snatched my sheet back. "Figure it out yourself!"
The chaos continued until the last five minutes, when I was panicking over MCQs. My head was blank. And then—
> "Do you need help?"
It was Ayyan again, his voice low. I nodded helplessly. He leaned slightly, whispered answers, and saved me.
When the bell rang, I swear I felt more relief than joy.
---
Outside, everyone surrounded me like I was some sort of goddess.
"Siyaaa, thanks yaar."
"You saved me!"
"Tomorrow also, na?"
Even Nayaan walked with me, politely offering to split chapters for tomorrow's prep. Cute, but still — exam leeches everywhere.
Then Ayyan appeared behind me, his shoulder brushing mine by mistake. My heart skipped a beat. He was smiling. Smiling at me.
> "Thanks, Siya. I'm glad you helped. Please study for tomorrow too… and if you can, help me again."
And just like that, he walked away.
Anisha came rushing out right then, complaining. "So you helped Ayyan, huh? Not me?!"
Era joined in too.
I tried to explain, but Anisha wasn't having it.
> "You like him, don't you?"
I froze. "Shut up!"
Thank god no one else heard. But her smirk said it all — she was going to keep teasing me.
---
Finally, exams ended. And with them… school.
Vacation had started.
Everyone was saying goodbye, and it hit me — just when the class was finally becoming close, it was all over. I should've been happy about the break, but instead… my chest felt heavy.
I glanced around one last time. My eyes found him — Ayyan.
And I don't know why, but a thought slipped out before I could stop it:
Why do vacations have to start now… just when he's beginning to notice me?
Era suddenly appeared. "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing! Nothing."
Her eyes narrowed. "It's not Ayyan, right?"
I coughed. "Don't act like Anisha."
She laughed, but I wasn't laughing inside. Because two seconds before, she was right.
I left quickly, saying goodbye to my little group.
At home, while changing my clothes, I caught myself smiling at the mirror. The only good thing about this vacation? In two days, I had to attend the drawing intermediate at the university. My whole class would be there.
And my heart whispered something I didn't want to hear:
Or was it just him I was excited to see?