Arjun had always been the odd one out in his family. In a household full of academic prodigies — cousins and siblings who had topped their classes consistently since grade one — his average grades made him stand out, and not in a good way. He was usually the fourth ranker in class, never quite reaching the pedestal his family expected of him. And for that, he was quietly labeled as the underachiever.
One morning, he sat motionless on his bed. Not blinking. Not speaking. Just thinking.
"How do I get into that hostel?"
"What will take me there?"
His mother's voice snapped through the silence.
"Hey fool! What happened to you? Why are you sitting like that?"
No response. Arjun was too lost in thought.
Irritated, she stormed over and gave him a sharp slap — the signature wake-up technique in their household.
Arjun jerked upright.
"What a beautiful morning!" he muttered under his breath sarcastically, rubbing his cheek.
"What did you just say?" his mother asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing, Mom. Just said good morning," he replied quickly.
"Hmph. Now go and make tea for everyone."
As always, the morning began with a cup of tea, brewed by Arjun and his father — the family's unofficial tea experts. After serving everyone, Arjun got ready for school. It wasn't a regular school day — the students had been called only for an important announcement.
When he walked into the classroom, he heard a gentle voice call his name.
"Arjun…"
He turned and saw a girl sitting at the back bench — Priyanka, the new student. She never talked to anyone. Not a single word since she joined. Yet today, she had spoken. And to him.
"Uh… Hello," Arjun said, surprised. "Nice to meet you…"
"What's wrong with your face? You look… off," she asked, her voice calm but curious.
"I'm just shocked," he replied honestly. "Didn't expect you to talk to me. You've always been so quiet."
"Yeah, people act strange around me. So I stay quiet. But you… you're different."
Arjun blinked. "Different? How?"
"You don't talk much either, but you always eat lunch with those kind boys. I've been watching. You seem… safe."
"Oh, they're my friends," he said with a small smile.
"Good. Then… can we be friends too?" she asked, stretching her hand toward him.
Arjun's heart began to pound. He wasn't used to this. A girl, wanting to shake hands — with him?
She gently grabbed his hand and shook it.
"That's how you do a handshake," she smiled.
Just then, the class bell rang.
TRRRR… TRRRRR…
Their teacher entered with a file in hand.
"Alright, class. Today I'll be announcing the names and ranks of students who've shown improvement from last time(not class toppers)."
The room grew quiet.
"First… Arjun.
Second… Priyanka.
Third… Bhavya."
Arjun froze. First? He was first?
That night, he walked up to his mother with purpose.
"Mom… I want to join that hostel where Dad's brother studied."
She burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing? I'm serious."
"Beta," she said after a pause, "it's not that easy. You have to work hard, and you'll need to pass a very tough entrance exam."
"I'll prepare," Arjun said firmly. "I'll do my best."
His seriousness shook her. Later that night, she spoke to Arjun's father, and his father reached out to his brother. The decision was made.
Arjun was registered for the entrance exam.
IT'S NOT EASY AS ARJUN THINKS IT'S A DIFFICULT EXAM , NOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT....