The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the schoolyard as summer vacation came to an end. Kifayat stepped through the wrought-iron gates, she saw the excited face of everyone. She remembered today the results will be published. Although Kifayat was quite sure that she did well, at that moment her heart couldn't help but aflutter with anticipation. The air smelled of freshly sharpened pencils and whispered secrets.
As she approached the notice board, a hushed murmur enveloped the crowd. Students clustered like bees around the results, their eyes darting from name to name. Kifayat's pulse quickened. Although she is known for talent, she does need to work hard, burning the midnight oil, hoping for stellar grades.
She looked at the top of the list and saw her name at first glance. She breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she saw the second position of the grade, Kifayat was shocked. It is not Ishan.
She searched for Ishan's name, not to mention 2nd, he is not even in top ten. Then finally she found Ishan's name on 23rd position. For some people it is already a very good result. But for a student like Ishan it is a very big deal.
"What's going on?" she asked her Cyra, who was nearby. Her voice barely audible above the buzz of excitement.
Cyra, frowned. "You won't believe it. Look at the top of the list."
"I have seen it already. That's why I am asking. Is the results miscalculated?"
"No, it is not. The teachers also suspected that if it was a mistake. But it is still the same after calculating it again and again."
Kifayat gaze again fall on Ishan's name. Ishan's results were always very similar to Kifayat. There has been a never a time when their points were apart more than 5 marks. She knew Ishan has a brilliant mind, the boy who aced every test. For a person like him, he was destined for greatness.
But something must went wrong.
"Did you see Ishan?"
"Oh, I saw the teacher calling him to the office."
Kifayat marched to the teacher's room. When she reached the door, she heard the teachers harsh words.
You really disappointed me this time Ishan. You are a sensible boy. I know your family may be facing a problem. But you can't abandon you study for that.
Ishan was listening with his head down. Kifayat asked for teacher's permission to enter the room.
"Come in. The door creaked open, revealing Mr. Roy, his brows furrowed like storm clouds. Ishan stood before him, shoulders slumped, pride shattered.
Kifayat's heart ached. She remembered Alexander, the quiet boy who sat in the front row, scribbling notes with precision. His eyes held galaxies of knowledge, and his laughter was rare but genuine.
Kifayat can not denied the fact, the seriousness in Ishan's eyes pushed Kifayat to study harder. More than a classmate, Kifayat always admires this boy.
"Oh Kifayat, Congratulations. You did well this time."
"Thank you teacher."
"Do you need anything?"
"Well that, teacher I actually came to call for Ishan. Our science project is still ongoing. We need to submit it after tomorrow."
Ishan looked at Kifayat surprised. Isn't the project is already finished. Before Ishan could say something Kifayat looked at Ishan, signaling to not talk.
"Then you guys can go. And Ishan remember my words. Do not neglect you studies again."
"Yes teacher I will keep that in mind."
Kifayat and Ishan left the office together. Before Kifayat could something to him, Ishan said,
"You did not need to help me." And left alone. Kifayat caught up with him.
"Ishan, let's go to a walk together after school."
"I do not want to."
"So you agreed. Thank you. I will wait at the school gate." Kifayat ran after saying that.
"You!?"
Although Ishan denied Kifayat's request verbally, he still waited for her at the school gate. "You are here already."
"I came to tell that I don't want to go."
Kifayat didn't pay attention to his words. "Let's go, I know a good place."
"Are you even listening to me?"
Kifayat smiled. "Of course I am not deaf."
"I think you are." At the end Ishan still went with Kifayat.
In the midsummer of July, in the afternoon, the scorching heat of the day faded away in the city. Kifayat took Ishan to a riverside area. The water was very clear and the lawns beside the river were lush. She found a place to sit down without caring whether her clothes and pants were dirty. She dipped her legs into the water, looking relaxe. She told Ishan to sit down too. After hesitating for a while, Ishan also followed Kifayat's movement.
After a while, "You don't want to ask me anything."
"Will you tell me?"
Ishan was silent. "It's okay if you don't say anything. I just wanted to let you relax a bit and enjoy the scenery around you."
Ishan felt a little touched in his heart. He also hoped he would have some to talk to his worries. But he never got to make any friends with whom he can share his feelings.
"Actually my parents are getting divorced. I accidentally heard it a few days ago. They were waiting for my exam to finish to tell me the truth. Why did they do that to me? In order to meet their expectations, I have always worked hard. There was never a day I slacked off. I also wanted to hang out with friends, play games or sleep a little longer. But I didn't. I sacrificed every one of my little wishes just to make them happy. At the end..."
"I couldn't do anything. All my hard work feels meaningless. I still studied to forget all these, hoping they would not abandon me but can not even concentration properly. Now even his score had plummeted, dragging him from the pinnacle to the abyss."
Ishan could not talk anymore, water kept dropping from his eyes.