The morning of the exam arrived with the kind of stillness that often precedes a storm. Aryan stood on the balcony, staring out at the golden light filtering over the cityscape of Trivandrum. The distant hum of early risers bustling through the streets grounded him. Today wasn't just any day. It marked the first significant step toward his goal.
Timmy settled nearby, his sharp gaze fixed on the horizon, as if sensing Aryan's tension. Jimmy sat beside him, his head resting lightly on Aryan's foot. Smith emerged from the guest room, stretching with a yawn. "Morning nerves?" Smith asked, his voice laced with amusement.
Aryan smirked. "Not really. Just… focused."
Smith chuckled, stepping next to Aryan and peering out at the city. "Well, I'm nervous enough for both of us."
They had spent the past several weeks preparing relentlessly, but despite their efforts, the weight of the Civil Service exam loomed large. The next two stages—mains and the interview—were still ahead, but the prelims would set the tone.
Breakfast was a quiet affair. Anitha sat across from Aryan, her hands folded neatly around a cup of tea. Aditi joined them, scrolling through her phone while occasionally glancing at Aryan with soft, reassuring smiles.
"You'll do great," Anitha said, breaking the silence. "I know your father would be proud of you already."
Aryan nodded. "I'll do my best."
As they prepared to leave, Aditi placed a gentle hand on Aryan's shoulder. "One step at a time, Arya. That's all you need to focus on."
He smiled, grateful for her words. "I know. Thanks, Didi."
The ride to the examination center was quiet except for Smith occasionally humming some pop song under his breath. The streets of Trivandrum bustled with life, but Aryan's mind was clear, every thought dedicated to the task ahead. The trees lining the road blurred into patches of green as Aryan stared out the window, mentally reviewing notes from the night before.
"It's funny," Smith said suddenly, drawing Aryan's attention. "I keep thinking about what we'll do if this doesn't pan out. Got a backup plan?"
Aryan shook his head, his expression firm. "No need. This is it."
Smith raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. He had always envied Aryan's certainty.
As the jeep approached the center, they spotted other aspirants gathered at the entrance, clutching folders and pens with nervous energy buzzing between them. Aryan took a deep breath as he and Smith stepped out.
"Remember," Smith said, patting Aryan's back, "don't let them see how ridiculously smart you are. Leave some marks for the rest of us."
Aryan chuckled. "I'll try to hold back."
Timmy glided overhead, circling before landing gracefully on a tree branch, while Jimmy remained seated by the jeep, his watchful eyes following Aryan's every step.
The exam hall was a sea of desks and candidates, each one focused, hunched over their papers as the clock ticked away. Aryan's eyes scanned the questions, and something inside him shifted. His mental clarity sharpened. The once-daunting questions felt simpler, his answers flowing naturally as if guided by something beyond sheer knowledge.
The room felt unusually bright, each detail stark in his mind. Aryan could hear the faint hum of fluorescent lights overhead, the scratch of pencils, and the nervous tapping of shoes. He remained calm, blocking out the distractions as his pen glided across the page.
As he moved through the paper, Aryan felt his senses heighten. The faint scratching of pencils around him, the flicker of eyes shifting from one corner to the next—everything was amplified. Yet, amidst the heightened awareness, his focus never wavered.
Smith sat a few rows behind, occasionally glancing at Aryan in disbelief. It was evident that Aryan wasn't just prepared—he was excelling. At one point, Smith sighed audibly, drawing brief glances from nearby candidates.
By the time the exam ended, Aryan stepped out of the hall, feeling as if mere minutes had passed. Timmy's sharp screech above startled a few candidates, but Aryan found comfort in the sound.
Smith emerged moments later, running a hand through his hair. "Well, that was… something."
Aryan arched a brow. "Tough?"
Smith snorted. "For you? Probably not. But I think I survived. Barely."
They regrouped at the jeep, where Jimmy greeted them with a wagging tail. Aditi's phone buzzed as she checked in for updates. Aryan leaned back against the seat, exhaling deeply. It was done.
Later that evening, they gathered in the living room. Aditi brought out snacks while Smith recounted parts of the exam with his usual flair, dramatizing how one question nearly sent him into existential dread. Aryan laughed, but the day had left him with more than just the satisfaction of completing the test.
Sitting quietly by the window, he reflected on the experience. It wasn't just knowledge or preparation that had carried him through—something deeper stirred within him. The power he had been slowly mastering was growing more intertwined with his everyday life.
"You're thinking too much," Aditi said, breaking through his thoughts as she joined him.
"Just reflecting," Aryan admitted. "I felt different in there."
Aditi tilted her head. "Different how?"
"Sharper. Like I was seeing everything clearer than I should."
She smiled knowingly. "Maybe that's a good thing."
Aryan nodded but remained thoughtful. Whatever was happening inside him was far from over, and the road ahead was long. But for now, he let himself enjoy the small victory.
Timmy stretched his wings, creating a soft rustle of air, sending a soft breeze through the room. Jimmy rested at Aryan's feet, a reminder that through every step, he wasn't alone.
As the stars blinked into existence over Trivandrum, Aryan knew this was only the beginning of his ascent.
Smith pulled out his phone and leaned back on the couch. "Guess I should call home. Let them know I survived the ordeal."
Aryan smiled. "You mean the exam? Or studying with me?"
"Both," Smith laughed, dialing. "Hey, Amma… Yeah, I just got back. It went well, I think… No, I didn't forget my admit card this time." He shot Aryan a glare, recalling an earlier blunder during a mock test. "Aryan's with me, of course. He probably aced the whole thing."
Jimmy's ears twitched as Smith spoke, his tail thumping against the floor softly. Timmy, still perched by the window, glanced toward Smith as if listening in.
"Alright, Amma, I'll call you tomorrow with more details," Smith said, hanging up. "She was more worried about whether I ate than the actual exam. Typical."
Aryan chuckled. "Sounds familiar. At least you know they've got your back."