The month following the exam passed in a strange haze. Aryan found himself caught in an unusual limbo, balancing between cautious optimism and the weight of uncertainty. Trivandrum bustled around him, but his world remained quiet, measured by early morning runs with Smith, training sessions with Timmy, and late-night study reviews, despite the fact that the exam was over.
Timmy had grown even more noticeable. His wingspan seemed to stretch wider by the day, and the sheer elegance of his movements drew curious glances from neighbors. Jimmy, ever loyal, stayed at Aryan's side, mirroring his quiet anticipation. The household had settled into a routine of waiting, but the waiting itself felt endless.
Smith's way of coping was slightly different. "I'm just going to assume I passed," he declared one evening as they walked along the road near the house. "Why stress over something you can't change?"
Aryan chuckled, kicking a loose stone along the pavement. "Confidence is key, I suppose."
"It's not confidence. It's survival. If I think too hard about it, I'll lose sleep." Smith stretched his arms behind his head and glanced over at Aryan. "You know you did fine, right?"
Aryan didn't answer immediately. He could still recall the absolute clarity he had felt during the exam, as though something beyond him had guided his hand. It unsettled him. "I hope so," he finally said. "But I won't celebrate until I see the results."
The weeks dragged on, the rhythm of daily life feeling oddly out of sync. Aryan kept busy with physical training, finding solace in routine. Some mornings he and Smith would spar lightly at the park, drawing the attention of passersby.
As the days stretched into late July, Aryan found himself visiting old places around the city. The old coffee shop his father frequented, the temple where he had prayed as a child—each place grounded him, serving as quiet reminders of why he had started this journey in the first place.
The quiet anticipation continued until one evening, near the end of July, Aditi burst into the house, her phone held high like a prize. "The list is out!" she announced, her excitement filling the living room.
Aryan looked up from the dining table, where he had been reviewing old case files. Smith was in the kitchen, scavenging for leftovers. "Already?" Aryan asked, setting his pen down.
"Yes! And you need to check this right now." Aditi handed Aryan her phone, the page of results glowing faintly.
Smith rushed over, leaning in behind Aryan. "Let's see how the future police commissioner did," he teased.
Aryan's eyes scanned the screen quickly. His heart pounded slightly as he searched for his name. And there it was—Aryan Menon – AIR-3.
A breath he hadn't realized he was holding slipped from his lips. "I made it."
"I knew it!" Smith clapped him on the back, grinning widely. "Knew you'd pass, but 'Rank 3'? That's just showing off."
Aditi's smile widened. "Appa would be proud, Arya."
Aryan nodded, feeling the weight of that sentiment settle over him. "Thanks, Didi."
Smith nudged him playfully. "Well, don't keep us in suspense. What about me?"
Aryan scrolled down, and after a moment, found Smith's name further along the list. "You cleared too," Aryan said, holding back a grin.
Smith pumped his fist in victory. "See? Step one complete. Mains, here we come."
Aditi laughed. "I don't know if Rank 9 counts as survival, congrats, Smith."
Smith placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "Hey, i cleared the Prelims."
Later that night, Aryan stood alone on the balcony, gazing at the distant lights of Trivandrum.
Inside, Smith sat on the couch with his phone pressed to his ear. "Amma! Guess what? I made it! All India Rank 9! Can you believe it? No, I didn't bribe anyone. Aryan got 3rd. Yeah, yeah, he's a machine, I know." Smith laughed, his voice bright with excitement. "We're celebrating tomorrow. You should see Timmy—he's practically glowing. No, Amma, that's not a metaphor."
Aryan overheard and smiled softly, the bond of friendship warming him even further. Timmy settled silently nearby, his feathers ruffling softly in the breeze. Jimmy lay curled at Aryan's feet, as steady and present as ever.
The results should have felt like the end of something—a milestone. Instead, Aryan sensed it was only the beginning. The path ahead stretched far and uncertain, with the next stage looming in the distance.
"I guess we're really doing this," Aryan murmured, gently stroking Jimmy's fur.
A soft rustle signaled Aditi's approach. She joined him by the railing, resting her arms on the cool metal. "It's a long road," she said, reading his thoughts. "But you've taken the First important step."
Aryan tilted his head. "I thought the prelims would feel harder."
Aditi smiled knowingly. "The real challenge starts with the mains. This was just the warm-up."
She glanced toward Timmy, watching as the eagle stretched his wings beneath the moonlight. "By the way," Aditi added, "the mains are next month. You've got a little time to prepare, but it'll come fast."
Aryan raised a brow. "Time to breathe or time to overthink everything?"
"Both," Aditi replied with a soft laugh. "But seriously, take the next few months to train and rest. You deserve it."
They stood in companionable silence for a while. Below, the streetlights flickered gently. Timmy lifted his head toward the stars.
"Get some rest," Aditi finally said, nudging Aryan lightly. "Tomorrow, we celebrate clearing the prelims. But after that… full steam ahead for mains."
Aryan chuckled softly. "Right. No pressure."
As Aditi retreated inside, Aryan remained for a while longer, the quiet hum of the city settling over him like a blanket.
Timmy shifted, drawing closer until his wings lightly brushed Aryan's arm. Aryan smiled, the warmth of the bond between them grounding him in the moment. The journey ahead might be long, but for the first time, Aryan felt truly ready.