The morning arrived with the weight of expectation. The air was thick with the distant hum of the city as Aryan stood by the window, gazing at the soft hues of the rising sun. The quiet of Aditi's home felt heavier than usual, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves and Jimmy's gentle snoring near the balcony door.
Today marked the beginning of the Mains examination—the most grueling phase of the civil services journey.
Smith shuffled into the room, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "I barely slept," he admitted, flopping onto the couch. "My brain kept replaying everything we studied. I think I was writing essays in my dreams."
Aryan offered a small smile. "Better than forgetting everything the moment you sit down."
"Optimism isn't your strong suit, is it?" Smith muttered, grabbing a pillow and burying his face into it. "I'm terrified."
Aryan walked over, nudging him lightly with his foot. "We've prepared for this. You'll do fine."
Aditi appeared in the doorway, arms crossed as she watched them. "You two aren't inspiring much confidence," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe you should stop stressing and focus on the fact that you're ready."
Smith groaned into the pillow. "You keep saying that, but I feel like my brain is melting."
Aditi smirked. "You'll survive. Come on, breakfast first."
An hour later, Aryan's mother joined them at the dining table. She had arrived the night before, staying to support Aryan during this crucial phase. Her calm presence had a grounding effect, and her soft encouragement helped ease the tension that morning.
"I've seen your father go through similar exams, Arya," she said, passing him a bowl of fruit. "He always said the hardest part is sitting down and starting. Once you're there, everything falls into place."
Aryan nodded thoughtfully. "I hope he's right."
"He always was," his mother replied with a small smile. "And he'd be proud of you."
As they finished breakfast, Aryan's phone buzzed. It was his grandfather calling from the village.
"Arya! I couldn't let the day pass without calling," Govindan Menon's warm voice echoed through the phone. "I know this is a big day. Just remember, focus on the task at hand. You've worked hard enough to carry you through the rest."
"Thank you, Grandpa," Aryan replied, feeling the familiar comfort that came with his grandfather's words. "I'll do my best."
"You always do," Govindan said with pride. "Call me when you're done. Your grandmother would have loved to see you take this step."
A lump formed in Aryan's throat, but he smiled. "I will. Talk soon, Grandpa."
They piled into Aditi's car. The drive to the examination center was silent for the most part, save for the rhythmic hum of the engine. The streets were alive with candidates, all heading in the same direction. As they approached the large, gated school where the exams were held, Aryan could feel the nervous energy that blanketed the air.
Timmy, settled near the balcony when they left, had spread his wings to follow them from the sky, occasionally swooping low to keep them in sight. Aditi had insisted he stay behind, but Timmy, in his usual stubbornness, seemed determined to accompany Aryan, watching over him like a guardian.
As they arrived, Aditi parked the car near the entrance. Aryan stepped out, staring at the imposing building in front of him. "Feels surreal, doesn't it?" Smith said, stepping beside him.
Aryan nodded. "It does."
Aditi placed a reassuring hand on Aryan's shoulder. "Don't overthink it. One paper at a time."
He turned to her, offering a small nod. "Thanks, Didi."
Smith took a deep breath, glancing at Aryan. "Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Aryan replied, gripping his pen tightly.
His mother pulled him into a brief hug. "Do your best, Arya. That's all that matters."
The examination hall was vast and filled with rows of neatly arranged desks. The sound of papers shuffling and pens tapping against wooden surfaces echoed softly. Aryan found his assigned seat, lowering himself into the chair. He glanced around, spotting Smith a few rows down, chewing the end of his pen nervously.
As the examiners passed out the question papers, Aryan exhaled slowly, centering himself. The first paper was essay writing—an exercise in both skill and endurance. When the signal to begin was given, Aryan's pen glided across the sheet with ease, words forming faster than he could consciously think. His abilities allowed him to tap into reserves of knowledge, his memory crystalline and sharp.
As his hand moved, he felt an odd sense of detachment, as if the act of writing had become mechanical. Paragraph after paragraph flowed effortlessly. In the quiet recess of his mind, Aryan wondered if this was his own doing or something far greater at play—the subtle energy that had been growing within him.
Hours passed in what felt like moments. When the invigilator announced the end of the session, Aryan glanced down at his paper, slightly surprised at the sheer volume he had written. He set his pen down, stretching his fingers.
Smith groaned loudly as they exited the hall. "That was brutal. Why do they need so many essays?"
Aryan chuckled. "You survived, didn't you?"
Smith grunted. "Barely. How did you manage to fill that many pages?"
Aryan shrugged. "I guess I was in the zone."
The two of them lingered outside the center, waiting for Aditi. The sun hung low in the sky, and Timmy glided in circles above them.
"Want to grab some tea before heading home?" Smith suggested, stretching his arms above his head.
Aryan nodded. "Sure. I could use a break."
The following weeks passed in a blur. Each paper brought with it new challenges—General Studies, optional subjects, and ethics. Some days were grueling, but Aryan found solace in the rhythm of it all. His powers continued to subtly enhance his focus, making the otherwise exhausting process feel manageable.
Late one evening, Aryan and Smith sat hunched over their books, reviewing notes for the next day's paper. The living room was dimly lit, and the soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the silence.
Aditi's voice drifted from the kitchen. "You've done well. Just one more push."
When the final paper was submitted, Aryan felt the weight lift. The journey had not ended, but the most daunting part had passed.