The sun hung low over Trivandrum, casting golden hues across the city streets as Aryan stood by the balcony, gazing over the skyline. It had been a week since the interview results, and while the celebration at home had been joyous, Aryan felt a quiet confidence about the next step—the medical and physical assessment required for the final appointment as an IPS officer. Still, a small part of him remained cautious about inadvertently exposing his enhanced physique and abilities.
The morning air was crisp as Aryan sat on the veranda with Jimmy sprawled at his feet. Timmy, perched on the roof, let out a soft screech, his feathers glinting as the first rays of sunlight hit them. Anitha appeared from the doorway, carrying a steaming cup of chai.
"You've been up early a lot lately," she remarked, handing Aryan the cup. "Nervous?"
Aryan smiled faintly. "Not really nervous, just being cautious. The medical test is important, but I'm ready."
Anitha sat down next to him, stroking Jimmy's fur. "It's not just about the test, is it? You've been different since you returned from Meenangadi. Stronger, more focused."
Before Aryan could respond, the front gate creaked open, and Smith entered, tossing his bag onto the ground dramatically. "I swear that traffic will be the death of me. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!"
Jimmy barked in excitement, running circles around Smith as he bent down to greet the energetic dog. Aditi trailed behind him, sipping water from a bottle.
"Late night?" Aditi asked, raising an eyebrow at Smith.
"Not really. I had to take a few calls from home," Smith said as he sat on the steps. "But more importantly, guess what? The official medical test notification is out. We're due at the examination center in two days."
Aryan set down his cup, leaning back against the veranda post. "That's sooner than I expected. But it's fine. I'm ready for it."
"No pressure, just don't break any equipment when they check your strength," Smith quipped with a wink.
Aditi grinned. "Seriously, Aryan. Try not to lift the doctors by mistake."
Anitha chuckled softly but glanced at Aryan with a hint of concern. "You have been different lately, Arya. Even the way you carry yourself has changed. Just don't overdo it during the tests."
Aryan nodded, understanding the unspoken worry beneath her words. "I'll be careful. I know how to handle it."
Two days later, Aryan and Smith arrived at the designated medical center. The building loomed large, bustling with candidates who had also passed the interviews. The air crackled with nervous energy as aspirants filled the waiting hall, exchanging pleasantries or pacing quietly in preparation.
"Feels a little different from the written tests, doesn't it?" Smith said as they approached the reception desk.
Aryan nodded, glancing around. "It's more personal. But I'm confident this part will go well."
They checked in and received their medical forms. A nurse directed them to a series of rooms for the assessments. The process was systematic, beginning with general measurements.
Aryan stepped onto the scale as the nurse jotted down his height and weight. "You're in excellent shape," she noted, smiling. "Whatever workout you're doing, keep it up."
Smith leaned over from behind. "He doesn't work out. He just picks up rocks and runs up mountains."
Aryan rolled his eyes as Smith laughed, but he couldn't deny the truth in his friend's words. His abilities had progressed to the point where his physical condition felt almost effortless to maintain.
The next segment involved vision and reflex tests. Aryan sat calmly as the doctor asked him to read the letters on the chart. His enhanced vision easily made out the smallest print, but he intentionally misread a few to avoid suspicion. Smith, on the other hand, playfully exaggerated his abilities.
"Doctor, I can see last week's weather forecast on that chart," Smith joked, earning a chuckle from the room.
As the day wore on, the tests grew more demanding. Aryan and Smith participated in lung capacity and endurance evaluations, but Aryan was careful to restrain himself. When it came time for the physical exertion tests, Aryan held back, finishing just below the top tier of candidates to avoid drawing attention.
During a break, Aryan and Smith sat in the courtyard, sipping water. Rohan Varma, one of the candidates they had befriended during the interview phase, approached with a tired smile.
"How's it going for you two? You don't even look like you're sweating," Rohan said, slumping onto the bench beside them.
Smith shrugged. "Good genetics, I guess."
Aryan chuckled. "It's been manageable so far. How about you?"
"The endurance tests are brutal. I'm just hoping to scrape by," Rohan admitted, wiping his forehead. "I don't think I've run this much in years."
They exchanged stories until the final segment of the tests resumed. This time, the candidates were led to a small track for a stamina check. As they ran laps, Aryan kept his pace steady, careful not to outpace the group by too wide a margin. Smith, however, briefly forgot himself, overtaking several runners before Aryan shot him a warning glance.
Smith slowed down, breathing heavily as he fell back beside Aryan. "This whole restraint thing is harder than I thought," Smith said under his breath.
Aryan smiled. "Tell me about it."
By late afternoon, the tests concluded. Aryan and Smith stood outside the medical center, waiting for their results. Aditi called shortly after.
"How did it go?" she asked.
"Passed everything, I think," Aryan replied. "No broken equipment, so that's a win."
Smith leaned into the call. "Tell her I nearly set a new record for clumsy mistakes."
Aditi laughed. "I'm not surprised."
As they made their way back home, Aryan felt a sense of calm settle over him. The road ahead was long, but each step brought him closer to his goal. With his family, friends, and growing strength, Aryan knew he was ready for whatever lay ahead.