Chapter 1 Sneha: After the Final Bell

It was the last day of exams. Outside the exam center, the mood was a mix of relief, excitement, and exhaustion. Some students chatted eagerly about the paper, some looked disappointed, while others seemed simply relieved that it was over. Flyers and prospectuses were being handed out near the entrance, and a few students curiously picked them up.

Among the crowd, a girl named **Sneha** stepped out of the exam hall, her question paper in one hand and fingers of the other hand counting marks, possibly trying to calculate her performance. Just then, a firm slap landed on her back, making her jump.

It was **Shreya**, her cheerful and carefree friend.
“Hey! What’s wrong?” Shreya laughed. “Don’t think too much. Just be happy with whatever you managed to write!”

Sneha frowned, rubbing her back. “Ouch! Don’t joke around. I would be happy if I had actually written something decent. I barely managed. I’m already feeling anxious.”

Shreya looked at her directly and said, “Don’t overthink, yaar. Let’s go to the café and relax for once. Exams are finally over, let’s give ourselves a break.”

“So, what are you planning to study next?” Sneha asked, changing the topic.

“Haven’t thought about it yet,” Shreya sighed. “And didn’t I tell you not to talk about studies right now? My digital account is a mess—I’ve got enough to stress over already.”

Just then, a familiar voice broke into a cheerful tune. It was **Prashant**, singing as he strolled up to them:
*“Musu musu hasideuna lai lai… musu musu hasideu…”*

The girls paused and looked at him.

Shreya, clearly annoyed, snapped, “Oi! Just because your exam went well doesn’t mean we should be laughing with you! Go flash your 32 teeth somewhere else.”

Prashant put on a mock-serious face. “Well, I only have 28 teeth… what do I do?”

Sneha wrinkled her nose knowingly, while Shreya looked genuinely puzzled.
“What do you mean?” she asked.

With a cheeky grin, he said, “Isn’t a full smile supposed to have 32 teeth?”

Sneha rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Prashant, update your humor. And about your exam… actually, forget it. Why am I even asking? You probably got a perfect 100, right?”

“Not really,” he replied modestly. “It went okay. Just hoping I get marks for whatever I wrote. By the way, when are the science students finishing their exams?”

“I think they have about three days left,” Shreya replied, glancing at Sneha for confirmation.

“Yeah,” Sneha nodded. “And after that, we all know the plan is Nagarkot. I’ll remind **Astha** and **Nitin**. I told Astha again just a few days ago.”

Prashant smirked. “They won’t forget. They’ve just confessed to each other. After the exams, they’ll probably run off on their own. Honestly, they don’t need anyone but each other.”

“That’s true,” Sneha admitted.

Prashant added. “Let’s see what happens later.”

“Oh please,” Sneha replied. “Nitin really cares for Astha. It’ll stay the same, okay?”

As they reached the main gate, Prashant turned right while the girls headed left.

“Hello? If you’ve forgotten, the road is this way,” he called out, pointing toward his path.

“Oh right,” Shreya remembered. “We forgot to tell you—we’re heading to the café.”

“Why? In the mood to treat us?” he teased.

“Nope,” Shreya grinned. “Treat for failing comes after results. Right now, I’m just feeding myself!”

Sneha stretched and yawned. “I just want to go home and sleep properly. Staying up late to study was such a waste.”

The girls headed toward the café, leaving behind the chaos of exam day.

—

### **Scene Change: Home**

Sneha reached home and collapsed into bed, napping for a while. After waking up, she tackled the usual house chores—doing laundry, tidying up, and wiping surfaces. Finally, she flopped onto the couch, turned on the TV, and slowly dozed off again. Her peace was short-lived.

She jolted awake to the voice of her mother, a woman in her 40s, clearly exhausted after returning from work.

“You’re always sleeping!” her mother muttered, annoyed. “The exam’s over now. Go cook something. Just make rice and lentils—I’m starving.”

She disappeared into the bathroom.

“When did you get back, mommy?” Sneha called out, turning off the TV and walking toward the kitchen. “I was watching something and accidentally dozed off. Do you want some water?”

“No need. Just make tea,” came her mother’s voice from the bathroom.

Sneha started preparing the tea, her eyes trailing to the doorway. She felt a heaviness in her heart.

Her mother, a diabetic patient, had been working so hard—taking crowded buses, staying on her feet for hours, and barely eating properly. Sneha couldn’t help but feel sorrow.

**Her thoughts drifted:**
*Mom does so much. At her age, and with her illness, she should be resting. Instead, she runs around every day… doesn’t even get to enjoy food, and after eating, it’s just medicine again…*

Tea ready, Sneha brought the cup to her mother, now lying down on the bed.

“Here’s your tea,” she whispered.

Her mother took a sip and frowned. “So bland. Can’t even enjoy sugar anymore…”

**Sneha’s inner voice spoke again:**
*Why does my mom have to live on tasteless food? Her body’s already tired, sugar’s eating away at her strength. But even then… at least this is something we can manage. Others have it harder.*