Exam.... You know that feeling when a single word makes your stomach do a somersault!
The school and teachers had drilled the concept of 'board' exam into our heads so much that it felt like a one had to walk through a pyre of fire and either come out untouched at the other end or burn your fingers and toes and do the walk of humiliation.
It was madness at all levels - The "Board Exam" talk was everywhere. Every auntie and uncle had the same script: "Hope the pressure isn't too much!" (Spoiler: it was).
After all the time of prepping (read: huffing and puffing, ha ha ha), the exam time was upon us. I managed the first few exams easily, being my strong subjects and more so because the questions were straightforward. Now, the next exam was: MATH!!! On the eve of the exam, I was over in my head, memorizing theorems, solving problems, revising the syllabus - everything possible to get through the dreaded exam!
I was drowning in theorems when my brother dropped a bomb: it was the India-Pakistan match that day (Sharjah cup, if my memory serves me right). I was losing my wits , that match was 'the day' to be when my dad, brother and myself would sit in front of the TV, watch ball by ball, give our expert opinions (what's a cricket match without the assessment and comments of the viewers !!) and of course share the excitement of India's win ( the key words used to be : 'India has never lost to Pakistan in a final').
Now, I am confined to my study room, hearing muffled voices about the toss and the pitch report from through the wall. It was pure torture. My insides at this point were now chomping at the bit! My brain torn between the match and the exam!! This is no choice one should need to take!!! ARRRGGHHHHH !!!
I heard my dad call me - I walk to the living room, heavy heartedly and expecting a lecture on exam prep. He asks me if I have revised for the exam the next day. I mumbled something. And then, what I heard next was sweet music to my ears!!!
" Come and sit, see the match with us - it is after all and India-Pakistan final, and you can go back to the revision once the match is done". I hit seventh heaven!!
We watched. We screamed. India won!!!!!
And the next morning? I walked into that Math exam with the energy of a champion and crushed it.
This post was created for the Blogaberry Creative (Monthly) Challenge with theme word Exam.
