AneStory

          Since last day of exam, Hera with most impatience, waited for result. Even if there was no announcement, he would end up in student section, demanding one, for most of the time. Most people thought they would score 60%, easily, and Hera thought distinction was no where to go. And why not, he had not missed any temple, nor missed a single day's prayer. But seniors warned them of how hearts are shattered, and people do not pass a single subject. Its the real initiation into graduation race. 

          But Hera was confident, he would get his CBZ for sure and if he stood first his father might become generous, as much as he may get a car too. He had done all the homework, how to declare result to his father. He was going to give all the stats, how the lesser mortals had performed and perished in the first battle, preparing his father for worst and then out of blue, he would say i got distinction! His father would pop the question, "what do you want my son?" and he would say a vehicle. And he would get a car! Easy!

           Hera was so much engrossed in his dreams that he had not noticed anything around him, how some of his friends been bunking classes, were out in pairs or assignments were to be submitted. Rack and Monc would update him about ongoings and Hera would submits write ups for experiments that were performed by either of them. His roll number was always answered by some one else, though he was still sitting in class, for he would be dreaming. 

             Then the D-day arrived, results were out! All 1st year pupils had to make five lines outside each of the two gates, of student section, a student would go in collect mark-sheet and go out from the back door, so at a time 10 student entered and invariably 10 left. Still for a student capacity of about 500 odd students it was going to be a slow process and people like Hera were going to break some lines or bones. Well Hera managed to do 1st thing and got ahead.

               As Hera reached last step, he played the same trick and just got ahead to get caught by a pair of professors, trying to set rule on unruly students. Prof. Jall & Prof. Goan took him aside, gave him some very nasty sound bites as Hera lost all the gained ground. But through corner of his eyes, Hera saw only few students go by, and most were smiling. So on release, he eagerly went to counter and to get his result.

               And then and there he was devastated, he nearly fell to ground, but slowly steadily moved out of room, astonished, see his dream washed away in tears. There was not going to be a bicycle, let alone car/CBZ, his father may cut his allowance, was what mattered to Hera. He did not care to even ask his friends how they had done. 

               After, all results had been distributed and most pupil had left, Navcap, Monc and Tih found Hera sitting very sad and lonely in garden at his bench. They joined in with Hera, and started consoling each other. Tih had 4 backlogs, while Monc had 2 and Navcap had 1 each. All were talkig about how to improve there knowledge and how soon we should start studying, when Crack, Rack and Suun also joined. Crack had been bowled out on all 5 count while Rack had 3. But Suun had cleared all papers. But on borders, all 40/100, all 5 of them. There were rumors that university is going to present him a loona if he manages to get all 40's again. But Hera had not heard a word nor had spoken one.

                 Looking at Hera's expression less, dream less face, Monc started consoling him, talked about how he should have concentrated on studies and how he should forget all about Ruby, and make passing all 10 subject in next semester as ones aim. Thats when Rack just lifted the crumpled mark-sheet from ground and said Hera has cleared all subjects with 54% marks! He was highest among them all. Though far behind university topper(nearly 70%).

                 The only thing Hera said was, no girl is going to go out with me, as my father is not going to get me a CBZ. No one said anything after this emotional out burst.

                  From next day onwards Hera became most punctual, regular and observant student. He would ware only formals, not speak in class and took down notes. This continued till third day, forth lecture since results.In that lecture, charm of bad results was broken, as Miss Meteorite had walked in to the class, not for the first time, but Hera was noticing her for first time!

                   And as she came in and sat down, Hera's eyes followed her.............................