The following days brought a sense of structure to Abhiram's new life. Gone were the aimless evenings of his school days, replaced now by carefully planned hours dedicated to Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). Each subject carried the weight of his past struggles, but with every page of notes he completed, he felt as though he was rewriting a small piece of his story.
His notebooks, once filled with half-written formulas and unfinished diagrams, now bore the neat, determined handwriting of someone who had decided to face his fears head-on. Abhiram worked methodically—chapter by chapter, problem by problem—determined to master the very subjects that had once mocked his confidence.
But life in college wasn't meant to be only about books. Deep inside, Abhiram longed for a spark—something that would break the monotony of lectures and give him the courage to interact more with his peers. That was when he made a decision that surprised even himself—he signed up for the volleyball team.
It wasn't a sport he knew. In fact, he had never touched a volleyball before. But maybe that was the point—to step into something unfamiliar, to experience a version of himself that school life had never allowed. The first practice was awkward—he fumbled with serves, misjudged passes, and his palms stung from missed hits. Yet, instead of embarrassment, he felt something new—excitement. This was his chance to build confidence outside the classroom.
Meanwhile, Indrakumar, his old friend from school, seemed to be thriving socially. He often joked around with his classmates, sharing laughter and light moments—something Abhiram hadn't yet learned to do. Once or twice, Indrakumar teased him, laughing at his seriousness, but Abhiram chose not to respond. Deep inside, he knew why—he and Indrakumar hadn't been close for two years, and their bond wasn't what it used to be.
What Indrakumar didn't realize was that Abhiram was changing—not in ways that were immediately visible, but in ways that would one day surprise everyone. He wasn't trying to win approval anymore; he was working on something far more important—himself.
This commitment became clearer when the college organized a trip to Birla Planetarium and Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram. Most of his classmates went, excited to explore and enjoy a day outside. But Abhiram stayed back. The library was close to his home; he had visited it before. Instead of joining the trip, he took leave and spent the day finishing his notes, sharpening his understanding of PCM, and reminding himself why he had chosen this path.
For the first time in years, he felt a sense of quiet pride—not because of marks, not because of friends—but because of progress. He wasn't where he wanted to be yet, but step by step, he was becoming someone different from the boy who had left school with regret.
As the evening light filtered through his study table that day, Abhiram closed his notebook and whispered to himself,
"This time, I will not fail. This time, I will be ready."
What awaited him next—challenges, friendships, or unexpected turns—was yet to be seen.