In the school corridor Soham was known less by his name and more by a label
"Loser"
His name always appeared near the bottom of result board the laughter of classmates the silent disappointment of teachers and constant comparisons at home or deliver the same message .
"You will never make it ."
One afternoon during lunch break so hum look at his two friends Shubham and Raj and said firmly,
"I am going to top the board exams "
They laughed had first assuming it was a joke but something in Soham's eyes made them pause .
Determination ,ego and pain.
The first few days were perfect new notebook a strict time table late night promise .
But every time Soham opened his books pressure overwhelmed he is mind
The words blured every page felt like reminder of his failure .
One night for straighted he slamed his book shut .
"I just can't study ."
Silence filled the room .
And dangerous thought crossed his mind.
What is I could get the paper before hand?
The following week felt strange Soham begin listening to rumors asking unusual questions and quietly observing things around him Raj and Shubham grew uncomfortable .
Bro .... This doesn't feel right Shubham said nervously
But Soham's obsession kept growing
His goal was no longer marks
His goal was revenge
One evening while walking through an old narrow lane Soham noticed a man standing under a flickering street light
Black kurta calm face eyes that seemed to know everything
Who are you? Soham asked cautiously
The man smile faintley.
Someone who can make impossible possible
Soham's heartbeat quickened.
A deal was made
Money .
Silence.
And an envelope.
The night before the exam ,soham held the envelope in trembling hands.the ticking of the clock echoed loudly in his room.
Slowly ,he opened it
Papers.
He smiled.
Victory.
"Game over."
In the examination hall,the moment soham received the question paper,his smile vanished.
The questions were different completely different.
In panic,he checked the papers inside the envelope again.
They were different too.
Sweat formed on his forehead.his heartbeat raced uncontrollably.
Shock.
Fear .
Confusion.
After the exam, soham rushed back to the narrow lane
The man in the black kurta stood there, as calm as before.
" You cheated me!" Soham shouted angrily.
The man remained unfazed .
"You were looking for answers,.he said quietly.
"You were not looking for certainty "
Soham clenched his fists.
"That's nonsense.
The man only smiled.
"We shall see."
Result day.
The corridor was unusually silent.
Shubham stared at the board in disbelief.
Broo... You passed.
Unexpectedly.
Almost as if fuck had saved him at the last moment.
A slow smile appeared on Soham's face.
Not relief.
But power.
Shubham laughed.
"You're just lucky."
Soham looked at them calmly and replied ,
"Not lucky."
A pause.
"Smart."
Raj felt uneasy.
"What do you mean ."
Soham learned closer,his eyes
Gleaming with a darker confidence.
"For the final exams..
He smiled slowly.
"....we will tear the board paper apart"
The room fell silent.
Raj frowned.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Soham's voice dropped to whisper.
"And this time... without even studying.
From a distance.the man in the black kurta watched them.
Smiling.
Knowing.
"THE GAME HAD ONLY JUST BEGAN"😈