The next day…
The second exam.
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The morning felt colder than usual.
Mukesh was late again.
As always.
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He rushed through the mountain path, breathing heavily.
By the time he reached school, the bell had already rung.
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He entered the classroom quietly.
Trying not to attract attention.
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"Late again."
A teacher's voice came from the front.
Mukesh froze.
"…Sorry, sir."
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The teacher stared at him for a moment.
Then turned away.
"Sit down."
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Mukesh quickly went to his seat.
His heart was still beating fast.
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A few minutes later—
the question papers were distributed.
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Mukesh looked at the paper.
Took a deep breath.
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This time…
he felt slightly different.
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Not confident.
But not completely lost either.
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He started writing.
Slowly.
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Sometimes stopping.
Sometimes thinking.
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But unlike before—
he didn't give up midway.
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From the side, Smriti glanced at him once.
Then focused on her own paper.
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After the exam…
Students again started discussing answers.
Noise filled the room.
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Smriti walked toward Mukesh.
"So?"
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Mukesh replied,
"Better… than yesterday."
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She crossed her arms.
"That's a very low standard."
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"…Still better."
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Smriti smirked.
"Fine. I'll accept that."
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Lunch break…
Mukesh went to his usual place.
Sat down.
Opened his bag.
---
Bread.
Egg.
Same as always.
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But before he could start—
a shadow fell in front of him.
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"Move."
Smriti said.
---
Mukesh looked up.
"…Why?"
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"Just move."
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He shifted slightly.
Still confused.
---
Smriti sat down beside him.
And placed something in front of him.
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A small lunch box.
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Mukesh looked at it.
Then at her.
"…What's this?"
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"Food."
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"I can see that."
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"Then stop asking stupid questions and open it."
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Mukesh hesitated.
"…Why?"
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Smriti looked annoyed.
"Do you question everything this much?"
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"Yes."
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She sighed.
"I made it."
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Mukesh paused.
"…You made it?"
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"Yeah."
She looked away slightly.
"Just… try it."
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Mukesh slowly opened the lunch box.
Warm food.
Simple.
But different from what he was used to.
---
He didn't say anything.
Just looked at it.
---
"Well?" Smriti asked.
---
Mukesh picked up a small bite.
Tried it.
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Silence.
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"How is it?" she asked again.
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Mukesh replied quietly—
"…Good."
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Smriti raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
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Mukesh nodded.
"…It's really good."
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For a moment—
Smriti smiled.
A small one.
---
Then she quickly hid it.
"Of course it is."
---
Mukesh looked at his bread and egg.
Then back at the lunch box.
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"…You didn't have to do this."
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Smriti replied instantly—
"I know."
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"Then why?"
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She paused.
Just for a second.
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"…Because I wanted to."
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Mukesh didn't reply.
But this time—
he didn't look away either.
---
They ate together.
Quietly.
---
Around them, students were still talking loudly about exams.
But that moment—
felt separate.
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After finishing—
Mukesh closed the lunch box carefully.
"…Thanks."
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Smriti stood up.
"Don't make it a big deal."
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Mukesh said softly—
"It is."
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She didn't reply.
But her steps slowed for a moment before she walked away.
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After school…
They walked together again.
Through the market.
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"Tomorrow is another exam," Smriti said.
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"…Yeah."
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"Don't mess it up."
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Mukesh looked at her.
"…I'll try."
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She smirked.
"Try harder."
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Mukesh nodded.
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As they walked under the fading evening sky—
something felt different again.
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Not because of the exam.
Not because of school.
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But because—
for the first time—
someone had done something for him…
without expecting anything back.
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And that feeling…
stayed with him.
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Even after he reached home.
Even when he sat down to study.
Even when he tried to focus.
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It stayed.
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Quietly.
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And slowly…
that unknown feeling inside him—
grew a little stronger.
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But he still didn't name it.
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Not yet.