Chapter 47: Exams

I was all set to head to the Exam Center. I had woken up early and got dressed in my school uniform, eager to give it my all once again. But I have to admit, I hadn't prepared as much as I should have, and I was feeling a bit nervous. In fact, I was even considering cheating if the need arose.

As I stepped out the door, the morning air hit me like a punch in the face. It was freezing outside, but I was determined to stay focused and not let the cold distract me from my mission.

As I prepared for the exam, my nerves were all over the place. And then, to top it off, I received a surprise visit from the Vidhayak, who had arranged for a car and several police officers to accompany me to the exam location. I couldn't believe it - my status as a successful cricketer had made me a valuable asset to the politicians in the area, and they were keen to promote themselves through association with me.

As I sat in the car, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. The police officers sat stiffly, their expressions inscrutable, and I couldn't shake the feeling that their presence was more about the politicians' interests than my own safety. I tried to focus on the exam ahead, but the tension in the air was palpable.

As the car pulled up to the examination centre, I could sense that something was amiss. The streets outside were filled with a palpable energy, and I could hear a commotion outside. The students waiting to take their exams had heard that a famous cricketer was coming to take the exam, and they were eagerly awaiting my arrival.

When I stepped out of the car, I was immediately recognized by the students. A chorus of cheers and screams erupted as they rushed towards me, all vying for my attention. The police officers had to create a human barricade around me to ensure that I made it to the examination hall safely.

As I stepped out of the car, I was immediately recognized by the students. A chorus of cheers and screams erupted, and before I knew it, they were rushing towards me, all vying for my attention. It was overwhelming, to say the least.

The police officers accompanying me quickly sprang into action, creating a human barricade around me to ensure that I made it to the examination hall safely. It was clear that my status as a famous cricketer had made me a valuable commodity, and the authorities weren't taking any chances with my safety.

As I walked into the examination centre, the atmosphere was tense. The other students were looking at me with a mixture of envy and admiration. It was clear that they were all aware of my celebrity status and that I was receiving special treatment. I could sense the resentment and jealousy emanating from some of the students, but I tried to ignore it and stay focused on the task at hand.

As I walked into the classroom, the atmosphere was palpable. Everyone's eyes were on me, and I could feel the weight of their scrutiny bearing down on me. It was a feeling I was used to on the cricket field, but this was different. This was an academic arena, and I knew that my success here would be judged on a different set of criteria.

As I entered the examination hall, I couldn't help but notice a group of girls whispering in the corner, stealing glances at me from time to time. I could hear snatches of their conversation, and it was clear they recognized me as the cricketer who played against Pakistan.

As I made my way to my seat, a few boys called out to me. "Hey, Vipin! Don't run out after writing the exam. We need a photo with you!"

"Sure, why not?" I replied, trying to sound casual. I could feel my face flushing with embarrassment. I wasn't used to being treated like a celebrity, and I didn't want to come across as arrogant or self-important.

Finally, I made it to my seat. The girl next to me whispered, "You're Vipin, right? The cricketer?"

I nodded, feeling a little embarrassed.

She smiled at me. "That's so cool! My brother is a huge fan of yours. Can I get your autograph after the exam?"

I smiled back at her, grateful for her kindness. "Of course. I'd be happy to."

We started chatting about my cricket career and the upcoming exams. She offered me some tips and wished me luck. Her kindness and encouragement put me at ease, and I began to feel more comfortable in this new environment.

The low hum of pencils scratching on paper and the occasional cough or sneeze created a soothing background for my thoughts. I was pleasantly surprised by the supportive and collegial vibe of my fellow students.

As I settled in to start my exam, I couldn't help but notice the girl sitting next to me. She was glancing at my answer sheet as if she were studying it, and my nerves began to creep up. Sensing my discomfort, she looked up and met my gaze. "Hey, what are you doing?" I asked, trying to sound confident.

"I'm sorry," she said apologetically, "I couldn't help but notice that you wrote down the wrong answer for that question. Are you sure you don't want to fix it?" I was taken aback by her honesty, but her words also stirred up a sense of curiosity within me. Was it possible that I had been getting everything wrong? Could she really be the key to my success in this exam?

"I really don't know what I am writing," I confessed. "I am just filling up sheets hoping for a passing mark. Can you let me take a look at your sheet?" She looked at me skeptically, but after a moment, she nodded.

As I started to write down the answers that I found on her sheet, I felt a mix of nervousness and guilt. I knew that what I was doing was wrong, but at the same time, I couldn't deny the rush of excitement that came with the prospect of finally getting a good grade. In the end, I managed to complete the exam without any major issues, but I couldn't help but feel a little guilty for my cheating.

As I walked out of the classroom, the energy shifted. Everyone's eyes were on me and I felt like I was walking into the lion's den. But then something unexpected happened. A few boys called out to me, "Hey, Vipin! Did you forget about the photo?"

As the boys gathered around me for a selfie, I felt a surge of excitement. This was my chance to connect with my fans in a different way, to show them that I was just a regular guy who loved cricket. For once, I wasn't being judged by my athletic ability or my fame.

Instead, I was just a guy taking a picture with some of his biggest fans. The energy in the room shifted again, but this time, it was in my favor. The whispers turned to cheers and the stares turned to smiles. For that moment, I felt like I belonged.