The days following her board exams passed in a blur. While most of her classmates rejoiced in their newfound freedom, Aaradhya felt shackled by the burden of what lay ahead. The medical entrance exam loomed over her like an unshakable shadow, growing heavier with each passing day.
She had never doubted her capabilities before—her academic record spoke for itself. But for the first time, she wasn't sure if she wanted what lay at the end of this road. Becoming a doctor was an honorable profession, one that demanded dedication and sacrifice. Yet, the question gnawed at her—was it truly what she wanted, or was she simply following the path laid out for her by others?
Her parents had always made their expectations clear. Her father, a man of few words, had simply said, "You're intelligent enough to crack this exam, Aaradhya. Don't let this opportunity go to waste." Her mother had been more encouraging, gently reminding her of how she had always been fascinated by science, by human biology, by the miracles of medicine.
But fascination was not the same as passion.
The night before her entrance exam, she sat at her desk, staring at the piles of notes and textbooks. The weight of months of preparation pressed against her chest. She had studied relentlessly, sacrificing sleep, social outings, even moments of self-reflection. And yet, she felt woefully unprepared—not for the exam, but for what it represented.
A knock at her door broke her reverie. Ishita peeked inside, her usual mischief subdued. "Di, Papa said we should leave early tomorrow. The center is far."
Aaradhya nodded, managing a small smile. "Alright. Are you coming too?"
"Yes," Ishita grinned. "Papa said I should see what it looks like when you toppers go to war."
Aaradhya chuckled, though her heart remained heavy. War. That was what it felt like.
The next morning, the three of them set off before dawn. The streets of Patna were quieter than usual, the soft hum of the city just beginning to stir. Aaradhya sat in the backseat, watching the city rush past her.
Her father drove in silence, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. He was never one to voice emotions openly, but she knew he was counting on her. Her mother's words, spoken over the phone the night before, echoed in her mind: "Give your best, beta. This is just the beginning."
Ishita, oblivious to the tension in the air, tapped away on her phone, occasionally humming a tune. "You nervous, Di?" she asked suddenly.
Aaradhya hesitated. "I don't know."
Ishita glanced up. "What do you mean?"
Aaradhya took a deep breath. "I mean... I don't know if I want this."
Ishita frowned. "Then why are you doing it?"
Because I don't know how to say no. Because I have never disobeyed our parents before. Because I don't want to disappoint them.
But she couldn't say any of that out loud. So she just shrugged. "Because I have to."
Her father spoke for the first time since they had left home. "You don't have to do anything, Aaradhya. But this is your best chance at securing a future."
Aaradhya's fingers curled into her lap. A future. Was a future only valuable if it aligned with what others expected?
The rest of the journey passed in silence.
The exam center was teeming with students. Some paced nervously, others sat on the pavement, flipping through last-minute notes. The air was thick with anxiety, yet oddly, Aaradhya felt detached. She clutched her admit card, staring at the gates that would lead her inside.
Her father placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do your best."
Ishita grinned. "And don't forget, if you get into AIIMS, I get to brag about it at school."
Aaradhya smiled faintly, but her heart wasn't in it. She took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The exam was grueling. The questions weren't unexpected, but she found her mind drifting. Every time she solved a problem, doubt crept in. Did she want to spend years studying medicine? Could she endure the sleepless nights, the demanding coursework, the emotional toll? Would she find joy in it?
For the first time in her life, she second-guessed herself in the middle of an exam.
By the time she emerged from the hall, the weight in her chest had only grown heavier. Students around her were discussing answers, celebrating victories, lamenting mistakes. She felt neither joy nor regret. Only uncertainty.
Her father and Ishita were waiting outside. "How was it?" her father asked.
She forced a smile. "It was okay."
They didn't ask more. Maybe they didn't need to. Maybe they already knew that the real battle wasn't the one she had just fought inside the exam hall, but the one raging inside her heart.
As they drove home, Aaradhya stared out the window, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Somewhere in her mind, she knew that whatever happened next, she had a decision to make.
And for the first time, she wasn't sure she was ready to make it.