"SVEAAAA... UTHHHHH JAAAAA! I'm giving you your last warning. You cannot be late today, you have to leave for SSB!"
Ugh. Why does she always have to be like this? Can't she just let me sleep five more minutes? Bas maa, thodi der aur.
"Ruko! I'm calling your father," she said, already marching toward their bedroom.
I jumped out of bed, half tripping over my blanket, and ran toward the bathroom. "Arey maa! Kya har baat pe baba ko bula leti ho? He must be busy! Look, I'm awake!"
(Oh, Maa! Why do you call Dad for every little thing? He must be busy! Look, I'm awake!)
"Tumhara kuch nahi ho sakta," she muttered, shaking her head as if I were doomed from birth.
I gave her a cheeky smile and stepped inside the bathroom.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I felt a rush of nerves. Today... today I'm going for my SSB interview. Seven years of preparation, and now it all comes down to this. Will I make it? Will I finally get in?
A loud bang on the door made me flinch.
"Didi! Come out, I need to get ready!"
Of course. It had to be my brother. Gadha kahika.
"Why are you in my bathroom? This is mine!" I shouted.
"Arey, baba is in my bathroom," he replied.
"And why is he in yours?" I asked, frowning.
"Because maa's using the one in their room. Now come out I need to get ready too."
"Ready? Kyu re? Kaha jayega tu?" I snapped, clearly annoyed.
(Ready? Why? Where are you going?)
"Tere saath," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
(With you)
"Arey, argument later. Come out, now," he said, flashing that infuriating grin.
I sighed and stepped out, glaring. Of course, he didn't even notice.
I changed quickly into a crisp shirt, trousers, and tie. Today wasn't the day for shortcuts. This is an interview with defence officials, after all.
I headed to the puja ghar, lighting an oil diya and incense sticks. I closed my eyes, hands folded, whispering a prayer for luck, courage, and calm. Then I moved to the living room, standing in front of my grandparents' frames, silently asking for their blessings.
Breakfast was a quiet affair. I touched my parents' feet and then sought blessings from chacha and chachi.
Everyone smiled, their eyes full of hope.
"Ghabrana mat. Jo puche, confidently answer karna. You can do it," maa said softly.
(Don't be nervous. Whatever they ask, answer confidently. You can do it.)
"Beta, everything will go well. Don't worry," chachi added, her smile gentle, almost soothing my nerves.
Chacha's pride was unmistakable. "Confidence? Don't even doubt it. She's been dreaming about this for seven years. She's a tigress."
I smiled quietly. Seven years of dreams, seven years of preparation, and now, finally, today.
Just then, Samvid and Shea called out from the living room. "Chalo chalo, der ho rahi hai!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're coming with me."
"Yes, we are," they said together, grinning.
"What? No! You two can't come with me," I protested.
"Beta, take them along. Besides, they'll be staying at the hotel with your father anyway," maa said.
"But maa-" I started.
"Chalo, didi, we're already late," Shea interrupted.
I huffed, knowing I had no choice. Reluctantly, I followed them outside.
Before leaving, I stole one last glance at my family through the car window. There they were, standing together, eyes full of hope, pride, and love. My heart thumped in my chest.
Today... everything begins.
__________________________
After reaching the centre, I hopped off the car along with my two minions and my father.
My heart was thumping, no actually it was doing full-on bhangra inside my chest.
Excitement plus nervousness makes a disastrous combination.
What will happen?
Will I get selected?
What if I get screened out?
What if I embarrass myself in front of assessors in full uniform?
Great. Amazing thoughts, Svea. Very motivating.
I was still spiraling when a voice broke through my mental storm.
"Arey bandariya, don't worry. You will make it."
My brother said, attempting (and failing) to lighten my mood.
"Haan didi, don't worry," my oh-so-sweet-not-sweet sister added with a grin.
I just smiled at them. I wasn't in the mood to fight. Shocking, I know.
Baba, bhai, and bonu (sister) headed toward their hotel since they couldn't meet me for the next five days.
Five. Whole. Days.
Hey Krishna, bacha lena.
Yeh sirf mera goal ya aim nahi... yeh meri life hai.
Please kuch gadbad mat hone dena.
Hey Bhagwan, mujhe shakti, bal, buddhi, knowledge, intelligence, sahas aur confidence sab pradan karna.
Bas meri laaj rakh lena please.
I prayed silently, clutching my bag like it held my soul.
Inside the campus, I reported at the reception, filled out some forms, and soon-
Chest No. 309
Okay then.
For the next five days, this number is my identity.
Svea? Never heard of her.
There were lots of cadets.
But strangely no girls?
Am I the only girl from Assam?
Ah no wait. There she is.
Only two girls. Perfect.
Minor heart attack averted.
"Chest number 309," an official called out.
I jerked up like I had been electrocuted.
Oh no shoot it's my turn.
What should I do? Should I run away?
Svea WHAT.
You've waited six years for this day.
You're not running anywhere. Calm down.
I inhaled sharply and stepped toward the hall.
Inside, the assessors sat in immaculate uniforms- five or six of them, all watching silently like owls.
"Good morning, sir," I greeted.
"Good morning. Please have a seat."
I sat down, spine straight as a ruler.
"What's your name?"
"My name is Svea Ghosh."
"Svea, where are you from?"
"Sir, I am from the district Golaghat."
"Golaghat it is."
"Okay Svea, tell us something about yourself."
"Sir, my name is Svea Ghosh and I am 18 years old. I completed my 12th from a recognised junior college."
"Something about your parents and family?"
"Sir, I live in a joint family. My father is a headmaster of a Lower Primary School run by the Assam Government, and my mother is a homemaker. I have a younger brother studying in 5th grade. Besides them, I have two uncles and two aunties-one uncle is a corporate employee, the other is a supervisor at Numaligarh Refinery. Both aunties are homemakers. I also have four younger cousins."
"Oh, your family is very big," one assessor chuckled.
"Yes, sir."
After a few more questions, they dismissed me.
I walked out with my nerves doing push-ups inside my stomach.
Soon after everyone finished, the results were posted on the bulletin board.
Candidates rushed like it was Black Friday sale on clearance items.
I stood in a corner like-
Should I check?
What if I'm screened out?
Better to die than walk back home screened out.
But okay. Let's be brave.
While walking closer, I saw some people crying.
Great. No pressure at all.
I scanned the list.
Candidate 309 - SCREENED IN
My eyes almost fell out of my skull.
YES.
YES.
YEEESSSS.
One step closer to my dream.
I collected my phone from reception , which I had deposited earlier since we are not allowed to use our phones and immediately called Baba.
He was thrilled. Told me to inform Maa.
She was even more thrilled.
After dinner, I crashed onto the bed.
Hey Bhagwan, aaj jaisa hi yeh chaar din bhi achhe se nikalwa dena.
I prayed before my eyes fluttered shut.
-------
Four brutal days over.
This was the final day.
Conference day.
My stomach was twisted into 27 knots.
The assessors arrived with a list.
"Your results are out," one announced. "Those selected will proceed for medical tests."
Silence.
Pure, suffocating silence.
"Candidate no. 256..."
I closed my eyes tightly as the officials began announcing
"Candidate no. 249..."
"425..."
"...Candidate no. 309."
My eyes shot open.
That's me.
"Congratulations. You are selected for medical tests. Those who pass the medicals will be in the final merit list."
WHAT.
WHATTTT??
YES YES YES YESSSS I got selected , my dream is going to come true oh my god , thank you thank you thank you thank youuuuuu so much Krishna. I should call my parents and inform them
"Maaaaa! You won't believe it , I got selected and had been assigned for the medical test , yes my dreams are finally coming true, yayyy." I practically shouted over the call.
"Congratulations beta! I knew it. Tumne kar dikhaya. Ab medical test clear karo, future officer." Maa said, her voice full of pride.
" Acha did you call your baba ? "
" Yes maa , I called him, he was very happy and you know what Samvid and Shea were fighting about who would congratulate me first." I said with a chuckle.
After talking for a few more minutes, I cut the call and headed towards the mess where the other selected candidates were having dinner.
" Congratulations you are the only girl from Assam and the first girl who got selected in NDA." one of the candidate said warmly.
I smiled and thanked him and also congratulate him.
After having my dinner I went to bed and drifted off to a deep slumber.
__________________________
Haaah..... I exhaled, finally I am going back home, the medical test was done and I got into the final merit list, I am so happy and exhausted at the same time .
Baba was driving while the other two were bickering over some silly things. Paying no attention to them I decided to sleep as my head was aching . But ofcourse the universe didn't like the idea.
It was barely five minutes since I closed my eyes and these two started Mahabharat.
And the topic wow... It's unique
Topic of the fight: Fried momos vs steam momos.
Seriously. Out of every topic in the world.
"Didibhai, you tell! Which is best?" Shea asked.
Without thinking much, I answered,
"Fried momos. I like them very much."
"Dekha! Didibhai also likes fried momos!" Shea declared victoriously.
Samvid pulled my hair.
"Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swaad!"
Wait
Did he just call me a monkey? The audacity he has .
"Haan, kya hi janega tu. Tu toh adrak khata hai nahi."
I smirked.
He blinked completely baffled by my answer .
Shea and Baba burst out laughing.
And boom the official MAHABHARAT 2.0 began in the backseat, three of us were fighting like Duryodhan, Arjun and Karn .
Baba finally scolded all three of us, and we sat like punished school kids.
We reached home late. Without talking much I went straight to my room ,changed into my night wear and crashed onto my bed instantly.
The two goblins were still fighting but who cares? I was already asleep.
Hello dear readers, this is my very first book as a teen author, I hope that you will like the story and support it. As it's my very first time writing I don't have much idea about it, but I will try to give my best. Please leave comments if you liked it. I will try to improve my writing with every chapter and meet your expectations.
Thank you very much for clicking on it.
And I have already published this story on Wattpad till chapter 8 you can read it there too.
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