CHAPTER: Rise From the Fall
The morning sunlight barely touched Arjun's face when his alarm buzzed at 4:45 AM.
TRR…TRR…TRR…
He groaned, eyes still heavy from the night before. But then, his mind echoed last night's vow.
"PROMISE TO MYSELF"
"Don't make this day same as other days, be different from today…" Arjun mummered to himself.
He rubbed his eyes, sat up straight, and stared at his study table. The same notebook lay there, and the same words shone in his head.
He splashed cold water on his face, brushed without delay, and by 5:10 AM, he was sitting at the table — science book open, pen in hand, mind switched on.
For the first time in a long while, there was no phone, no music, no distractions. Just him and his dream.
"no distraction, phone. From today I have to level up my self"
A wave of energy flowing in his entire body and it's the first time when he woke this early and as he opened the window front to his study table, insane amount of the colour entered in his eyes which refreshed him form body to soul…
Routine Begins
Each day followed a strict pattern:
Morning Study: 5 AM to 7 AM
School: Full focus, no zoning out
Tuition: Active participation
Evening Study: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Quick Revision before bed
Even his mom, surprised by the sudden discipline, chose not to disturb him.
No scolding. No taunts. Just quiet observation.
But Arjun knew — she was watching.
And he wanted her to feel proud, not suspicious. Also her quiet observations scare him a lot, her violent mode is less danger than her silent and Arjun expected that his mom didn't +-taunt him or other type of….
BUT HE IS WRONG*
It's 7:30 am he is ready to go to school but, his mom interrupted him.( His mom always interrupts everybody in their any type of work )
MOM(with a mysterious smile on her face): Hey! Came here.
Arjun(mummering to himself): I now about this smile very well .
Mom(narrowing her eyes): what did you say?
Arjun: no nothing ! what did yo---
Mom(interrupting him): go to shop and bring this :-
" Milk half kg"
" Courd 1kg"
" 4 chocolate Biscuits worth rs 10 each"
" MDH brand turmeric"
" 3 digest easy Biscuits worth rs 5 each"
Arjun's brain got confused !
Mom(with a creepy smile): Get this money and go to shop, also you got the reward.
uff…. Let's think from which shop I got all these at once. Arjun think for a while then ahead to shop but, after approaching to shop he forgot about the quantity of the things.
He buy 1kg milk, half kg curd, 3 chocolate biscuit, 4 digest easy biscuits and the only correct thing he bought is the turmeric.
Arjun reached home and cried MOM! MOM! Here's the all items now give me my reward. Mom checking the items and Arjun thinking that " Mom is all different now, she rewards me for this now let's see what's the reward."
Mom called him close to her and kneel down. (There is a cute smile of her face this time.)
Mom slowly put her hand in her pocket. Arjun got excited about the reward….
BAM! WHACK! DHUM! ….
The reward is three consecutive slaps..
His first day of the disciplined routine is gone well in early morning but before school it goes to be bad morning. But he said to himself that "what ever happens he never going to give up"
At School – A Week Later
As he sat quietly during the break, solving math problems while others laughed around, playing with friends. Also his friends call him to play with them but, he refused then suddenly someone dropped a packet of biscuits on his desk.
He looked at that it was his favourite brand biscuit.
He looked up.
Priyanka!.
Priyanka (smiling softly): "Still busy ignoring girls?"
Arjun paused, then let out a dry chuckle.
"No. Just trying not to ignore my future with everyone else."
She sat beside him, gently tearing open the packet.
"I know you were hurt… and you're trying hard. I can see it."
Arjun looked at her, confused.
"You're not mad? Who said this to you?"
She shook her head.
"You don't have time for me. I get it. But if you ever… need a break, even five minutes to breathe — I'll be around. Not to distract you, but maybe... to remind you that you're more than just marks too."
For a moment, Arjun didn't know what to say.
He looked down at his notebook again.
"Thanks. Maybe… someday. Just not now."
She nodded. And that was it. No drama. No pressure. Just support.
In lunch time he still quite and keeps thinking about her words and what she want and also she made a soft coner in his heart.
His friends call him to there desk after seeing that his is stil confusing in some shit and offered him his favourite chocolate which made him feel better.
One of them said with a smile carring on his face
" Don't worry boy you're doing nothing wrong, still continue it. Let others say what they want we are here with you don't worry, We believe in you and also you can."
What? Is it a double meaning talks…! (Arjun whispered in his mind )
Arjun responded only with
"OKAY!"
Inner Battles*
Every night wasn't easy for a boy like him.
There were moments when his mind screamed:
"Are they really with me?"
"Is it okay to keep friend with her?"
"They all really cares about me?"
"Why are you doing this? No one cares!"
"Aren't you tired?"
"What if you fail again?"
"Is I'm important to any one in this world?"
"Can I do it?"
But then he'd open that rough notebook and reread his promises.
And each time, those lines acted like armor — blocking every negative thought.
His sleep was less. His eyes sometimes burned. But there was a spark in them now.
The kind of spark that fear couldn't kill.
---
Flashback Hit*
One evening, while searching for an old worksheet, Arjun found a small chit folded in his bag's back pocket.
It was from weeks ago.
Handwriting soft, curvy.
"To Arjun — from the girl who believes in your dreams more than you do. –P."
He froze.
This wasn't a distraction — it was a reminder.
He smiled faintly, folded it back carefully, and placed it in his rough notebook, right under his "Promise to Myself" page.
---
Mom's Observation
One night, as Arjun was reading under the dim table lamp, his mom walked into the room quietly.
She didn't say anything. Just stood there and watched him.
He looked up.
Arjun: "Water's on the table if you want."
Mom: "Hmm…"
She walked over, but instead of picking the glass, she touched his head gently.
"Good."
That's all she said before walking out.
But to Arjun, it felt like an award. A trophy.
It wasn't a big speech.
But it was enough to let him know — she had noticed.
---
One Month Later – Surprise Test
The SST teacher entered with a sly smile.
"Pop quiz, everyone. Surprise test. 25 marks. Let's see who's been sleeping in class."
The class groaned. Pages flipped. Pens scratched. Time ran like sand.
Arjun didn't panic.
He had revised everything — twice.
He wrote confidently, remembering dates, policies, and concepts without blinking.
At the end, he handed over his sheet first. Neat. Clear. Complete.
For the first time, Disha looked impressed — and slightly threatened.
---
Result Day
beginning of his rise.