Reflection Of Life

Chapter:4 - In the exam hall

Days passed, and a month just flew away. Fariha had been working her brain out for the O-levels, because she was well aware of the importance of her first public exam. She had received the International Statement of Entry on time, and she had a good set of stationary to help her highlight the important parts of her answer sheet. Visual appeal had a good impact on the examiner, so she focused on good handwriting and neatness besides proper preparation.




“Fariha dear, all set? Are you ready to take off? We’ll accompany you.” Both her parents said the same sentence on the day of her accounting paper-one exam.



“Sure, I’m ready!” It didn’t take her long to hop into their car. Monir took the steering wheel, and Parveen took the seat beside him. Fariha sat comfortably in the back seat. The radio was set to a favorite station, and instrumental music circulated inside the vehicle, creating an addictive environment for all of them.


The car came to a sudden halt at Mohakhali Flyover, still far away from their destination. Fariha had to take that particular exam at City Grand Hall, which was normally 30 minutes away from Hassan Cottage. Unfortunately, it had been pouring heavily since morning. As a result, about fifteen other vehicles were already on the flyover, jostling their way forward. The continuous rain had flooded the flyover and the surrounding roads. Despite having a good drainage system, the water flowed away from the vehicles at a snail’s pace. Some of the other vehicles also had O- level candidates in them.

Fariha even noticed Shanto’s black car not far from hers. He was seated just beside the driver. Droplets of sweat formed on his forehead, his eyes reflected lack of sleep. Their exam was supposed to start at 4:30 pm, and her wristwatch already showed 4:25. Shanto’s condition was imaginable. Even her own stomach churned, she was fighting back nausea with all her might. They would never make it on time. Even a moment seemed like a year now.
“Don’t worry, dear, Allah will help you.” Parveen tried to lift up Fariha’s spirit.
“It’s ok, champ, you’ll be able to give a great exam.” Shanto’s father tried to encourage his son.
“I hope you’re right, Papa!” Shanto smiled.


About an hour later, Fariha and her friend reached the venue. Accounting required hundred percent concentration, and clever usage of the scarce resource called time. At first, the room invigilator did not allow them in, but some other candidates trapped in the rain joined them within minutes, and a joint plea worked like the magic key to the hall.
“All the best, buddy.”Shanto wished his friend as they took their respective seats.


A shiver ran down Fariha’s spine as she looked at the question paper. It had options, but still, the compulsory questions were lengthy, demanding complex calculations, and she just had two hours to complete a three-and-half hour long paper.
“Err! Why does this always happen to me? I’m a good for nothing fellow!” Fariha cursed herself for being late.


She was tense, but it did not take her long to settle down. Something was better than nothing, so she just began with the easiest question.

Fariha’s head was spinning; the extreme tension was showing its effects now. Still, she didn’t learn to give up, so she just gathered as much confidence as she could, saying a silent prayer at regular intervals.

On the other hand, Shanto scribbled away, without even moving in his seat. He needed to catch up with the Single Entry and the Manufacturing Accounts. The next paper was going to be harder, so he wanted to gain as much points as he could from paper- one.


“Hey, buddy, could you finish all the accounts?” Shanto asked Fariha, as they waited in the lift lobby after the exams.


“Yes, thanks to Allah!” Fariha was finally relieved after what seemed like a rapid fire round of calculations.


“What about you, chum?” Fariha asked. “And did uncle…?”


“Yes, I at least could finish. God! That hour on the flyover seemed like an eternity. No, dad’s being very sweet lately.” Shanto replied. Fariha seemed like his female version. She always stayed with him through thick and thin.

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