PIHA'S POV:

I let out a harsh breath as the website crashes for the millionth time this day. It's been about 35 minutes since I'm refreshing this page - waiting for my Neet PG results.

Yes, as I mentioned, the results were going to come out at around 4 but as expected, the website crashed and it isn't getting any better now.

"It'll come Piha, don't worry." I say to myself, forcing a smile on face and hear dad giggle.

He raises his hands surrendering as I glare at him.

"Dad, why don't you do it, you're a computer engineer, right? You know much more about computer and internet than me." I say.

"Why don't you ask your Di to do it?" He says finger quotes in air.

"Di." I yell. She barges in the living room.

"This Piha, what do you want?!" She yells back.

"Why isn't the result visible?" I ask her as she sits beside me pulling out a chair.

"What are you staring at?! Why are the results not out yet?" I question her as I continue to panic.

"How would I know that? I've done business administration not CS. Ask your father." She finger quotes in air, mocking dad.

"Pihu beta, ignore them. We'll do it." Mom says and I smile at the only sensible person in the house.

Both my parents are software engineers, mom works as the data analyst head at Swiss Ltd India, yes, the same company Di works at, and dad is the Vise President at IT park industries.

Anyway.

Getting back.

"Piha, it's done, check the results out." Mom sternly says and feel the butterflies erupt in my stomach.

The same feeling when the 18-year-old me was checking my Neet UG results.

I feel my heartbeat at the back of my head and goosebumps all over my arms. Ignoring the tingling sensation at my joints, I press 'enter' amd hide myself in mom's arms.

You've done everything in your will, Piha. The results don't matter, you've done your best and it's all that matters.

I hear dad gasp. What's wrong, did I not crack the exam?

I lift my gaze and try to find my name on the list and my finger halts as I spot, Piha deshmukh.

Please god, I'll start making friends if I rank below 100.

I take a deep breath and read the results aloud.

"Piha Deshmukh, category- unreserved, marks scored out of one thousand two hundred- Nine hundred and ninety six." My breath hitches but I continue to read the most awaited part.

"All India rank- thirty one."

My eyes widen on it's accord, big enough to fall out of the eye sockets.

Di holds me by my shoulder and shakes me as I continue to remain dazzled.

31?? NONSENSE.

"Pihu, I've never felt this proud in my entire life." Mom and Dad engulf me into a side hug.

Not possible.

"Mom, Dad wait. Let me check it once again, I'm sure this is not mine." I explain.

I read it once again, "It's not changing." I say and start screaming.

"Di, do you see it?! It isn't changing." I pounce upon her and wrap my legs almost around her knees.

AND we continue our little celebration for rest of the evening.

____________

I continue to sip on my tea as I fill the form. Which form? Raghvansh sir's form.

I halt as I read the last question-

Blood group type:

Come on man, how do you expect me to know that?? I don't go around surfing for his blood reports, why would anyone?

I briskly pick up my phone, opening a new tab in safari, I search up- Raghvansh Birla blood group.

If someone checks my surf history, they might call me a teenager- stalking her celebrity crush but I'm sure no one would call me weird as many people might be looking up for this, no suprise

I tap on the wikipedia page and sigh as it shows-

Blood group: unknown

NICE. AMAZING.

They'll have the photo of his toe nail on the internet but useful information like this. Nah, not a chance.

I get up and scan through his report kept on the study table. I groan as I find just the ortho page inside it, and not the general detail's page.

Okay,

I have two options right now - either I send an email to the hospital and wait for the details for like a day,

OR... I could just text him.

The second one, Piha.

No No, how could I disturb him for such a mere reason. But I don't have another option.

I unlock my phone hesitantly. Do I do it or do I not? Just do it, Piha.

I type-

You : Hello Sir. It's me, Piha Deshmukh.

You : Just wanted to ask you, your blood group type as I was filling the form.

I feel my phone beep in jiffy-

Raghvansh Sir : Hello to you too, Piha. My blood group type is O+ and if you need anything regarding the same, don't hesitate to ask me okay?

Did he read my mind or something? Maybe he was just saying it out of formality.

You : Sorry to disturb you anyway, Sir.

Raghvansh Sir : You don't need to be, Piha. And also, don't mention your name every single time okay? I've saved the first time itself. Just to be sure, I'm not disturbing you right?

Guys, it's weird okay? Being in my idols contact list. I take a few seconds to digest the fact and type-

You : Yes, I won't mention it the next time. And no, Sir. You aren't disturbing at all. Just finished with the form.

I smack the back of my head. Was it necessary to say 'at all'?

Raghvansh Sir : That's nice, Piha. Anyway is your Neet PG rank up?

I grin to myself as I type-

You : Yes sir, I did check it a few hours ago.

Raghvansh Sir : Mind sharing it with me, Piha? It's fine if don't want to but just know I won't ever judge you, I'm genuinely curious.

Judge? I know he's way more successful than me but I'm a hundred percent sure he won't ever judge me. He ain't one of those people- 'I hate you because you are nothing compared to me'.

I divert my attention to my phone and reply honestly-

You : no sir, I'm sure you're not one of the people who'll judge me and my rank its uh 31.

Raghvansh Sir : Of course, no way I can judge you and just to inform you that I'm Flabbergasted right now. But to reassure, it's your city rank right, if you tell me it's your AIR I swear to god, I'm going to faint.

He does a great job in making me stupefy with his understandable expressions, but I type anyway-

You : Why would you faint sir. And yup 31 is my all india rank.

I patiently wait. The phone stumbles in my hand and I read-

Raghvansh Sir : ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Dammit, Piha 31 is not a joke. It's crazy, Piha. No one associated with me has ever been ranked this high. what's your score tho? 1201 on 1200?!

I giggle at his overexaggerated reactions and ask him the question revolving at the back of my head-

You : No ya sir, it's not much - 996. If you don't mind me asking, what was your score in Neet PG?

Raghvansh Sir : Don't you dare call 996 less. I literally scored something 904. I don't remember properly and yes my rank was around 102 or 105.

You : See, not much difference there. You were playing for India that time, not just India. You were captaining Delhi Warriors too. How can you be so good at everything??

Raghvansh Sir : it's all about- if you've given your hundred percent, you'll succeed. It's the same for you Piha. You have been waiting for your PGIMER results for over six months now right? I know you might be nervous but now that you've given your best, nothing can stop. You were strong enough to get through it, there's no force that can stop you. You'll crack it okay? Dont worry.

I can't help but admire the man on the other side of the screen. I can't even remember how many times someone has said that to me- but it's never soothed me this way.

You : Sir...

I send as I'm unable to thank him. He can't be so freaking understanding.

Raghvansh Sir : What's up with just saying that, Piha?

You : It means a lot Sir, thank you.

Raghvansh sir : I'm glad Piha it did, just know you're going to get through this too.

Piha : Yes Sir, I'm delighted you said that.

I say and we continue talking as time passes.

~√~√

Author's note*

Hey, hope you're doing well!
Do vote and leave a review if possible.
The next update will be out on 2th July, Friday.
Take care!