The moment I see my name on the result list, a wave of relief washes over me. Rank 14—I passed! Rick, Nisha, and I are over the moon.

We’re not just celebrating my success, but the fact that we all made it through the exams, though Rick and Nisha’s ranks dropped slightly. That doesn’t matter right now.

What matters is that we survived. So, we decide to treat ourselves and head to a café for a little celebration.

We grab a booth, order a bunch of barbecues, and toast with bottles of coke. The tension of the last few weeks melts away, replaced by laughter and jokes.

Rick starts imitating one of our strictest teachers, making us crack up, and Nisha, always trying to be the social media influencer, attempts to do some over-the-top dance moves, earning eye rolls from Rick and me.

“Seriously, Nisha, you think that’s gonna go viral?” Rick teases.

She grins, “Hey, every influencer has to start somewhere, right?”

We groan in unison, but deep down, we’re loving the carefree vibe. For a moment, it feels like we’re back to being kids, with no worries about exams or future plans.

We feast on the barbecue, talk about anything but school, and just enjoy the time together. It’s simple, it’s fun, and exactly what I needed after the stress.

After a while, we head home, all satisfied and happy. But once I’m back in my room, my thoughts immediately shift to Rafa.

I pull out my phone, my fingers flying across the screen as I dial her number. I can’t wait to tell her about the results.

The phone rings…and rings…but no answer.

I frown, wondering if she’s busy. I try again, but still nothing. That’s when I remember—Rafa’s exams aren’t over yet.

She still has three more days. Of course, she’s probably still studying or resting, but I can’t shake the uneasy feeling growing inside me.

I try one last time, but again, no response. A knot forms in my stomach, but I tell myself it's nothing. She’s just busy. I’ll talk to her soon.

Before I can dwell on it more, there’s a knock at my door. The PG owner sticks his head in. “Azer, your parents are calling. It sounds urgent.”

I quickly hide my phone and rush over to the landline. “Hello?”

My mom’s voice is laced with tension. “Azer, there’s an emergency at home. You need to come back immediately.”

My heart skips a beat. “What happened?”

“I’ll explain everything when you get here. Just pack your things and come home tomorrow.”

The call ends abruptly, leaving me with a heavy pit in my stomach. My thoughts race. What could have happened?

Should I have asked more questions? But my mom’s tone leaves no room for doubt—something serious is going on.

As I sit on the edge of my bed, my phone still in my hand, I look at Rafa’s name on my screen. I’m torn.

Part of me wants to keep trying to reach her, but another part of me knows I need to focus on what’s happening with my family right now. I’ll have to leave tomorrow.

The excitement from earlier evaporates, replaced by anxiety and uncertainty. I don’t know what I’ll find when I get home, and I don’t know what’s going on with Rafa.

But one thing is clear: my life is about to change again, and I have no idea how to prepare for it.

I pack my things in a rush, my mind consumed with worry for my family. The earlier excitement has evaporated, replaced by a dull ache in my chest.

I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong, not just with my family, but with Rafa too. Even though I tried calling her earlier, she didn’t pick up.

Still, I have to focus on getting home now.

The next morning, I set out on the journey, hoping to make it home as soon as possible. The road is quiet, and the weather’s a bit overcast, but I don’t think much of it.

My thoughts drift back to Rafa—her exams, the way she didn’t answer my calls. What if something’s wrong with her too?

Halfway through the journey, something unexpected happens. The car jerks to a stop as rocks start tumbling down from the nearby mountain. A landslide.

There’s no time to react. My body lurches forward as the car slams into something hard. The sound of metal crunching and rocks falling is deafening.

My head spins, and the next thing I know, everything goes black.