Chapter 7: Help Vicky

The next day, as Rocky walked through the college corridors, still replaying the previous day's heartfelt reconciliations in his mind, a casual comment shattered his peace.

Random Student 1: "Hey Rocky, Vicky is leaving college!"

Rocky: "Why?" he snapped, his head snapping up.

Random Student 2 (beside the first): "The principal scolded him, and he's going home crying."

Random Student 1: "Really? He's crying?"

Random Student 2: "Yes, didn't you see?"

Rocky's expression slowly hardened, a familiar anxiety creeping into his heart.

Anjali (rushing up, having overheard): "Don't get tense. Let's ask him what happened."

All his friends—Anjali, Suman, Ramya, Sara, and Jully—began to run, frantically searching for Vicky. Rocky's mind raced, a wave of emotion washing over him.

Rocky's internal monologue: "Did I make a mistake again in his matter? What could have happened to him?"

Vicky's Burdens

(Flashback to Vicky's story, narrated by him.)

"Before telling you about me, I need to tell you about my home situation. My dad used to drive a rickshaw when I was a kid. Now, he drives an auto. He took that auto on loan with a lot of difficulty. That loan isn't paid off yet. And my studies, they add to the expenses. My parents wanted to have another child, but they couldn't afford it, so they stopped with me. My mom takes care of household chores, and she also works in other people's homes, in three or four houses. They take care of me with so much difficulty, with so much sacrifice. They hope I'll settle well in life, that all their struggles will be worth it.

I'm not very good at studying. No matter how much I try, I don't get good marks like others. It just doesn't come easily to me.

The only enjoyment or diversion in my life is college and my friends. Otherwise, my life is full of family problems. I can't fully enjoy life. I also want to have girlfriends like everyone else. I want to go here and there, carefree. And I also want to have a love life, just like my friends. But I have to sacrifice everything due to my situation. It's very difficult to love someone, take care of them, and manage studies in my situation. I can't be completely happy.

Even when I'm happy with everyone, my situation suddenly reminds me. A voice in my mind whispers, 'Can I even be happy? Am I allowed to be happy?' Remembering all that, I become silent again.

Would you believe if I said a girl likes me? But there's a girl. Her name is Merry. I don't know why, but she likes me. She once told me, 'You understand everyone well. You don't hurt anyone. But you always have a sad face. I know your situation. I like the silent Vicky. And I need someone who understands me. Because I talk a lot, I do crazy things. Only you can handle me. And you need me, so be my friend or a lover.'

I didn't understand what she said. I just stared at her blankly, then left without saying anything. And I didn't give her any reply.

Once, after seeing Rocky's wild love story unfold, I thought of actually asking her out. But then, I saw my dad on Navy Day, pulling his auto along the beach road. Seeing him, seeing his tired face, I remembered my home situation, my family's struggles, and I dropped the idea. I still haven't told her anything. She might have moved on with someone else by now. She has that kind of following. She gets a lot of proposals every day. One of them might have worked out.

And on the other side, I haven't told them at home about my fees. I'm very scared to ruin their happiness by telling them about my fee situation. So, I thought it's better to tell them at some other time and stayed silent. But now, the exams are near. They said they'll give hall tickets only if the fees are paid. I tried telling the principal, but he didn't agree. He scolded me, without understanding my situation. So, I decided to quit without saying anything. I'll live by doing some work, like my dad. They've suffered enough; I'll work and live."

(Vicky's voice wavered, then solidified with resignation.)

"Sometimes, I wonder, 'Am I even good enough for people like you?'"

(Return to the present. Rocky, having found Vicky, hits him lightly on the head.)

Rocky: "What do you think of yourself?! Are you a stranger to us? Who understands us? If you have a problem with fees and hall tickets, tell me! I'll give you as much as I can, like a loan. You can return it when you have money in the future. Don't talk nonsense like this! Who said you don't study well? Did you come to our class from a lower class without studying? If you study, you'll definitely get good marks. We're all here to help! Suman is also here now. He'll take care of anything. Okay?"

Vicky looked at Rocky, then a small laugh escaped him. "Thanks, man," he said, genuinely touched. "I'm not that interested in studies, though. I'll be interested only if I do what I like. I haven't got clarity on what to do yet. But I have a job I like: a therapist. I don't know why, but I like it. I thought of doing BiPC first (Note: It is a medical group in 12th standard. Biology, Physics and Chemistry) , but it's too expensive, so I dropped it."

Rocky: "Do what you like, but now, college exams are important. Complete this, then study for that. Your future is important, man! Leave your studies to us. Okay? Now, let's go talk to the principal."

A United Front

Rocky and the group talked to the principal and somehow managed to get a little more time for Vicky to pay his fees. Now, they were focused on getting the money and preparing for exams. Everyone was studying very well. They had put aside personal fights and issues for a few days, focusing solely on their studies with intense concentration. During that time, Merry also joined their study group. She somehow managed to impress the teacher with her quick grasp of concepts. Her friend, Sara, also came along with her, which made Vicky's face brighten a little. Merry, in particular, helped Vicky a lot with his studies, explaining difficult concepts patiently.

Exam time arrived. Faces were etched with tension. Even though everyone had prepared diligently, these exams decided their fate, so the pressure was immense. Merry wished Vicky all the best, giving him a small, encouraging smile.

The Grand Farewell

(Note: Farewell is a last day celebration of a School or a College.) 

The exams were underway. Pens scratched furiously across papers. SCRATCH! SCRATCH! Everyone wrote well despite the exam pressure, putting in their best effort. When the last paper was submitted, a collective sigh of relief swept through the college. Exams were over. Everyone had written well. Now, they left the results to fate, deciding to think about them later.

It was time for the farewell party. Usually, the farewell was held before the exams, but this time, everyone had been too tense to celebrate properly. So, they decided to do it after the exams were done.

Now, the farewell had started. The air buzzed with excitement and joy. LAUGHTER! MUSIC! After everyone's stage performances—songs, skits, and speeches—the dance floor opened up. Rocky was in his element, dancing with Merry, Sara, and Ramya, moving between them playfully. Anjali and Suman were dancing together, a picture of newfound happiness. Vicky was dancing alone, a little awkwardly, when Merry came up to him.

Merry: "Can I join?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.

Vicky's face lit up as she joined him on the dance floor. He was ecstatic. Not just him, everyone was happy now, enjoying the moment, celebrating their journey together.

Then, as the music swelled, the three girls—Ramya, Sara, and Jully—approached Rocky.

Ramya: "We've never asked you this question until now. Even though a lot happened in between, we have this chance now."

Sara: "Who are you fixing on among the three of us?"

Jully: "Who do you like the most?"

Rocky's boundless happiness instantly turned into palpable tension. His eyes darted between the three expectant faces.

Who would Rocky decide on? We'll see in the next episode.