Our Additional Maths teacher had a… unique teaching style.

She'd write the question—then immediately write the answer.

No steps. No explanation. No mercy.

I stared at the board, utterly confused.

Me (thinking): WTH am I looking at? Oh well… might as well just copy the answers down.

First Exam Results

When the results came back, my Additional Maths score was 22.

I was horrified… but then I found out more than half the class had failed too.

Me (thinking): Looks like I've got company in misery. Maybe Ma won't kill me too badly.

When I got home, I handed my paper to Ma.

She took one look—and her hammer was already raised.

Before she could strike, I quickly said,

Me: A lot of my classmates failed too!

Ma: Really?

Me: Really! You can ask Noelle tomorrow if you don't believe me!

Ma lowered her hammer, sighed, and went back to her housework.

Saved.

(Yes. Ma trusts Noelle more than me, her own daughter. T.T)

Dinner Time

During dinner, I told Pa about my result.

Sis, sitting across from me, casually mentioned that she also got 22—but that was for her final exam.

Her first test? Single digits.

Pa suddenly remembered something and started laughing.

Pa: Your sister's Add Maths was terrible. Always single digits. Then one day, she came home smiling like an idiot and said, "Guess what I got for Additional Maths?"

I was halfway up the stairs when she yelled, "22!"

I almost rolled down the steps!

Ma: Luckily, Pa was holding the railing. Otherwise, his next stop would've been the hospital.

I turned to look at Sis—completely shocked.

She puffed out her chest like she'd just broken a world record.

Sis: At least I improved!

Ma: Ya, after spending a fortune on your tuition.

Pa: Haiz… every time I think of that day, I thank my agility and strong heart. If not, our money would've gone to hospital bills instead.

Ma nodded solemnly.

Sis scratched her head, blushing.

Me (thinking): She is an idiot.