The final year exams came, and it was over before we knew it.

As usual, we had to wait few weeks for the results. Similar to last year, I spent the year-end break on coaching classes again. I could really use the extra income to achieve my dream of buying a car, and I hoped to achieve it soon.

One day after the class, when I about to leave, I saw Priya waiting for me outside the coaching centre.

"Hey. What are you doing here?”

"Nothing. Thought I could meet you here. Would you mind joining me for a coffee?”

"Sure. I was about to get something to eat myself.”

We went to a nearby coffee shop. We ordered coffee and some snacks for us.

I could see Priya was very nervous.

"You all ok?”

"Yeah. I’m just worried about the results. I can't remember the last time when I had put so much effort into anything like this. And the wait for the results is killing me.”

"It's ok. The results are almost here. It's just a matter of a couple of days now. I believe you have a good chance.”

"Yeah. That's another reason I wanted to meet you. I remember you had told me that I had a 50% chance of achieving it if I put in a good effort. That was one of the main reasons I had decided to try this in the first place. I just wanted to know what you thought my chances are right now, especially since you saw all the effort that I put into this.”

I had a feeling I was about to get in a lot of trouble right now. I just remained silent, trying to figure out a way to get out of this. Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with anything.

"Why are you not saying anything? It's ok. I can face the truth. You can tell me without any fear.”

"It's not that. It’s just. I'm wondering how to phrase it.”

"Hey. No worries. You can say it.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Well, it’s just that I understand the concept of probability. But I always believe the chances of anything is 50%. It can either happen or it won't. That's how I have always viewed everything. That's how I was always able to convince myself to try for something even when I really had a very minimal chance of achieving it.”

It took a moment for Priya to fully comprehend what I was trying to say. When it finally dawned on her, her expressions started changing. She was getting angry.

"So what you are saying is, when you said I had a 50% chance a year ago, it didn't mean that I had half a chance of achieving it. But it was just your way of looking at stuff. I’m going to beat you up. The only reason I invested so much effort into this was because of what you had said then. And now it turns out it wasn’t true at all.”

I could almost see a vein throbbing on her forehead from all the anger. She seemed like a dragon about to breathe fire on me.

"Hey. I didn't think too much about it. But look on the bright side. Because I said so, you tried your best, and who knows what the results will be. “

She was still staring at me.

"Ok. I'm sorry. I should have been clearer on what I said.”

Seeing that she was not still calming down, I decided to add something.

“Ok, how can I make it up to you?”

She seemed to calm down a bit at that.

"I want you to do something for me.”

"Hey. What and why?”

"Not sure what yet. I’m yet to figure it out. And why because you dragged me into this by giving me false over-exaggerated hopes.”

"Hey. I don't think I did anything wrong. And I'm not comfortable promising something without knowing what.”

"Ok. I'll change it a bit. You'll have to do something for me. But nothing too big. Since I'm keeping it as an open-ended request, you only need to do it if I win the bet with my Dad in the exam results. I'm not compromising any more than that.”

"Ok. Fine. “

I had to finally agree. I didn't think I could get more out of her than that. I just hoped I wouldn't get into too much trouble over this.

----------------------------------------

The results day was finally upon us.

I kept refreshing the college website to check for it.

The results were finally out around noon. Surprisingly I found myself checking Priya s results before mine. I was really worried and didn't realize I was holding my breath.

Priya's rank was 990.

Wow. I was super thrilled and started jumping up and down in my apartment. I was thrilled. I didn't know I cared this much. But seeing the effort she had put in, I wanted her to get it. It was in some ways of reaffirming my belief that results would follow hard work.

It was only after few mins, I realized I had yet to check my results.

My Rank was 19. It was a vast improvement compared to my earlier rank but still short of top 10, the target I had aimed for. I guess I was over-ambitious.

I soon found my phone ringing. As expected, it was Priya.

"Hello.”

There was a lot of shouting and other notices on the other side of the line. I was having some difficulty figuring out what she was saying.

"Hey. We have a party tonight at my home. Do come tonight. It’s around 7pm. “

I couldn’t hear much after that. So I hung up after trying to listen for some time.

I was glad to see her so happy.

I guess I now had to see if I had anything appropriate dress to wear for a party.