Race to Principals 'office

Silence is a universal language. Though its meaning & significance differ based on time, region, location, occasion, etc. In an examination hall, it means the same to all students across courses, subjects & attempts. The only aim is to write down everything one knows before it evaporates from memory. For exams are more a memory test than a knowledge check. At times it's a relief to part with answer sheets. Once the invigilator collects answer sheets, there isn't anything one can do. It is the invigilator's responsibility to order them as per the admission number. Furthermore, deliver the answer sheets to the Principal's office to seal for evaluation.

Vihaa confidently filled in the answer booklet & additional sheets. She was towards the end of the paper & looked at her wristwatch. It was a futile attempt, for the watch dial did not have the markings. An unmarked dial's, hour & minute hand pointing at any consecutive numbers looked the same during exams. She picked up another wristwatch placed on the middle of a long wooden bench. It showed the last 10mins to the end of the exam. Vihaa went through her answer sheets & tied them up in order. Then she began to fill the blank spaces with diagrams. She completed the paper on time & handed it over to the invigilator. She sighed in relief & looked at the other end of the bench. Kanika cracked her knuckles, picked the wristwatch from the middle of the bench & strapped it back.

As they stepped out of the examination hall, they discussed the questions & respective answers. They bagged their stationery items & hall ticket. Kanika asked, "At the end of the exam, I saw you busy drawing diagrams. We both have answered the same questions & I did not draw any. What did I miss?" Vihaa responded with a smile, "Oh that, I usually leave some space to draw diagrams. Towards the end of the paper, in case I have some time, I fill them up. Like that diagram of AND logic." Kanika exclaimed, "What? Diagram of those two lego blocks which are initially split & then combined?" Vihaa nodded a yes. Kanika stated, "Oh man, now I understand why I get first-class & you a distinction. You draw those goofy diagrams & I don't even venture. As per the admission number, the evaluator will correct my paper, then yours. Looking at those ridiculous diagrams, the evaluator will grant you at least two more marks. For ten such questions, you will score twenty additional marks per subject." Kanika shook her head in disbelief & Vihaa grinned.

As they walked out of the complex, Vihaa mentioned, "While writing the admission number on the answer booklet, I was wondering. Does it start with 02 or 03? Then I thought, it's 03 & wrote it." Kanika stopped walking & screamed, "It starts with 02…." Vihaa confidently replied, "Ah-ha, like a fool, I'll do that? I know it is 03." Kanika could feel the pearls of sweat forming on her forehead & palms. She tried to reason it, "We joined the course in 2002, so our admission number starts with 02. Our junior batch's admission number starts with 03." Vihaa smirked & said," What rubbish? I know you are pulling my leg." Kanika's heart was racing & she breathed heavily; she thought, "How do I convince this silly girl that she has put in the wrong admission number?" Kanika stressed, "Vihaa, admission number is written on the blackboard, on your desk & your hall ticket. You could have checked!" Vihaa did not pay any attention & continued to walk towards the gate. Kanika could feel the adrenaline rush; she was running out of ideas & reasons to convince Vihaa. Finally, Kanika pulled out her hall ticket & showed it to Vihaa. Kanika shrieked, "Look, it's 02...." Vihaa froze on her foot.

Girls ran back to the examination hall, only to find it empty. Both looked at each other's colour drained faces. They had to reach the other end of the campus & time was of the essence. Now, it was a race to the Principal's office. Once they got to the block, they looked up at the high staircase. Kanika thought, "Thank God, neither of us is wearing heels." With all their might, they climbed up the stairs.

Vihaa entered the Principal's office with her hall ticket. Kanika was gasping for breath & waited out. She looked up & prayed to God, only to see old white paint peeling off the high ceiling. She thought, "I ensure to wear a wristwatch which has a dial with numbering for Vihaa. Now, I have to remind her about the admission number too? The things we do for friends!" Exam stress & adrenaline rush gave her a headache. She pressed her temples with fingers.

After ten long minutes, Vihaa came out of the Principal's chamber with a sad face. Kanika questioned in a tense tone, "What happened? Did you get to change it?" Vihaa replied, "Initially, I could not convince the Principal about the confusion in admission number. When I showed the hall ticket with my photograph on it, he let me correct it." Kanika sighed in relief & said, "You made it on time. Your admission number gave me more stress than the exam itself. Now, let's go home." Vihaa spoke softly," What if I have written the wrong admission number in previous papers too?" Kanika knew this was coming & responded, "Only one way to know it." Vihaa's eye's popped with hope & enquired, "How?" Kanika coolly answered, "Well, the Principal's office has sealed your fate already. We'll have to wait for the exam results."

Take Away: An exam is a memory test, including the admission number.