SHORT STORY

 

The Silent Battle

The room was quiet, except for the ticking of the clock and the rustle of pages turning. Arjun sat at his desk, highlighters scattered, books open, eyes heavy. Another sleepless night. Another round of revisions. He had been here before—once, already. But this time, it had to be different.

He was a CA student, chasing a dream carved in numbers, law, and relentless hours of study. His first attempt had ended in failure. Painful, yes—but not devastating. He picked himself up quickly, thinking, “Next time, I’ll win.”

So he gave it everything. No festivals, no birthdays, no social media. His world shrank to a desk and a clock. Every day was a test. Every night, a sacrifice.

And then the day came. The result.

Failed. Again.

This time, something cracked. He stared at the screen in disbelief. The silence around him felt louder than ever. He hadn’t just lost an exam—he had lost faith. The confidence, the energy, the fire—all gone in an instant. The hardest part wasn’t failing. It was knowing he gave his all… and still came up short.

People said kind things. “It happens,” “Next time,” “Don’t lose hope.” But Arjun couldn’t hear them. His mind was stuck replaying the sleepless nights, the tears no one saw, and the crushing weight of trying again.

Days passed. He stayed quiet. No books, no plans. Just silence.

Until one morning, he stood in front of the mirror, looking at a tired version of himself. But behind the fatigue, there was still something alive—a flicker. Not of confidence, but of courage.

He picked up the pen again. Not with the same fire—but with quiet determination. Because maybe success wasn’t just about passing exams. Maybe it was about not quitting, even when you’re broken.

Arjun’s story hadn’t ended. It had just begun—with failure, yes—but also with fight.

And in that, he had already won a silent battle most never see.