Part 12
Jeni, who had been so happy earlier, suddenly came home one day crying. Seeing her, her mother asked:
“What happened, dear? Why are you crying?”
“Mom, Aaron was cheating me.”
“What did he do to you?” her mother asked.
“Mom, at first he saw me only as a friend. Later, he proposed to me. Thinking he was a good person, I accepted. He showed me so much love and care, but he only used me for his needs and desires. I trusted him blindly.” She broke down, crying heavily.
Her mother became very tense. If she told her father, it would create a big problem. She didn’t know what to say, so she just stood there silently.
Crying, Jennifer continued:
“It was because he forced me that I entered this competition. Among friends, I became a clown. But what hurt me more was that he actually liked another girl. They had been in love for four years. To deceive me, he only pretended to love me.”
Jenny told her mother everything.
Her mother hugged her tightly and said:
“Don’t worry about anything. Everything will be fine. You must prove yourself in front of everyone. For that, you need to study well and pass Plus Two with good marks.”
She comforted her with kind words.
“But never tell this to your father. We don’t know how he will react. He might even stop your studies.”
That night, Jenny’s mind was full of everything Aaron had done to her and all the words he had spoken. Another thought also haunted her—one of Aaron’s friends had told her to “go die.” Now she felt like ending her life right there. But then she remembered her father and mother, and calmed herself down.
For a few days, she didn’t go to school. When her father asked, she lied, saying she was unwell.
Part 13
It was only after a week that she returned to school. Even then, she had to face insults and mockery, but she remained silent.
Remembering what her teacher had once told her in First Year, she focused only on her studies. With only four months left for the Plus Two final exams, she endured everything and didn’t take even a single leave. No matter how many attacks came her way, she concentrated only on her studies.
After two months, the model exam came. She studied well and attended the exam. When the results came, she had passed with good marks.
When she said she wouldn’t attend the Plus Two send-off party, her class teacher insisted that she must come. During the party, since all the teachers were present, no one said anything to her. That was her greatest relief. When the party was over, she quickly went home without saying goodbye to anyone.
Then came the Plus Two final exam. Students were given a month’s leave to prepare. Jenny studied hard at home, determined to score full marks.
During this time, to demoralize her, many messages, stickers, and emojis were sent against her in their group. At first, she ignored them. But when she couldn’t tolerate it anymore, she removed herself from the group. They added her back again, and the same situation continued. Finally, she muted the group and focused only on her studies.
When the exams began, even on the first day, people kept insulting and hurting her. But she didn’t mind and walked confidently into the exam hall. She had no fear or tension—only trust and confidence that she could write well.
She wrote the first exam perfectly. After each exam, she went straight home and studied late into the night and early mornings.
Since exams were spaced two to three days apart, she had enough time to prepare well. One by one, she wrote all her exams successfully. The exams stretched for almost a month. Finally, the last exam came.
Aaron and his friends finished early and left the exam hall. Jenny finished on time and came out. As she walked through the school compound, a balloon filled with waste water and rotten eggs hit her. A clown doll also dropped down from above and dangled in front of her.
When she looked around, she couldn’t find who had done it—students were standing in groups everywhere. At the same time, Aaron and his friends slipped away from the spot.
Jenny stood there crying. Because of the smell, no one came near her. Only one teacher came forward to help her. Since she couldn’t take the bus in that condition, that teacher took her home.