CHAPTER THREE: Final year,Final Chances
1143 Words
CHAPTER THREE:Final year, Final chances
Final year wasn’t supposed to feel like this.
Elena had imagined it differently—less suffocating, less uncertain, less like she was constantly running out of time.
But reality didn’t care about expectations.
Reality came with deadlines.
With exhaustion.
With the quiet, creeping fear that no matter how much she tried… it still might not be enough.
—
“Elena, if you stare at that page any longer, it might actually start staring back.”
She didn’t look up.
“I’m studying.”
Maya snorted from across the table, the sound echoing softly in the nearly empty library. “You’ve been on the same paragraph for the last fifteen minutes.”
“I’m analyzing it.”
“You’re overthinking it.”
Elena finally lifted her gaze, her expression flat. “That’s literally what studying is.”
“No,” Maya said, leaning forward. “Studying is reading, understanding, and moving on. What you’re doing is mentally fighting the textbook.”
Elena closed the book with a quiet sigh, rubbing her temples.
“I have too much to cover,” she muttered. “If I don’t get this, I won’t understand the rest.”
“And if you keep stressing like this, you won’t understand anything at all.”
Elena didn’t respond.
Because part of her knew Maya was right.
But another part—the louder part—refused to slow down.
There was too much at stake.
“I can’t afford to mess this up,” she said after a moment.
Maya’s expression softened slightly. “You won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do,” Maya insisted. “Because you’ve been preparing for this since… forever.”
Elena let out a quiet breath. “Preparation doesn’t guarantee anything.”
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Then Maya tilted her head slightly, studying her.
“This isn’t just about exams, is it?”
Elena hesitated.
That was answer enough.
Maya leaned back in her chair. “Okay. Talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Elena.”
She exhaled slowly, her gaze dropping to her hands.
“It’s just…” She paused, searching for the right words. “Everything feels like it’s balancing on this one point. If I get through this year, if I pass, if I graduate… then maybe things will start to make sense.”
“And if you don’t?” Maya asked gently.
Elena’s chest tightened.
“That’s exactly it,” she said quietly. “I don’t know what happens if I don’t.”
Maya frowned slightly. “You try again.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Why not?”
Elena looked up, her eyes meeting Maya’s.
“Because I don’t have the luxury of trying again,” she said.
That was the truth she didn’t say often.
The truth that sat heavy in her chest, even when she tried to ignore it.
Maya’s expression shifted, understanding flickering across her face.
“Money?” she asked softly.
Elena nodded once.
“Things have been… tight,” she admitted. “Since my dad’s treatment.”
Maya’s lips pressed into a thin line.
“You never told me it was that bad.”
“I didn’t want it to be a thing.”
“It *is* a thing,” Maya said. “You’ve been carrying this alone?”
“I’m not carrying it,” Elena replied quickly. “I’m managing it.”
Maya gave her a look. “There’s a difference.”
Elena didn’t argue.
Because deep down, she knew there was.
“I just need to get through this year,” she said instead. “Graduate, get a proper job, start earning… everything else can wait.”
“And until then?” Maya asked.
Elena hesitated.
“I’ll figure it out.”
Maya leaned forward again, her gaze intent. “You already have too much on your plate. School, clinicals, studying… now you’re worrying about money too?”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“There’s always a choice.”
“Not this time.”
The firmness in her voice made Maya pause.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Maya sighed, leaning back in her chair.
“You’re going to burn out,” she said.
“I won’t.”
“You already are.”
Elena shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“You always say that.”
“Because I am.”
Maya didn’t look convinced.
But she didn’t push further.
Instead, she reached across the table, tapping the closed textbook lightly.
“Take a break,” she said. “Your brain needs it.”
“I don’t have time for breaks.”
“You don’t have time to collapse either.”
Elena hesitated.
Then, reluctantly, she stood.
“Five minutes,” she said.
Maya smiled. “Progress.”
—
They stepped out of the library into the cool evening air, the campus quieter now as most students had already called it a day.
Elena wrapped her arms around herself slightly, her gaze drifting across the dimly lit walkway.
For a moment, everything felt… still.
Like the world had paused, even if just for a second.
“You know,” Maya said, walking beside her, “you don’t always have to be strong.”
Elena glanced at her. “What does that even mean?”
“It means,” Maya replied, “you don’t have to carry everything by yourself.”
“I’m not carrying everything.”
“Okay,” Maya said dryly. “You’re just magically handling school, finances, emotional trauma, and pressure without breaking a sweat.”
Elena almost smiled.
“Something like that.”
Maya nudged her lightly. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re dramatic.”
“Excuse me? I am perfectly reasonable.”
Elena shook her head, the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes.
For a moment, things felt normal.
Light.
Easy.
But it didn’t last.
Because reality had a way of creeping back in.
Always.
—
By the time Elena got back to her room, exhaustion had settled deep into her bones.
She dropped her bag onto the chair, kicking off her shoes before sinking onto the edge of her bed.
Her notes were still open.
Her textbooks still waiting.
Everything still unfinished.
She stared at them for a long moment.
Then sighed.
“I just need to keep going,” she murmured to herself.
That was the only option.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Again.
She stared at it longer this time.
Then answered.
“Yes?”
“This is your final reminder,” the voice said. “The position will not remain open much longer.”
Elena swallowed.
“I need time.”
“You’ve had time.”
Silence.
Then—
“Tomorrow. Or we move on.”
The line went dead.
- Writer
