With a heart that was beating like a rabbit’s, Natasha got out of her car. She tried to look calm and smiled at everyone, but inside, she was all quivery and cold. It was her first Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), O Level exam day.

“Good luck,” her father said, as he departed.

Smiling, she walked through the security gate and entered the ground where everyone was assembled. At the sight of so many candidates, her smile disappeared. However, it came back when she spotted her friends.

“All set?” Alina asked.

“I’ve got a hundred butterflies in my stomach,” said Natasha.

“Me too,” confessed Sara.

“Well,’ began Alina, “I am actually quite nervous too.”

“You’re so good at hiding it,” Natasha replied.

Alina laughed. “Thanks. And I just know it that we will give a wonderful exam and surely ace it.”

“I hope so,” said Natasha.

Just then, the bell rang and Natasha’s stomach twisted in fear. Her chest felt heavy as she walked towards the hall where her exam was to be held. After getting her ID and Statement of Entry checked, she searched for her seat and sat down. Passing by, Alina quickly bent down and whispered,

“Stay calm and just know that you can do it. Remember, God’s always with you and surely He’ll help you.”

Natasha felt like hugging my friend, Alina always knew how to boost her friends’ confidence.

The hall was huge, and accommodated around 1000 candidates. There was a high platform in the front, where a lady stood holding a mike.

“Good morning candidates. Welcome to the CAIE examination.” On she went, explaining about the exam paper and the rules.

Natasha listened carefully, but the moment the lady said, “Invigilators, please start distributing the exam paper,” Natasha felt as if she was about to collapse.

As the exam paper was placed on her table, her hands grew cold. However, she remembered Alina’s words and took a deep breath. After quickly taking a sip of water from her bottle, she filled in the details on the front page of her exam paper.

“Candidates, you may now start your paper. Good luck.”

Natasha quickly opened her exam paper and scribbled away the answer. However, just as she turned to the second page, she almost screamed. It was a new question, which had never come in the previous papers, and so obviously, they hadn’t prepared for it.

She skipped the question, and her heart was beating so fast she was sure that the students sitting near her could hear it. The rest of the questions were all familiar to her, so Natasha quickly finished them.

Sighing, she returned to the question she had skipped, which would now become a nightmare.

“Alright,” she said to herself. “Calm down. Take it easy. I can do it.”

Taking a deep breath, she tried to link the question with all the questions she had done, and that were similar to it. Then, she collected the points in her mind according to the question and started writing them down.

Just as she put her pen down, she heard a voice say: “Candidates, the time is up. Please put your pens down.”

Natasha closed her eyes. Her hands were cold as ice and quivering vigorously. Row by row, they were asked to leave the hall.

Everyone was talking about the new question, and, it seemed, that some had written down the same points as she had, while others had written completely different points, from another topic.

“What if they’re right?” Natasha asked Alina, panicking again.

“Come on! I’m sure we’re right. Learn to believe in yourself girl!”

Natasha shook her head and walked out to find her father. One by one, she gave all her exams and was finally free.

Then, came the day the results were to be announced. Natasha could clearly see the nervousness on everyone’s face as she entered her school. They all gathered outside in the ground. The teachers knew they wouldn’t be able to study so they weren’t taking any classes. Then after a while, they started calling out the student’s names.

“Alina!” Alina, smiling nervously and walked into the headmistress’ office. She came back after a while grinning from ear to ear.

“I’ve got three A stars!” she announced jubilantly to her friends. All her friends hugged her and congratulated her.

“Natasha.”

For a moment, Natasha felt that her legs were rooted to the ground. Then, she forced herself to walk in. ‘I’m sure I won’t get even one A star,’ she thought.

“Congratulations dear. You’ve got two A stars and an A.”

Natasha jumped with delight and, thanking her headmistress, she ran out to tell everyone the news. She was really happy. Then, she walked over to Alina and hugged her.

“Thanks Alina. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“Aww, it wasn’t me. I was just trying to make you calm. It’s all your hard work that brought this result.”

“I got two A stars and an A too!” Sara yelled.

They laughed together and went to call home to tell their families the good news.

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 6th, 2018