Chapter 77 — He Didn't Give Up

The next morning, Arnav was in his study when he remembered that the AFCAT results were expected.

He opened the official result page and entered Rishi's details.

For a few seconds, the page loaded.

Then the result appeared.

QUALIFIED.

Arnav stared at the screen.

A huge smile slowly appeared on his face.

Arnav: My boy...

Despite everything Rishi had been going through, he had done it.

He hadn't allowed heartbreak to destroy the dream he had carried for years.

Arnav immediately went upstairs.

Rishi was in his room, sitting quietly with his sketchbook.

Arnav: Champ.

Rishi looked up.

Rishi: Yes, Baba?

Arnav smiled.

Arnav: Check your result.

Rishi frowned.

Rishi: Did it come?

Arnav nodded.

Arnav: You tell me.

Rishi quickly opened the result on his laptop.

His eyes widened.

Rishi: Baba...

He looked at the screen again.

Rishi: I cleared it.

Arnav smiled proudly.

Arnav: Yes, champ.

Rishi stood up, almost unable to believe it.

Rishi: I cleared AFCAT.

Arnav pulled him into a tight hug.

Arnav: I'm so proud of you.

Rishi hugged him back.

Arnav: You were hurt.

Rishi's eyes became emotional.

Arnav: You were carrying something painful inside you.

He held his son's shoulders.

Arnav: But you didn't give up on your dream.

Rishi wiped his eyes.

Rishi: I wanted to become a fighter pilot, Baba.

Arnav: I remember.

He smiled.

Arnav: You showed me drawings of fighter jets when you were a little boy.

Rishi laughed softly through his tears.

Rishi: I still have those drawings.

Arnav: I know.

He pulled him into another hug.

Arnav: Remember something, champ.

Rishi looked at him.

Arnav: Someone breaking your heart doesn't get to decide what happens to your future.

Rishi nodded.

Arnav: You chose your dream.

Arnav: And you fought for it.

Rishi smiled.

Rishi: Thank you, Baba.

Arnav kissed his forehead.

Arnav: No, champ.

Arnav: You did this.

Ritika came into the room after hearing their voices.

Ritika: What happened?

Rishi turned toward her, smiling.

Rishi: Mumma! I cleared AFCAT!

Ritika's eyes immediately filled with tears.

Ritika: My son!

She hugged him tightly.

Ritika: I knew you could do it.

Rishi smiled between his parents.

For Arnav and Ritika, the result meant much more than simply clearing an examination.

Their son had been hurt.

He had cried.

He had struggled.

But he had never abandoned the dream he had carried since childhood.

And that made them prouder than anything else.