The Final Bet

Days kept passing. The air outside felt different now. It wasn’t too hot like summer, and it wasn’t cold like winter either. The breeze was just right—soft, quiet, almost neutral. Life felt… calm.

For Aarav, things had changed a lot. He wasn’t the same person lying on his bed wasting days anymore. He went for morning runs with Neil, studied regularly, ate with his family, and sometimes even helped at the bakery. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better. He had started enjoying little things again.

And then—it was that time of the year. The final exams.

On their way back home from school, Aarav suddenly smirked, his eyes gleaming.
“Neil… let’s make a bet again.”

Neil raised an eyebrow. “Another one? You’re still recovering from losing the first one.”

“This time it’s different,” Aarav said with confidence. “If I score more than you, then you will follow my orders for a month. Every single thing I say.”

Neil didn’t even hesitate. “Alright. Deal.”

Aarav’s lips curled into an evil, laughable smile. His thoughts raced.
This brat is done for. I’ll make him clean my room, bring me snacks, do my homework if I want… and finally, I’ll enjoy a peaceful life while he works for me.

(Somewhere in another world, people might have whispered: he must have been a demon in his previous life.)

Neil noticed the grin and shook his head with a sigh. “You’re already planning something evil, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” Aarav replied, pretending to look innocent.

[Preparation Arc Begins]

This time, both of them studied seriously—but in their own ways.

Neil stuck to his routine. Early morning runs, proper breakfast, and then long hours of focused studying. He made notes, revised, solved practice papers, and stayed disciplined. Every mistake he made, he corrected with patience.

Aarav, on the other hand, worked differently. He didn’t sit for too long. He studied smart, finding shortcuts and patterns, solving problems quicker by connecting ideas. Sometimes, he read through chapters once and remembered most of it. But other times, he got distracted, staring out the window or fiddling with his pen before snapping back to focus.

Neil’s hard work was like a slow-burning fire. Aarav’s talent was like a spark that lit brightly, but flickered now and then.

Their mom watched them both, her heart warm. She brought them snacks, checked in on them, and said softly, “Do your best, both of you. I’m proud of you no matter what.”

[Exam Days]

The finals went by in a blur. Question papers opened, pens scribbled, students sighed and whispered during breaks. Neil stayed calm, working through each paper with steady focus. Aarav, surprisingly, didn’t skip questions this time—he actually tried to give his best.

When the last exam ended, the brothers walked out together, both exhausted but smiling faintly.

Neil stretched his arms. “Finally, it’s over.”

Aarav smirked again, full of confidence. “Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, Neil. Because after the results, you’re mine for a month.”

Neil just chuckled, shaking his head. “We’ll see.”

[Results Day]

The school corridors buzzed with nervous chatter. Students crowded around the notice boards, checking their marks. Some cheered, some groaned, others whispered to their friends.

Aarav and Neil stood side by side, their eyes scanning the sheets.

And then—they found their names.