Chapter 4: When Zero Meant Something

Today, while I was on my way to school, I had only one thought —Today I will raise Mishra’s 0% to at least 10 or 15%.
As I walked, I prepared jokes.Illogical ones.Scientifically unsuccessful.But emotionally strong.
I was sure —She would laugh.Laugh so hard she would almost fall off the bench.And in that moment —0% → 12% minimum.
Winning inside my own imagination, I reached school.
I entered.Looked around.
She had arrived early today.
The commentator inside me said:“Perfect timing. Attack mode.”
I went to class.She was sitting on the bench.
But something felt different today.
I sat down.Jokes ready.Energy full.System confident.
But today, she didn’t speak to me first.No question.No teasing.
Her eyes looked a little tired.
But I…was still in joke mode.
I asked,“Mishra, do you know how to play guitar?”
“No.”
Her voice was softer.Weaker.
But I didn’t notice.
“I can play an instrument even better than a guitar.”
“Which one?”
“I can play the calculator.”
I was ready.Now the laughter explosion would happen.
But…
Silence.
She just looked at me.No laughter.No comment.
My confidence slipped a little.
“Is something wrong?”
She said softly,“Yes… I’m not feeling well today.”
The moment I heard that,something inside me stopped.
My jokes…My plans…Everything suddenly felt unnecessary.
One thought hit me —“She was struggling to even stand…and I was forcing her to laugh.”
My voice went cold.
“Let’s go to the clinic.”
“No. I’ll go home after class.”
“But you need medicine.”
“I already took it.”
“When?”
“Last night.”
“You were sick since yesterday… then why did you come to school?”
She stayed quiet for a moment.
Then softly said,“I wanted to see my friend.”
For one second, my heart went blank.
“Which friend?”
She looked at me.
There was tiredness in her eyes.But there was also a small light.
Her face turned slightly red.
And in that moment —
0% → 10%
I understood.
But I didn’t say anything.
“Let’s ask Sir for leave.”
“No… I’m fine.”
“You say yes or no. I’m going.”
I took permission and came back.
“Come. I’ve taken leave.”
She looked at me.Surprised.A little angry.A little worried.
And —
0% → 5%
(My system had glitched.)
“I can go alone. Don’t miss your period.”
“I’m ready to miss a period rather than leave my friend halfway.”
We stepped outside.Reached the gate.
Suddenly —
Her steps slowed down.
Her hand slipped into mine.Her fingers were cold.
Her head leaned against my shoulder.
In that moment, I understood —She was trying to stay strong.
And I…was letting her struggle alone.
“Mishra… if you can’t walk, I’ll carry you.”
“No… I can walk.”
She took two steps forward.Then her legs gave up.
Before she could fall,I caught her.
Her eyes half closed.
The guilt inside me felt heavy.
I didn’t say anything.I just lifted her.
She said softly,“No… you don’t need to work so hard.”
“I’m not working hard…I’m just carrying my own weight.”
She became quiet.
No more jokes.No percentage calculations.
Just the sound of footsteps.
She rested quietly on my shoulder.
For the first time, I felt —This isn’t light weight.This is responsibility.
We reached her house.
“That’s enough… I can go to my room from here.”
“No. Till there.”
“You did a lot for me.”
“This isn’t a lot.”
I gently put her down.
She walked toward the door.Turned back.
Softly said,“Thank you.”
And in that moment —
31%32%33%34%
It kept rising slowly.
But I didn’t feel happy about it.
I stood outside.
Only one thought was eating me —“She was sick…and I came to make her laugh.”
I decided in my heart —
From today onward,before making her laugh,I will make sure she’s okay.
I walked away.
This time,I didn’t have jokes.
Only feelings.