The place was buzzing with students. Each with a textbook in hand. Some of them, taking a last look at the chapters. Some flipping through the chapters that they hadn't even looked at yet. And then there were other who simply did not care about the exams. The book just lay sprawled on their hands for the simple reason that they wanted to fit in. Pass the exam that was their motive. Whether or not they got good marks did not affect them. Probably because it did not affect their families either.

Unfortunately I wasn't one of them. So I carefully made my way through the open sea of white uniforms. There in a corner I saw my friends. My gang. They quickly rearranged themselves on my arrival. A common sign to show that they had noticed my arrival. One of them raised his eyebrows and asked me the most common question that a student would face at this time of the year. "Studied for the exam?". I gave the usual reply," Somewhat". The funny thing about this conversation was that neither does the asker seriously care about the answer he receives nor is the person he asks the question to bothered about the meaning of the question. It was the last day. And I was all too eager to finish off the exam and carry on with my normal routine of life(which included music, games, and other stuff that didn't include studying school portions). To my relief, the last exam was computer, a subject that I was quite good at. How I was good at it was beyond me, though.

The thing about the exam hall scene was that eventhough each student had his textbook was open, none of them were really studying. It was just an informal practice that every student who reached campus, opened his text, took a random page and talked with their friends about common events until the bell rang. And when it did, oh the horror! It was as if a switch went on in each of them as they started discussing about the portions. Reffering notes, answering question, solving problems. Everything in a haphazard manner until the school caretaker came to the room and shouted at them to move to their respective rooms

Having taken a last look at my textbook, I made my way to the exam room I was one of the first few people who had arrived. And like all other exams, my confidence level for this exam too, was 0%. I liked it that way. It helped me not to get my hopes up. So that after each exam, if asked, I could say, "The exam was easier than I expected". Soon, the teachers(there were 2 of them) started handing out the answer sheets. This was soon followed by the question papers. Everyone receiving the paper with eyes filled of hope and expectation. Not me though. I just took hold of the paper, barely glancing at it. Soon, the bell rang and everyone started writing. Pin drop silence. It was hard to believe that not a few minutes ago, this place was buzzing with all sorts of sound. I swear I could've heard footsteps from the opposite building! Everyone seemed calm, quiet, completely concentrated on their work. The next few hours flew by. I finished my exam ten minutes earlier. After having quickly checked my answers, I lay by head down on the table to rest.

A second bell woke me up. As I glanced at my face, each of them had a smile stuck to their face. Finally, the 10th grade exams were over. They would have 2 months holidays. They could sing, dance, play or do whatever it was they wanted. Liberty at last! As for me, I already had plans for the vacation. Nothing was going to stop me from enjoying it. Not even a tsunami. I had my music, my games, my friends. Oh yeah, it was on.