In For A Ride

"Trring" Keshav rolled over and switched off the ringing alarm. The midmorning sun was making patterns on Keshav's floor.

- Sarva Mitra

 "Good morning, Ma," Keshav walked to Shalini, his mother. Shalini was a Madhubani artist. "I got up on the first ring of the alarm," he said proudly, sitting near his mother, toying with the paint brushes on the floor.

Shalini looked at the clock and then her son, "It is ten in the morning, Keshav. Half the morning is already gone," she sighed. Shalini had long given up on waking him. "Breakfast is on the table. Freshen up, have it and start studying.

Tomorrow is your science exam. You know that, right?"

"I know, Ma. That is why I woke up using an alarm this EARLY!" Keshav pointed out again.

Keshav sat with his books spread out. He didn't know where to start. There was just too much to read. At this rate, he would be studying the whole day.

But he also wanted to play and relax for some time. And then he had an idea. He decided to ask Sameera, the class topper, to guide him. She lived on the street next to his house.

"Ma, I am going over to Sameera's for asking a doubt." Picking his bicycle keys, Keshav closed the door without waiting for his mother's response.

He cycled to her house, and when she opened the door, he asked her, "Can you mark the important questions for me, please, Sameera? It will help me to prepare for tomorrow's exam." Keshav handed his science book to Sameera.

She diligently marked the questions. "Here, I am sure these questions will appear in tomorrow's exam. Ma'am mentioned these to be important while explaining the lesson."

 "Thanks," said Keshav, getting on his bicycle. Sameera had done an excellent job. He could quickly finish reading the marked questions in two hours. He had a lot of time now. He decided to take a long ride before heading home.