Revisiting the Memory Lane: My First O-Level Result
Well, this won’t be a technical post. I want to share one of my favorite memories and reminisce about it. Ten years ago today, I received my first O-level result. The first result of your secondary education is special. It tends to become an unforgettable memory. It’s like a memory tattooed on your brain — of course if it’s a good result. 😂
Flashback to August 15th, 2013 — I’m lounging in suspense waiting for my first-ever O-level result. I had appeared in the exams for English, Urdu, and Islamiat during the May-June CIE session. And trust me when I tell you, appearing for the exams was an adventure.
Let’s rewind to May 7th, 2013 — the day I sat for my first CIE exam like a brave warrior. I was the chosen one to open the papers of PK227, the code they gave to our school. I even signed some official paper where I had to mark the time I unsealed the exam papers. I was so nervous that I was about to write the time when the paper was going to start on that sheet, instead.
And then the exam started. I tacked all the questions we were required to attempt. The paper went decent, though there was room for improvement. The tick tock of time was something that really pressured me as we were allotted 1 hour and 30 minutes for the paper.
One reason the exams felt like an adventure was because they took place in Lahore, not my hometown of Gujranwala. This required a journey of over 100 kilometers on exam day to reach Royal Palm Golf in Lahore, the examination center. So on my way home after the first exam, we stopped at a gas station — I needed some fresh air and went out of the car. Out of nowhere, I felt like I might faint. Maybe it was the paper or maybe I was just low on battery, who knows? It was like a rollercoaster of drama in a single day.
One by one, I tackled all my exams in May, waving goodbye to each one like they were going on a vacation. Finally, the exams were done. Victory dance time! 🕺
But hold up, plot twist alert! Islamic Studies and Pakistan Studies papers were leaked in 2013 CIE exams. That’s right and we were asked to reappear in Islamic Studies exam, again. Mom broke this news to me while I was settling in after my Maghrib prayers. At first, it hit me like a plot twist in a movie, but eventually, I made peace with it. I am a wrestling fan and I used to watch WWE alot back then. That year some of John Cena’s promos were stucked in my head. Especially the one where in his match against The Rock he says, “I’ve been gifted a second change to right the biggest wrong of my life”. Well, fueled by John Cena’s promos, I saw it as a golden opportunity for a grade upgrade.😂I prepared again and reappeared for the Islamiat exam.
Fast forward to August. The result day — set for August 13th, but nope, my school delayed the announcing of results. Which actually added to my nervousness. The following day was August 14th, a nationwide public holiday and a particularly tense day for me as I awaited my result. I even posted on Facebook:
And finally its 15th of August, the day everyone was waiting for. I went to the school on my bike. Reciting Darood Shareef all the way to the school. Very Very Nervous. I arrived at school and headed straight for the administrative office. I requested my result from Miss Aroma. It seemed like she initially wanted to tease me a bit — a playful move, I suppose! 😂
But the moment she informed me that I had scored 2 As (in Islamiat and Urdu) and a B (in English), I was completely taken aback. It was truly astonishing. I had tears in my eyes. THE BOYHOOD DREAM HAS COME TRUE FOR RABO(Well, took this line from WWE). 😭 I had genuinely put in a lot of effort. I didn’t rely on any tutoring like everyone else did. I independently handled all the preparation and, honestly, I never once gave up throughout the entire journey.
Upon returning home, I shared the news with my mom and embraced her tightly — a gesture she truly deserved. I recognized that I couldn’t have achieved this without her support. In fact, it’s safe to say that I owe everything to her; she’s been my constant pillar of strength.💖
I shared the news with my family, and I can still vividly recall the immense joy on my grandfather’s face that day. He didn’t say a word, but his happiness was evident from his expression. I truly miss him — he played a fatherly role in my life all along. I have fond memories of you, Pop. Miss you! 🙂
What a remarkable day that was — truly one of the best in my life. The year 2013 was incredible; I served as the headboy in school and became a role model for the younger students. I get to start the Straight Edge movement in my school, which is a topic I’d love to delve into in another blog post.
Later that day, it started raining, and I found myself walking in the rain. I can still recall gazing at the sky with a sense of contentment and quietly expressing my gratitude to Almighty Allah in my heart. 😊
