Ever since I was little, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. When my mom died of cancer, that dream only grew stronger. I wanted to help people like her, to understand the disease that had taken her and to help others fight it.

A dreaming woman | Source: Pexels
I worked for this moment for years, through late nights, countless books, and more exams than I could count. Today, all that work was about to pay off: it was finally the day of my medical entrance exam.
Last night, I did everything to make sure I wouldnโt oversleep. I set three alarms on my phoneโ6:00 a.m., 6:15 a.m., and 6:30 a.m. I even left my curtains open so that the sunlight would wake me up. As I lay in bed, I thought of my mom, promising myself Iโd make her proud.

A sleeping woman | Source: Pexels
When I opened my eyes the next morning, something felt wrong. It was dark, too dark. I reached for my phone, and my heart stoppedโ9:55 a.m. My exam started at 10:00.
โNo, no, no! This canโt be happening!โ I threw my blankets off and grabbed my phone. All three alarms were turned off.
โI know I set these!โ I muttered, my hands shaking as I got dressed in record time. My mind raced with questions. How did this happen?

A shocked woman in her bed | Source: Pexels
I bolted down the stairs, half-dressed, my hair flying everywhere. โLinda!โ I called out, desperately looking for my stepmom. โLinda, please! I need a ride to the college. My exam is in five minutes!โ
She was in the kitchen, sipping her coffee calmly, her eyes following me with a look I couldnโt quite place. She raised an eyebrow, giving me a look that was as cold as her coffee cup was hot.

A woman sipping coffee | Source: Pexels
โYouโre late already,โ she said flatly. โMaybe next time, you should learn to set an alarm properly.โ
โI did set them!โ I almost shouted, feeling the sting of frustration and panic in my voice. โI triple-checked. They were on, all three of them.โ

An angry woman | Source: Pexels
She shrugged, a slight smirk on her lips. โClearly, you didnโt. Maybe this is a sign that youโre not cut out for med school, hmm? If you canโt even manage to wake up on time, how will you handle something serious, like a patient?โ
I stood there, feeling my face grow hot, my mind swirling with disbelief and desperation. This couldnโt be real. My stepmom wouldnโt do this to me, would she?

An angry woman in a red T-shirt | Source: Pexels
I turned toward the door, knowing Iโd never make it on foot but feeling I had to try. Just as I reached for the handle, I heard a small voice behind me.
โI know who did it,โ my little brother Jason said, his voice shaking with nervousness but his eyes steady.
I turned, confused. โJason, what are you talking about?โ

A young boy | Source: Pexels
He took a small step forward, looking at Linda cautiously. โI saw her. Last night. She turned off your alarms, Emily.โ
Linda shot him a sharp look. โJason, stop making up stories,โ she hissed.
Jason gulped but didnโt back down. โIโm not lying! I saw you go into her room, pick up her phone, and turn off the alarms. You said she didnโt need to be at that stupid exam anyway.โ

A serious boy | Source: Pexels
My mind was spinning. I looked at Linda, searching her face for denial, for any sign sheโd say it was a misunderstanding. But she just sighed, crossing her arms.
โYou know what, Emily?โ she said coolly, her voice hardening. โFine. Yes, I did it. Youโre not fit to be a doctor. Itโs a waste of time, energy, and, frankly, a lot of money that your dad could spend on something worthwhile.โ
โLikeโฆ your beauty salon?โ The words came out before I could stop them.

An angry middle-aged woman | Source: Freepik
Just as I was about to push past her and leave, I heard sirens in the distance, getting louder, heading toward our house.
Jason, now clutching my hand, gave me a small, hopeful smile. โDonโt worry, Em. I called for help.โ
Lindaโs face hardened as she looked at Jason, who stood at my side, clutching my hand. โYou seriously did this?โ she asked, barely able to form the words.

The police sirens | Source: Pexels
Jasonโs small voice cut through the tension. โYou are the bad guy, Linda,โ he said, his eyes fierce despite his small frame. โEmily is going to be a doctor one day. Mom would be proud of her.โ
Lindaโs face twisted, and before she could say anything, the wailing sirens outside grew louder. I watched her look toward the window, her eyes widening with surprise.
The front door opened, and two police officers stepped inside. One of them, a tall, broad man, spoke with a calm authority. โIs everything alright here?โ

A policeman on duty | Source: Pexels
Jason didnโt miss a beat. โI called you,โ he said, standing tall despite his young age. โMy sister needs to get to her entrance exam. Linda turned off her alarms so sheโd miss it.โ
The officerโs eyes moved to Linda, who immediately put on an innocent act. โThis is absurd!โ she scoffed, folding her arms. โTheyโre just children, making things up because theyโre late.โ
But the other officer, a woman with kind eyes, knelt down to Jasonโs level. โYou called us to help your sister?โ she asked gently.

A serious policewoman | Source: Pexels
Jason nodded vigorously. โYes. Emily studied so hard, and she was ready. Linda turned off her alarms so sheโd miss her test.โ
The officers exchanged a glance, then turned to me. โIs that true?โ the male officer asked.
โYes,โ I whispered, feeling the weight of everything settle over me. โI have to get to my college right now, or Iโll lose my chance to take the exam.โ

A shocked woman | Source: Pexels
The officers nodded, exchanging another glance. โAlright, young lady,โ the female officer said, standing up, โWeโre going to get you there.โ
Lindaโs face contorted with disbelief. โWait, youโre actually going to escort her?โ she stammered, her voice full of frustration. โThis is ridiculous!โ
โItโs our job to help people,โ the officer replied, coolly dismissing Linda. โNow, if youโll excuse us.โ

A serious policeman | Source: Pexels
I turned to Jason, who was smiling proudly, a little hero in his own right. โThank you, Jason,โ I whispered, hugging him tight. โYou saved me.โ
As I left with the officers, Lindaโs face was a mix of fury and disbelief. The officers helped me into their squad car, and we sped down the road with the sirens blaring, weaving through traffic as we approached the college. My heart pounded in my chest, but this time, it was with determination.

A police car in the city | Source: Pexels
At the exam center, we pulled up just minutes before the doors were set to close. The officers stepped out with me, guiding me toward the entrance.
One of the proctors noticed us and approached, looking confused. โMaโam, the exam is about to begin,โ he said, glancing at the officers.
The policewoman explained quickly. โThis young lady had her alarms sabotaged at home, but sheโs here now. I understand if you canโt make exceptions, but if thereโs any way she can sit for the examโฆโ

A policewoman talking | Source: Pexels
The proctorโs stern face softened as he listened. He looked me in the eyes, as if weighing my sincerity, then gave a brief nod. โAlright. Go on in.โ
โThank you,โ I managed, barely believing Iโd made it.
I found my seat, still rattled but refusing to let the morningโs events get the better of me. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a second, and thought of my mom. This was my moment, and I wasnโt going to let anyone take it from me. I picked up my pencil and began the test.

A young woman writing an exam | Source: Pexels
Hours later, I walked out of the exam room, exhausted but relieved. The officers who had helped me were gone, but I felt their kindness in every step as I headed home. Jason was waiting on the front steps, and he jumped up as soon as he saw me.
โDid you do it?โ he asked eagerly, his eyes bright with hope.
I nodded, a smile breaking out despite my exhaustion. โI did, thanks to you.โ

A young smiling woman | Source: Freepik
He threw his arms around me. โI knew you could.โ
Inside, my dad was waiting. His face was pale, his mouth set in a grim line. Heโd been waiting for me to come home to hear everything. Jason took the lead, explaining every detail of what had happened while I was gone.

A smiling young boy | Source: Unsplash
My dadโs face grew red with anger, his eyes narrowing as he looked over at Linda, who was trying to look calm and unaffected. โIs this true?โ he demanded, his voice trembling with restrained fury.
Lindaโs eyes darted between us. โIโฆ I was just trying to keep her from a mistake. I didnโt mean for it to go so far,โ she mumbled, finally looking cornered.
โYou sabotaged her dreams because of your own selfishness,โ my dad said coldly. โYouโre not staying here another night.โ

An angry man | Source: Pexels
Lindaโs face turned pale as she realized he was serious. She tried to protest, but he shook his head firmly. โPack your things, Linda. This family deserves better than this.โ
Jason and I stood by the door, watching as she finally left. There was no satisfaction in it, just a sense of justice and relief.
Leave a Reply