Chapter 12: A Last Attempt

A Friend’s Advice – The Final Hope?

Debasish stares blankly at his mock test score.

389.

Even lower than before.

A hollow feeling spreads in his chest. Fifty-five days left for NEET, and he is only getting worse.

His hands tremble as he shoves his phone away, disgusted. He wasted another day. Another six hours gone, just like that.

"I am finished."

The words form in his mind, but he doesn’t say them out loud. What’s the point?

A deep sigh interrupts his thoughts.

“You look like a dead man, bro.”

Debasish glances up. It’s Rahul, his hostel roommate—the only person who still talks to him without judgment.

Debasish doesn’t reply. He has no energy left for conversation.

Rahul, unfazed, pulls out his phone and smirks. “You need this.”

Debasish barely glances at the screen. It shows two app icons.

"Lock My Phone"

"Regain"

Rahul taps on the first app. "This one completely locks your phone. No unlocking until you choose."

Debasish raises an eyebrow. “Then what if I need it?”

Rahul shrugs. “Then you don’t. If you’re serious, this is what you need.”

A lump forms in Debasish’s throat. He can feel it—his addiction resisting. The mere thought of losing access to his phone fills him with unease.

Rahul doesn’t stop. He taps on the second app. “This one is for YouTube. No shorts, no distractions. You can only watch study-related videos.”

Debasish stares at his own phone—the very device that has ruined him, controlled him, destroyed his focus and time.

For the first time in months, a small voice whispers in his head:

"Maybe it’s not too late."

---

Setting Up the Barriers – A New Beginning?

That night, with trembling fingers, Debasish installs both apps.

He hesitates before pressing the final button on "Lock My Phone." But then, he does it.

The screen turns black.

His heart pounds. A strange feeling creeps in—a mix of freedom and fear.

For once, he is in control.

The first day is surprisingly productive. He finishes an entire chapter of Physics. Revises key Biology notes. Seven hours of focused study.

Seven hours. Something he hasn’t done in years.

For the first time in forever, a spark of hope ignites in his chest.

"Maybe I can still do this."

---

The Addiction Fights Back

By Day 3, the withdrawal begins.

The itch in his fingers grows unbearable. His mind starts whispering excuses.

"What if I need to check an important message?"

"Maybe just five minutes… it won’t hurt."

"I’ve studied enough today."

The urge to unlock his phone is suffocating.

He almost gives in. But he fights back.

Day 4. Day 5.

Each day is a war.

But then—his brain finds a loophole.

A memory resurfaces. His old backup phone.

Hidden in his suitcase. Forgotten for months.

His heart races. His mind screams: Don’t.

But his hands move on their own.

He unzips his suitcase. Finds it. Turns it on.

And just like that…

The cycle begins again.

---

The Reality – Is It Too Late?

The first night, it’s just for a little while.

The second night, it’s longer.

By the end of the week, he has lost the battle.

The apps were supposed to save him. They only delayed his fall.

He stares at his reflection in the mirror. The dark circles under his eyes. The exhaustion. The regret.

55 days left.

"Is there even a way back?"

Or is he already doomed?

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