3. Tried and Tested Theory

Dakota Black

Just as the pill hits my tongue, I hear my name.

“Co-founder and CEO of HighBars System, also my personal favorite student, Dakota Black!”

I take a deep breath and force the pill down my throat as I remember, who I am.

I am Dakota Black.

I am the CEO. I am the success story everyone looks up to.

A man who built himself up from broken ribs, who believed in his own potential and avant garde of technology. That’s me!

And I am about to own this stage, like always.

I roll my shoulders back and straighten my spine, letting the familiar swagger take over my posture as I step onto the stage, right into the limelight I have worked my ass to deserve.

The applause is deafening, and I smirk, taking in their cheers, along with whistles. It’s a reminder of how far I have come, and how far I still want to go.

My smile sharpens and I raise my hand in acknowledgment, feeling the wave of energy hit me with the confidence I need.

I was made for moments like this!

Walking towards the podium, I take my place as the Teflon King, a name I live up to.

“Congratulation, graduates!” The cheers are immediate, and I smile, feeling the attention of a thousand eyes on me.

“Today, you are here because you refused to settle.” I pause, letting that sink in, before saying, “And neither did I.”

“It’s not your talent, or your grades, not even your connections that will get you where you want to be in life. It’s your stubbornness to not quit, even when the world rejects you on the face.” My voice echoes through the mic, silencing even the silence.

Because when I speak, people listen.

“The world doesn’t hand you success. It hands you obstacles and waits to see what you are going to do about it. So never refuse to try again, and again.”

My eyes dart across the crowd, they all are staring back at me, silently waiting for more. They want me to keep delivering, and normally I do it effortlessly.

But right now.. It’s hard. It’s fucking hard not to think about her, when I know she is out there.

“Chase your dreams, even if that dream looks like your crush.” I say, tossing it out casually.

Chuckles erupt from the crowd and I smile along, hoping Emara is listening to this.

“Lets be real..” I say, with a drastic shifting of energy in me. “You can have all the success in the world. A big house, fast car, maybe even a yacht. But what’s the point of having all these expensive things when the one you desire the most has blocked you?”

Laughter echoes and I scan through the crowd, praying to catch a glimpse of her.

“I mean, what’s the point of driving the limited-edition Tesla Roadster if the passenger seat is empty? Is it even worth it?” I casually lean on to the podium, after throwing out the question.

A few playful ‘Nooo’ responses float around the room, and I nod my head at them.

“Exactly! No amount of success or pile of money will ever fill that void if you don’t have friends, family and a lover to share it with. And trust me, it’s a tried-and-tested theory.” I tell them honestly.

I have always been proud of my money, power and intelligence. But no amount of all that together could stop her from leaving me.

It was all useless when I needed it the most!

“So yeah, go ahead chase your goals, and get that corner office with a view. But don’t forget to chase the girl of your world too. Who knows, it could be the best marathon you ever run.”

I hear whistles blowing and make no attempt to hide my grin as I pull out a paper from my pocket, which was the original speech I wrote for today.

“A wise man once told me..” I wait for the crowd to silence once again, as I get back into my CEO demeanor.

“FAILURE has seven letters, but so does SUCCESS. NEGATIVITY has ten letters, but so does POSITIVITY. LYING has five letters, but so does TRUTH. ENEMIES has seven letters, but so does FRIENDS.”

I lick my lips, and add some extra set of words on the spot as I think of her.

“HATE has four letters, but so does LOVE, and REVENGE has seven letters, but so does ROMANCE.”

I pause for a second, letting the silence grow with anticipation, before I conclude my speech.

“You always have a choice, so choose the better side of it.” I hope my words would have touched her heart, just like she has touched mine.

Folding the paper, I look up and see the entire room rise to their feet, one by one, clapping and cheering me with the applause I knew was coming.

This speech is going to be written in the books of golden words ever spoken. And just like that, spotlight comes naturally to me.

Only if Emara’s name was spotlight too!

I smile, feeling a force of pride swell my chest as I take in the sight of my professors, the very people I once looked up to, my mentors and all the students giving me a standing ovation.

It’s a one in a million feeling, I am blessed to touch.

Just then, among the sea of people, I notice someone sitting in their spot with folded arms, refusing to stand up while everyone else around that person is on their feet and applauding me.

Of course! It had to be her.

I grin. My heart confirms by skipping a beat that I finally found my kitty.