Part 25 Dream

"Khushiiiii... You are the best... You can make it."

The motivation of Arnav made Khushi run like anything.
She didn't know how she surpassed everyone, but she was the first one to give the baton to Aman, who had no problem finishing the race after the lead Khushi made.

Everyone concentrated on Aman when he took the baton, but Arnav rushed towards Khushi. He didn't care if Aman would win the race. According to him, Khushi had already won the race. She did it. As an athlete, he knew what she had just done. It was not that easy. He knew. Yet, she made it possible. He was happy like anything.

He ran to Khushi and hugged her... forgetting anything. There was nothing in his mind. He just wanted to celebrate the moment. That was all. He lifted her above his head and started shouting,

"You are the best..."

Khushi felt awkward, and she didn't know how to react. Thank God, no one looked at them; everyone's eyes were on Aman.

"Please leave me," Khushi said, tapping his shoulder.

There were no words to say what Sheetal felt. Everything backfired. If she had completed the race correctly, Khushi wouldn't have gotten such significant recognition for what Sheetal did, which made Khushi a superstar!

Arnav put her down and saw Aman finish the race. Arnav ran towards him the second Aman finished, dragging Khushi with him.

After touching the finishing line, Aman submitted the baton and searched for Khushi. He saw Arnav fetching her towards him. He ran to them and hugged them together.

"We did it... We did it... Khushi, you are awesome... You are amazing... You are a miracle...!" Aman shouted in happiness excitedly.

Khushi was crushed between Arnav and Aman. They saw their college principal coming to them. They stood straight, panting hard.

The principal extended his hand towards Khushi for a handshake. She shook hands with him.

"Excellent performance... You turned the race upside down. You amazed me..."

"Thank you, sir."

"You guys also did your job excellently..." He appreciated Arnav and Aman.

"Thank you, sir," They said.

"Khushi, you have a perfect future in sports. I will arrange for your sponsor," the principal said.

Arnav looked at Khushi to know what she would say.

"No thanks, sir..." Khushi said, and the principal looked at her with confusion.

"I already have a sponsor, sir," she added.

"Do you have a sponsor? But how? I agree you are a state gold medalist, but the much I know, no company would sponsor a state player."

"Yes, sir, but Delhi cement is doing that for me... Because of Arnav..." Khushi pointed at Arnav.

"Oh, I see... That's nice to hear..."

"She is a very talented athlete, sir. She won a gold medal in the state meet barefoot... I wanted to sponsor her; I knew she would become a shining star..." Arnav smiled.

"That's true..."

"Sir, if you are willing to get a sponsor for Khushi, you can do it. I have no problem" Arnav said.

"No, sir. I don't want to be confused. One guidance is enough for me," Khushi said

"She is right. Companies will try to dominate her. It's not good for her. Let her do her work freely," the principal said.

Arnav nodded, smiling.

"But, you can ask me anything if you want."

"Thank you, sir..."

"From here on, you and Arnav will be our college sports HEAD..."

Khushi was speechless, and Arnav was on cloud nine. Aman wished them.

The principal looked at the physical instructor and said,

"Provide them our college sports COAT."

"Yes, sir"

Khushi's eyes widened. COAT? She knew, in their college, the sports head would wear a coat. That was an honour. More than that, she was going to wear a coat. Her eyes tear up. Was her lifetime wish going to come true? She thought she should go long to get it, but here it was.

Hearing the word "coat," Arnav could not stop thinking about his coat in Khushi's cupboard. He looked at Khushi, who looked emotional. He thought it was because of the recognition she had received.

"Congratulations..." Arnav said.

"Congratulations to you too..." She said with happy tears.
The principal left the place smiling.

That was when Preeto rushed to Khushi and hugged her happily.

"Congratulations, Khushi... Your dream is going to come true. You are going to wear a COAT."

Arnav looked at them with confusion. Was wearing a coat her dream? What was that? He saw Khushi nodding her head.
They were called to the podium to receive the medal. Khushi looked at Arnav and Aman. They headed to the podium. Sheetal stood, not understanding whether she should go to them or not.

Arnav and Aman didn't even think about Sheetal. It was Khushi who looked for her.

"Sheetal... Come on..." She called.

When Sheetal came to the podium, students teased her for falling. She felt insulted. She didn't expect her plan would badly backfire. She did not at all expect such a scene to happen. How could she expect Khushi to win after her downfall?

The chief guest congratulated the winners while wearing the medals on their necks. While shaking hands with Sheetal, he said,

"It's good you fell. That's why this world got to know about a super-fast athlete..." He said, looking at Khushi, adding fuel to the humiliation fire of Sheetal laughingly.

Sheetal's face hung. She left the place hurriedly.

Khushi and Arnav received the individual championship cups as they scored high points by winning gold medals in their events.

Khushi came with the cup and handed it to Arnav. He looked at her questioningly.

"Thanks... For everything," she said.

"You will get more victories in your career and create history... Mark my words."

"Your words are so energetic. I like the way you encouraged me..." She smiled.

He took the cup from her.

"Do one thing... Take my cup... We will exchange them. Whenever you see that, remember my encouragement, and whenever I see your cup, I will think of encouraging you."

Arnav gave Khushi HIS cup with a penetrating gaze. Khushi took it from him smilingly. Arnav felt content.

"By the way, Khushi, what's that Preeto talked about?"

"What?"

"Your dream coming true... Or something..."

Khushi smiled.

"Is it personal?"

Khushi nodded no.

"I'm obsessed with your school uniform..."

"Our uniform? I didn't get you."

"I like your school uniform. I longed to wear such a royal coat. I studied in a government school. We can't afford such costly clothes. I wanted to win a gold medal in the National meet, not just because I wanted to achieve something. It's because I wanted to wear a coat. I can do it if I win a national medal..."

Arnav didn't know someone could have such a wish because, according to him, wearing a coat was not a matter of concern. He had numerous unworn coats in his cupboard, worth rupees or a few lakhs.

Was this the reason for her to keep his school coat safely? No way. She was not a girl who would safeguard a stranger's belongings. She would have a reason for doing that. Arnav wanted to know that, but she might feel awkward. So, he decided to wait for the right time to open up.

To be continued...