Part 26 Jealous

"Congratulations..."

Aman looked behind, hearing. He smiled at Preeto. She was the one who congratulated him.

"Thank God. Finally, you congratulated me", he chuckled.

"Excuse me... it's my friend Khushi who won the race...So, don't flaunt."

"I agree she is the main reason for winning the race. It doesn't mean we did nothing."

"Of course you did. That's why I congratulated you."

"Is it that hard to get congratulations from a girl?"

"You are the one who is creating it as hard."

"Oh really?"

"Then what? You could have ended it by just saying thanks, but you are extending it."

"Ok... thanks..." he extended his hand for a shake.

Preeto joined her hands and bent down a little. Aman rolled his eyes. She left the place smiling, leaving smiling Aman.

.........

Khushi went to their house and kept the cup in the cupboard. She was happy like hell for not winning the championship cup but winning the race. More than that, she would wear a COAT for their college. What a great honour! She felt like her birth got its value!

Arnav was also thinking about the coat, but his coat was in Khushi's cupboard. Why did she have his coat? He met her for the first time in the State meeting, but it was not their first meeting. He saw her in the hospital when he admitted Ashok to the hospital... just SAW her for a few seconds. Did Khushi know him before the meeting? He decided to ask her about it the next day.

The college guys greeted Khushi unusually when she entered the college campus. It felt new to her. That was the greatness of SPORTS. Anyone could study, but not everyone is skilled in sports. It was something that could bring the person to the state of WORLD.

Arnav was standing outside their class... not standing... he was waiting for Khushi with Aman.

Arnav smiled when he saw students greeting Khushi. His facial expression changed when a senior student stopped Khushi and spoke to her.

"Hi, I'm Kapil..."

"Hi..."

"I didn't sleep last night... I was recalling your cyclonic running the whole night."

Khushi nodded her head with an awkward expression.

"What a performance...! I never thought I would witness such a race in my life. you are not just great but greatest of all time."

"Thanks..." Khushi was supposed to leave, but Kapil extended his hand for a shake and asked,

"Friends?"

Khushi nodded yes and held the tips of his fingers. Before Kapil held her hand, she pulled her hand.

"Thank you so much. If anyone tries to mess with you, tell him you are Kapil's friend... no one in this college has the guts to mess with Kapil's friend"

Khushi nodded and headed to her class. Kapil entwined his fingers and hopped in joy. Arnav frowned, seeing that.

Arnav silently watched Khushi. She smiled at him and went to the class. Arnav followed her.

"Khushi, the Physical instructor, wants to meet us."

Khushi nodded. She kept her bag in her place.

"Preeto, I'm going..."

"Ok," Preeto said.

Khushi saw Arnav waiting for her. She followed him. When they came to the playground, he stopped. Khushi looked here and there for the physical instructor.

"He is not here," she said.

"He will come."

"Mmm..." She looked at the pathway.

"What did our senior say?"

Khushi got stuck and looked at him.

"Whaat?"

"Our senior... what did he say?"

"He said he would be friendly with me."

"Did you accept his friendship?"

"Mmm..."

"Really?"

"Yes..."

"It seems you became the STAR of our college."

Khushi smiled mildly.

"He is one of the Dons of our college, you know."

"I don't know..."

"He is..."

"But, only one can be a Don..."

"There are many groups in our college, and each group head addresses themselves as Don," Arnav said mockingly.

Khushi smiled.

"Khushi, how long do you know me?"

"Mmm?"

"I met you at the State meet for the first time, but it feels like I had seen you before. Did we meet before the State meet?" Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded yes.

"Where?" Arnav became curious.

"Do you remember Ashok? You admitted him to the hospital."

"Yeah, I do... where you there in the hospital?"

"I came to the hospital with his parents. I was the one who brought them."

"How do you know I took him to the MH hospital?"

"I saw you taking Ashok in the auto. I heard you telling the auto driver."

"Do you know me before that?"

"No... that was the first time I saw you."

"Yeah... I, too, can remember... you were there..."

"Could you remember?"

"Not completely... but yes..."

"Ashok's parents feared to come to the reputed hospital like MH... That's why they requested me to guide them. You know what... till then, I thought no rich guy would have a kind heart. You changed my perspective..." Khushi smiled.

"Means?"

"Your school students are rich guys. Accept it or not, they show too much of attitude..." Khushi bit her tongue.

"I accept it", Arnav smiled.

"For the first time, I saw someone showing care for a poor boy..., and that amazed me. You are a nice person," Khushi said.

"That means you know me..."

She nodded yes.

"Why didn't you tell me that before?"

"I just didn't get a chance..."

"If you know my helping nature, why didn't you accept my help when I was willing to help you?"

"I know you are kind. That's why I accepted your sponsor."

"Mmm... I see... you know what, Khushi? My coat was drenched with Ashok's blood. I kept it near the dustbin. After a while, I went to the hospital but didn't find my coat there. I don't know how I took it from there."

Arnav said, making a serious face and observing Khushi's reaction. As he expected, she became nervous. She folded her lip and looked somewhere.

"As you were there, did you see anyone talking my coat, Khushi?"

"Haann?" She nodded no hurriedly.

"Oh..." Arnav nodded his head slightly.

"I... didn't see your coat..." She said stammering.

"You said you are obsessed with our school uniform coat. That's why I thought you might have seen it there."

She nodded NO, looking down.

"Ok, leave it..."

"I think the Physical instructor won't come soon. Shall we go to the class?" Khushi asked.

"I, too, think the same. Let's go. We will come later..." Arnav said and headed to their classroom. Khushi walked with him.

Arnav became thoughtful. He could not determine whether Khushi had respect or something else in her heart for him.

They came close to their classroom.

"Khushi..." Arnav called her.

"I think we should have an agreement."

"What agreement?"

"You should continue the contract with our company forever."

"What kind of agreement is this?"

"However, you will win the National meet. That's why."

"We will think about it after I win the National meet..."

"You will..."

"What about you? Why don't you talk about your sports career?"

"It's because no one is bothering about it."

"Why are you saying so?"

"Then what? Do you ever appreciate me like I do?" he asked sadly.

Khushi didn't know what to say.

"You are lucky... you have parents, Preeto and me to encourage... unlike me."

"I'm sorry, Arnavji, I know how important it's for a sportsman. I missed encouraging you... I'm sorry."

"I don't need your sorry..." Arnav said in a low tone.

"Arnavji, I'm sorry..."

"I said I don't want your sorry but an assurance."

"What assurance?"

"Assure me you will also encourage me... FOREVER..."

Khushi was stuck. Forever? What did it mean? Why did he always talk like this?

"Won't you assure me?"

Taking a deep breath,

"I will encourage you..."

"Forever?"

Khushi gulped down.

"Tell me Khushi"

"Mmm... Forever..." She said, and she saw Arnav's face brighten.

To be continued...