Part 8 College

Arnav did not regret not winning the media category at the national meet. Still, he regretted that Khushi didn't participate in the meet because he believed that Khushi would definitely win a medal. Her absence disappointed him.

On the other side,

Preeto saw Khushi sitting under a tree, holding a book in her hand. She supposed she should be studying for their next revision exam. She came to Khushi and touched her shoulder. Khushi looked at her and then again at the book. Preeto was shocked because Khushi was crying and holding the book.

"Khushi..."

Khushi bit her lip to control her sob.

"Khushi, are you crying?" Preeto sat next to her.

In no time, Khushi hugged Preeto and cried.

"Khushi, what's this? Why are you crying?"

"It's the National meet today. Do you know how hard it is to win a medal in the state meet? It's hell tough, but I did it with bare feet. I'm unlucky and did not participate in the national meet." She choked.

"This is not done, Khushi. That rich boy wanted to help you, but you avoided him. If you had accepted his help, you would have participated in today's National meet. You denied him then and crying now."

Khushi was silent. Preeto was not wrong. She had reasons to avoid Arnav, but she regretted it every day after doing that.

Khushi sat straight.

"You know, Preeto, getting spikes was my dream. I never thought it would come true, but it came true..."

"Yet, you missed it," Preeto said disappointedly.

Khushi wiped her face and stood up. Preeto looked at her perplexed.

"Leave it, Preeto. The National meet is over. There is no use of talking about it anymore," she said, perplexing Preeto.

Two days later

Preeto was heading to the school. She saw Ashok hiding behind a tree and looking at the school's main gate. She saw a rich guy waiting there. She doubted he should be Arnav. It was not hard for her to understand for whom he was waiting. She went to Ashok and tapped his shoulder. He looked at her jerking and huffed in relief, seeing Preeto.

"Why are you hiding here?"

"Shhh...Look at there..." he pointed at Arnav.

"I am getting smashed between him and Khushi didi."

Preeto looked at Arnav, controlling her smile.

"Khushi didi is not ready to meet him, and he is not ready to leave her. Both are kicking me here and there like a football," he said wearily.

"Don't worry. I will handle him. Come with me."

"Really? Thank God... Let's go," he came out.

"Be casual..." Preeto instructed.

Ashok straightened himself and walked slightly, hopping.

"Don't overreact..." Preeto tapped his head.

Ashok grinned and walked politely. Arnav saw him and beckoned him. Ashok nagged Preeto and showed her Arnav. Preeto walked to Arnav with Ashok.

"Where is Khushi?" Arnav asked Ashok.

Before Ashok answered to him, Preeto asked,

"Who are you? Why are you asking about Khushi?"

Without answering her, Arnav looked at Ashok.

"He is Arnav bhaiya. He is the one who admitted me to the hospital when I met with an accident. He wanted to help Khushi Didi."

"Oh... Is that you?"

Arnav nodded.

"Nice to meet you."

"Why didn't Khushi participate in the National meet? I expected her in Bangalore."

"She was unable to attend the meet."

"But why? Didn't you say she got a sponsor?" He asked Ashok.

"Yes, someone was ready to sponsor her, but her bad luck, he passed away..." Preeto lied.

"Whaaaat?" He was shocked.

Preeto nodded yes.

"She was fed up. You know how much she cried?"

"I gave her my number... I think she missed it," Arnav said.

"However, she missed the chance. There is nothing to talk about. I appreciate your concern," Preeto said.

Arnav removed his card.

"This is my card. You can call me if Khushi needs any help."

"Sure... Thank you," she said, taking the card from him and walking around.

Arnav felt bad for Khushi because he believed the story told by Preeto.

Preeto came to Khushi and gave Arnav's card to her.

"Arnav came and inquired about you. Poor, he felt bad for not seeing you in the National meet."

As usual, Khushi tore the card. Preeto didn't react to it because she already noted Arnav's number.

"As of now, I have nothing in my mind other than our exams."

"Oh... That's why you are still practising every morning?" Preeto asked seriously.

Khushi glared at her.

"Your father told me when I went to his shop..."

"I just don't want to leave the touch."

"Mmm," Preeto smiled.

Everyone started concentrating on their exams. The exams were over. Students waited for their results, whereas Khushi continued her practices because she wanted to become comfortable with spikes, and she did it.

The exam results were declared. Khushi passed with distinction and applied for three courses in the government college.

That was when her PET master came to her house. Khushi welcomed him. Shashi and Garima greeted him joining their hands.

"Congratulations Khushi"

"Thank you, sir."

"Did you apply for graduation?"

"Yes, sir... I applied for three courses in the government college."

"What about your sports passion?"

Khushi looked at him.

"Are you going to quit sports?"

Khushi nodded no hurriedly.

"Then join in the college in which you have opportunities."

"Which college, sir?" Shashi asked.

"St. John's College gives preference and lifts sports personalities with pride. The principal of St. John's College feels proud to have sports talents in his college. Khushi will easily get a free seat in the college. She can eat anything in the college canteen because the college will provide free tokens for sports personalities. She will get sponsored too..."

Shashi looked at Khushi with hope, who looked overwhelmed.

"I want you to join in the college, Khushi."

"As you say, sir," Shashi said.

"Apply online... Mention you are a state gold medalist."

Khushi nodded.

"All the best"

"Thank you, sir."

"Don't delay. Do it today itself."

"Ok, sir"

The PET master took their leave.

Garima saw Khushi thinking deeply.

"What are you thinking?"

"St. John's College is one of the reputed colleges in Delhi. I could manage with my old clothes, but my clothes are not so good for St. John's College," she said sadly.

Garima thought for a while. Then she went inside and came with a few sarees. She kept them in front of Khushi, and Khushi dropped her jaw.

"Do you want me to drape sarees to the college?"

Garima nodded no.

"I will stitch them modernly."

Khushi bit her nail, gulping down. She knew Garima would stitch well but didn't believe it would be up to St. John's standard. However, she had no choice other than to wear those dresses. She could not afford new clothes. She made up herself, but when Garima stitched them, Khushi kissed her cheek with a tight hug. They looked awesome. She selected a full-colour gown for the first day of college. Yes, Khushi got a free seat in St. John's College, as her PET master said.

Khushi took blessings from her parents and got ready for college. Preeto waited for her, who got a St. John's College payment seat. She joined there only for Khushi, which made her glad and relieved.

They reached the college and went to their class, following the sign boards. They came to the B.Com class.

Khushi's facial expression changed, and she saw Arnav sitting in her class, smiling at her.

To be continued...