Part 9 Classmates

Khushi was shocked to see Arnav in her class, smiling at her. There was no surprise in his face to see her. He smiled, seeing Khushi's expression. She widened her eyes and blinked them, tilting her face.

"Hi, Champion..." he smiled.

All the students looked at her, making her embarrassed. She smiled awkwardly.

Only two of his friends were there with him. She didn't know their names.

She searched for a place for her and Preeto. She found the third bench empty. She walked with Preeto and sat on the bench. Preeto leaned towards Khushi and asked,

"Khushi, you denied taking his help because no one should think of you wrong. Now, he is in our class. How will you avoid him?"

Khushi looked at her, gulping down. She, too, didn't know how Arnav ended up in her class. She wanted to avail the privileges given by the college. So, she joined in that college. But wasn't he a RICH guy? Then why did he get admission to this college? She bit her nail. She pulled her hand down when she saw Arnav smiling at her. She was on the third bench in the left row. Arnav was on the second bench in the centre row.

Khushi looked down when Arnav came to her.

"Hi...we became classmates now" he extended his hand towards her.

Khushi hesitatingly clutched his hand, and Arnav shook hands with her. Khushi felt like all the eyes were on them. His friends came to them.

"Hi..." Arnav smiled at Preeto.

"Hi, how are you?" She asked.

"Yeah, good..."

He looked at Khushi and said,

"He is Aman, and he is Nandkishor... my friends..."

Khushi smiled.

"We knew you... We were there at the state meet," Nandkishore said.

"But we don't know you," Aman said, looking at Preeto.

"It's because I'm not an Athlete," Preeto said.

"How is your Practice going, Khushi?" Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded her head.

"Are you practising or not?"

"Practising..."

"Good... we are going to run together from here on..."

Khushi widened her eyes.

"For our college..."

She shook her head slowly.

He removed something from his pocket and gave it to her. It was a card. Khushi looked at the card. RISE and SHINE were written on it.

"What's this?"

"It's an Athletic Coaching centre. I already joined. I told the coach about you. He asked me to bring you there. You too join there..."

Khushi nodded no hurriedly.

"No... I will practice on my own"

"Then you can't improve yourself..."

"No... it's enough..."

"It's not enough... you will learn techniques. They will improve your stamina according to your metabolism. They will teach what to do and don't."

"My father will not allow me..." She said in a low tone.

Arnav sighed. He sat on the first bench, facing her.

"Listen... you are a talented Athlete. You can achieve a lot if you are trained."

Khushi felt it awkward. She didn't know how to deny Arnav. She did that quickly through others but could not talk cut and right when he was in front of her. Their professor came for her help. Seeing him, Arnav went to his place.

Short Break

Khushi left the class before Arnav came to her, dragging Preeto with her.

"Khushi, why are you dragging me like this?"

"I'm hungry... let's go to the canteen," Khushi said, walking towards the canteen.

Preeto followed her, controlling her smile. Didn't she know why Khushi did that? But to Khushi's disappointment, Arnav came to the canteen with his gang. Khushi was perplexed, and Preeto controlled her smile.

Arnav brought his friends to Khushi.

"Khushi, this is Lavanya..."

Khushi smiled.

"Hi..." Lavanya smiled.

"This is Sheetal, Payal, and Akash"

Khushi smiled at them.

"We are from the BBA group."

Khushi nodded, smiling.

"You know what, Khushi? We all decided to be in the BBA group... especially Arnav because he will join his father's business, but he chose B.com," NK said.

"Yeah, as he chose BBA, Aman and NK joined him," Lavanya said.

Khushi looked at Arnav like, WHY?

Arnav smiled at her, which confused her.

"I think she is RETICENT..." Sheetal smiled.

She intentionally used the RARE word in her conversation. So Khushi could not understand that as she studied in a Government School. Sheetal expected her to ask them the meaning, but before she did that,

"Yeah, she speaks less..." Arnav said.

Khushi understood that RETICENT was a one-word substitution for ONE WHO SPEAKES LESS.

"Let's eat something..." Lavanya said.

"Such a Glutton she is..." Sheetal again did that.

"Ok, guys... go to your department," Arnav said.

"Whaaat? Are you separating us from you?" Lavanya asked, pouting.

"Even though he doesn't do it, we are separated... understand that," Aman said.

Lavanya pouted.

"Your department are different. It doesn't mean there is a difference between you...there is a big string that connects all of you... FRIENDSHIP..." Khushi said, making Lavanya smile.

"She is right..." NK said.

"Yeah, go to your department without worries," Aman said.

Lavanya nodded ok and left.

"You are not only a talented Athlete but also a smart friend" Arnav smiled.

Khushi liked him calling her friend. Yet, she was scared to be friendly with rich guys.

"Let's go to our class..." She said to Preeto.

"Yeah, let's go to our class..." Arnav followed them.

They came to their class and sat in their respective places. That was when the physical instructor of their college came to their class.

"Arnav and Khushi..."

Both of them stood up.

"Oh... are you guys State Gold medallist?"

They nodded yes.

"What's your event?"

"Two hundred meters," Khushi said.

"Four hundred meters," Arnav said.

"Mmm... two Gold medallists in the same class... Ok, you should be on the ground starting next week."

"Ok, sir," Arnav said.

"Inter-college competition will be held in a month or two. Are you in practice or not?"

"Yes, sir..." both said.

"Get ready with your spikes."

Khushi could not help but look at Arnav, who had bought it from her, but Arnav didn't look at her. Khushi liked it.

Khushi became excited about starting her practice correctly. At the same time, she was nervous because Arnav would be with her. It was clear that she could not avoid him.

Evening

The last bell rang. Arnav came to Khushi and said,

"I will drop you home."

"No, thanks... we will go by bus."

"What harm if you come with me?"

"People will talk unnecessarily. We are simple people, unlike you. so please understand."

Clutching Preeto's hand, Khushi walked. Arnav stood looking at her.

Aman and NK tapped his shoulder.

"Isn't she overreacting?" Aman asked.

"How could we say so? We don't know about her neighbour... they may talk rubbish..."

"If it is so, I don't think she will join our gang," Aman said.

"Let's see..."

Arnav walked out of the class. Aman and NK spared a glance.

To be continued...