“Ratna! What are you doing here?” Her face fell. Only then I realised how stupid my question was.

“Don’t be so rude. She came here for your help.” My mother’s authoritative voice commanded from downstairs. I mentally smacked my head. “Come in!” I moved aside, opening the door wider. She entered reluctantly, examining my room carefully. “It has not changed much.” She whispered and I remembered our childhood, when we used to play together. I smiled and sat on my bed, signalling her to have a seat too. She looked around.

{Oops! No other seat for her.} I pointed at the empty space beside me, but she looked reluctant. “umm … can we go to the nearby park?” She suggested nervously.

“Ok! I will be ready in 2 mins.” I walked towards my wardrobe and she left my room in hurry, with red cheeks. {Why is she blushing?} I laughed and changed into casuals.

“Shall we leave?” I asked, as soon as I spotted her in the hall. She got up and waved a ‘bye’ to my mom, whose glassy eyes started shuttling between our faces. I shrugged. {I have now become used to her weird behaviour, that doesn’t make sense to me.} 

The walk to the park was silent. We found a comfortable seat at one cool corner under a tree. “Is something bothering you?” I asked, once we settled. She handed me a sheet. It was her rank sheet, the results of her entrance exam were out. “Good job!” I grinned at her. Her rank was pretty good.

“You think so?” She asked shyly.

“Yes! You will get admission in any college you like, with this rank.” She blushed again. But her expressions changed soon. “But I did not get the seat that I wanted.” She looked disappointed. 

“What happened?” Now I was getting worried.

“The first round of counselling is done and unfortunately I could not get admission in the course and I college I aspired for.” She looked up with tear filled eyes. I put my arm around her shoulder. She started sobbing on my shoulder. “I have worked so hard for it. Now it has all gone a waste. Why is this happening to me? Why don’t I ever get what I want? Is my luck so horrible? Or don’t I deserve them?”

There a sudden constricting feeling in my chest. {Why am I taking this too personally? … No Krishna. you are thinking too much. It has got nothing to do with you.} I rubbed her back slowly.

After a while, the intensity of her sobs reduced. “Don’t cry Ratna. This is not the end. You have further rounds of seat allotment and counselling too. You will definitely get what you want. Just have hopes.”

She raised her head from my wet shoulder and stared into my eyes with her dark round glassy eyes. “So … should I wait or should I accept the seat that I have got?”

“Hmm … I think it is better for you to wait. Don’t lose hopes. Keep trying till the end. You will definitely get what you deserve. I am pretty sure; your dream profession is waiting for your services.” I winked and her face instantly brightened.

“Thank you!” She smiled. I smiled back. 

“Umm … Krishna…” She started playing with her dupatta.

“Hmm?” 

“Can I ask you for a favour?”

I looked at her questioningly.

“Can you please stay with me until I get the seat allotted? I need your support.” She almost whispered, with red cheeks and eyes drooped downwards. I laughed at her bashfulness.

“Sure!”

I picked my phone and called my friends to inform them that I wouldn’t be able to go on outing with them.

“No … no … please don’t do that … I didn't know about your plans … umm … you should go and enjoy …” She looked terrified.

“Shh …” I placed my finger on her soft pink lips.

“Your happiness is more important to me. Outing can wait. But your career wont.” I got up to leave, as it was getting dark. She silently followed me. We parted at the gate and as soon as I entered home, mom bombarded me with questions. I briefed her about what happened in the park and she immediately crushed me with a hug.

{Why is she so excited? … Oh I forgot. She is always this hyper!} I reached my room and unpacked. After dinner, I watched a movie and went to sleep, reminiscing the events of the day.

A few days later, I was casually going through some books, when I heard commotion downstairs. I rushed down, to be tackled by a hug. As the person pulled apart, my eyes widened in surprise. It was Ratna! She hugged me! {After all that happened between us, it is unexpected right?} Her face was glowing like a summer sun. “Thank you … Thank you … Thank you …” She was chanting with tear filled eyes. I frowned.

“She got admission in the course she wanted. Now our Ratna is going to be a doctor!” My father side hugged her, with pride. Her parents too were glowing with pride.

“Thank you, for being with me and helping me."

I flashed a smile at her. “Congrats!”
{These vacations were eventful.}

***************************

You people still hate him?