Heart wrenching adoration Part-24

I had a bit of pre-match pep- talk with my team, dishing out some last moment techniques. They heard with rapt attention without speaking and all too soon I found myself leading  my team on the ground. I looked up at the stands and found my friends waving back at me excitedly. I smiled and reached where our sports teacher, now stood-being the umpire.

I shook hands with D.P.S. Rkpuram’s captain and then did the toss. Our rivals won the toss and chose to bat. 

The match was a highly intriguing one and I found that Ranveer was almost right. Our rivals were surely one heck of a cricket team. 

The entire audience ‘Oohed’ and ‘Aaahed’ in unison as the high-voltage match unfolded with some really tricky and game-turning spots, but eventually we won with 2 runs and 3 wickets.

A great roar sounded from the stands as soon as we won and the next moment my entire team entangled in a bone-crushing hug. More students came pouring on the ground and we were hoisted up on the many shoulders, and were taken towards the stands amidst massive cheering and applauds.

I saw khushi standing between Payal and Akash, grinning hugely and I rose the stump that I was holding, smiling just as enthusiastically. 

Then, I looked over and spotted Ranveer in the depths of the stadium, standing with his team mates and scowling up at me and I couldn’t resist  waving  and winking at him tauntingly , knowing fully well he’ll see.

He growled something unintelligible-no wonder some of the choicest swear words,  throwing the bottle he was clutching in his hand and stormed off, followed by his team members, leaving me exultant and gratified in his wake.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The euphoria of winning the Semi-finals gripped the school perceptibly and was almost palpable. Kendriya Vidyalaya  defeated the St.Xaviers in the second semi-finals so the finals were unequivocally slated between us and the latter.

 I concentrated entirely on the upcoming match, knowing fully well that it was not just some cricket tournament any more, but sort of a personal tussle between me and Ranveer.

I got hell lot of time to practice too as even the strictest teachers let me off the hook. After all, C.B.S.E Cricket Tournament was quite a big event. But, the win  in the semi-finals or the awesome performance of my team on the field was not the dominant reason of my continued euphoria, it was Khushi.

Me and khushi became more closer then I had any dream or hope for and now I was pretty sure that she did feel something for me for sure, only that she didn’t realise it.

 Though that part can be happily helped. I was all-too-ready to help it. I was simply blissed out on monopolizing her attention even though we spent lesser time together owing to my studies and practice sessions, but still I was satisfied.

In some remote part of my head, I still contemplated on letting her in on the secret of my horrid past as I grew more implicitly confident of her, but it seemed my choice was made. 

One evening as I searched for her in the school grounds, since she had not turned up to watch me play as she usually did, I found her engaged in a heated discussion with Ranveer. Curious, I inched nearer and what I heard literally made my ear stand at the end and me seeing red.

“Khushi, he’s not worth you! You don’t know him. His entire family is opportunist! They keep on looking for richer lot to lure them in. To...”Ranveer babbled.

“THAT’S ENOUGH! Its you who doesn’t know him...doesn’t see him for what he is! He is one of the most decent, helpful and virtuous guy I have ever met!” Khushi cut him off, acidly, glaring at him. Angry as I was, I still felt my heart soar joyously as I heard her appreciate me.

“Decent, helpful and virtuous, is he? Did he even tell you that his maternal parents were thoroughly middle class, before his mother met my Rajdheer uncle and trapped him, because he belonged to a rich and influential family? Do you know he hated  his own father, until a year back when his elder sister turned 21 and inherited her share of property that my uncle had left for her? Really funny how feelings change once money is involved, isn’t it?” Ranveer’s clipped voice was dripping with sarcasm, and I blanched hearing it, even though it was the truth, or at least some part of it.

“Oh shut up! Just shut up, you lying squirt! How low can you stoop? You claim to belong to a very respectable and influential family, don’t you? So, does your decency or your societal status teaches you to slander and ridicule someone’s family? Does that give you the right to gibber about  anything about anyone? You simply disgust me! Ugh! Why am I even talking to a person like you? Just get lost from here and if you know what’s good for you, then don’t you dare try to talk to me ever again!” Khushi yelled.

“Fine! If you are so intent on tagging along with the filth, then I haven’t got problem. Just remember, I warned you once he shows his true colour!” Ranveer snarled. Oh how I wished to thrash him to a bloody pulp.

Ranveer turned about and stomped off, leaving a very angry khushi in his wake. I silently came out from my hiding in the darkness and went towards khushi, who on hearing my approach turned around.

“Arnav! When did you come?” She squealed, looking alarmed. She glanced furtively towards where Ranveer had disappeared and I realized with a jolt that she expected me to fly into fury again.

“Don’t worry! I won’t get angry!” I tried to keep my voice light, though my stomach churned churlishly. Khushi’s eyes widened.

“Oh Arnav! That was so bad of him to say that! You know, I didn’t believe a word he said. I know your family is not like that. I know he was just gibbering around, trying to delude me, I think. But you know I trust you and...” She gushed hysterically.

“Shh! I know you didn’t believe him khushi, but...part of what he said is true!” I whispered, smiling sadly and she stopped.

Khushi gazed up at me in shock and disbelief as my words sank in!