SHE'S ONE OF US- CHAPTER 08

The Lunch !!

That was a Sunday .To share her happiness and to reciprocate her affection. Shree and family invited Sai for lunch. Her mom  made  the lunch. Shree and Akhila helped  her. Everything was ready. The whole family was waiting for Sai. Shree was very eager for his arrival. Her eyes were on the entrance door . She was expecting him so much. She heard the sound of his bike. She rushed outside to welcome him. Great disappointment and that was not Sai.  It was a strange young man who came to ask about an address which he was searching for.  The young man just  didn't expect a beautiful girl in that house. He was stunned and fixed his gaze on Shree.
Shree didn't like that guy. He kept looking Shree and showed a piece of paper and asked "May I know where is this address?". When he asked,  Shree looked at the paper,  But the guy was observing her. When Shree looked at him, he stepped one step back and whispered to himself "Phew.. What an eyes" . Shree heard those words and was shocked and exploded "W..ha.t???". He bewildered and said  "Nothing". Shree stared at him and in a harsh way "I don't know the address. Please ask the person next door". The guy didn't hear Shree and he was smiling at her. Shree waived her hands in front of his face and shouted "Heloo... Here is your paper. Take it.." and went inside annoyed whispering "Nonsense". The guy left the place. 

It was already half an hour late for the lunch. Shree couldn't wait because she was hungry. She kept both her hands on either of her cheeks and closed her eyes. After a few minutes, A hand pulled her hands over her cheeks. She opened her eyes. Sai was smiling in front of her. Though she was happy, she pretended as  if she was angry at him.  But she couldn't resist asking why he was late and also said that she didn't hear his bike. Sai replied "My Bike got some minor problems
and I left  it in a mechanic shop and came in bicycle and that was the reason for coming me late". She said "Oh !Okay! Come lets have the lunch". The tasty lunch was offered by Shree's Mom and the whole family was having the lunch. Sai ate little and he was very slow as he had a  heavy breakfast. Shree's mom asked him whether he liked the lunch. Before Sai opened his mouth to answer, Shree answered "How he likes vegetarian food being a non-vegetarian". Sai was silent, finished the lunch and washed his hands. Akhila said Sai "Excuse me please. I want to meet a friend and I'll come after an hour". Sai said "You want me to drop you". Akhila said "Fine if you drop me in the bus stop". Sai dropped Akhila and came back. Shree and Sai was sitting in the room facing each other smiling.  Shree asked about the lunch. He said it was good and said "I don't eat non- vegetarian till you finish your under graduation though it is my favorite". 
Sai thought not to tell this to Shree. But something made him tell this to her. She was puzzled. Sai added "When you were struggling for the seat , I don't know what to do. I went to the temple to pray for you and  I heard some words from an old lady saying that, if we sacrifice what we like we would get  what we wish and that made him to decide this". That was an unexpected answer from Sai. Shree felt very bad that she mocked at him while having lunch. 
Her lips asked "Sorry", But her mind was thinking something else. Sai said "Do not ponder.It's nothing"  and added "What your friends commented  on  your bag" .  Shree was excited and said "Everybody said the bag suits me very much  and it was too good and Mona conveyed her regards to you and she said she will come one day to meet you".  Sai smiled and said "Oh ya . It's long time we met. Okay let me know when she comes". Shree nodded her head.  Shree said "I shall keep this bag safe and For all three years , I won't change my bag. This bag is so close to my heart " and hugged the bag. Sai smiled and saw a paper on the table. Sai took it and read it.  It was a flim song written in pencil by Shree. Sai asked "What is this for?". Shree said "I'll tell you tomorrow". Sai said  "I can guess but it is always interesting when I hear from you. Okay See you tomorrow". Shree said "Okay. Bye". Sai said to Mom "Amma ! Bye". Mom said "See you tomorrow".

Shree's Song for Shiba!

The Next day Shree was humming a song. She started to the college and on the way she continued her humming. In the college ,Prayer was over . Everyone went to the class .The lab assistant came to the class and informed everyone to assemble in the physics lab after 10 minutes. It was a departmental activity  conducted once in a month in the physics department. It is an oppurtunity for the students to exibit their talents like singing ,dancing ..so and so.
Shree kept silent. Priya and Shiba were good at singing. Shiba murmured to Priya "Yesterday ,I saw Shree giving her name to the lecturer for singing. Ask her what she going to sing". Priya said "Shiba. Why not you ask her?". Shiba said "I can't talk and praise her as you do .Infact I even don't like you praising or appreciating her". Priya blinked and asked "Why? She is good Shiba". Shiba said "No Priya. What you think about Shree is totally wrong. She has lot of pride that she is beautiful and  She acting too smart and thinks too much of herself as she got very high marks in 12th standard". Priya raised her eyebrows and shook her shoulders lethargically 
and said "I don't think so". Shiba challenged Priya that she will soon get to know Shree's original character.  But Shiba couldn't control asking Shree about the song.
She asked "Shree , What is the song you going to sing? ". Shree said "Shiba, You can hear the song when I sing, I won't tell you". Priya chuckled. Shiba starred  at Priya and whispered "Look how she is answering. She is full of head weight". Shiba stressed again to Shree "I am asking this because , me and Priya have prepared a song which we are going to sing together and I am very  concerned that the same song should not be repeated". Shree said "That's fine if the song is repeated" and  turned to Mona. Shiba's eye balls came out of anger. Priya giggled. Shree realized Shiba was upset and she turned to Shiba and said "You need to know the song? . Right! I won't tell you but will sing you" and added "Come near me, I can't sing loud in the class". Shiba with excitement "okay okay.." . Priya and Shiba came near Shree. Shree laughed inside. Shree pitied Shiba as she decided to tease her. Mona understood Shree and was eagerly waiting what is going  to happen. Shiba said Shree "Girl .Come on sing". 
Shree cleared her throat, and started shouting in a harsh voice "Oh Lord !Oh Lord !oh Lord....". Priya closed her ears and ran outside. Mona started laughing loudly.  Shiba stepped one step back and said "Stop it". The whole class was puzzled. Shiba was annoyed and said "It's my mistake that I asked you to sing". Shree controlled her laughter and with an innocent face "Why are you hurting me. Is my voice not good?". Shiba was very angry and said "Stop pretending, After hearing your voice, Priya disappeared. We need to search where she is". Mona laughed and said "It's time to go. Come lets go". Shree said Shiba "I was just kidding" and grabbed  Shiba's hands. Shiba starred at Shree and said "Take your hands off from me". Shree smiled "Okay , No issues" and grabbed Mona's hand. They all went to the lab. 
Students from  first ,second and third year sat in row wise. Shiba was nervous. Shiba saw Shree sitting casualy talking and laughing. Shiba whispered to Priya " She shouted like a donkey, Look her ! She is sitting with full confidence". Priya said "Leave that. Come lets discuss our song". The programme started. They called Shiba and Priya to perform first. Both went and started singing. Shiba in between noticed Shree's response and reaction for their singing. Shree raised her eyebrows and shook her body and head. Priya smiled. The song was over and everyone gave a loud applause. Shree got ready , But the next person to perform was a second year girl .That was a dance performance. Dance was over. The next one was Shree. Mona and Priya applauded when she went and stood infront. Shiba starred at Priya and said "Stop clapping. Let  her sing first". Shiba closed her ears with her index finger, but Priya and Mona were eagerly waiting and watching Shree. Shree cleared her throat and smiled at Shiba. Shree started singing. Shiba slowly took her hands off from ears and was astounded by her voice. Priya and Mona started applauding when she sang. Everyone followed the applause. The song was over with a great applause. Shree's eyes were on Shiba. Shiba sat silent. The programme ended. Priya came jumping to Shree "Do you mind if i kiss you". Shree twinkled "Not at all". Priya kissed her and said "You are awesome".
It was an unexpected sweet shock. Mona said Shree "It was  honey passing through all  our ears". Shree exclaimed "Oh ! Thanks Mona". The third year and second year students personally came and appreciated Shree. Though she got lot of appreciation, Shree expected a credit  from Shiba.  Shiba in a hesitation came near Shree and said "You sing very well, But why did you shout like a donkey". Shree smiled and said "I was playing with you. You know I like  to play and make fun with some people. you were the one among them. By the By ,You and Priya sing very well too". Shiba with the pretending smile saw Priya and whispered "Am I a toy to play with Stupid!".  Shree smiled.  Priya said Shiba "She is friendly and funny .I think she likes you so much. People always like to talk , laugh and tease the people whom they like so much". Shiba with a blank look said "Oh is it? Bull Shit!". Everyone went to the class. After College, She reached home.
She was waiting for Sai, but he didn't arrive that day. Some tension about the college conquered her mind from that night. First semesters exams were arriving soon. Second semester fees would be collected in the college before her exams. Her mind was not free. She couldn't sleep. 



Shree carried a Burning Coal!

Next morning , Shree started to the college. That was a sunny day. Shree was restless and was roaming inside the college campus during her breaks. She couldn't concentrate on her classes. She was sweating from her forehead. Her heart started pumping at a high speed. She went to the office and kept on asking whether she had received any courier. The office person was little annoyed as Shree  was asking the same question multiple times. The same pair of eyes  were watching her closely. The confusion and tension continued. She couldn't eat and sleep. Sai didn't arrive the next day too. . Next day in the college ,she repeated the same. The office person was little more harsh to her. However the answer for her question is "NO". She was still upset and confused for the answer. She didn't worry about the behavior of the office person as she had a better thing to worry. She noticed her name on the notice board. She got upset and went to class. She was called by the principal for the reason for not paying the fees. Again she was waiting outside the principal's room with a heavy heart. Now the reason was that she was waiting  for a cheque from her sponsor. She went inside principal's room and  explained the situation  to the principal .The principal was half convinced and gave her two days time to pay the fees. She came out with the sad face. On the way to the class , Maha ,the Student's president called Shree. She came near her depressed. Maha laughed and said "It is really happy to see  your unhappy face". Shree felt already down. She couldn't tolerate the words. Maha added salt in her wound. Shree stood silent. There are three more girls with Maha. One of the girl said "Maha. You told a  girl who insulted you. Is she ?". Maha said teasingly "Yes, The beauty of this college". and added starring at Shree "I was closely watching you two days and I know what you are waiting for. I got all
the information from office". Shree raised her eyebrows and looked her. Maha said "What ? Don't look like that , I am scared".  Shree said in a polite tone "So what you need now". Maha said "Shree. That'your name right. Don't make fun. I don't need anything. I heard from office that you are  the needy" and laughed. The other three girls laughed loud with Maha. Shree starred at Maha with eyes overflowing  and didn't talk a word back. Maha added in a harsh tone  "Being a poor you should not talk much" and tapped her fingers and said "Got it ?". Shree was depressed and was sick at heart. A Lecturer came that way. Maha and the girls were dispersed.  Shree came with the heavy heart and decided not to tell anyone about this. In the class, Shree couldn't stop thinking about the incident. Her eyes couldn't stop  producing tears. 

The lecturer instructed everyone to prepare for the semester exams and left the class. Mona called Shree. Shree stood silent. Mona said "Shree  I am talking to you" .  Shree said Mona "You prepare alone for the exams. Leave me alone and i will join you after sometime". Shiba thought Shree was  abnormal. Shiba asked Mona "What is wrong with Shree. I never seen her like this". Mona said "No idea. She said to leave her alone. After some time she will join me".
Shiba's eyes were on Shree . Suddenly something made Shiba shocked. Without Shree's knowledge tears streamed down her face. Shiba couldn't watch Shree weeping.  Shiba said Priya "Look !Shree is crying".  Both of them rushed near Shree and asked why she was crying. Mona too came near Shree. Shree choked and couldn't talk. Shiba asked  Priya to get water for Shree. Priya took her water bottle and gave her. Shree had a gulp and felt little better. Shiba asked "Now tell , what happened ?". Shree wiped her tears and explained in a trembled tone about the cheque. Shiba hugged Shree from her side "Don't worry Dear. We are all there for you. You will receive the cheque soon. Don't cry!". Priya was gratified that Shiba  understood Shree. Two days passed. Still not received the cheque. Shree was sitting in the class with the cheerless face. Mona said "Don't worry Dear. The Courier will reach you soon". She heard the news from the office that they had received the cheque. She jumped off the seat and ran to the office with an anxiety and did all the procedures and paid the fees and came back to the class room. She felt that she was carrying a burning coal in her hand when she waited for the cheque .The cheque made that fire off. But, she couldn't feel the happiness completely. She feared that it was only the second semester and there were still four upcoming semesters. Shiba and Priya were happy that Shree got her cheque. Sai arrived that evening. He said mom "I was busy with work and I am going out of station. I will come on Sunday" and bade bye to her .Shree didn't meet Sai, as she was busy in her tuition.

The Next day , Shree  came to the college brimming with confidence . She decided to give back the words which she got before. In the break , Shree said Mona , " I have work in other department ,I will go and come in another ten minutes" . Mona puzzled and said "Can i come too?" Shree said "No. I'll come soon" and left the class. She went to the third  year BBA class. It was noisy.  In a loud voice Shree said "Physics HOD wants Maha to meet her". Maha saw Shree and came sarcastically starring. Maha said "Pardon! Who called me?". Shree smiled and said "HOD of my department". Maha asked "Why?".  Shree said "How do I know?".  Maha said "Still you haven't changed .Talking much Hmmm". Shree had no expression on her face. Maha and Shree headed to the department. On the way, Shree halted and started , "Yes! I am needy and poor whatever. Do you think I don't know about you??. I know about you more than you know about me". Maha said "What you know ?". Shree added "Do not interfere when I talk.".  Maha was  disgracefully stunned and shouted  "Heloo..". Shree said "I said don't talk in between and let me finish" and continued "You are from a middle class family.  Your father is an employee in  a garment factory. You are from a different town. He sends money for your college fees and  hostel fees. Your overall percentage till last semester is 52 Pct. Don't act as if you know everything and other person know nothing if they remain silent".  Maha was about to tell something. Shree said "Stop ! I am not done". You know who I am "I am from a rich family and in between we lost all our properties.  I studied in  a great school in my town. When I was  unable to afford the school fees, The principal  of my school helped me with scholarship. I studied there till my tenth standard. I came here and finished my higher secondary and scored high marks". Now I got a sponsor for my education. I deserve this sponsorship not only because I am a needy.  It is because of my mark and talent too. Can you able to get a sponsor with your marks ? .You can't . So think before you talk . And now I tell you,  Money won't decide who you are . It is your attitude and talent decide who you are. We can make money anytime anywhere . Understand ! Now tell ,  who is the needy?" . Maha didn't expect this . Shree added "Go and tell this to all three tails of you" and left the place. Maha angrily shouted "What about meeting HOD?". Shree turned and smiled "If you are really interested to meet her. You could meet her with no reason". Maha shouted "Hey One minute , Who told you these details?".  Shree smiled and said teasingly  "The God" and headed towards her class. Maha stamped one of her feet  and  with heart full of anger went to her class. 

And Now I hear you saying  "Chella, What is the Suspense this time? ". Here comes the gist ,
There awaiting a slight headache in her tuition which is going to reveal her dignity and a big thunder awaiting to strike  her life...will Shree overcome that???
You wanna know ?... Wait till Next Friday :)