SHE'S ONE OF US - CHAPTER 5

                       

The God is so wise!

The senior professor said "Don't be frightened!! Promise me that you will score high marks in every semester and should not get out of the college without University First Rank". Shree nodded her head and promised , as she had no option. The professor added "So.. , You promised! Keep in your mind!".  Shree bobbed her head expressionless.
Shree too had a question to ask the professor. She asked "May I know your name Madam?". The professor smiled and replied  "I am Sai lakshmi". Shree loved the name. The Professor added "Bring a rough book and a pen tomorrow. It will take another week to receive your books. See you tomorrow and all the best". Shree too smiled and nodded her head. The professor left the place. Shree saw the professor till she passed from her sight .
Shree saw Akhila waiting under a tree. Akhila waived her hand and Shree came near . Akhila asked " How was the class?" . Shree said " The class was too good and I saw Mona in the class". Akhila was happy that Shree got a companion. Shree told Akhila to wait at the entrance till she takes her cycle. Shree proceeded to the cycle stand to get her cycle. Shree heard a  finger tapping and turned back. There Shree was dazed and scared by a tall and stout girl.
In a dominating rough voice the tall girl said "Hello ...Which class?" Shree was little nervous but still managed to answer. She answered "Physics". The tall girl added "So you will answer only to the point . Is it ? " and in a tyrannical way "Tell me which year?". Shree was annoyed by the way she spoke and said "First year..Can.I  ask one thing.Who are you ? and Why are you questioning me?". The tall girl couldn't tolerate Shree questioning her  and said teasingly "Oh ya ...you know you look beautiful . I have a brother and we are looking for a girl for him and so I 'm asking your details". Shree starred  at her and in a corrosive tone "What.....! Ex....cuse me". The girl started cursing her in the local language. Shree was clueless and added in a polite tone  "Please Stop it!  and what you actually want from me .Tell me please!" The tall girl in a bitter tone "Now you came to the point. You have parked the cycle in the wrong place. This is the place for Arts students".  She pointed her  fingers to a location and said "That is the place where you need to park ". Shree ,in a lethargic way  "Ohhhhh.. .You came to the point finally .Ok ! sister. Just Today I joined the college and I am not aware where to park. This won't happen tomorrow. Thanks for guiding me. By the By You are so kind and beautiful ". The tall girl glowered  and said "I am a third year student and you are ragging me Hmmmm.. ". Shree smiled and said  "Absolutely Not , What I said is true" The tall girl with the black look said rasped  "Hey First year Physics!!. You  are going to be here for the next three years. We'll meet".
Shree couldn't control her laughter and said with the glittering eyes "Ok sister!!.With your permission Can i leave now ". The tall girl hated Shree to the core and said "You have lot of guts to speak like this to a senior".  Shree smiled and said  "That was a compliment for you and not me ,Because I rebuked  in the same way as you did".
The tall girl starred at her as if she want to kill Shree. Shree said "ooops !! Don't look like that !! Ok ..ok Sister .Sorry If i hurted you. Bye Bye!" The tall girl in a pretended smile said "Sorry wont save you".  Shree chuckled and said "Bye!. See you tomorrow" and left the place.
Shree rode  the cycle with Akhila sitting at the back. Shree murmured "Too much of weight. I couldn't ride" . Akhila annoyed of Shree and got down from the cycle and said "I will ride. You please sit at the back". Shree said "I am saved. Thank you .Here you go" . Akhila rode the cycle and Shree blabbered something to Akhila but Akhila was concentrating on the road. Both reached home.
 Shree entered the home and stood before a framed picture and closed her eyes and started talking to it.  She said  "It is because of you I am here. I believe you always offer me the best and I will accept it, But one condition you should give the strength to face whatever you render. I also trust that you will definitely bless me with that too" She opened her eyes. It was her Raghavendra swamy smiling at her. She too smiled at him and raised her index finger and in a commanding tone "Never expect thanks from me .I wont thank you .It is your duty to save me from struggles" and sparkled her eyes at him.
Everyone in the family was happy but  sister Akhila said "I'm so happy that you got the seat but i couldn't enjoy the happiness completely because you couldn't make your dream come true". Shree smiled and said "No Akhila , I feel this in a different way. You know God is so wise. If I would have got this seat so easy, I would not be  happy and satisfied and would bethink of my engineering dream and could not perform and excel well. My mind would always reminisce the illusion which didn't happen. Shree paused for a second. Sorrow of disappointment conquered her face in a fraction of  second ,but she changed her mind the next moment and continued  " If that is the case , I will regret the rest of my life. Now my mind is clear and ready for the opportunity whatever I get and make best out of it. The God made me understand the value of what I got. I respect this seat very much and now I am in the seventh heaven.". When she said she was happy , She really meant it.  Her mind ,heart and her body was so clear and she felt very light.
There was an interruption. The tall boy, with dark complexion , with a spark in eyes and smile in his lips entered the home.  Akhila said "Hi Sai". Sai said "Hi Akhila". The Boy who helped her with the fees was none other than Sai.  He came smiling  and  glanced a second at Shree  and turned to Akhila  and said "I heard the world's naughtiest girl got the seat at last". Shree smiled and came near him and thanked him. Akhila added "It was a timely help Sai ,We won't forget this. Thank you so much" . Sai said "Oh Come on  ...What is this Akhila . Stop thanking me .I am a part of this family and its my duty to help when needed". Shree's  mother also thanked Sai and Sai said  "Amma .Don't mention it please..". Mom smiled at him and said " Now i don't have the feel that I don't have a son" . Sai smiled and said "Always .....Where is Appa ?". Mom said "He was out with some work and will come late today ". Sai nodded his head.
Akhila was happy to hear the words spoke by Sai and smiled. Akhila asked him "Tea ?" . Sai smiled and told "Dont Ask.Act !" Akhila went to prepare tea. Shree said to Akhila in a playful tone "One for me too... You know First day college made me so tired and everybody's attention was on me" .She  twinkled  and rolled her eyes " I was the center of attraction . As I attracted everyone my energy got exhausted  and I need to boost my energy now." . Akhila starred at her and said "Oh God ..Shree You can tell me in a simple way that you need Tea . I couldn't... Please..." . Sai laughed and asked Shree  "Ok start your stories and I am very eager to hear your experiences of your first day in the college. Shree smiled and said  "Me too waiting for someone to ask this question".  She talked and talked about everything, the college campus,the professor, the class ,Mona ,Mina,Shiba and Priya and friends from first bench to the last bench and finally the tall scout girl in the cycle stand and the conversation with her. Sai was more curious and said " So you got a villainess".  Shree giggled and said "No No..No She is a dummy  and Villain is a big word . She is not worth it"
Sai said nodding his head  " This is the first day.... that to half a day college , You become a Little Don" . Shree stood up and shook her shoulders and said in a rhythmic tone "Thank you ,that was a credit"  and she jump walked to the kitchen ". Sai in a loud voice  "Hey I am Kidding". Shree again in a rhythmic tone " okay....  what...ever ,Here.. is... your... tea" . She had two cups of tea in either of her hands .When Sai about to take the tea , she pulled back her hands and said  "Wait! I can see more tea in this cup ,So this is for me and the less tea is for you"..She smiled and sparkled her eyes and said "Energy ...Energy..." Sai smiled.
Shree kept her tea down and started doing actions with her hands  and said  "In the class We sit like this ...... Mona, Minu, Shree, Shiba and Priya. The class was awesome. I love it. There is a lecturer who was so serious and I need to coach her how to smile.... Hey... I forgot to tell you one thing .You know what is the name of the senior professor ?  Her name is Sai Lakshmi.and i was so happy when I heard the name".  Sai smiled at her and  watched her silently. Her eyes,her lips, her cheeks were blushing in happiness. Sai was totally impressed by her attitude.
With the heart full of happiness that evening,  Sai bade bye to everyone in home. Shree asked "Ok ok Bye but Where is the tea cup??" Sai shrinked his eyes and bite his lips and pretended as if he was annoyed . Shree said " Ahhh ! Here I found the tea cup , Now you can go" Sai went near her smiling and gave a gentle pat on her head and left the place.
It was 10 pm, After the dinner , Everybody in home was about to sleep . Shree went to her bed accepting the present and  expecting a bright future awaiting. She thanked God and  looked her bed. The same pillow which  received all her sorrows was smiling at her to share her happiness too.
She was lying down and suddenly the Professor's face appeared and reminded  the promise. Shree fixed a dream in her mind that night.  Her heart said "You shouldn't get out of the college without the  University First Rank as the professor said. She was gazing the ceiling for a long time and she don't know when she slept.
Next morning , Shree hurried for the college "Amma , It is already late ,Give me the Lunch".  Mom said "You get ready first! and it will be ready in another ten minutes". She chose a dress from the shelf . She said to the dress "You look old , but if  I wear you ,You will be pretty and look like a new one" and went to the bathroom. She came out and looked at the mirror and something missing on the face. She started shouting "Where did the Bindi packet go  ,Oh My Safety pin...". She screamed "Ammmmmaaa......This Akhila is irresponsible , Always taking the Bindi packet and keeping it some where else and Now I m struggling .It is already late and  will take 20 minutes to reach the college" . Mom was so busy in making lunch and pretended as if she didn't hear Shree.
Shree said in a satisfied tone "Ssshh . Ok ....There you are .. The Eye liner .Thank God i got u " . She drew some small round with the liner between her eyebrows. She looked at the mirror and smiled  and said "Not ..Bad". She got the lunch from her Mom and went near the picture of Raghavendra Swamy and said "Remember What I said ?, Do your duty perfectly. " and smiled.
Shree took a old note book and a pen in a Bag and her Lunch too. Mom gave her ten rupees. She took her cycle and started to the College. The Bag was not a back bag. The bag was little odd as it would be taken  by her mother to her groceries shop. It was 9.15 am Shree reached the college. The tall scout girl saw Shree and Shree too saw and she smiled and waived her hand, The tall girl raised one of her eyebrows and starred at her. Shree parked the cycle and saw everyone standing in  a closed ground for the prayer. When everyone in the college had their shoulder bags, Shree was looked differently by  her friends. Some people even mocked at her for the bag. But she was not upset or ashamed to have that bag, Instead she was happy that God had given her at least that bag. She walked proudly with the bag.

In the closed ground , there was a little stage where three girls standing with the Microphone and was ready to sing the prayer song . Girls were arranged in a line according to the class. Shree saw Mona and joined her class's line. There awaited a shock , The tall scout girl with the harsh voice was standing in the middle of the two girls. She whispered to Mona "What is this Mona?" and in a scared tone " Is she going to sing?" . Mona said "SShhh .., She is a senior .Please we'll talk later".  Meanwhile Shiba overheard that conversation and started to giggle. After the prayer,  on the way to the class Shiba laughed and said Mona "Your friend has a big mouth and she talks too much". But she didn't notice Shree standing her behind. Shree rushed in between them and said Shiba "You are awesome .You understood me completely. I like you. I like to talk and laugh and let us all become a gang". Shiba didn't expect this ,She was upset that Shree heard what she said and slowly moved out. Mona started laughing . Shree again asked Mona "Who is that tall scout girl in the middle who had a  very sweet voice??" Mona laughed and laughed and said "Stop making fun .Her name is Maha ,Third year BBA and she is the Student's president" . Shree said "Ohhhh !!  and winked and said "But being a Students president is not a qualification to sing . In this big college ,Is there no one who can sing good???" . Mona said "You are right ,What can we do ? We are just in our First year". Shree said "So what ??  Something need to be done soon ?  Can't hear this voice anymore" and ended with the long breath.

The tall scout girl heard Shree saying the last  words as she was commanding the girls to go to the class . Shree didn't expect this . Mona grabbed Shree's hands  tightly and whispered "That's why i told you to keep your mouth shut". Shree blinked and smiled puzzled and said "Good morning Honorable President". The tall girl starred at Shree and asked Mona "What your friend saying ?" Mona said in a convincing way "Sister , She was telling that you sing very well " Shree saw Mona in a shocking way and whispered "How can you tell a big lie like this". Mona couldn't tolerate Shree anymore . Mona grabbed Shree's  hand and pulled her to the class. Shree and Mona rushed to the class and both  laughed looking each other again and again . Shree asked "Where is Priya ?". Shiba said  "Priya missed her bus and came late . As a late comer ,she should pay a  fine of Rs 50 and need to run two rounds in the ground".  Shree said "Ohhhh .my God. I feel pity for Priya.". Priya entered the class after 5 minutes .Shree exclaimed "You are done with two rounds in five  minutes?? " .Priya in a mischievious way "I escaped from the Physical Training teacher" . Shree was very eager  and asked "How ?" . Shiba answered the question  "Girl !! She is a big Cheater and a fraud " .Priya winked her eyes and whispered in Shree's ears "That is a trick ,I will teach you Shree" .Shree smiled.
The Lecturer came in . The class started. Everybody listened. The college was over. Shree felt the day was over in a fraction of second. Everybody bade bye to each other and left the college and Priya said "See you on Monday. Enjoy the weekend" . Shree smiled and waived a special bye to Priya.
On the way to Home , Shree was pondering something and there came an idea bloomed in her mind.

And Now ..................
I can hear you saying "Chella!! What was the Idea ? and What was she pondering about"
Patience ! Till  Next Friday :) !