SHE'S ONE OF US - CHAPTER 12

                   

       

I Play Table Tennis

Semester holidays passed in the blink of an eye. The College reopened. With new freshness, Shree started to the college. The boy who came opposite , didn't show up that day. Shree reached  the college. She saw Shiba and Priya talking. Shree said "Hi Shiba and Priya , How was your holidays?". Shiba said "I watched movies , computer classes and enjoyed with cousins". Priya said "Me too joined Shiba and How  was your's Shree? ". Shree said "Nothing special, I helped Amma in household chores, did some research in cooking" and winked. She added "I read a  novel which Sai gave me. Totally it went well" and smiled. Priya exclaimed "That's fantastic!" and added playfully "How is Sai ?". Shree knowing her intention,  shrunk her eyebrows , smiled and said "He is good" and gave a  gentle pat on her shoulders. Shiba said "After two days the college for men reopens".  Shree said "Oh !Thats why the boy didn't show up today ?". Priya asked Shree " Which boy ? Whom you are talking about ?". Shree said "I daily see a boy on the way to college. May be he is been from the men's college". Shiba and Priya looked each other and said "Guru also goes by that way. By any chance , Is she talking about him ?". Priya shook her head and said  "No idea". Mona entered the conversation  and said "Hai , How are you Girls ?". Shiba said "We are good. How about you? and How was your holidays?". Mona said "I went to computer class, rest of the time I watched TV" and added " Shree , I asked you to join  for computer class, But you didn't ". Shree just thought a while and said "No , This is not the right time as I can't afford the fees". Everyone became silent. The prayer bell rang. The prayer began. Shree saw Mona and said "Oh God , Save us from this prayer soon. Can't tolerate anymore ...". Mona laughed. Prayer was over and  everybody got dispersed. While dispersed , 
Shree  saw Maha and  smiled. Maha just turned her face and hurried to the class. Shree couldn't stop laughing. Mona asked "Why are you laughing?".  Shree said "Nothing , It is a different story". The Classes started.

After Lunch , they had a physical training class. All First year students from different departments assembled. Shree fixed her eyes on the Physical training teacher. She was fit , looked rigid and determined. She walked like a lioness wearing spectacles. Shree admired her for the fitness even at the age of fifty, perfection , discipline and of course her strictness. The Physical Training Madam in a loud voice said "Good afternoon students, I am Mrs.Vasantha , I am the one who is responsible for your  Physical training" and she gave some instruction regarding the physical training period and its importance.  The Madam said "I want you all to give your names for some sports. Just come forward and let me know what sport are you interested ?". There was silence everywhere. After a minute Shree came forward. Mrs Vasantha said "Good , We got a girl.". Shree said "I am Shree and I play table tennis". Mrs Vasantha's eyes glowed in happiness. She exclaimed "Really!  We don't have proper team for Table Tennis in our college. To form a team , I require at least two more girls " and looked the crowd. Mina from Shree's class came forward and said  "I am Mina, I know how to play TT". Mrs Vasantha said "Good. One more". A girl from B.Com said " I am Raji , I will also join". Mrs Vasantha was happy and instructed all the three including Shree to go to Table Tennis room and practice. All three nodded their head and went to the room. They started their practice and played well. Mrs Vasantha came and watched their play and was quite happy. Mrs Vasantha said "I will arrange a coach. You all should be determined and dedicated. Within four months we are going to a district level tournament "  and added "Keep practicing , I want you to come an hour early before college and leave an hour after college". Mina and Raji nodded their heads.

At last It dawned for the prayer

Shree in a low tone said "Sorry Mam! Tomorrow evening,  I won't be able to come for the practice". Mrs Vasantha asked "Why?". Shree explained "My sister is taking classes for singing and dancing. There been a small stage programme arranged to exibit the talents of her students. Students of different teachers are participating. I am representing as a student of my sister and going to sing a couple of songs". Mrs Vasantha was double joy now and exclaimed "OH Girl ! You sing?". Shree smiled and said "Yes ,Mam". Mrs. Vasantha said "Can you sing the song for me?". Shree smiled and said "Of course , I will". She started singing. It was a song of Lord Shiva. There was a pin drop silence. Once Shree was done, Mrs Vasantha said "Wow! I felt like as if I were in Kailash mountains" and added "No excuses .. You are joining to lead the prayer tomorrow". Shree said "Yes Madam , But there is one more girl Priya in my class. She too sings well". Mrs. Vasantha said "Both of you join the prayer" and added "I was much worried about the prayer which is getting worse day by day". Shree nodded and smiled.

The Next day, Shree came jumping.  Priya , Mona , Mina and Shiba were talking. Shree said Mona "Hey Do you know the news ?". Mona giggled and said "Yes , Mina told us what happened in TT room". Shree smiled and hugged Priya "At last , it dawned for this prayer. You too going to join me and be ready". Priya hesitated out of shyness. Shree forced her and both of them went in front of the stage. One girl from BBA also joined them. Before the prayer get started , Maha got irritated and asked Shree and Priya "Why are you both standing here ?". The answer came from behind by Mrs. Vasantha. The Madam said "Maha , Hereafter they will sing the prayer song . As you  are the students's President, you take care of other things". Though Maha thought  that she got insulted , she gave a blank smile and starred at Shree who was smiling at her. Mona  smiled at Shree and Shree twinkled. The prayer was over and  Mrs. Vasantha was overjoyed. She was satisfied by the prayer and got a special appreciation from the principal too , which she shared with Shree and Priya. They both were so happy. Shree said Priya "If you keep on hesitating to come out with what you know , How will you shine ? Come out with your talents". Priya said "But, I am not talented as you ". Shree said "Come on , Stop it. You are super talented ". Priya smiled and nodded. Mona said "Prayer was excellent. Finally you made it" and chuckled. Shree too chuckled back. Every body went to the class.

Shree wants to be a new age woman which Bharathi visualized.

It was the language(Tamil) class. A lady with fit huge figure entered the class. Though she was strict , she had the sweetness in her language. The Next admiration for Shree began. The madam introduced herself "I am Kanaga, your Tamil lecturer". Shree and her gang were sitting in the first bench. The very first day, Mrs Kanaga liked the first bench gang . Mrs Kanaga along with her lessons , taught Tamil cultures , reasons behind them, and about Subramaniya Bharathi , The freedom fighter and a Tamil poet. Whenever Bharathi been discussed in  the class , Shree's eyes and ears were wide open. Shree already know who Bharathi was , Mrs. Kanaga added fuel to her fire. Shree became mad of Bharathi. She took the book "Bharatiyar poems" from the library and started reading it. She enjoyed singing his songs. She learnt feminism through Bharathi. Days went by,  Bharathi went deep into her heart. Though she is a science student, she did some small researches on Bharathi.

Next day , It was science class and HOD took the class. The HOD said "Our Ancestors were a great physicist and  Everything based on Physics, This world and our wonderful culture are all based on physics". The class was more interesting. HOD denoted Bharathi's poem with scientific explanation. Shree's mind said "Oh my god , What is the connection between Bharathi and Physics?  My Bharathi is a physicist ?" . That evening she rushed to the library and confirmed that her HOD was correct. But , everything was confusing. She didn't understand what Bharathi really meant in some of his poems. She seek help from Mrs Kanaga. Mrs Kanaga was very happy to help Shree and appreciated her interest on Bharathi. Time paced at high speed with Bharathi. Shree wanted to be a girl which Bharathi dreamed of. Her eyes glittered. She walked with more confidence. She shined like million stars.

The Unexpected.

Next day , HOD informed the student about the Physics Intercollegiate held in other college in the near by town and  asked the students to participate. Shree , Mona , Mina , Shiba and Priya gave their names. Girls from second year and   third year too joined. That evening , in the computer class , Shiba , Priya and Guru were talking. Priya explained him about the intercollegiate competitions. Guru giggled and said "Sorry Girls , I can't help you ,as my college is also participating" and sparkled. Shiba looked him with anger. Guru said "Hey , I was just kidding". Priya said "We don't require your help . We got a friend who was extremely talented. She will help us. Mark my words , We will win the shield ". Guru smiled and asked "Oh is it ? Who is that girl. I need to meet her too". Priya said "She is Shree , Our friend". Shiba said "She is coming to the competition and we all will meet there". Guru anxiously waited  to see who the girl was.

The competition day arrived. The Girls caught a bus and reached the place. In the mean time , The boys from the Men's  College also arrived. Both were boarded in the same bus, but didn't notice each other because of the crowd in the bus. Shree and one of her senior , registered all their names at the entrance . Shree just turned back and about to go inside the venue. She thought for a while and turned back again and was surprised. A pair of curious eyes were fixed on her. Shree called Shiba and whispered   "Hey , Just don't turn back now , The boy standing in the registration counter is the one whom I saw daily when I come to college. I told you that he may be from Men's college. So, I am right ". Shree went forward. Shiba slowly turned back and saw Guru standing at the registration counter. He smiled and Shiba smiled back.

And Now I hear from you " Chella ! We are curious to know when Shree and Guru will meet? What will be their reactions and emotions when they get introduced? What role Guru going to play in Shree's life?" . I understand your curiosity. All I say is  Patience Patience Patience .... 
Only a  week to go