SHE'S ONE OF US - CHAPTER 20

                                         

Synopsis :

As Sai said Shree to get out of his home without saying a reason , Shree got upset and didn't turn to Sai's  side for a week. As Sai wanted an apology and realized the mistake Shree made him conclude his fasting. Priya realized Shree was her best friend. Maha and Shree became good friends after the cultural.


Intercollegiate


Shree and her friends decided to conduct a physics Intercollegiate in their college. They told their desire to the Head of the Department. The HOD thought a while and said "This is a very great thing and a tough thing too. There will be lot of work. Can u people be able to do this?. Team work is a vital thing. I'll talk to the Principal and let  you know". Shree  and her friends nodded their heads and went back to the class. It was the subject class. Girls were  eagerly waiting for their new lecturer to come in. There came a young lady , slim , wheatish and attracting  just out of college. She looked perfect in her look, the attitude and her vocabulary.  She said "Hai girls ! I am Vidya. I am your new lecturer for Electronics. Just introduce yourself to me and then we can start our class". Everyone said their names. The class was started.  She was really fascinating. She mesmerized all the students by the way of her teaching and her encouraging talks. As she was young , she became a good friend  to the girls as well.


Miss Vidya -Taken charge

The next day , The HOD called the girls and said "I talked to the Principal. She said to proceed and was happy that we made this decision. It is definitely going to be a good experience and a learning too. Miss  Vidya will be in charge for this and she will be guiding you". Miss Vidya who was standing by the side of the HOD smiled. The girls were extremely happy that they can easily mingle with Miss Vidya and work for the Intercollegiate. They thought of new ideas and suggestions and brought to her. Most of the ideas been approved by Miss Vidya . They started  executing their plans. Miss Vidya encouraged the girls to do everything on their own. She asked to prepare the Welcome note , Thanking note , compering notes for competitions and guided them whenever needed. The date been fixed and  they sent communication to 25 colleges out of which 22 colleges responded. They were so happy and vigorously prepared for the competitions. Mona took the responsibility to buy Trophies and shield. They were very much concerned that nothing should go wrong as this was their first intercollegiate. Shree had a huge responsibility in the intercollegiate and she became very close  to Miss Vidya at that time. They chose a title too. It was "PHYGEO". Everything been planned in a systematic and technical way. Each of the student was given a responsibility. Shree and Mina took the compering part and also responsible for some off stage competitions.


The "Phygeo" Day


 That fine day arrived. Shree and her friends wore an uniform cream white saree. They looked like a group of bunnies dressed in sarees. The girls and boys of various colleges been arriving and they registered their names at the entrance. There were signals in each and every place and some girls to guide them to the auditorium , canteen etc. Shree came to the registration counter to  convey some instruction which Miss Vidya told. Guru was registering the  names of the boys of his college. Shree said the information in a lower tone and left the place. She noticed Guru , but Guru didn't notice Shree as he was busy in registering the names. She  went to the auditorium and informed Shiba and Priya about Guru. Shree asked  "Did you two know that he is coming for the event ?". Shiba said "Yes". Shree shrunk her eyebrows and told "You didn't tell me about this ? Why ?". Shiba blinked and said "We were busy and we forgot to tell". Shree became annoyed and said "That's fine. Carry on with your work". Shiba did that on purpose because she don't like Shree and Guru becoming friends. Shree asked Priya "Did you know that he is coming ?". Priya said "Hey , We were really busy and I thought Shiba would have told that to you. I promise". Shree shook her head and left the  place and they all proceeded with the arrangements.



Your friend is not even smiling at you



Guru's eyes were searching Shree all the time. The program started with the devotional prayer song by Shree , Shiba and Priya. Finally Guru saw Shree on the stage. He was so happy to see her. He smiled at her but she didn't smile back. Guru was confused and went to his competitions. Shree was in charge of the competition which he was participating. It was model display.  Guru told his friend that Shree was his best friend. Shree came to the venue and instructed the rules to the participants with a rigid face. She saw Guru standing by her side but pretended that she didn't notice. She said to the participants "You can start now and be ready with your display after one hour from now". Guru's friend asked "Your friend is not even smiling at you ?". Guru said "Hey , I didn't smile at her , so do her. Work first...for both of us" and exhaled deeply inside and got a lot of confusion in his mind about Shree not smiling. The judges were examining all the displays. Shree was busy in a stage show and hurried to the model display venue. She saw the judges shooting so many questions to Guru. Guru smartly handled all the questions. Shree just stood behind the judge and heard all his answers and smiled to herself.



Shree smiled inside



 After Guru's display , the judge moved to the next participant , It was a girl. The judges didn't show much interest on her work. The girl got distressed. Shree was been called by Miss Vidya, So she hurried and left the model display venue. Guru saw  Shree  running out of the room and realized she was present when he was explaining his display to the judge. After few minutes Shree returned to the room and find no one in the room except Guru , his friend and a girl crying in the corner of the room. The girl was disappointed and broken up for the reactions of the judges for her display. She was continuously crying . Guru consoled  her by his words and motivated her. Shree didn't make a move and heard everything from staying outside. Shiba and Priya came to the venue and saw Shree standing outside. Shree  keeping her index finger on her lips said "Ssshhhh". After few seconds they three entered the room. Shiba asked "Guru , How did you do the model display ?". Guru saw Shree and answered "Didn't your friend tell you ?". Shree saw Guru for a second and took her glance off from him. Priya asked "What happened to that girl? Did she cry? You know her ?". Guru said "Hey , she is from a different college. I don't know her . She felt so depressed and we consoled her. Nothing else". Shree smiled inside. Guru saw Shree and said "Hi, How are you . Very busy?". Shree  nodded  and said "Hmmm".



My friend is stubborn and rigid because she is dignified



Guru saw Shree holding a paper pad and some papers clipped on it and guessed it was the result of Model display. Guru asked about the result to Shree, but she pretended as if she didn't hear him.
Guru stressed and asked "I am very curious to know the result , Can you tell please?". Shree shook her head and said "No". Guru said "Please". Shree smiled and said "No". Guru said "We are leading now to get the shield. if we get 1st place in model display , Our college is sure of getting the Shield". Shree was so stubborn and said "No . After an hour , you will  get to know the result announced in the stage". Guru was upset and turned to his friend. He saw Guru in a mocking way and said "Best friend ??". Guru felt insulted and was upset with Shree. Though he felt such an unpleasantry situation , he said his friend "Oh my god , I took advantage of her friendship and compelled her to tell the result. What she'll think of me?. I am proud that my friend is dignified"  but Guru's heart was not in peace.


Second place


They all assembled in the auditorium. It was the animation competition held . Guru presented an animation presentation. He presented it very well. All the time Guru was looking at Shree who was sitting at the front and explained the concepts. Shree smiled with glittering eyes and Guru too smiled in between while explaining. Shree was sure of Guru getting the first place , but unfortunately the professor from his college was one of the judge. They decided to give him the second place as they thought it should not become a prattle that they are partial. When the final results been announced , Shree and her friends were shocked and hurried to Miss Vidya and the HOD and asked for the reason . The HOD explained the situation and said that it would no way affect bagging their shields. They had no choice rather to go with it. Guru bagged first place in model display and when he came to the stage , He saw Shree looking at him and smiling , though he felt like smiling , he didn't smile back and pretended as if he was upset with Shree for being rigid and stubborn. Shree realized that he was just pretending and smiled.





                                            



Guru wanted to answer "NO", but he couldn't



The Mic been handed over to Shree . Shree saw Guru and announced the grand final result. The Men's college bagged the overall shield and shouted in excitement while the  announced was made. The Principal of the college handed over the shield to the team. The program was over and they came outside the auditorium. Shree headed towards Guru and smiled . Shree said "I need a favor from you?". Guru wanted to answer no, but he couldn't by seeing her eyes. Guru said "Yes , tell me". Shree said "Can you give the Shield for a minute. Me and my friends will take a picture with the shield and give it back to you". Guru giggled and saw her like a child who wishing for a toy. Shree requested "Please .....". Guru without a word gave the shield and smiled. Shree thanked  him and ran with the shield towards her friends. Guru came near them and  said "I will take the snap" . He got the camera and clicked. Shree smiled and said "Thanks". Guru said "You are always welcome".



Thanks for understanding


Guru walked a few steps and turned to Shree. Guru cleared his throat and said "We are going to celebrate our achievement , just going to the near by restaurant and have some snacks. Would you like to join?" . Shree thought a while and saw Shiba and Priya . Priya said "Ya of course , We will". Shree blinked and said "We have some work here . We'll finish it and join you if possible". Guru doubted that Shree won't come and he  said "That's fine we will wait". Shree said "No no .. you guys proceed". Guru said "No , You are coming . I am waiting for you". Shree was stunned and said "okay ...". Shree, Shiba and Priya joined Guru in their celebration. Shiba and Priya were talking to Guru's friend about the intercollegiate. Guru cleared his throat and said "So,....How are you? ". Shree said "I am good and how about you ?". Guru said "I was waiting for this opportunity to talk to you". Shree smiled and said "Is it ?" and continued "Sorry for not revealing the result. It is the rule I should not disclose it". Guru said "Hey come on.. Don't mention it. I am the one who need to apologize to push you in that situation". Shree smiled and said "Thanks for understanding".



Hard Punch for Shree's silly  thought



Shiba's eyes were fixed on both of them. Guru said about him and his family. Shree heard everything and praised him for his technical knowledge and talents. Guru said "Phygeo ... I won't forget this in my life time. Wonderful experience". Shree was little doubtful about Guru that he was trying to convey her something. She doubted that he fell in love with her. The next question from Guru was  a hard punch for her thought. Guru smiled and asked "How is Sai ? ". The next moment she saw Priya and said to herself  "Oh my god , How can she say this to Guru. I believed her, but ...". Though Shree was shocked , she didn't show off in her face.  She said "He is fine" and became so nervous and couldn't be normal. Shree said "Who said about Sai?". Guru said "Priya". Shree said "Hmm . Fine.. Can we talk something else".


There is a very thin line between Friendship and Love



Guru said "Whenever I see you , I realize a deep feel of friendship. I really don't know what you thought about me". Shree said "Guru , I like you so much the day when I saw you first without a reason. Now when I came to know about you, I realized you have  very good qualities , so now I respect you so much for that". Guru smiled. Shree continued "To be frank , a minute before , I thought you were in love with me. I am so sorry for thinking like that". Guru smiled and said "There is a very thin line between  friendship and love. Not everyone understands that. Friends may fall in love with each other, We can't say that is a mistake. But there is some relationship we can't think otherwise and so is my friendship for you. Even before I heard about Sai, I don't have that thought. After hearing about your love , How could I think otherwise. So do not worry. Guru is your best friend always and ready to help you in tough situations". Shree was so happy that she got a wonderful friend with the same thought and character as her.  Shree smiled and said "So .. My friend , Help me with my project" and twinkled. Guru chuckled and said "Fine , of course will".



A sweet friend always refreshes the soul


Shree saw a book in Guru's hand and asked "What is that book ?". Guru showed the book and said "Physics of the Impossible". Shree got the book and saw the contents of the book. She raised her eyebrows and said "Interesting". Guru got the book from her hand and took a pen from his pocket and wrote something on the book and handed over to Shree. Shree opened the book and read the words . "True friends can grow separately , but without growing  apart"  and  "A sweet friendship always refreshes the soul" - To my Friend Shree , By  your friend Guru". Shree was so happy reading those words and she said "Thanks for the Book" and smiled. Guru smiled and said "Read the book carefully, I will ask you question when we meet next time"and sparkled. Shree smiled and shrunk her eyebrows and said "Can you take your book back , Please". Guru said "Hey I was just kidding". Shree chuckled and said "Me too...".  The celebration was over and everybody bade bye to each other and left the place.



We were wrong


Shree stopped  Priya  and asked "Hey , Why did you tell Guru about Sai?". Priya whispered "Me and Shiba doubted that he fell in love with you as he was asking about you often. So we had no choice to tell the truth". Shree said "Not only you , me too thought that way. But we were wrong. Shree will be always Guru's best friend ever". Priya was so happy that Guru and Shree spoke frankly and they understood each other. Shiba was also relaxed that they understood each other and Guru was crystal clear in her thought. Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection and understanding between two people. One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood. Shree and Guru did that part correctly even without talking. They rarely met in Shiba's home and Priya's home, but their friendship was growing and growing as they both felt their friendship in their heart. Days went by. Shree and Guru as usual saw each other on the way to college and smile at each other. One evening , After her college , Shree parked her cycle in front of her home. As a regular act , She came at 8'o clock night outside to take her cycle and park it inside the Varanda. She was horrified and shocked. Her heart beat faster and  she was completely shaken. Her heart became heavy and tears rolled out from her eyes.


And I can hear you saying "Awwwww Suspense ..." and questioning " Chella !! Why was she so scandalized and knocked down?. What she saw outside ? What made her cry ? ". I say "Sure , I can understand your curiosity. Patience Patience Patience.. Only a week to go . Meet you Next Friday "