Four hours later she found herself seated in the Principal's office with Jeevan and the person who was responsible for the emotional turmoil in her life.
'Gayatri, try and understand the entries for this competition were sent last week. We pride ourselves for our extracurricular activities', the principal of the school chimed.
'Also, extracurricular is an important grade on your report card. You wouldn't want to take an assessment card that reflects poorly on your achievements', he continued.
She was seated between Jeevan and Raja. She knew she couldn't afford to jeopardize her grades. Honestly, she had no energy to argue. She felt so drained. But, could she survive one more week in this place knowing that she would be trampled on again and again.
But, she wanted to spend an extra week with him knowing her bleeding heart would be crushed again. One more week and then he would be a stranger to her again!
'Look Rani we have won this championship for the last three years. Be a sport and participate with me in this Quiz contest?', Jeevan pleaded.
He couldn't afford to have Rani leave the college. She had to stay back. He had one week to convince her to stay back in the college. He gave a damn about Raja and Rani! She was Raja's Achilles' heel. He could deny all that he wanted but Jeevs knew Raja was hurting. The desperation to talk to Rani was written large on Raja's face
Rani was Jeev's ticket to popularity in this college. She was the key to all that he wanted!
Rani waited for Raja to say something. Would he convince her too to stay back or would he again tag her as an opportunist? She knew she had to sing a duet with him in the signing competition. Would he even share the stage with her?
Raja was hesitant. For once in his life, he was scared. He was scared to say something to Rani. Rani that he knew better than anyone. Her silence meant that she was considering staying back. He knew she was cornered. He didn't want to mess this up. He wanted to be with her for this week. He wanted to see her smile. He wanted to tell her that their past didn't matter. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry. He wanted to tell her that he was hurting more than her. He wanted to tell her that she meant the world to him. He wanted to tell her that he couldn't live another 12 years without her!
She nodded her head and sped out of the room.
Only then he found himself exhale the breath he had been holding for 12 long minutes!
-------
He stood in the music room nervously pacing the length. She would not speak to him. He had to find a way to get past her defenses.
He saw her walk in the hallway towards the room. She stood in the room looking around wondering where the musicians were?
They waited and the the wait stretched for eons.
'Rani, Humari baat..', Raja said before he was cut short by her.
'Humara naam Gayatri hai.Ya phir phatichar ya naukrani. Rani naam ki ladki ab nahn hai, yaad rakhna Rajveer', she spoke with a voice devoid of any emotions.
' Aur hum jaantein hai, tum mauka dhoond rahe ho humme aur zalil karne ka. Hum tumhari mushkil aasan kar detein hai. Isse jyada zalil ya chot tum humein nahn pahunchta sakte. Yeh ek hafte ki mushkil ha, uske baad hum tumhare liye ek ajnabee hai', She said with her voice wavering trying to stop the hurt and tears.
She ran out of the room leaving a shattered Raja behind.
He had one week. Only week to convince her to stay!
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