Part 5
Next morning, Nisha woke up early and looked at Shreya and Lavanya sleeping soundly in her bed. Slowly, she crept out of bed so that she didn't disturb them. She got ready quietly and thought of going out for some fresh air. She left the girls a note indicating that she'd be back in about an hour. They had to be ready by noon, so they had some time.
As soon as Nisha opened the door, her eyes fell on Viraj. He was seated on the floor cross legged with his head drooping. Oh God! Had he been there all night? Why?
Nisha lightly tapped his shoulder. He awoke with a start. "What? Are you okay? Do you need something?"
"Sir, relax. I'm fine. Were you here all night? Why?"
"Actually I went away for a while after Shreya and Lavanya joined you. But then I couldn't sleep. So..." Viraj put his hands into his pockets and shuffled his feet. "I'm sorry Miss Nisha. I didn't mean to creep you out or anything."
Nisha had never seen him this nervous. It was actually kind of fun. Then she checked herself. He was probably worried sick for her... "I'm fine Sir. You didn't have to... Please don't apologize. " She told him reassuringly. "Oh, and Good morning!" She said with a smile.
Viraj smiled back. "Good morning!" Then he looked at his watch, it was not even seven. "Why are you up so early Miss Nisha?"
"I thought of going out for some fresh air... Will you join me?" She offered.
"Sure, just give me a moment." With that he rushed into his room to freshen up.
He returned with a tiny box. "Here, your lucky charm. It has really helped me. Look where Lakshya Academy is right now. Although I feel you were the lucky charm... Keep it. We'll leave no stone unturned. Luck, effort, precaution... We'll ensure it all. You'll win. " He said with conviction.
Nisha laughed. "Sir, so much pressure?"
"Yes. If you get this, nobody can stop you. Not even yourself." He thrust the lucky charm at her.
"OK. Let's go out now. I want to be back before the girls wake up." She pocketed the charm, feeling the warmth that Viraj's hand had transferred to the box.
As they reached the lawns, Viraj asked, "Are you still scared?"
"I wasn't until you declared this the championship of my life." Nisha said with a nervous laugh.
Viraj smiled at her tenderly. "You know what I meant Miss Nisha. I just want you to do your best. "
"OK Sir. By the way, what did you eat last night?"
Viraj looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" Nisha asked, "I can't ask you that? Only you can talk about my food?" She feigned offence.
"Russian sandwiches, what else?" He answered with a smirk. She mirrored his expression, shaking her head.
Quietly, they strolled around for the remaining part of the hour.
...
By noon, Nisha felt jittery again. She didn't want a replay of the Pilani sports meet. Not when she was representing her country and when even her Dadaji was eager for her to prove her mettle.
She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. "Nothing's tough." She told herself.
Then she unlocked her rifle case and ran her hand lightly through its length. She had almost developed feelings for the rifle. She was extremely possessive about it. She wouldn't let anyone else use it even during practice. Viraj had gifted it to her after she'd won the state championship.
"Luck, effort, precaution " She chanted the mantra to herself as she checked her rifle for one last time.
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In the first round, Nisha picked up her rifle hesitantly. Her hands were not as steady as she wanted them to be but they weren't too shaky either.
She got a flash of her nightmare... Shooting at the wall had made it crumble. She smiled to herself. She had this.
She fired the first shot. Bull's eye!
She pumped her fist in joy.
She fired the rest of the shots without any hesitation... The wall had given way.
In the spectator stand, Viraj pumped his fist in equal excitement. He knew that if she had fired right once, she almost got into a groove...
Beside him Shreya and Lavanya were observing Nisha closely. If she had done it, they would too. She gave them hope that what Viraj Sir said was true. Nothing's tough!
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After that, Nisha breezed her way to the finals with Shreya and Lavanya in tow. This was a wonder for the Indian women's rifle team.
In the final, Nisha had fired all the shots correctly. She only had to fire one more. The one that would decide her win. Her competitor had messed up in that final shot. This was her chance.
Nisha shut her eyes and took a deep breath. Finally she took aim...and fired!
Bull's eye!
Nisha didn't believe her eyes. But she had to believe her ears. As soon as she'd hit her target, Viraj had exclaimed a loud "YES!"
Nisha turned to look towards the spectator stand. She was being given a standing ovation. She took a bow. Yes, nobody could stop her. Not even herself.
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Immediately after winning she'd called up her parents and informed them about her win. She also told them about how the Pilani guy had stalked her and tried to assault her. She stressed on the fact that he had been arrested and would soon be transferred to the Indian police. All because of Viraj.
On hearing this, Ramesh actually congratulated her. "You've proved that you cannot be broken. Thank God, that idiot has been arrested. Let him come. I've always wanted to see him punished. Thank Viraj on my behalf."
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After she was done clicking pictures for numerous dailies and selfies with different officials, Nisha walked back to the hotel.
She wanted to congratulate Shreya and Lavanya too. Shreya had bagged a silver and Lavanya a bronze medal. She went to their rooms but she couldn't find them. Then she thought of asking Viraj for their whereabouts. As soon as she reached his room she heard sobs. Sobs? Why?
She knocked. "Come in!" Viraj answered.
Entering, she saw Shreya crying, Lavanya laughing at her and Viraj trying to pacify them both.
Shreya's eyes fell on Nisha. "Nisha di! I didn't get Gold!" She exclaimed, holding out her arms like a baby asking to be cuddled.
Viraj looked completely baffled. He mouthed "help!" at Nisha.
Nisha sat down next to Shreya and hugged her tight. "You got a silver, silly! It's your first world championship! At your age I wasn't even touching rifles! Shhh..." She turned to Lavanya and said sternly "Stop laughing, will you?"
Lavanya stopped immediately. She moved to Nisha's other side and linked her arm into Nisha's.
"Nisha di, she's just acting so that you mollycoddle her. My father's promised to take my entire family to the most expensive hotel in Rajasthan because I won a bronze. That's how good this is! She won a silver for God's sake! The least she can do is be happy about it. Do you know, our principal called up? He's giving us a scholarship. Her mother has been planning a trip to Manali for her! What more does she want?" Lavanya demanded.
Nisha again signalled at Lavanya to stay quiet. "Shreya, is that true? I'd hug you even if you stop crying baby!" Nisha said playfully.
"I want to be like you, di. You won a gold. " Shreya spoke in between sobs.
" Just count the number of championships you can play honey. And the number of golds you can win! Stop comparing yourself to me. You'll be way better! " Nisha told her.
Viraj joined in. "Yes, Shreya. You guys have a long way to go. It has hardly been 2 years since you started training. You've brought home a silver and a bronze! I'm very proud of you! Please stop crying now. I'm kind of terrible with crying girls anyway." He finished weakly.
"No, you're not." Nisha said firmly. Viraj looked at her with widened eyes. "What?" Nisha said, "You aren't terrible with crying girls. Don't lie."
Viraj blushed.
Shreya started giggling in between the sobs. "What?" Viraj asked sternly.
"Nothing Sir. It's just that you're blushing." Shreya replied before bursting into giggles again.
Viraj averted his eyes and mumbled, "No, I'm not."
Again, Nisha contradicted him. "Yes, you are."
Viraj blushed a deeper red, making all the three girls get a fit of giggles.
"Miss Nisha!" Viraj pleaded.
"Alright that's enough.Sorry Sir. " Nisha said seriously. Everybody went quiet.
Then Nisha snorted again and there was a fresh bout of laughter, with Viraj joining in this time.
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Soon the girls went away wishing them both a Good night. Viraj walked out to his balcony. He hadn't felt this happy in a long time. His jaws hurt from smiling and laughing.
Nisha followed him. "Sir when are you going to stop acting like the epitome of perfection?" She asked.
"You think I'm faking it Miss Nisha? I'm actually this awesome." He winked at her.
"Really?" Nisha said incredulously. "So you don't feel anything? You never want to laugh or cry or anything?"
"You're saying this now Miss Nisha? I've never laughed as much as I have today." Viraj answered.
"Yet you walked away as soon as Shreya and Lavanya left. You're scared of facing me just because I know you." Nisha countered.
"Know me? Why would I be scared? You've known all about me for a long time now..." Viraj said.
"Because... " Nisha answered leaning against the railing, " ...you don't want to admit that you're an innocent little boy on the inside who just needs a hug. You're too busy being perfect."
Viraj crinkled his nose. "That's the tragedy Miss Nisha, the only girl who realizes that I need a hug... Is averse to hugs in general. What should I do? "
Nisha smirked. "Is that a challenge?"
"Not unless you accept it." Viraj answered.
Nisha inched closer and gave him a tight hug. As Viraj started putting his arms around her, she pulled her head back. "You need a hug, not me."
"Oh!" Viraj withdrew his hands as she continued to hold him tight.
Nisha smiled into his chest. "Sorry, was just checking." She pulled his arms around herself again and felt him relax. Yes, he had needed that hug.
"Miss Nisha are you alright?" He whispered into her hair.
"Yes Sir!" she answered, "I'm with you. And I never lose a challenge Sir. "
"There are so many more challenges Miss Nisha." Viraj said.
"Not unless I accept them", Nisha answered smugly.
"Challenge accepted" Viraj replied, tightening his arms around her. Yes, he'd needed that hug.
THE END!
Edited by aneri.fan - 10 years ago
Writers Corner: Books, Stories & Poems
Bigg Boss 19
