Life Is What You Make It A Story Of Love, Hope And How Determination Can Overcome Even Destiny Read Online Free PDF

said Suvi in a panic.
    “What happened? Jeena was supposed to be here. What about Sindhu? How can both not be there?” I asked the panic beginning to show in my voice, as I looked at my diary. The event was about to start in 20 minutes and it was the first event of the day.
    “Jeena's grandma died this morning. She got a phone call and had to go. Sindhu has laryngitis and is not able to speak even a word. I found all this out just now when the second bus came from the hostel.”
    “Damn! What do we do?” I looked at Sanjana in dismay.
    Jeena and Sindhu were excellent orators and had won it the previous year. They were strong candidates and without them, I felt crippled.
    I really admired Sanjana's calmness. “These things happen,” she said unruffled. “Don't worry. I'll step in for Jeena and you for Sindhu,” she said.
    “What? Me?” I was aghast. “I have never done this before.”
    “Calm down. There is no other option. We will lose points if there is a no-show. Yo u'll just have to step in.”
    I stood there in the auditorium that day, feeling foolish, ill-prepared and very small as I took the mike and spoke on the topic of the day which was “Is the Mandal Commission report justified?” I had no idea what I said. I had not read the Mandal Commission reports in the papers. Sanjana was very well informed about it. Apparently in her third year, she had just written a paper on it. I stammered and muttered and spoke for about two and a half minutes before concluding and stepping down, my cheeks burning with embarrassment and shame. Sanjana spoke beautifully and the auditorium resounded with wild cheering after she finished.
    “You were not bad at all for a first timer,” comforted Sanjana, later.
    “Not bad? I was a disaster. I spoke for less than three minutes.”
    “The maximum time allowed is six minutes anyway. Three minutes is really not bad,” she insisted.
    When the results were announced, Abhishek had come first, Sanjana managed a second. A wild cheer went up from our girls in the audience and I joined in their cheering. I was relieved that we got at least a second place. Every point would help in the tally for overall championship which was our aim.
    The second day of Symphony went off smoothly, with no absentees, no hitches and everything running like clockwork. My legs hurt from being on my feet for long hours and I realised it was a painful mistake to wear high heels. We were in the second place for overall championship by the end of the day.
    In the bus on the way home, Priya said “We all saw Abhi hovering around you the whole day today, especially when you sat down. He just wouldn't leave your side.”
    “Come on!” I said “He chose to sit there just like that. Just to make small talk, I guess. Dhiren and Christy were sitting too. It's not like I was sitting with him exclusively. And he looks like that at everybody. You should know!” I defended myself.
    “No, I do know him. Abhi is not like the rest of the guys. Now, Christy being like that would be natural. Do you know what Christy did last Valentine?”
    “What? “ I asked curiously.
    “He gave fourteen red roses and fourteen ‘I love you’ cards.”
    “Wow, to you?” I asked.
    “Well, technically the correct answer would be yes. But apart from me, he also gave it to thirteen other girls,” she laughed.
    Everybody joined in the laughter.
    “And whom did Abhi give it to?” I asked, curiosity now getting the better of me.
    “No-one!” said Priya triumphantly. “See, he was waiting for you!”
    “Shut up,” I said. But I smiled.
    On the third day of Symphony , the tables turned in our favour. It was a close call. We managed to win the overall championship by just 10 points and this was because of our victory in Western dance. Our girls had danced exceedingly well.
    “YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAH” yelled the girls, deafening everybody when they heard the compere announcing it. They jumped. They shouted they cheered. They fell