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

over themselves hugging each other. Sanjana and I had already run backstage.
    I hugged Juana and all the dancers.
    Juana was crying with joy.
    “Three cheers for St. Agnes. Hip Hip…” said Sanjana
    “HURRAH” yelled the girls.
    It was late in the evening by the time the prize distribution ceremony began. We felt great collecting the huge gleaming trophy for the overall championship of Symphony that year. Sanjana, Priya and I collected it and then we called all the other girls on stage. Sr. Evangeline, Sr. Bertha and all of them would be really happy. We hadn't let them down. More importantly it was a huge boost for us, as we had not let ourselves down. Our confidence in our abilities soared with this victory. It wasn't easy but we had done it.
    “Winner's treat. Join me for a cup of coffee?” asked Abhishek, after the entire event was over. I had been on my feet the whole day and I was very hungry and suddenly tired. The cup of coffee was tempting, but I wasn't sure I wanted to go with Abhishek. I looked for Suvi to bail me out, but she was nowhere to be seen.
    “Go on, I know you badly want that coffee,” said Priya. “I'd have joined you but I'm waiting for Juana and the girls. They are changing and I am the guardian of time,” she laughed as she held out her hands. They were full of watches and bracelets belonging to the girls in the western dance. “Go for God's sake. Don't think so much for a cup of coffee!” urged Priya again.
    “Okay, let's go,” I told Abhishek.
    “Oh my God! You have actually agreed? I cannot believe my luck! I must check my horoscope for today.”
    “Shut up,” I smiled, “I do need that coffee.”
    We walked to the canteen which was on a small hillock, a ten minute walk from the auditorium. He ordered cutlets too, as we sat down. I pulled up an extra chair and he ran to get it out for me.
    “Come on, just tell me to get it. Ladies should never pull up chairs for themselves.”
    “Ladies shouldn't put up their feet either, but excuse me I'm going to do just that. Sorry,” I said, as I propped my feet on the extra chair he had just pulled up.
    We sat in silence, eating cutlets and having that much needed cup of coffee. I was completely immersed in my thoughts and in the events of the day. My reverie was suddenly broken when Abhi said “Hey, aren't those your college buses, heading back?”
    I looked at the two yellow buses making their way down the hill and jumped up. As the buses turned I could see the girls leaning out and yelling in chorus in a sing song voice, “Have fun. Enjoy. See you at college.”
    I looked at Abhi and he smiled and shrugged. I was so angry with the girls. How could they be so callous, leaving me behind and how in the world could they presume that I wanted to spend time with Abhi?! I was angry with Suvi, because I expected her to have convinced the others. Then again, a group of girls, high on adrenaline pumped by victory can be absolutely crazy and I doubted if they would have listened to her. But the immediate problem on hand was to get back to college which was a good 45 kilometres away. It was already 7.30.P.M and I could get a public bus, provided I walked to the bus stop and waited there. I didn't even know at what time the next bus would arrive, and wasn't sure if it was safe waiting in the bus stop all by myself, at this hour that too in a deserted remote area. Most of the students stayed on campus itself and most used their own vehicles to reach the city. Nobody really used the state transport buses.
    “Look,” said Abhi, “I can drop you back.”
    “I can take a bus.”
    “I'll wait with you in the bus stop then. But the last bus might have already left. We'd just be wasting our time.”
    I still hesitated.
    “Hey, I am not such a bad guy. I promise madam that you'll be safe with me.”
    I agreed. I didn't have much choice anyway. Later I would know that this was all a part of an intricate plan that Abhi had hatched along with Priya,