Disillusioned

Sister Joy walked into the classroom during the second period post lunch with a bundle of report cards and a cane. Third round test results were to be announced this day. All the students of Class IX 'B' waited with bated breath for Sister to announce who got the third rank this time. Shrishti and Reena owned  the top two ranks anyway. Suhas got the third rank. After Sister gave away the report cards, cane did the talking with the flunked students, naughty guys and the bullies of the class.


"If you had got two more marks, you would have secured the first place" Reena said. "That's ok. We have both been there, missing out on the first rank by a small margin since Class VI when I joined this school", said Shrishti. Reena smiled as the two friends were walking back home that evening.


After a few days Reena suddenly stopped talking to Shrishti. Well, it was not something new that Reena went on a stint of silence. It happened once in a while. She would initiate conversation after a couple of days.

Three weeks passed. Reena was still in no mood to talk to Shrishti.  It was strange to see them sit beside each other on the same bench in the classroom and not talk to each other for so long! After much prodding from Shrishti, Reena finally gave the reason for cutting-off friendship.

"You told Lekha about your badminton tournament first! And I get to know of your selection from her? You always told me everything first. I.. I'm your best friend!"
"You are upset over that small issue, Reena?"
"You've been selected for the National Badminton Championship and I get to know that from somebody else. Is this a small issue?"
"Oh yaar, she was there while PT Sir informed me of tournament... All right, I'm sorry. Let's get over this."
Reena shook her head in dissent.


It was the National Badminton Championship final. Shrishti had to face fierce competition to reach here. Keerthi from Bhopal was the other finalist. The final match was a tough one. The audience had their eyes fixed on the shuttlecock flying between the halves of the court, waiting to see who would make the first mistake. After a long battle Shrishti won the match. Everyone was cheering. But Reena was not there.

On the way back home, clutching her tropy, and leaning against her father's arm, with her voice choking Shrishti said "I thought she would come, daddy".