Chapter 9: kyu ki yeh ladai?

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Many days passed by and their semester exams approached. This was the time when the boys had started their group studies. Their studies used to start by 8pm and went on till 2 am sometimes. Theu would gather by 4 pm saying that they will study, but nothing constructive ever used to happen. This was the time when they all used to return to their homes by crossing the fences of their houses. Anuj and his friends were also one of these groups. Almost every alternate day Anuj used to cross the fences of his house to enter silently.

Their exams ended and the second semester began. Meanwhile Anuj had already talked to the principal for the conduction of the competition and the principal had agreed as well.

Soon the registration for the competition started. Devika was sad as Anupama was on holiday till the registrations were open. The problem was that all the participants needed to sign on the form as well as face a small audition at the time of registering. Devika was sad that Anupama will be missing this big opportunity but she could do nothing about it.

The registration was open for an entire week and Anupama came to college after her one week holiday. She met up with Devika and she told Anupama about the competition and the sad news that she wasn't able to participate as the registration required her signatures. The two girls were sad and were heading to the classroom when one of the guys, Ramesh, involved in the managing of the competition came.

Ramesh: Hi!

Devika: Ha bolo Ramesh..

Ramesh: Devika, ek minute. Anupama, yeh lo tumhara token. Competition ke liye tayar rehna! Bohot tough hone wali hai yeh wali!

Anupama: Par maine toh..

Devika: Ok thanks Ramesh!

Devika took the token from his hands and shooed his off.

Anupama: Devika! Tumne tog kaha tha ki mera naam nahi likha pai!

Devika: mai toh nahi likhi par mai acchi tarah se jaanti hu kis ne likha tumhara naam! Abhi aai!

Anupama: Par Devika! Devika! Oh ho! Yeh chokri bhi na! Naam toh batate jaati!

Devika made her way to Anuj who was siting with his friends in the canteen.

Devika: Anuj baat karni hai..

She took him from there to another corner of the canteen.

Anuj: Kya hua Devika?

Devika: Kya hua? Tumne Anu ka naam competition me de diya!

Anuj: Woh.. actually...

Devika: I'm impressed! Kam se kam tum Mr itni toh himmat aai!

She nudged him and he started to shy away a little.

Devika: Anu bohot khush hai! Aur ab mai chalti hu aur uski tayari me madad karti hu!

Anuj: Ha, jaldi jao! Bye!

Devika: Bye!
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The day of the competition arrived and Anupama performed. She gave her best performance there and Anuj as usual clapped his heart away for her. He loved to see her dance with her heart open, that was what separated her from the rest. She danced for happiness and others danced for winning the competition. Apparently this time the judges also saw this difference and awarded Anupama the first price. They all celebrated and Anuj saw her from a distance. He watched her being happy and celebrate her victory and became happy.

For the next few days, Anupama was granted to carry her brothers magnets with her.

It was one of those days when she had her brothers magnets with her. She got down from the bus and while going towards her classroom she accidently dropped her magnets. Anuj saw it fall from the side of his eyes. He quickly went there and picked it up from there. He pecked it softly and kept it inside his pocket. He kept it safely with him.

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