Iniyavale

Chapter 16

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
- Marie Curie

Sivaangi and Mrinalini were walking back to the college. Sivaangi was smiling all the way and tried to hop and dance too in between. She was pulling Mrini by her hand and she was jogging behind her as she behaved crazy. Sivaangi squeals, "Hey, avaru en ipdi irukaru ?"

Mrini didn't wanna interuppt her, so she stayed calm. Sivaangi was murmuring something all the way. They reached the basketball court and saw Krishna lying his head down on the table. Sivaangi hits his head and he shouts, "ayyoo amma..."

Mrini slaps his bicep, "niruthu overacting ah..."

Krishna shows his teeth and the girls settle down. Krishna blinks at them and Sivaangi suddenly starts, "Krishna race ku ready aagu..."

"Mudiyadhu", Krishna and Mrini says in unison and laugh out. Sivaangi gets up in anger and takes Krishna's right hand, places it on her head, "en mela sathiyam, you are taking part in the race. That's it..."

Krishna gasps in shock and takes his hand away in a reflex. Mrini declares, "enna sonnalum seri I won't. Krishna vera vazhi illa nee pannu..."

Krishna sighs, "Minni epdi ?"

"Paathukalam vidu", Mrini comforts him and Sivaangi doesn't mind their ramblings. She pulls them to the ground. The civil students were also there and they gave a mocking look. Jashwanth snorts, "thothu poradhuku group ah varadha paaru !"

The civil group laughs and Mrini mocks, "adhaan da naanum kekuren ! Thothu poradhuku edhuku ipdi gumbal ah vandhu irukinga ?"

Sivaangi and Krishna laugh out loud hearing her. Jashwanth tries to create a ruckus but his friends stop him.

Sivaangi pulls Krishna to her front and side hugs him, "nee enakku friend mattum illa. Annanum kooda. Thangachi ya kekuren, race ah jeichidu na..."

Krishna couldn't disagree her sweet plea and nods his head, patting her head. Mrini smirks at the civil department and sits there quitely. The CS students too come and settle on the other side with the trio. Soon the other departments join and the staffs too come. The head coach summons Krishna and Jashwanth, "the race is that you must complete five round tracks, each of 250m. Meaning, you have to run for one kilometre, do a long jump over the pit there, jog around the basketball court once and do a final run. The one who reaches first will win..."

The audience gasp and Ashwin arrives there, followed by Rakshan. Ashwin settles behind Sivaangi and Mrini. Sivaangi turns back and smiles widely at him. Ashwin smiles in return and asks Mrini, "rules ellam sollitangala Mrini ?"

Mrini explains all the rules and Rakshan gasps, "this is too much..."

"Can't help sir. Andha Vincent sir dhaan ipdi ellam pannirparu..." Mrini sighs and Vincent arrives there with a straight face. He smirks at CS batch and goes to the coach. He hugs Jashwanth, "you'll definitely win..." Soon his friends too hug and wish him.

Ashwin watches everything silently and waits for them to finish. He then takes Rakshan and goes to Krishna. They hug Krishna and Ashwin pats him, "all the best da ! result ennava irundhalum seri we are there for you."

Sivaangi runs and side hugs him, "all the best na..." Krishna smiles and felt happy hearing them. He saw Mrini but she stayed at her place. He sighs but hears a chorus, "all the best Krishna !" He saw Mrini and the CS batch, shouting all the best and clapping their hands, encouraging him. He goes to Mrini and hugs her with a tear. Their batch wish him and he goes back to the coach.