The Rivals (Rewriting)

Shot-21

We got a day off from the Championship schedule after three days of intense practice. Although most of what Rishabh and I did wouldn't come close to the 'intense practice' sessions that Veronica and the others were doing.

We were mostly lazing around the Library with our heads in our laptops searching up the meagre authentic mental aptitude test formats that we could find and then bickering about which one would be more suitable for us to practice.

This almost made me consider changing our task to Debate since all we did was argue. But then again, we could only argue with that intensity only when it was with each other. All the three long days in that Library and yet we couldn't decide on a single test, let alone start practicing.

We would go to the school, see other kids practicing their hardest: Dhruv and Sanaya tiring out in their swimsuits, Veronica and Pavan in their own world, studying hard on relevant topics of debates in a corner of the Library and then part our ways at the end of the day without any real progress.

However, Aakash and Tanya were nowhere to be seen. I guessed they still hadn't made up their mind although at that point all they had to do was begin practicing for the Cyclothon.

Since most of the days, we'd encounter Pavan and Veronica in the Library, Rishabh hadn't made any remark about the other day. He behaved rather normally around them as we were never left alone. I was honestly glad for the most part of that arrangement.

"Vee, do you think global politics should be an appropriate topic for a highschool debate?" I looked up from my laptop at Veronica's question.

On the afternoon of the third day, we were seated on the large table at the front of the Library. Rishabh was at the farthest corner of the table and he occasionally bobbed his head to the music from having his headphones on.

"Maybe. With globalisation being a relevant topic in today's day and age. I don't see why highschool students shouldn't be acquainted with what is happening with the politics out in the world." Pavan nodded eagerly at my answer with a satisfied look on his face.

"See, I told you. We cannot simply brush over such an important topic." He added and I pursed my lips, agreeing with him whilst an irritated Veronica rolled her eyes at us.

"I asked you if it's appropriate, Vee Vee!" She whined. "There's just no innocence left in this world." Her response made both Pavan and I chuckle.

"If you talk about innocence, we've all lost that waaaay before we turned teenagers." I remarked jokingly, making Veronica twist her lips at me in annoyance.

"We're not in the middle ages, for God's sake! We won't have to fight for Westeros!" She grumbled before closing her book and lazing back on her seat.

"That is not a progressive way of thinking, Veronica." She turned away from me. "We'll step into a world blindly at this stage if we don't know anything about it beforehand." From the corner of my eyes, I could see Rishabh pull his headphones down to hear me convincing Veronica.

"Global politics is very much related to the topic of terrorism. And we know how terrorism is a big topic when it comes to a debate. Now you'll tell me that an 'innocent' student shouldn't have to bear the cruel realities of the world at this stage. But the fact remains is that this world is much crueler in real life. When this very student steps into the real world for the first time, wouldn't it be twice harder for them to maneuver? No one can remain shielded for too long, Veronica. Everyone has to face it eventually. Better for it to be early...so that they can be ready for anything."

Veronica was listening to me intently with her head down and she smiled sadly as I finished my speech. Pavan held out a thumbs up at my accomplishment of convincing Veronica.