The Rivals (Rewriting)

Shot-25

Sanyukta was amazed a bit at the fact that he used notice her in the past. She used to take extra swimming training from their school coach on her Dad's insistence in the holidays. She never saw Randhir there. But the fact was that, she never actually bothered to notice. Her mind screamed.

"Why did you stop swimming Sanyukta?" She heard him asking and stiffened the next second. What will she reason him? She wasn't even aware of the reason for the sudden havoc in her life that completely turned her living, upside down! She solely knew one thing that she wasn't in a state to face more complications from her family's part. She had to quit swimming and several other things she was habituated of just for the sake of her father's liking! But nothing pacified him!

"I..uh..." She was feeling uncomfortable to answer as there wasn't any thing she wanted to reveal in front of him. Not at least now.

Randhir, to some extent believed that it had something to do with her family matter so he decided not to push it furthur. She was already looking a bit weared off that day. He didn't want to hurt her more by digging out her family matters, though her knew she won't tell him. He hadn't gained her trust yet. For heaven's sake, they used to loathe each other's sight till the last few months! How will even a few days of togetherness, perhaps without any bickering, make her build up a faith on him, after those long years of banters? He coughed a little before chiming in.

"Let it be.. I know how studious you act to be.. That even may have been just for the sake of a 'study-show'..." He tried to soften up the atmosphere then by mocking at her.

"What? You really think of me to be a show? How much do you know me even to judge me Randhir?" She felt her anger rise at his words, her worry long forgotten.

"What's the big deal in that? Let's know each other now... We have got the whole championship to do that..." He winked at her, pulling her by her arms, outside the auditorium.
Sanyukta was totally amused by the attitude of the boy in front of her. Once, he acts completely ignorant and the next he's being all flirty with her. This boy will be the death of her one day! She murmmered under her breath and kept on moving with him, the way he took her. She didn't jerk out of his hold this time as she knew it would go futile.

They halted upon reaching the locker room, Randhir pushed her inside the girl's one and turned back towards the boy's lockers.
Sanyukta turned back towards him, confused at his plan. Couldn't he just voice the plan out rather than just moving her like a puppet.

"Oye wait.." Randhir turned back to gaze at her, who had a total clueless expression as she stood by the door of the locker room with her hands on the either side of her waist.

"What? What should I do inside the locker room now?" Sanyukta asked him, narrowing her eyes.

"What do you do inside a locker room? Change? Keep your belongings there and move out for your respective works right? Get going then! I just cant keep on insisting you for everything.." He waved his hands dramatically in the air.

"Change for what?" She was puzzled.

"Dumbo.." He banged his hand on his head. "We just discussed our task outside right? We are supposed to practice for that! And I clearly told you that we have taken up swimming? Don't you need to change for that idiot!" He found himself getting irritated as hell while explaining her yet again. Her expressions changed from clueless to confused and now rested at nervous.

"I didn't bring my swimming costume... Just because of you! I would have brought only if I knew!" She scrunced her nose in irritation though a part was rejoicing for dropping the swimming practice plan of his. She needed a bit time to ponder over her decision of swimming again. Randhir found himself speechless yet again. He was at fault here for sure!

"In that case... You go and bring you swim wear now.. We just can lose a day.. Others have already resumed their practices.. You being away from swimming for a long time, need to get along with it sooner.. We have to win it at any cost..." Randhir was getting a bit tensed for her now. No doubt she was an excellent swimmer, he had seen her performing fantastically many times but as she's out of practice for a long time, they need to make it real fast for the championship. It's about breaths and speed. She needed to feel the water now!
Sanyukta's face fell all over again at this.

"I.. Don't... I don't know Randhir... I think I can't do this... It's been long.. I am feeling nervous... I don't think I can swim again..." At last she led it go. This was pinching her inner self since the time she had got to know about one of their tasks being swimming. She wasn't planning to show him her tension but God knows how those slipped out of her tongue. She closed her eyes expecting  bunch of mockery and sarcastic comments from him but to her surprise, she felt a pair of warm palms clutching her arms, leading her legs towards a bench before settling her there, as she opened her eyes, a bit stunned at his act.

"I.. Just... " she stammered.

As her lashes parted, he orbs met his twinkling ones as they shared a deep eyelock. Randhir bent down till her knees, settling his own knees on the ground and held her hands in between his palms tightly. He felt her hands cold and sweaty, against his warm ones, indicating that she was indeed scared.

"Shhh...Look... There's no need to get tensed okay? You are an excellent swimmer... Then what if you are out of practice? Geniuses can go even without practice... And I believe you think of yourself to be one of the best students of St.Louis right? You have never backed off Sanyukta.. I know that.. You are a strong girl.. Just hold onto your determination.. You can do this.. Moreover, I am there beside you.. You can and you will.." Randhir never knew when they came a bit closer while he spoke those. Those words just pierced his heart and came out and definitely weren't webbed by his mouth. He was actually amused at this sudden outburst of his! Never knew he would pacify Sanyukta Aggarwal, ever in this way. Each word of his dripped pure truth. He meant what he said. He knew she was strong. Hell! Her life story gave a reality check to him! But never wanted to admit in front of her. Her nervousness today, reflected a different side of her persona and he knew she didn't look good this way. She was best, determined and strong!

Their eyes never left each other for even a second after his confession. Sanyukta was way too much awestruck to say anything. He had said it all! His words invoked a sudden rush of warmth in her blood as she felt getting back all of her strength and determination again. Hell! She was owing a lot to him!
Another added to the list. The way his eyes glistened while voicing those made her interior churn with liveliness! She made up her mind that she had to do this at any cost. She wasn't a girl who would give up so easily. His words as if casted a spell on her. Her lips widened to the largest at him.

Oh that warm smile! She looked so..beautiful...with her dimples...

He felt his own lips curve into a blissful smile as they both stared at each other, smiling for a long time.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

TBC