CHECKMATE

Chapter 7

"Congrats Sid!" exclaimed Pratap over the phone.
"Thanks bro!" He exclaimed from the other end. "When will you be back?"
"Aaah..another two years and I'll be back..." Replied Pratap with a sigh.
"Two!" Gasped Siddharth, "LLM is for two years and one is already complete. Isn't this your second year or have you failed?"

"Failed!" Laughed Pratap, "great imagination! I'll work here for a year then be back. Experience matters you know. How's Shiv and the others?"
"All fine," he sighed, "I feel relieved that I passed in my CA finals in one shot."
"When's the party?" asked Pratap with a cheeky grin.
"Once your back, I'll treat you to some beer." Chuckled Siddharth.
"Beer is for boys, whiskey is for men." Laughed Pratap.
"You're still a boy," teased Siddharth, "college going kiddo."

Pratap made a face and Siddharth stuck his tongue out like a crazy child. The video call seemed to go on for hours until Pratap realized he was getting late for his lectures.

"Gotta go," said Pratap and ended the call.

~

"A cultural fest!" exclaimed Anjali jumping up from her seat.
"Alright, alright..." chuckled a fare skinned professor running his hands through his light brown hair. "Sit down Anjali..."
"Mr. Manolis this is gonna be fun!" Exclaimed a girl.
"Of course," he nodded with a shrug. "Now, for the most uninteresting part, submit your projects please."

Groans filled the class room and few began thinking of excuses as to why they couldn't submit. Anjali and a few others submitted their projects and were dismissed.

With six months of preps how am I supposed to do it? thought Anjali in dismay.

"Are you thinking about the cultural fest?" Asked Rohan snapping her out of her thoughts. "Perhaps I can help..."

She nodded asking, "How are we going to get everyone to participate in it?"
"Umm... I'll put out messages so that all the Indians can club to start brainstorming at least." Replied Rohan turning to leave.
"Listen!" exclaimed Anjali. Rohan turned and popped a questioning look at her. "Do you know Pratap by any chance?"

"Who's Pratap?" asked Rohan in confusion.
"LLM student," she replied, crossing her fingers behind her back, in anticipation.
"Oh he...ya...why?" asked Rohan sceptically.
"Thank God!" yelped Anjali in delight much to Rohan's bewilderment. "Please tell him I need his help."

Rohan stood still for a moment and stared at Anjali until she said, "Hello? Go tell him, it's a group effort."

Rohan turned and left, he saw Pratap with a group of young Indian boys discussing something.

"Hey Pratap!" Wished Rohan from behind him. "Are you by any chance collecting a team?"

Turning around Pratap gave him a tight lipped smile replying, "Ya, you'd have to help. Your name please?"
"Oh yes, I'm Rohan!" Smiled the lad with a firm handshake.

Rohan was as tall as Pratap and the two had nearly a similar built. The only difference was that Pratap looked much more appealing than Rohan. Rohan was the typical college boy with shabby hair, red caps, ripped jeans and funky jackets while Pratap was the more 'man' than boy.

"Anjali asked me to...aa...call you..." Said Rohan not knowing how else to put it.

Pratap felt his heart thump hard. A warm feeling tugged at his cheeks making them a light pink. Averting Rohan's gaze, Pratap managed to hide his stupid reaction and clearing his throat said, "Alright let's go."