Pranbir Short Story Collection

The Football Match

[My friend Mala suggested this theme. So this story is dedicated to Mala Pokhrel]

An ambience of excitement and anticipation prevailed over the entire college as the day of inter college soccer match had finally arrived. The faculty too joined in the enthusiasm of the students and had been engaged in preparations for weeks so that everything moves without any glitch.

Some students were strolling around the campus, engaged in discussions about the soccer match that was about to begin within an hour while some others were moving about busily, discharging the tasks they had been entrusted with. And some geeks were engrossed in their books even in the midst of the festive ambience, oblivious to their surroundings.

Prachi and Sahana were walking towards the grounds at a leisurely pace. Sahana was exclaiming excitedly over the decorations while Prachi was observing the same with a charming smile and giving her inputs occasionally.

Prachi was absent mindedly twirling a lock of her sleek and smooth fall of hair while taking in the surroundings which had been changed almost beyond recognition with festoons and banners exhibiting a multitude of colours.

Out of the blue, someone grabbed Prachi's shoulders from the back and shook her. Startled out of her wits, Prachi cried out in alarm and whirled around only to find Ranbir doubling up with laughter.

"Don't you have anything to do other than troubling me?" Scowling furiously at the still laughing Ranbir, Prachi swatted him on the arm with her notebook.

"Ow! It hurts!" Ranbir's laughter was replaced by a grimace

"Good. It was meant to." Prachi smirked

"You are such a tyrant, Lecturi." Ranbir scowled at Prachi

"You are such a baby, Baklu." Prachi rolled her eyes in typical 'Prachi' style

"Enough you two! Whenever you two meet you start fighting. No one who comes across you for the first time will believe that you are such good friends. Give me a break. Please." Sahana pouted

"Awe Sahana! You are so cute! Never heard the saying that those who fight the most also love each other the most?" Ranbir winked at Prachi with a cocky grin.

"Oh, is that so?" Sahana giggled while wiggling her eyebrows as she turned to Prachi

The next moment both Sahana and Ranbir cried out as Prachi used her notebook on both of them in quick succession.

"If you are done joking around, Ranbir, your team mates are waiting for their 'star' player." Prachi inclined her head towards Ranbir's team mates and friends who had been growing increasingly impatient and were probably debating if they should come and haul him away.

I wasn't joking at all Prachi. I wish you could understand.

Ranbir thought as he sighed wistfully.

"What's wrong?" Prachi was looking at him quizzically

"Nothing. I was wondering if you are going to be the cheerleader, cheering for me in those short, cute dresses." Ranbir smirked suggestively and then guffawed as Prachi punched him playfully on the arm.

"You are incorrigible, Ranbir. Now go." Prachi shoved him towards his team mates.

Chuckling, he began to walk away when Prachi hauled him back by his jacket.

"Arey yaar! No one will ever respect me if they see how you treat me. At least think of my reputation in the college." Ranbir feigned embarrassment.

"Don't call me yaar. And I just wanted to wish you luck for the match. Best of luck." Prachi smiled.

"Thank you." Exhilarated, Ranbir's face split into a broad grin.