"Are you ready to win the title again"?
"Yes", screamed hundreds of students assembled in the ground.
St. Xavier's is well prepared for the inter-school fest happening tomorrow onwards. As usual, the girls are all set to bring the title back to the school.
Noor is going to partake in the fest for the first time. She has always been fascinated by the victories brought to the school by her seniors. Ever since she remembers, after the first term, it is always about the inter-school fest. The selections, practices, fun, noises and the entire atmosphere turns festive. When the fest approaches, students and teachers forget about studies. The thumping music of dances, the eloquent dialogues of dramas, and the thundering beats of orchestra resonate around the entire school. The school band practices in the ground from morning to evening, even under the scorching sun. Noor has always wondered how come they get the stamina for such intense practice. Now that she is taking part, she clearly understands the spirit beneath the hard work.
"I should win the competition" This thought lingered in Noor's mind the whole time she stood on the ground. The meeting has been dispersed, and it is time to go home.
The next day, Noor got down from the school bus. She stared at the building in front of her. The famous St. George's boys' school, the rivals.
"Noor, hold these props", shouted Riya from the bus. Riya is here with the group dance team. Noor went back to the door side and got hold of the items thrown to her hands. They walked towards the room allocated to St. Xavier's. St. Xavier's has arrived. It can be well understood from the stare of every boy on the campus. The girls of St.Xavier's have always been admired by boys from every school nearby. To have a girlfriend from St. Xavier's is considered the most prestigious victory among boys.
"Riya, I have kept the props here, okay? Do not forget. I have my extempore competition in half an hour. Let me go check with Amrutha. Best wishes".
"Noor, grab the first position. All the best".
Noor left the green room and went in search of Amrutha. She has told Noor to meet at the registration desk. Noor walked through the corridors of St. George's she has heard of since kindergarten. The place felt very familiar to her. She felt as if she was walking through all the stories she had heard.
Amrutha was there at the registration desk. "Noor, we need to get the chest numbers soon and enter the venue. Come fast." Amrutha talked to the volunteers there and got us our numbers. Noor considers Amrutha as her role model. Indeed, she got hugely inspired by Amrutha's achievements that she decided to be an orator herself.
"Let us sit here", said Amrutha as they entered the venue. It is a normal classroom arranged to be a venue. A desk and three chairs have been arranged for the judges at the front. They occupied seats in the middle row. The place is already filled by students from other schools. Seeing Noor tensed, Amrutha told, "Noor, it is not about the number of participants. It is about our quality. You have so much talent to top all of them. Keep that in mind". Noor felt calm by her words.
"Woo-hoo, the champion is back". Noor got disturbed from her thoughts. It was a senior boy from St. George's. "Hello Aman, so we meet again". Amrutha shook hands with him. He got seated on the bench in front of them. He turned back and talked with Amrutha. Noor went back to her thoughts.
"This is Noor. She will participate in the junior section". Amrutha patted on Noor's shoulder. Noor turned towards Aman and smiled at him. "Hi, Noor". Aman extended her hands towards Noor. They shook hands. "So you are the junior Jhansi from St. Xavier's. Let us look whether you can be Amrutha's successor." Aman winked at her. "Hey Aman, don't you play with her mind. Noor, do not bother him. He is just trying to tense you." Amrutha slapped Aman on his hand. Aman laughed at them. "By the way, let me introduce our junior warrior," Aman called a boy who was standing at the door. He walked towards the threesome. "Meet Reyhan. Noor, he is going to be your rival for all the years to come." Noor and Amrutha waved at Reyhan.
"Participants of the junior section kindly follow me. You will be escorted to another room where each one will be given the topic five minutes before your slot. Follow me."
"Noor, go do your best". Amrutha turned to Noor.
Noor walked with other participants to the other room. She went and sat at a bench where no one was seated. She turned towards the window. The football match was going on at the ground. She stared at the ground below through the window.
"May I sit here?" Noor was startled at the question.
She turned and looked. It was Reyhan. "Ya, sure.", Noor replied. Reyhan sat near her.
"I am Reyhan. We met downstairs earlier". "Yes, I know", Noor replied.
Noor went back to staring at the football match.
"So, you love football?" Reyhan popped the question again.
"Ya, I like it. But I watch cricket more."
Reyhan shook his head. It was followed by some moments of silence. Feeling awkward, Noor asked," Which class are you in?"
"I am in 6th grade. What about you?"
"I am also in 6th".
"Chest number 1, follow me", a volunteer came into the classroom. The competition has begun. Noor and Reyhan sat at two ends of the bench for the rest of the time, engaging in their own thoughts. "Chest number 40, come on". It was the call for Noor. She stood up and went with a volunteer. She was taken to another room on the same floor. Noor was alone there. The volunteer showed a paper to her. It was written "Role of students in environmental protection". Noor started to prepare for the extempore in her mind. She was called to speak after 5 minutes. Noor was an absolute pleasure at her first inter-school competition. Noor completed her speech. Thunderous applause filled the room. Noor looked around. Many from her school were there to watch her performance. Noor felt so proud. She walked towards Amrutha. "You were phenomenal. Great work, Noor".Amrutha patted her with pride. Riya came running and hugged her. Many came forward and patted her on the shoulder. Noor felt enormous happiness.
"Chest number 41". The volunteer announced. Reyhan walked in through the door. Noor suddenly diverted all her attention to Reyhan. Reyhan has a powerful voice. Noor admired his performance and felt threatened. As Reyhan walked away after his speech, he looked at Noor. They both smiled at each other. As Reyhan was the last contestant they waited for the result to be announced soon. After a few minutes, the judges stood up to announce the result. Reyhan grabbed the second position. "The first place goes to chest number 40". St. Xaviers broke into jubilation.
Next up was the senior level competition. Aman and Amrutha were to compete at this event. Noor was super excited to watch their competition. "Hey, Noor". She turned and looked. It was Reyhan." Everyone told me that you were good on stage. Congrats". "Thanks, Reyhan. Congrats to you too. You came second. Right?"
"Reyhan, what is going on here?" The sound came from behind. It was a group of boys from St. George. They were teasing Reyhan. No matter what, talk with a girl from St. Xavier's brings attention. Reyhan got disturbed. "Bye, Noor". He rushed to the gang and joined them.
It was a celebratory mood at St Xavier's. They have won the overall trophy yet again. The whole school is excited at the morning assembly. The stage is filled with the trophies won at the fest. The prayers were over and the principal announced that it was time to distribute the prizes. The winners were called one by one on to the stage. The school encouraged them with loud applause. It was the moment Noor had waited for a long time. Finally, her name was called. She made her way to the stage through the assembly line. She got onto the stage and took her trophy from the principal. She looked at the assembly with a big smile. It was a dream come true for her.
The classes resumed again at St. Xavier's. Everyone was back to the normal routine. Noor was listening to the class after the lunch break. She just wanted to leave the class as it was her least favorite subject. Riya and Noor played bingo at the back of the rough book. What better way to not fall asleep? Suddenly, the school attendant came in. " Principal wants to meet Noor".
