Vaijayanthi Katha

“A hearty welcome to everyone once again, who has decided to join us in today’s Kabaddi match between our dear Sandhu of PPS,” A loud cheer drowned Sahni’s introduction, “And Pavan from KHS who has quite frankly stolen our hearts with his graceful fighting and constant tying with our captain!”  I smiled. This was a nice introduction. Everyone cheered for me as well. I turned around and saw Sarathi beckoning me over. “You don’t have to take off your clothes if you don’t want to. I can tell-” “No, it’s alright.” I took my shirt and pants off, as some PPS boys started laughing at me. “We need to finish what we started. Properly.” Sarathi gazed at me fondly and nodded. Vijay sighed.  “Sarathi, I wish Sandhu could have asked you to fight.” Sarathi spluttered. “What? Why?” Vijay didn’t answer but looked despondently at Sarathi’s chest. He shook his head with a great disappointment. “Missed opportunity.” “For who?” Vijay looked at me as a smile tugged at his mouth.  “Sandhu, of ...

I parked my cycle next to Dharam's the next morning at school. He had already arrived. I felt like a nice dose of Dharam would soothe my hurting (body and) soul. I still remembered Vijay's words. Would Dharam have found out about my outburst at Sarathi, and would he break his friendship with me because of it?  I didn't see Dharam until lunch time. He stormed up to me, and glared me down. "I should have known something was up ever since you and Vijay dumped your boxes on me and ran away on Tuesday."  He grabbed my wrist and I winced, pulling it back. Dharam's eyes widened as he examined the bruise. I had not bandaged it up after my shower that morning. He clenched his jaw and dragged me towards the library, where Vijay was tutoring Chithra. This was a one-sided love which Dharam and I used to take much pleasure teasing Vijay about.  “Oh by the way, Vijay, I wanted to ask you something…” “If this is once again about taking me out to that coffee shop you really l...

  "So now that we've got Dharam's approval to do anything in order to secure his presidential position, we don't need to tell him our master plan." "Our master plan? Sarathi, it's all yours." "I know you are, my dear sleepy-head." We rolled our cycles down Dharam's residential street. A Santhoshi Ma temple stood at the street's end, where Sarathi kept his cycle and strolled on inside. Vijay and I blindly followed. "My plan begins with the imparting of this knowledge. Doing it in Devi's presence will ensure our victory!" "Oh, so that's why you brought us into the temple." Vijay and Sarathi blinked at me with blank smiles. "Yes. Yes, Pavan. I'm glad you made the connection." Sarathi continued. "Sandhu may be strong and cool on the outside, but inside he has the greatest weakness ever. So common to mankind." Sarathi grinned. "Women." Vijay chuckled. "That's you as w...