Author's POV-
Pratiksha was sitting with her grandfather one day, reading a Hindi story by Munshi Premchand. The story was "Poos Ki Raat," a heart-wrenching account of a farmer named Halku, who had no option but to pay off his debt with all the money he had been saving to buy a blanket for winters. Munshi Premchand's writing is renowned for its simplicity and profound depiction of human emotions and social issues. His stories often reflect the harsh realities of rural life in India, making them timeless and deeply moving. Her voice was soft and soothing as she read aloud, "और फिर उसने कहा..." (and then he said) when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw Niharika's name flashing.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hainn!" (Whaat) she shouted, "Packing for the college trip? But why? I haven't even paid the fee for it and I'm not willing to go."
Niharika's voice came through the phone, "Arrey, don't worry about the fee. Just start packing."
Pratiksha frowned, "Nihu, did you pay for it?"
Niharika laughed nervously, "No, silly. Don't mind but I've to give answers to dadi (grandmother) if I randomly use the money that's why she goes with me for shopping, huff.. leave it but yeah It's from the scholarship."
Her confusion deepened. "But the scholarship doesn't include the trip..."
"Umm..wo..chal bye"
Before she could ask anything more, Niharika had already cut the call. She sighed and looked at her grandfather, who had been listening quietly.
"Kya hua?" (what happened?) he asked, seeing her puzzled expression.
She explained the situation, and her grandfather smiled gently. "Child, you should go to college and see what it's about. Sometimes destiny plans something good for us."
She looked at him in confusion, but he just smiled and shrugged. She felt a sense of calm wash over her, trusting his wisdom. She pondered them as if they were ancient scrolls unraveling secrets. Destiny-a celestial weaver...
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Clutching her bag suspiciously, Pratiksha entered her college. She knew Niharika wasn't dumb enough to lie about her paying the trip fee. But if she hadn't paid, then who had? There was no way the college would include the trip in the scholarship.
Spotting Niharika near the canteen, she marched over. "Now, tell me the truth. Who paid for the trip?"
Niharika grinned mischievously. "Oh, Pratiksha, what do you think? Maybe it was a secret admirer!"
She rolled her eyes. "Nihu, seriously. I don't want jokes."
Niharika pretended to think deeply. "Hmm, maybe it was a fairy godmother? Ya phir koi billionaire uncle? (Or maybe some billionaire uncle?)"
Now her patience was wearing thin. "Niharika, stop it! I really need to know."
Niharika laughed, enjoying her friend's irritation. "Okay, okay. Maybe it was... Santa Claus?"
She frowned. "Nihu, please! Tumhe pata hai main yeh trip afford nahi kar sakti. (Nihu, please! You know I can't afford this trip.)"
Niharika finally stopped laughing and looked at Pratiksha with a serious expression. "Relax, Pratiksha. Tumhe bas trip enjoy karna hai. (Relax, Pratiksha. You just need to enjoy the trip.)"
Pratiksha sighed in frustration. "But..."
Before she could finish, Niharika hugged her, she was now more confused than ever.
"Shhhh It doesn't matter, the thing that matters is the person who paid it has something for you. And yeah I can't tell you who it is because I swore that I wouldn't tell this. The thing that matters is we are going on a trip together." she excitedly said.
She knew she had to get to the bottom of this mystery. Pratiksha felt a mix of frustration and curiosity. She knew she had to find out who had paid for the trip.
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Spotting Raj near the administration's office, she marched over. Raj, who had become her friend as well thanks to Niharika and his friendship, looked up and grinned. "Hey, Pratiksha! What's up?"
"Raj, Who paid for my trip?" she demanded.
He chuckled, "Arrey na Hii na Hello, sidha kaam ki baat?" (No greetings and meetings?)
She glared at him with such intensity that he immediately stopped laughing.
Raj tried to divert the topic, "Arre, chalo na canteen, kuch khaate hain. (Come on, let's go to the canteen, let's eat something.)"
But She wasn't having it. She gave him a stern look. "Raj, agar tumne mujhe nahi bataya, toh main Niharika ko bata dungi ki tum Rahul se chipak rahe the. (Raj, if you don't tell me, I'll tell Niharika that you were clinging to Rahul in the campus.)"
Raj's eyes widened in horror. "Tum yeh nahi kar sakti! Aur rahi baat Rahul ki toh ye baat hum dono acche se jante hai ki Rahul chipakta hai humse. I tried to avoid him but now this is too much, let me tell this to the principal, oh but the problem is he too has a thing for Rahul, shit, I'm fucked up. Please Pratiksha don't make things complicated between me and her. I really like her." (You can't do this! And we both know very well that Rahul clings to me and not just me, perhaps other boys too. I tried to avoid him but now this is too much, let me tell this to the principal, oh but the problem is he too has a thing for Rahul, shit, I'm fucked up. Please Pratiksha don't make things complicated between me and her. I really like her.)
Pratiksha smiled at his confession but quickly composed it, she crossed her arms, "Toh phir batao. (Then tell me.)"
He sighed, realizing he had no way out. "Fine, it was Reyansh but don't tell him that I told you."
She froze, a mix of blush, anger, and confusion welling up inside her. Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Raj standing there, relieved but bewildered.
As she walked, her mind raced. Why would Reyansh pay for her trip? What did he want? The thought of him doing something so considerate made her cheeks warm, but the confusion and irritation were stronger.
She needed answers, and she was determined to get them.
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SO THAT'S IT.
I'M KEEPING THIS STORYLINE A LITTLE SLOW...I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT I'M GOING SLOWW CHHEEEEEE
SO CURRENTLY I'M NOT GETTING VEIWS (READS), IT'S DISAPPOINTING I KNOW. IT FEELS LIKE I'M TALKING TO A PERSON WHO IS DEAF AND BLIND AS WELL.
KHAIR, LEAVE IT...I HOPE YOU ARE LIKING THE STORY.
DO VOTE AND COMMENT...PLEASE
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