Abhirath gritted his teeth trying to control his annoyance while facing Vandit's cheekiness.
"Mentoring the kids isn't a job that you apply for. That person may have done it last year but the archery team wasn't very happy with his selection and mentoring of kids. Hence, we decided to change it and give it to the person whom we think may do a good job at it. It is not upto the person to decide. The team assesses every player's personality and then decides what are that person's strong and weak points. Erhm… as per the coach, Mrignayani seems suited to be the right tutor for the young kids and hence her name is on the list. Topic over," he said and started to walk away.
Vandit caught up with him and grinned, "As per the coach, huh! Ok, I believe you. Since you are going towards the ground, I will come along with you. My classes don't start so early today. I might as well come and say hello to Mriga. I haven't seen her in ages. I am sure she will be happy to see me as well."
Abhirath muttered expletives under his breath but kept walking straight. Looking at his friend's annoyed face, Vandit smiled. His purpose of goading Abhirath mercilessly was to make him to come out of his shell. He could only hope that his sulky sparring partner would manage to befriend the girl he liked, during this period of training the kids together. If not, then there was no hope for him in the future!
"You should go now else you will be late for your lecture. The accounts teacher is strict, especially when it comes to his favourite student. I will see you in the evening post 9pm," Mriga stood outside the sports ground and told Yash.
He nodded, handed over her bow solemnly and then suddenly ruffled her hair. Before she could berate him, he blew her a kiss and turned to go. Smiling at his antics, she also pivoted and walked inside the ground.
"OH!" Vandit couldn't hold the surprised exclamation inside.
Then, with mounting dismay, he stole a glance at the person next to him. Abhirath's lips were pressed together and rays of disapproval shone from him.
"Now look here, to be fair, she has no clue about your…" Vanit started speaking and stopped when Abhirath raised his index finger.
"Not one word out of your mouth. I suggest that you keep your reunion with her for another day. We are going to be extremely busy on the first day of training," Abhirath said through clenched teeth and walked off.
"Mriga, may the Sun god be with you today!" Vandit sent a prayer upwards on behalf of his unsuspecting friend who didn't know what storm was coming her way this morning.
Mriga was busy acquainting herself with the two groups of children who stood there. She bowed to greet the sports teacher who had just reached them. She hadn't checked the list and asked the teacher about her fellow student who would be instructing the ten-year olds.
"Guruji, here are the bows which you had asked for," Abhirath was carrying a big bunch of them for the new trainees.
Mriga's mouth fell open in dismay. Was he going to be her partner in mentoring the kids for the next ten days? She was overworked already and this duty was an added burden. She had no complaints about her current schedule but was it too much to expect good natured company at least while she baked in the sun with the kids? Unfair…
Still politeness demanded that she acknowledge him. Who knew, he may have improved since they last met?
"Hello Abhirath. Fancy meeting you here," she said neutrally.
Much to her chagrin, he simply ignored her greeting and got busy distributing the bows to the kids.
The teacher was an amiable person and tried to cover up for his best but temperamental student's behavior. He assumed that Mriga must know of him because of his laurels in the same sport as hers while Abhirath may not know her.
"Don't mind him. He is slightly shy and doesn't speak freely with people whom he is not acquainted with. But as you know, he is the most talented and fierce archer in our Gurukul. In fact, we will be sending him to participate in the archery competition to be held in the neighbouring country soon," he didn't stop listing Abhirath's laurels till Mriga bowed to him and excused herself to go her charges.
"Well, I am more than happy to ignore him. It sure is better than to hear his caustic barbs at all times," she muttered angrily.
"Bring your students to the other side of the ground," Abhirath slid up to her and spoke suddenly, giving her a fright.
She felt like wanting to stomp her feet in a sulk but drew in a deep breath instead and followed him.
The daily sessions were to last for two hours and were scheduled for early morning since the sun wasn't as harsh at the time. By the time they finished showing them the mechanics of the bow and the posture, the first session was over. During the entire time, Mriga had tuned Abhirath out and concentrated on her bunch of kids. Thankfully, he also concentrated on his own duties and didn't exchange a single word with her during the time.
The teachers for both the batches were waiting for them at the ground's exit when Mriga and Abhirath led the kids there.
Mriga also took a step to leave post that when he spoke up authoritatively, "Come with me."
She turned sideways to look at him but he was already walking back inside.
"Bloody bossy. Who is he to order me around?" she grumbled and stood there unsurely for a moment before following him.