~Rishabh's POV~
I was restlessly flipping the pages of my Mathematics textbook, ruffling my hair with one hand and a pen between my lips.
I was sitting in the calm isolated canteen, in the most comfortable cushion chair, after the last day of the mid-terms and soaking in the pleasure of my sure-shot victory against Dixit in the exams. I had aced my tests just as usual but I didn't have the leisure to indulge in pleasantries just yet.
The inter-school championship was knocking at the door and being a final year student and also one among the toppers (for boiling hearts), I was sure enough that the school authorities would select me for representing the school in the championship.
Every year, the authorities would call in the best out of the best students to represent St. Louis in the prestigious yearly inter-school mixer which remained a dream for several students for decades.
I had been one of those students as I had seen the seniors basking in the glory of victory with that shining cup in their hands,—being bestowed upon with the greatest accolade one could get as the student of St. Louis.
I had already mastered the inner sanctum of my school and now I needed new competition.
Truth be told, I didn't care about the others. I could easily handle this on my own.
Only one student is to be chosen from each school and Rishabh Singh Rathore didn't need any partner to coddle. I had been ardently hoping for years that I would be the only one to represent the school for the very first time and I couldn't be more sure that they'd definitely choose me.
Poor Dixit and whosoever is beneath my rank.
While I was rummaging through the nitty topics, I heard the canteen door fling open and Father walked in with no care in the world whatsoever.
I stood up in attention immediately. The man had all the leisure in his life, didn't he?
"Good evening Father." I wished him in the most articulate voice ever.
"Ahh. Mr. Rathore. What are you still doing here at this hour?" Father didn't look surprised, even though his question was insinuating just that.
I simply shifted away from my comfy chair and politely invited him to settle down in it.
I had to gain his favour, alright?
"Well well... You are already preparing for the Championship, I see." Father looked down at my book and passed me an impressed smile.
I returned the smile almost as if on cue. With a Twelfth Grade Mathematics book?
Yeah, sure, Sir.
"Sort of, Sir. I was just beginning to brush up the topics for the mental aptitude test. Get a headstart while I have time."
"Brilliant! Well, it's good that I caught you here... I sensed that you might still be in the campus, my diligent student." Father led out a hearty laugh.
My ears perked up instantly at his exclamation. I might have looked like a puppy, flapping its ears while waiting for its treat but I didn't care.
It was finally happening!
"However, I would have felt much better if you hadn't begun it on your own."
Oh no way.
I had a foul feeling in the pit of my stomach.
He did NOT just say that.
"What do you mean, Father?" I almost whimpered the question out.
"You will need a partner to practice with, my boy, and also to accompany you to the Championship in St. Peter's."
I opened my mouth and closed it almost mechanically before Father could marr the little hope I still had in me for the Championship being an individual's contest this year as usual.
I was flabbergasted. What went wrong?
"Don't you know? The organising committee decided to make the championship a group activity from this year. We talked about how there should be cooperative attitude among the students while performing the tasks as well as boosting more mingling among the students of different schools around the city. The more, the merrier!"
Father had a quizzical look on his face and I felt my innards almost bursting out in anger at the revelation.
No I didn't know that!
How was I supposed to know it beforehand?
I don't have a time-machine, you old man!
"Didn't you see the pamphlet on the bulletin board yet, Mr. Rathore? It was posted this morning, child. Now don't tell me that you aren't aware that I have already made the group?" Father fired me with yet another quizzical look and I could barely respond as I was rooted to the spot.
Already made the group without me?
So was I even in it?
THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MY BREAK! MY CHAMPIONSHIP!
I felt utterly stupid for being so relaxed while gloating about being the sole chosen one moments ago.
Damn the bulletin board!
Damn you, Rishabh Rathore!
Now what did Father expect me to say?
Eversince I had seen the first senior come in with the trophy in his hands, I had already imagined myself in his place several years ago. I was supposed to represent the school by myself. I was supposed to win it single handedly.
Father knew about my ambition. He had seen me strive to enter the Championship eversince the very first day. He had seen my dream. He knew about it all. Then why would he change his mind and agree for a group activity?
Had Father lost his faith in my competence? Was it because of how I failed to bring the trophy for the basketball championship this year?
But that wasn't my fault!
The gameplay was rigged by Aakash and his unexplained grudge towards me!
"Mr. Rathore.." I looked up to see Father addressing me with a concerned look on his face. He was worried that I hadn't spoken a word since he broke the bad news to me.
"I know what you must be thinking. Sometimes you need to make the best of what is thrown at you. I assented to this deal because I wanted to see my last batch of students win the trophy together as a group and make me proud before my retirement."
I sighed.
"You could have definitely made us proud on your own but your strength lies in your competitive attitude and that comes out best when you're with the students of our school." He pulled his brows up in an understanding gesture and I tried to grasp the meaning behind his words.
I knew there were many students like me who dreamt of representing the school in the Championship but it was hard for me to believe that any of those students had it them what I had in order to maneuver around the intricacies.
And no one, I repeat, no one was as passionate about the championship as I was. I had the winning confidence in myself but I wasn't at all pleased about participating with the other buffoons.
If we had to huddle up an impromptu group together like this, there was perhaps zero to no chance of us winning the trophy this time. All was lost.
"Moreover this entire ordeal spared me the immense trouble of choosing between you and Miss Dixit as the individual representatives of the school.." I nodded at his words unmindfully but the next second almost jumped out of my skin at mere mention of her name.
F*ck.
"If this has to be a group project then Father would most certainly include Sanvi Dixit in it as well."
I was bathed in cold-sweat at the mere thought of the possibility by the time I realised that I had accidentally exclaimed that out loud.
Father narrowed his eyes at me.
I tried to cover my surprise with an awkward smile.
Probably not, huh?
Sanvi Dixit might have been a choice for the individual championship against my name but she was never great at social activities.
Father wouldn't consider her as a member then, would he?
What if he truly did include her in it? How would we work together? How would I bear working around her?
I could barely think of anything other than the prospect of somehow being tricked by Father into working with Sanvi Dixit.
That cruel man.
***************
To Be Continued.