~Sanvi's POV~
"I would most certainly appreciate it if you could keep your personal issues aside, Aakash. This is a team effort and I hope you guys would co-operate in making this a success."
As soon as we entered the hall, we saw Aakash standing in front of a very grave Father with his head hung low.
Uh. Oh.
Was this Rishabh's doing?
Father smiled as soon as he saw us and ushered us in.
"Take a seat, Ms. Dixit and Mr. Rathore. I'll be with you in a minute." Saying so, he turned back to Aakash who was throwing venomous gazes at us in regular intervals. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"What did you do?" Irritated at Aakash's constant scowls, I whisper-yelled to Rishabh and he simply answered with a smirk.
"So, Aakash, now that you already have a partner, why don't you go and decide on your task after consulting with your teammates? Get back to me in the afternoon when you're done with it. I'll advice you to choose wisely."
"But Father, with all due respect, is there absolutely no possible way for me to perform alone? I'd do much better alone rather than with her! I promise. I don't need any assistance."
"A no means no, Aakash. It's a two-person task and we don't want to overwhelm any other group with more than one task. If you don't want to be disqualified altogether, work up a way to mitigate your differences."
I was entire baffled.
Who took up Aakash as their partner and why didn't he want to work with them? All of a sudden, I felt Rishabh's fingers hold my chin and turn me to look at a girl sitting in the far corner of the big hall.
"Tanya, Aakash's ex." My eyes almost bulged out of their sockets in shock as Rishabh snickered beside me.
"I simply tweaked the words a little bit to fit the narrative against that asshole." He explained as I kept looking at the girl in astonishment.
"Put in a few words on how Father should incorporate Tanya into the team to even it out and since Aakash was working alone, why not pair them up? Poor girl wanted to get back at Aakash for their breakup. Now he has to work with the girl that he ruthlessly dumped in front of the entire school two weeks ago..."
I turned to look at Rishabh in sheer amusement. That was indeed so wicked of him.
I was entirely dumbfounded.
The more I stared at his side-profile, the more I felt jittery on the inside. This guy, my partner... Rishabh Singh Rathore, my nemesis, was pure evil.
What did I get myself into?
********
"A fabulous choice indeed. Mental aptitude would be the perfect task for the two of you. Now, I want you to begin collecting all the materials listed in the document and start studying. We barely have a month at hand." Rishabh and I nodded in response as Father went over our applications for the Championship.
Rishabh and I were on the same page regarding the Mental Aptitude task. It made the most sense for us. A bit more for me, honestly, since I was attempting to steer clear of all the physical tasks.
All we had to do was search up on the topics and study hard for one month. We both were equally competent at that. Hell, that was all that I could do those days.
Moreover, I was relieved knowing that we could practice for the task on our own. I wouldn't have to be with Rishabh all the time and that was a boon right then more so than ever. Especially with all my feelings and hormones acting weird with him around.
"Ms. Dixit, I'd like to speak to you alone for a minute." I was stopped by Father on our way out of the hall. Rishabh turned back in confusion and I gestured him to continue without me. I knew where he was going anyway.
"I'll be in the library..." Predictable. Saying so, he walked right out and I nervously took my seat in front of Father once again.
"Now, Ms. Dixit. I hope you already know that the Committee is providing scholarships to the students of the winning team." I nodded eagerly as the one thing of my benefit from the Championship was finally being talked about.
"You see, there is this clause put forth by them which entails that only one needy student will actually be provided with the scholarship,—one who has the potential but lacks the means to continue in a good reputed college in the country." I gulped and kept nodding while fidgeting with the hem of my flannel.
"Now, I figured I should personally ask you to apply for it firsthand. I have come to understand that you are not in a particularly good position with your family presently, is that right?"
My head involuntarily dipped down to look at my hands entwined on my lap. It felt embarassing to have Father spell out my miserable family situation.
"Yes, Father. The scholarship,—if we manage to win— will help me a lot." I managed to croak out with my head still down.
Sighing, I continued.
"To be honest, the only enticing thing about the Championship to me is the scholarship. It could give me a new life."
Honestly, I was done playing the possum. I had to voice out my worries.
"My child, look at me." I was compelled to pull my head up with Father's soft tone.
"I know it must be difficult for you. But you have to make yourself strong. It would be wrong to assume that others are sleeping in a bed of roses. However, with the clause provided in the application, no one has yet applied for the scholarship. Except for you, Sanvi."
I grimaced with the idea of being the only one who put a tick in the needy scholarship box.
How desperate of me.
"I've seen you grow up. I've seen the potential in you. I simply can't sit and watch while this potential gets wasted away." I felt my heart warm up at Father's words and I could almost cry.
These words. I wanted someone to assure me with these few words. All could go to hell then.
"Which is why, I'll make sure you do get that scholarship. Even if the Committee doesn't sponsor it, I will step up. But for that, I'll require your best efforts in the Championship. Once you bring that cup home, I'll leave no stones unturned to make sure you have a decent higher education."
I felt a tear roll down the corner of my eye but I couldn't care less.
Father smiled sombrely at me.
"Remember your goal and try to be patient with every trouble thrown your way. I know you'll be able to cross those hurdles. Help will always be given at St.Louis to those who help themselves."
I nodded in an unmindful state.
I really wished I could help myself then.
***********†**********
To Be Continued.