The next day after class, Rena stood at the front of the room, the "College Week" banner hanging behind her. Her eyes, filled with determination, scanned the room. The students in front of her looked exhausted, their gazes tired and unfocused. Despite the fatigue in the air, she was determined to get through to them.
"I know this is a lot," Rena began, her voice carrying a mixture of earnestness and urgency. "But College Week is just around the corner. It's our responsibility to make it unforgettable. We've worked hard to get to this point, and I don't want us to lose momentum now. We can't just do the bare minimum; we need to give it our all!"
Her words hung in the air, but instead of agreement, she was met with silence. The students avoided her gaze, their expressions reflecting their weariness. Finally, Rohit, one of the students, spoke up, his voice heavy with resignation.
"Rena, we're all exhausted. We've had back-to-back assignments, exams, and now this. I just don't have the energy to put into College Week right now. Can't we just keep it simple?"
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group, and Rena's frustration became palpable. She fought to keep her composure, but it was clear she was struggling.
"I get it, Rohit, I really do," Rena replied, her voice firm but tinged with a hint of desperation. "But this isn't just any event; it's the highlight of our year. If we don't put in the effort, we're going to regret it later. I'm not asking for perfection, but I am asking for commitment. We owe it to ourselves and the college to make this amazing."
The room fell into an uneasy silence. Rena's words were met with more averted gazes and hesitant shifts in seats. Neha, sitting in the middle of the group with her arms crossed, was the next to speak. Her tone was dismissive, almost detached.
"Rena, you're asking too much. Not everyone cares as much as you do. It's just a college event. Why are you pushing so hard?"
Rena's frustration flickered in her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her voice trembled slightly as she responded, more emotionally now but still controlled.
"Because it matters to me. And I thought it mattered to all of us. This is our chance to leave a mark, to create something we can look back on with pride. I can't do this alone, but I won't let it fall apart either."
She paused, her gaze sweeping the room, hoping to see some change in their attitudes. But the indifference seemed to press down on her like a weight, and a lump began to form in her throat.
"I just… I don't understand why no one else cares," she said, her voice faltering. "We used to be so passionate about these things. What happened?"
Silence answered her once again, and the strain of holding back tears became more apparent. I had encouraged Rena to take the lead, but it was clear she was hitting a wall. I couldn't stand by any longer.
"Rena," I began gently, stepping forward. My voice was calm but laced with concern. "It's not that we don't care. It's just… everyone's tired. We're all dealing with our own stuff. Maybe we need to find a way to make this work without burning ourselves out."
Rena looked at me, her frustration and sadness evident in her eyes. She was too close to breaking down to fully grasp the sense in my words.
"But if we don't push, we won't achieve anything," she replied, her voice shaky. "I can't stand the thought of looking back and knowing we didn't even try…"
I moved closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. My touch was warm, and my words were soft but steady.
"We will try, Rena. But we need to do it together, and we need to be realistic about what we can handle. Let's find a balance. We can still make this amazing without tearing ourselves apart."
Rena's resolve wavered as she processed my words. She nodded slightly, her shoulders slumping as the weight of the situation finally overwhelmed her.
"I just wanted this to be good…" she whispered, almost to herself.
"It will be," I assured her. "We'll make it happen, together. But let's not do it alone, okay?"
Rena took a deep breath, her eyes filling with tears she could no longer hold back. She wiped them away quickly, her expression softening as she realized she didn't have to face this challenge by herself.
"Okay… let's do it together," she agreed, her voice more composed.
The atmosphere in the room shifted as the other students began to sit up straighter, sensing the change in Rena's demeanor. I glanced around the room, my voice growing stronger as I addressed the group.
"We've got this, guys," I said confidently. "Let's figure out what we can realistically handle and make it happen. We don't need to kill ourselves over this, but we can still make it something special."
A murmur of agreement spread through the room, and the students began to engage, throwing out ideas and offering suggestions. The tension gradually dissipated, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. Rena watched them with a small, relieved smile, grateful that she wasn't alone in this anymore.
As the room buzzed with newfound energy, I stood beside Rena, both of us watching as the group collaborated, the weight of the situation lifting from her shoulders. The days ahead were filled with work, but now, it felt different. We were all in it together.
The days leading up to College Week passed in a blur of activity, each student diligently working on their assigned tasks. Finally, the much-anticipated event arrived, transforming the campus into a vibrant, bustling hub of energy.
College Week kicked off with the grand opening parade. The campus was alive with colorful banners, stalls, and decorations, setting the stage for the week ahead. Students marched and danced to energetic music, and the floats Rena had designed, especially the one adorned with lights, drew everyone's admiration.
"The parade looks amazing," i remarked to Rena as they watched the festivities. "Your idea for the lighted float was brilliant."
Rena smiled, a mix of relief and pride evident on her face. "Thanks, Ashan. It's all been a team effort, and I'm glad it's turning out so well."
The day unfolded with a talent show, a food fair featuring a wide selection of international cuisines, and a sports carnival that included a three-legged race and a mini-Olympics. I joined Rena at the DIY booth, where they tried their hand at tie-dyeing shirts, laughing at their messy, yet colorful, creations. The day concluded with a movie screening on the lawn, where students relaxed on bean bags, followed by a lively karaoke session that brought out everyone's inner performer.
As they left the stage area, i turned to Rena. "That was a great day. Ready for another fun-filled one tomorrow?"
"Absolutely," Rena replied, her excitement undiminished.
The following day was just as eventful. The campus buzzed with activities: a basketball tournament, tug-of-war, and a scavenger hunt that had teams racing around, solving clues and hunting for treasures. I played in the basketball game, impressing Rena with my non-existent skills.
"That was a tough game, but so much fun," i said, catching my breath. "Your team's strategy was spot on." Rena grinned. I replied "I couldn't have done it without everyone's support. Let's check out the workshops."
The workshops featured everything from dance classes to cooking demos, and the evening brought a talent showcase with live music, followed by a spirited dance-off.
Each day of College Week brought new excitement. On the third day, a fashion show, debate competition, and cooking contest kept everyone engaged. I sampled dishes at the cooking contest, marveling at the culinary talents on display. Rena, ever the organizer, ensured everything ran smoothly, her satisfaction evident as they prepared for the live band performance and comedy show that capped off the day.
By the fourth day, the campus was abuzz with a quiz competition, a DIY crafts fair, and a magic show that left the audience captivated. As the day wound down with a poetry slam and an open mic night, Rena couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
"We're making great progress," she said to me. "Let's keep the momentum going."
The fifth day was marked by a charity run, cultural night, and food tasting festival. The cultural performances, a celebration of tradition and talent, were a highlight for everyone. The evening ended with a spectacular firework display that lit up the night sky, leaving everyone in awe.
"We've had an amazing day," Rena said, her excitement infectious. "Let's keep up the energy for the final day!"
The sixth and final day of College Week arrived, bringing with it a cozy bonfire night. As the large fire pit crackled, students gathered around on logs, reminiscing about the week's events. The air was filled with laughter, stories, and the warm glow of the fire, a perfect conclusion to an unforgettable College Week.
I slowly walked towards the seats away from the gathering place. It was quiet here, the only spot far enough from the laughter and chatter of the crowd.
Man, what a tiring week it had been. But now that it was finally over, I could get the well-deserved rest I'd been craving.
As I lost myself in thought, I noticed a shadow approaching. When I looked up, I saw Rena. She sat down beside me, a soft smile on her face.
"Why are you sitting here all by yourself?" she asked, her voice gentle.
"It's too crowded over there. I needed a break from all the noise," I replied. "Besides, I'm afraid they'll drag me into singing or dancing with them."
Rena chuckled. "I understand."
"What about you?" I asked. "Are you hiding from the dance floor too?"
She raised an eyebrow playfully. "You think I can't dance?"
"No, it's not that. I just figured people would be looking for you by the bonfire. Why are you here instead?" I questioned.
"Why do you think they will search for me?" Rena countered.
I laughed softly. "It's funny—the most popular girl in our batch asking me that."
"Really?" she said, a bit surprised.
"You didn't know?" I asked. "Students and even teachers call you a prodigy. And with a pretty face like yours, I doubt anyone would think otherwise."
"Don't call me that," she said, her tone suddenly serious.
"What, you don't like being called pretty?"
"I mean the prodigy part," Rena clarified, her expression softening into something more reflective.
"Why not?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"I don't like being called a prodigy because when I accomplish something, people just assume it's because I was born that way. They think it's all natural talent. And yes, I know I have good genes, but everything I do, I give it my all. I'm never satisfied with just being gifted—I work hard to push myself, to be better than I was before," Rena confessed.
"I didn't know you felt that way," I admitted. "But rest assured, I won't call you that anymore."
"Thank you," she said, a small smile returning to her lips.
"But you still haven't told me—why aren't you with the others?" I asked.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Well... I didn't see you by the bonfire, and I had no way to contact you, so I came here looking for you."
"Oh," I said, feeling a bit guilty. "I guess I didn't even think about exchanging numbers."
"It's fine," she said, waving it off. "Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."
"Yeah? What is it?" I asked, turning to face her more fully.
Rena took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm really sorry for shouting at you the other day. I shouldn't have—"
I cut her off gently. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm sorry too. I knew what you were going through, and I should have been more careful with my words. But never mind that. What I really want to know is, how did you feel about this past week? Do you think you got what you wanted?"
She paused, thinking it over. "Honestly... I had a really good time. I enjoyed every moment, and you were right. Doing things together, making memories—that was so much better than what I could have accomplished on my own."
"I'm glad you understood that," I said, feeling a warmth in my chest.
And just like that, the week of chaos and excitement felt worth it.
"Although, how did you know I was still at the room making props that day?" Rena asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Do you really want to know?" I teased, a slight grin on my face.
"Yes, I do," she insisted, leaning in a bit closer.
"Well," I began, trying to keep my tone casual, "I've been watching you closely, Rena. I know how hard you work and how much you care about everything you do. That's why I had a feeling you might still be there after class, making sure everything was perfect."
Rena fell silent for a moment, absorbing my words.
"And since I've been watching you closely," I continued, "there's something I think you should know."
"What is it?" she asked, her voice soft but attentive.
"Who do you think gets in the way of what you want?" I asked, leaning back a little to give her space to think.
"Lazy people?" Rena guessed, a slight edge to her voice.
"Ha, you and your grudge against lazy people," I chuckled. "But no, the answer is your ideal—the perfect version of yourself."
She looked down, her expression thoughtful. "It doesn't have to be perfect..."
"No, it doesn't," I agreed, "but it's that ideal that sometimes makes things harder for you. You push yourself too much, trying to reach it."
Rena nodded slowly, as if the words were sinking in. "I'll keep that in mind."
"That's good," I said, feeling a sense of relief that she understood. "But do you really think I can do that?" she asked, her eyes meeting mine with a hint of doubt.
"Of course, I do," I said firmly. "And I'll be here to make sure you become the person you want to be. You don't have to do it alone, Rena."
She smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that made me feel like it was worth the effort to do all this.
As we watched the flames dance under the night sky, it felt like the perfect way to end the night, and the entire college week. The stresses of the past few days seemed to melt away, replaced by a comforting sense of accomplishment and connection.
"Thank you," Rena said softly, breaking the silence. "For everything.""Anytime," I replied, turning to her with a smile. "It's been quite a week, hasn't it?". "Yeah, it has," she agreed, her voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. "But I'm glad it ended this way."We stayed there a little longer, talking about everything and nothing as the bonfires burned out, marking the official end of College Week. And as the night drew to a close, I knew that this was one of those moments I'd carry with me for a long time.