Forsaken - Chapter 19

Chapter 19
Ajit found the days very long. He lost interest in everything. He waited for 7:30 PM everyday, the usual time he could call Nisha. They had agreed upon the timing since that is the time, Susan would be busy in the kitchen. Raju usually would be home by 8:00 PM. Ajit had lost his appetite and Ammachi noticed it.

“Why you are not eating anything Aji? Are you all right?” She asked seeing the boy nibbling at his dinner.

“Nothing Ammachi. I am eating.” Then he would force himself to eat something.

The only consolation was the evening cricket practice. They were practicing hard for the upcoming inter-collegiate cricket tournament and Prof. Sathyapalan, the coach, was stressing the importance of it. St. Thomas College never won the trophy. This time he was determined that he and his boys will rewrite history.

Ajit was the captain. There were some players in the team who could not digest it. Normally the captaincy was reserved for the degree students. But Ajit was an extremely talented boy and Prof. Sathyapalan recognized it. He was sure that Ajit would come back to the college for his higher studies and he had a bright future in cricket.

After the practice, Ajit was changing into regular cloth, when Prof. Sathyapalan came up to him.

“Ajit, you are not concentrating on the game,” he complained.

“No Sir. I am trying my level best,” he said with a flaccid expression.

“I have been watching you over the past few days. You seem lost. What is the matter?” He was determined to address the problem, if there was any, since his hopes of winning the tournament largely depended on this boy.

“Nothing, Sir. It’s just that I could not concentrate. I don’t know why.” He lied. He knew only too well what was bothering him. He wanted to be with Nisha.

“See, our fortunes largely depends on you. You have to understand that” the Professor said in a calm voice.

Ajit kept quiet.

“I made you captain on my own initiative. Don’t let me down” the Professor continued.

“I’ll do my best sir.” Ajit mumbled. He was feeling guilty. He knew about the split in the team since the seniors did not like his being captain. But since the Professor was adamant, they could not do much about it without risking their place in the team.

The Professor talked about the virtues of being mentally tough, to excel in whatever one does and facing the adversity. Ajit half-heartedly listened to his pep-talk. He promised he would concentrate on the game.

As they were leaving the changing room, the Professor announced the news to him.

“Our tournament schedule has arrived. It starts next month.”

“Oh. “ Ajit was less enthusiastic now.

“We play N.S.S College, Changanachery in the Quarter finals.” He referred to a card from his pocket and declared.

N.S.S was last year’s runner up.

“It will be tough match, I guess,” Ajit said meekly.

“Tough they are, but not unbeatable” the Professor exclaimed.

“Where is the match, Sir? Their college ground?” Ajit asked without much interest. It was all the same.

“Trivandrum,” the Professor said.

Ajit’s hear t skipped a beat. He thought he did not hear it properly.

“Where?” He wanted to make sure.

“Trivandrum. St. Baselios College ground. ” the Professor answered.

St. Baselios was Nisha’s school adjoined by the St. Baselios College!

Ajit could not believe his ears. This was God’s blessing indeed. He could go to Trivandrum. He could see Nisha. He was elated.

They exchanged goodnights and parted ways, once the Professor dropped him at the bus stop.
Ajit could not suppress the smile. He was looking for a way to visit Nisha and this was the perfect opportunity. He could not wait for the tournament to begin.

He conveyed the news to Nisha and she too was euphoric.

“Hey, it’s my school ground,” she exclaimed when he said the college’s name.

“How many days you will be here?” she asked in a hushed tone.

“It depends on whether we win the first match.” Ajit answered.

“You will of course.” She was sure.

“One week, if we win the Quarter and Semi,” he replied.

“Then you can stay here, with us?” She questioned.

“I don’t know. I may have to stay where the team is staying. Normally it is the college hostel, who is hosting the tournament” He was hoping he could stay at Nisha’s house.

“We will see. When is it?” She wanted to confirm the news.

“Two weeks. Beginning from next month.”

They spoke for a couple of minutes more and hung up.

Ajit was practicing really hard from the next day onwards. He wanted to win the tournament, while Nisha watched him playing.

When Ajit presented the case to Ammachi, she was little apprehensive.

“I don’t know. Your father may not allow it”

“Ammachi, this is once in a lifetime opportunity. If we win, I could get into the State team,” he pleaded.

Seeing the boy’s enthusiasm, she consented.

“Ok. I am not going to tell your father.” She said.

He gave her a kiss on the cheek. The next problem solved by itself.

“You said it is in Trivandrum, right?” she queried.

“Yes Ammachi.”

“That’s where our Raju’s house is, isn’t it?” She did not know where exactly they were.

“Yeah. They are just outside the city. Half an hours distance from the ground,” he replied.

“Ok. I’ll call Raju and tell him. May be you can stay with them.” She was making sure her grandson was comfortable. That’s all she could do for him.

Ajit did not know what to say. It was all too easy to be real. He pinched himself to make sure he was not dreaming.

When Ammachi told Raju about the tournament, he was more than happy to accommodate the boy.

“Aley Ammamme,” he addressed her this way “I may not be here that time. I have to go to Bangalore for some business. But Susan will be here. I should be back within a week or so” Raju told her.

Ammachi’s concern was who will pick Ajit since he is new to the city. Raju informed that Nisha was familiar with the city and she would pick him up.