Turbulence - Part 1

Vindhya replied with a frown, "Yes. It was done this morning itself. Unfortunately, the rules for the contest and the choice of the moderator, both leave a lot to be desired. The authorities have decided to include even fifteen-year-old girls as contestants this year. I mean what were they even thinking? These participants barely know how to tell a bow apart from a mace and they have been made eligible to compete against us! As for the moderator… well let's just say that I have not seen or heard of him ever before in my seven years of stay at the Gurukul. Shouldn't they have given the responsibility to someone a little more capable than some obscure man sitting out of a rundown building?"

"Well, you sure know how to speak your mind," Ujjwala said a touch mildly.

She didn't know who the moderator was nor had she been aware of the modification in the age group of the participants. When the Queen's office had asked the zilla chiefs for modifications, the final document hadn't been sent back to the zillas. But Ujjwala didn't think that this change was a big deal.

"I don't see why you should be affected by the inclusion of the younger girls. From where I see it, their presence or absence doesn't make any difference to the actual contest because most of them will not even make it through the first round. The intensity of the Queen's competition is way different from any event anybody has ever participated in. So, don't fret about it. As for the moderator, knowing the Queen, if she has chosen him, he would be an impartial official. Rani Samyukta maybe incompetent, but she is fair in her dealings," said Ujjwala, recalling the Queen's warm embrace at her winning the best zilla award.

"Nevermind. I had asked you the question for another purpose. I was wondering if you wanted to come and train under my guidance for the contest during the semester break. After all, I was the first runner-up during the last held competition. Yash can act as your sparring partner for the mental and physical training. If you agree, I will ask your parents for permission," Ujjwala said with a half-smile.

Vindhya's heart leapt up at the thought of spending so much time in close proximity with Yash. She didn't care much about Ujjwala's 'guidance'. Vindhya had spent the better part of her childhood preparing for the same and didn't think that the woman would have anything more to teach her. But there was no harm keeping her in good spirits till she could mover her son from under her thumb. Once she was crowned the Queen in-training, she would ensure that Yash finishes his studies and stays back in the capital region than return to the Southern zilla. By the time his mother finished her tenure as the Southern zilla chief, Vindhya would have Yash well under her own control.

"I can only thank you for your generosity, aunty. I would be happy to train under your insightful directive," she bowed and said so.

"Great. It is decided then. I will send a missive out to your parents today, itself," Ujjwala replied smugly.

"What has been decided?" Yash asked as he reached them at Ujjwala's last sentence.

His mother shook her head and said, "Nothing that concerns you at the moment. It is getting late. I don't want the dean to chastise me for bending the Gurukul's rules for my benefit. You guys should leave right away without any further delay."

Both of them bowed to Ujjwala and left.

Outside Vindhya's dorm

"I had a lovely time today. You and your mother were wonderful hosts," Vindhya said with a smile.

Yash shook his head vehemently and replied, "No. I am the one grateful for your generosity and understanding. You truly are a wonderful person and I am glad to make your acquaintance. I hope I will see you before we part for the break."

She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly and said, "I didn't do anything to deserve that compliment. Please do visit us in case you happen to travel to Western zilla during the vacation."

With a wave, she turned and walked inside the hostel. The smug smirk which had been lurking around, broke freely on her face now. She was really really happy about how things had panned out this evening.

Yash turned to go towards his own dorm. He had contemplated going to meet Mriga but it was late and she may have gone to bed already.

Mriga had just returned back to the dorm after waiting outside Yash's hostel for a while, when she ran into Ishani.

Her friend was frowning and got startled when she saw Mriga in front of her.

"Don't tell me that you have fought with him already," Mriga uttered her friend's dialogue back to her.

Ishani didn't know how to respond. She had been taking a walk with Vandit around the school premises when she saw Yash and that girl from the quiz contest entering the Gurukul. Both of them were dressed in formal, expensive looking clothes and seemed to have returned from somewhere, together. Thankfully Vandit hadn't seen them and she made sure to turn in the opposite direction from them.

Even though she liked Vandit, the last thing she wanted was for anyone to see and speculate about something concerning her best friend. If her eyes weren't deceiving her, she had seen those two laughing and chatting, completely at ease with each other. She hoped that there was logical explanation to the same and was planning to confront Yash about it the next morning. What she hadn't expected was that she would run into Mriga before that.