AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello people. Felt really remorseful on not being able to update as promised. So, I  wanna thank all you readers for your support made me write this one. A special dedication to these special people who have been as excited for the story as me

Scientific_Zeus : Her constant encouragement and support for the story keeps me going. She is writing Flames. Hope you all give it a try.

TitaniumPrime : The first person to know about this story, my first reader and critic, an amazing supporter and writer. Do check out her book : THE UNSPOKEN WORDS

MiRi52 : A person who joined wattpad to read my book and later stayed onboard after reading the many amazing stories that lie here, just like many of us. A big thank you to you

This chapter is also dedicated to you, reader, if you too have stayed onboard on this journey despite the long delays which I am trying my best to reduce.

I stepped down from the podium as Karan stepped forward to take his position on the medal stand. In the 3000 metres category (male), the first position is taken by Vinayak Kumar followed by Shantanu Yadav. The bronze medal goes to Arpit Nagpal.

We waited for Anurag's result to give the final display of our cheering mettle. I mean we did cheer for every winner but when it's from your school you've got to prove to the whole world cheering is something your school taches the best.

All the athletes proceeded to the after party that was organised by the hosts. I proceeded to meet my friends from other schools. Having been in the field of athletics for six years now, I had made many close friends with my competitors. During the race, all that mattered was winning.

Don't get me wrong here. It's the truth. No athlete would run with this thought in mind- Oh, I don't want to defeat her since she is my friend. We competed in healthy sportsman spirit.

"Tisha.", a voice I could recognise in a crowd greeted me.

"Nandita.", I hugged her.

"OMG. You defeated USAT. How did you do that?", she bubbled with excitement.

" Believe me, I have been trying to figure that out myself.", I laughed.

"Look, who is here, the one who defeated USAT.", Sankalp, one of my oldest athletic friends greeted me.

"Hey. That sprint was awesome bro. You totally nailed it." I congratulated him.

"Jealous much?", he teased.

"Maybe.", I played along.

We all sat a table and brought over more chairs around it to accommodate us all. We talked on for a long while – cherishing past memories, remembering the funny incidents, cracking our own silly old jokes.

I felt glad to know that no matter how many months later we would meet, how many races we would compete in against one another, the familiar joking and bantering and chatting would remain.

I went to grab some water. Standing at the water stand was Tanya Bisht, the athlete from USAT whom I had defeated.

Not planning to make any enemies in the institution I had always dreamt to go to, I went on to talk to her.

"Hey there.", I greeted her with a smile.

"Hey, the 'champion who defeated USAT', you have made quite a reputation here.", she said with a welcoming smile.

"Ya, that phrase. You okay with it?"

"Of course. We are taught at USAT to take defeat positively. Besides, these tournaments are just a warm-up for what I am training to be."

"What is it? An undercover training center for agents."

" I swear I didn't tell her a word. She guessed it all.", Tanya said, looking back.

" It's alright. She'll know soon anyway. She is a part of USAT now."

I turned back to look at the source of the voice. A lad of about my age greeted me with a smile. He had warm brown eyes and dark black hair. Dimples adored his face when he smiled. There was no hypocrisy in him. The smile, the way he oozed with confidence was natural. The features of his face were neutral. He didn't have a chiselled jawline or most of the features that the cliché heroes have but he was handsome in his own way.

"Hello.", I whispered.

Wow. This was new. I had never felt nervous around anyone be it a stranger or a competitor. Heck, I had not felt this nervous before any of my races.

Calm down Tisha, I told myself.

"Welcome to USAT.", he said and nodded.

I searched for a word, there was something in English you say when you wish to express your gratitude, what was it?

So I nodded my head back. Wow, he must already think I'm a fool. Way to go Tisha, I scolded myself.

" Who is he? I haven't seen him before.", I asked her when he had passed by.

"Well, you know the head of USAT... He's his son.", she replied.

"Ohkay."

"Ya. He's damn good at shooting. You sure you haven't heard about him before? He's won many tournaments here."

"Not sure I did. I don't follow shooting closely."

"Understandable and relatable. We'll be seeing each other again sooner than you expect.",she said.

"I keep hearing that. But when and where?", I asked.

"Not my place to tell. You'll do great though, I am sure of that. You see, USAT has never been defeated before.", she said what I had heard for probably the fiftieth time today.

Okay world, I get it : USAT has never been stored before, the statment has been saved right here in my brain.

"Oh not that again. I've heard this a lot for today."

"Be ready though Tisha. You are about to enter a world of confidentiality, hardwork , accuracy and endless strife for perfection. And I uh forgot to mention there's also  awesome food, crazy people and memorable times in this journey too. Care to join?"

"Well, count me in."