Chapter : 78

Ananya's POV 

"If the credit is thrice the amount, then the budget..." I went on mumbling the difficult question as I headed downstairs to ask about it's solution to my Dad.

With the Economics book held in one hand and my other hand busy flicking the pen, I walked down, my eyes still stuck on that sum. Dad was a businessman and let's face it, he's really good at Economics. He's my reference guide book for any problematic sum in that subject.

"Hey Dad-" I stopped short as I looked up to find my father engrossed in watching something on the TV. He wasn't much into TV programmes so it got me curious.

Dad hadn't sensed my arrival yet. I slowly tip toed my way to the back of the sofa so that I stood behind him. Looking at the TV screen left me fairly speechless. It was the semi final Match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. Not live broadcast but a repeat telecast of yesterday's match which I had already watched.

Yesterday, my father had walked away when he heard that Rishav was playing. I had sighed and thought that he hadn't accepted him yet. But now, watching this, I'm more than sure that he has accepted Rishav. Putting the book away silently, I hugged him tightly from behind, my arms wrapping around his chest.

"Oh my goodness! You gave me a heart attack!" Dad yelped as he switched off the TV instantly.

"I love you Dad!" I sang as I continued to hug him.

Dad smiled silently and patted my head.

"Come on! Switch on that TV now. You don't wanna miss that big six by Rishav, do you?" I asked as I walked around the sofa and settled down beside him.

"He what?!" Dad exclaimed like a little kid as he quickly switched on the TV.

I couldn't help but laugh at his actions. We both settled cozily on the sofa, my head resting against hi shoulder as we watched the match. Though I had seen this one only a nigh before yet Rishav's batting didn't bore me at all. Everytime he hit the ball made me and Dad smile. His skills were so exceptional and I was proud that he had made it to this semi final. Plus this is the first time that Delhi might take away the trophy.

We watched the game continue as Rishav scored some 124 out of 89 balls. Now, DC needed just 19 more runs to win the game. Both Dad and I sighed with a heavy heart as Rishav got a Leg-Before-Wicket and the umpire sent him away, declaring his wicket was lost. Next came up Shreyas Iyer who scored the remaining runs and ended the game with Delhi Capitals' victory.

"He's good." Dad complimented as the highlights of the match began to be replayed, the big catch outs and the swift shots by the batsmen.

I looked down at my phone which buzzed, indicating a call. I raised up from the sofa and walked out of the living room to talk in silence, ascending the stairs to the first floor, I picked up the call.

"Yeah Raghav?" I asked my bestie.

"How come you sound so calm?" Raghav asked me from the other end.

I frowned at his question. Bumping into Ravi who had just walked out of his room on my way, I waved a quick 'hi' at him with a smile as I entered my bedroom.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I settled down on my bed.

"Haven't you checked the emails yet? You and I got selected idiot!" Raghav exclaimed.

I paused for a moment. He must be joking, right?

Pulling the laptop out from underneath the pillows, I put it in front of me and switched it on.

"This better not be a joke Raghav." I told him in all seriousness.

"Girl, this is the one thing I wouldn't joke about, okay?" Raghav said.

Checking my emails, I realized that he wasn't kidding.

"I'll call you back..." I said as I disconnected the call.

Putting the phone away, I scrolled through the pages on the screen...

"...We are glad to inform you that your group  project did impress the jury. The way the elaborations are made is fairly simple yet it upholds complex data.

We look forward to seeing you and Mr.Raghav Sinha at London in the coming years to pursue further research..."

Closing the laptop, I looked up at the ceiling for a moment. My efforts did  pay off. Raghav and I had been working on this project about 'Global Decline In GDP' and had mailed all the work to the US, UK and Japan, hoping that at least one of them would recognize the potential in it. And, it did!

Smiling to myself, I walked down the stairs with the laptop in my hands to find Ravi and Dad talking business over the sofa. Work papers scrambled over the coffee table and the match highlights going about on the TV. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to them and settled down in between them. Despite the disapproving voices, I pulled the laptop screen and made them read it.

Ravi read it out and then walked away without a word. I frowned at his hostile actions. There was hurt flashing in his eyes.

"What happened to him?" Dad asked.

"He's already stayed apart from me for so many years... I guess he doesn't wanna see me go away again." I said.

"Well, in that case, even I don't want you to leave, sweetheart." Dad accepted, his eyes lowered.

"But Dad..." I frowned.

"Does this mean a lot to you?" Dad asked, looking up at me.

Taking a breath, I nodded in 'yes'.

"I'm nobody to control your life. You're free to go." Dad said slowly.

A wide grin made it's way to my lips and I hugged him with happiness. My dream isn't just my dream. It's my Mom's dream as well. If I succeed in it, I'll feel like I made Mom smile as well.