“Your happiness will not last long Naina and Preeti.” thinks Beena and smiles.
The next day, Naina, Sameer, and Swati try to memorize their speech. “I think I will have to work on it more. I can speak by looking at the paper but I want to memorize it by heart.” says Swati. “That’s ok. You can see the paper in the assembly tomorrow. You don’t have to memorize it.” replies Munna. Pandit unknowingly says, “And if you get nervous tomorrow, just call Munna. I am sure he has memorized the whole speech already as it is your speech. How can he leave the chance to impress…” Munna starts coughing loudly in the middle of conversation and stares Pandit, who is terrified by his looks. Swati just gives them confused looks and continues her work.
On the other side, Naina is confused, “I am not sure if this speech is worth it. I am not very confident about it.” “This is the eighth time you are saying this and I think this will be the eighth time Sameer will have to tell you the same thing.” replies Preeti. Sameer smiles and says, “Relax Naina. This is an amazing speech. Don’t worry. You have memorized it well and I am confident about it.” “The topper of the class likes your speech. What else do you need?” says Preeti and Naina smiles.
“I can’t memorize it and honestly, I will not pressurize myself. I will just read from the paper tomorrow.” says Swati and Munna and Pandit nod in agreement.
Speech Day
“Good morning everyone. We hope all the participants are prepared well for the speech. Your speech is the first step towards winning the elections. You interact with all the students and tell them the reason they should vote for you. Next Monday, we will have a 200 meter race among all the participants and next Thursday, we will have a written test for all the participants. And finally on next Friday, we will have the elections where all the students will vote. So technically, the decision depends on education, sports, and making your space in the students’ hearts.” explains Bela.
“I didn’t know that it would be so difficult.” whispers Naina. “Relax. For now, focus on your speech. Where is it?” replies Preeti. “It’s in my pocket.” tells Naina. Munna and Pandit reach there and ask, “Have you seen Swati? We can’t find her.” “No. let’s check around.” says Naina. They look around for Swati but don’t see her. “Ok students, first let’s call upon the participants for Head Boy. Vansh from Class 12.” calls out Anand. Vansh goe on the stage and starts his speech. Meanwhile Sameer sees his friends tensed, so he goes and asks. “Sameer, we will find Swati. You relax and go back. Your turn can come anytime.” says Naina and everyone wishes him good luck.
Swati enters the school thinking, “Oh no. I am so late. I should have slept early last night. I hope the assembly hasn’t started yet.” and starts rushing to the assembly ground when she bumps into Hema and the glass of water from her hands falls on Swati’s uniform. “What is wrong with you?” shouts Swati. “I am so sorry. I didn’t see you. Don’t worry. Go and change. There are extra uniforms in the sports room.” says Hema. Swati rushes to the sports room. Hema smiles and thinks, “Naina is already looking for Swati and now Swati also got late. If they both don’t reach when their turn comes, they will lose and I will be very happy.”
Swati quickly changes and rushes to the assembly. The students clap and hoot when Sameer’s speech ends. He is very happy that the students loved his speech. Others also reach back and are very happy to see Swati. “Where were you? We were finding you everywhere.” asks Naina worriedly. “Sorry. I woke up late today.” replies Swati and Preeti taps on Swati’s head saying, “Careless girl.” and they laugh. Sameer comes there and his friends apologize as they couldn’t listen to his speech. “No problem. I will give the speech again in front of you all later.” says Sameer and they nod happily.
They walk to join their respective lines when Hema pushes Swati and she bumps into Naina. “Ouch” screams Naina. “Are you crazy, Hema? Why are you just bumping into me since morning?” shouts Swati and asks Naina if she is ok. Naina nods and stares at Hema. “I am sorry. I didn’t do it deliberately.” apologizes Hema. The teacher asks them to stay quiet. “Ok, so we listened to the boys’ speeches and are proud of the participants who are so talented and also the students who are motivating them.” says Bela. “Now it’s time for the girls. First will be Isha from Class 12.” announces Anand. After Isha’s speech, Swati is called upon the stage. Her friends wish her luck and she goes. But as she stands on the stage, she thinks, “I forgot my speech in the skirt I changed. I have not even memorized my speech.” She gets tensed and puts her hand in her pocket if by chance she kept the speech in the new skirt and surprisingly she finds the speech. As she opens it, she thinks, “This is not my speech. Wait, this is Naina’s handwriting. What is Naina’s speech doing in my pocket?”