"...mmhmm..."
" Hey wake up, you don't want to miss the announcement today, do you?" came the harsh voice of my roommate in my dreams where I was being a king. When the World of dream collapsed and reality struck through the image of clock showing 9:00 in the morning, I thought ' Is there any necessity to live in the world where you have to wake up after working so late at night. '
Nevertheless I left my bed with big red eyes which may decorate the floor at any second. Today was a important day in my life as today names for the members of school sponsored archeological team will be announced. From childhood I was very interested in the history and development of human society. I remember being taken to historical places with ancient ruins by my father which would excite me although I don't know why. My father died in an accident and I was left alone when I was in high school as mother had already passed away few years ago. I was left with the house of my parents and to persue my interests further ,sold the house and was admitted in a good University. The money was not enough to survive in rich environment of college life so I took on a part time job at night.
Now, here I am sleeping on such a important day of my life. You can guess now how much stress does night work causes. This trip is planned to survey a newly found ruin near Kimberly in South Africa. As University is sponsoring it so talented students are given a chance to visit the site and get a first hand experience of this site. The university is selecting a team based on overall research performance and contribution in previous such trips. I have a good record in my part thus have high hopes for being selected.
After doing necessary morning routine I got ready and ran for campus from my hostel which was not too far away from it. Upon reaching my college door I was very excited that at last I would do something new. The college was a advanced one with well planned structure and standard facilities available. I ran through the halls for auditorium and reached there just in time. "You are late." I heard the voice of my buddy, sheron , on taking my seat. I turned towards the skinny and malnutritioned looking boy and smiled which seems to have irritated him " For real prashit " ( well this is my name as my mother was indian and father a green card holder so, I'm Prashit evans. )..." You are late even on such a important day ." " I'm not late I arrived on time, didn't I?" seeing him glaring at me I thought 'Where in hell I got such a stupid friend who just keeps scolding me.'
The daily ceremony ended as usual and then came the time of announcement. Dean came on the stage " Dear students! as you all know our school sponsored a trip to South Africa so I'm here to announce the 10 members of the team who will go to Kimberly in supervision of Mr. Daniel shan, director of historical studies." As the speech advanced so did my heart speed. " The names are as follows - Shin saniel, Diana rias, Rose widwig....,
and last one is Paul heartfilia. I hope all of you will contribute and make name to our 'university of Marcy'." The whole system of my body stopped. For few seconds I couldn't think what to do . The shock of not being selected was there but more than that there was anger as someone who should never be on the list was there. " That scum Paul got his way in the team without even doing anything, just with money. What about me who have done more than half of the team" I could not control my self. Sheron seeing me angry tried to calm me down " Buddy calm down we'll talk with Mr. Hilton he might help." calm down?? who should calm down. I never knew myself to be a calm person, looking at the smug look of Paul who was looking at him I stood up, sheron tried to drag me down bu I'm really mad this time. " Dean with all due respect I do not agree with the list you proposed." I cried out to the retreating dean. The whole scenario changed dean stopped in his track, the smug look on Paul vanished and the whole auditorium silenced.
The Dean was a thoughtful man, seeing that how the matter may escalate further " We'll talk in my chamber. Mr. Daniel and Mr. Hilton will you please escort him there." I suddenly got out and approached Mr Hilton whom I have known from a long time. When I met him he seemed irritated " Boy can't you be quiet for once. Why do you have to cry infront of everyone. Don't you want to show some respect to Dean ."
" But sir I did it because the evaluation of students for national team has been done wrong."
"So you'll teach me how to evaluate ?"
" You did the evaluation ?"
" I was one of those who did it...so what?"
" Then how can you select Paul instead of me ? You know I have contributed much more than him."
" Well its because of your attitude. " I was shocked. I never expected this reaction from Mr. Hilton as he was one whom I believed much. Then it dawned me , he was the main culprit. He arranged for Paul's entrance in the team. As I was about to ask Mr Daniel caught up with us.
" Well boy you got some guts in you . However your accusation is wrong or not , we'll see soon. " Turning to Mr. Hilton " I hope you people made no mistakes in choosing a Good team." " Ofcourse not head."
Mr. Hilton was glaring me all the way to dean's chamber. When we reached there, the door was unlocked and a clerk escorted us in.
The room was well furnished and decorated. There was a column for awards and certificates behind chairman's seat and a ivory table at the front. " What's your name" asked the Dean looking at me.
"Its Prashit evans Dean ."
" So Prashit why do you think you have been wronged?"
" Sir if I am not wrong then the evaluation was done on the basis of our previous achivements and contributions in historical trips."
" Yes you are right ."
" Then sir my achievements and contributions surely surpass that of half of the team and if not the it surely is much more than that of Paul." Hearing this Mr. Hilton's face darkened and Dean was surprised.
" Do you know that you may be expelled if your words were found wrong."
" Sir I'm sure of my experiences and grades "
" I think we should check in the matter if this kid is so sure of this.", said Mr. Daniel.
" Sure Daniel. I'll leave the inquiry to you then."
" Mr. evans rest assured if what you are saying is right then you'll be judged and placed in the national team and as for the wrongdoers I'll personally talk to them."
" I believe in your judgement sir."
" Well then you may leave now. We'll sort out the matter and inform you of the results."
I was basically brimming with excitement . I knew I was courageous but when did I got enough to stand and talk with the Dean and no less than accusing his faculty members.
While I was heading to the cafeteria I saw sheron running towards me, " What did you do. so, are you expelled now?" he asked me intriguingly . I grimaced at his excitement and thought that are all friends like that. "No" I shook my head sideways. His face lost its excitement " What a pity!" I just lost it at these words. Kill me already... why does this moron wants me to leave college. Seeing my lifted eyebrows he hastily explained ," Well if you are expelled then you can always come and work full time at our place." Oh! so this was the case. He wants his mall to earn money through my handsome and beautiful. I whacked at the back of his head and continued forward. That day everyone in classes and corridors looked at me as if I was a fool. Well I didn't care What others think of me as long as I am satisfied with myself.
At the end of the day there was an announcement " Prashit evans has been included in national research team. Please acknowledge his achievements and we wish him good luck with the task ahead." Well I smiled