NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE (Completed)
Epilogue
Epilogue
Two years Later
Arnav looked at Khushi, who was lying beside him, looking at the roof.
"Are you scared?" he asked.
She nodded no hurriedly and nodded yes slowly.
He flipped towards her and hugged her. Khushi snuggled in his chest.
"I'm terrified, Arnavji"
"Don't be scared. It will affect your performance" He made her up.
"Are not you scared?"
Arnav sighed.
"I don't want to be... but the media made me scared. I think we should not watch the news and read newspapers"
"You are right. Though they looked like appreciating us, it actually frightening us"
"Exactly..."
Arnav sat on the bed and pulled a newspaper from the table. Khushi also sat and looked at the newspaper, circling his bicep. It was the same photo captured in the Commonwealth Games.
*Will Mr. and Mrs. Raizada show up with our National flag again in the Olympic Games? * was the question the newspaper posed.
Not only that, but many questions,
*Will the Raizada couple create a record again by winning Gold medals in the Olympic Games?*
*Will they fulfil millions of Indians' expectations?*
*Will our dreams of winning Gold in the Olympic Running race come true?*
These were the sample questions raised by the media.
"Do you think we can win?"
"We will have to... we won medals for ourselves in the Commonwealth Games, but this time, we are going to run for our Country. The people of our country expect us to win medals. We can't disappoint them." Khushi said.
"Of course, we will have to... but the competition will be like hell because it's the Olympic games"
"But those who are going to compete with us are also humans, not aliens with extraordinary powers. We have been practicing for years... we have to do it"
"Thank God... I thought you would be scared about the games. Now, I'm relieved because you are maintaining the same confident level."
Khushi dropped her jaw.
"Did you check my confidence level?"
Arnav nodded yes, pressing his lips.
"You are so mean"
"Why should we care about what the media writes? We will give our best, however..."
Khushi nodded.
"And we should not fear the expectations of our fellow citizens, but rather take it as an appreciation, because when we participated in the Commonwealth Games, we had no one to support us except our parents and friends; now, we have billions of people to support us. Their prayers will be with us. Then, why should we fear?"
Arnav nodded.
"Go to sleep... we have to go to Italy tomorrow"
Arnav nodded and lay, pulling her on his chest. Khushi landed on his chest and closed her eyes smilingly.
Arnav and Khushi went to Italy with the Indian team. India had high expectations for them, as no one had won medals in track and field events at any previous Olympic Games, except Niraj Chopra. Arnav and Khushi were the hopeful stars of Indian Athletics.
Italy
"Khushi, don't use your full strength in the heats," Arnav whispered in Khushi's ear. She looked at him, frowning.
"But why?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion.
"We should not reveal our true strength to them. That's why"
"However, we will win. Then, our strength will also be visible"
"To win in the heats, we don't have to use our full strength."
"How could we say that? What if the second and third place holders will be in our heat? Then, we will have to use our full strength, right?"
"Act accordingly... ok?"
"But I can't control myself if I hear the gunshot," Khushi said.
Arnav rolled his eyes.
"Ok, do what you want to"
Khushi nodded ok delighted. Although Khushi said she could not follow his idea, she followed it perfectly. She started the race fast and won second place, as if she had put a lot of effort into winning. But Arnav, who planned perfectly, could not implement his plan as he ran faster after hearing a gunshot. There was nothing in his mind except winning the race because Khushi had already won it. They were both selected for the next round.
Khushi came to him and smiled teasingly.
"What to do? My mind didn't work"
"That was what I said." She chuckled.
Arnav nodded.
"However, we both went to the next level"
"We went to that level long ago," he winked.
Khushi dropped her jaw, hearing his double meaning words. She pinched his hip, making him hop. They laughed.
The Olympic Games were unlike any other games. Players would have leisure time between levels. They could relish other games and encourage their country's players. Arnav and Khushi had a great time enjoying themselves as they had only one race per day.
They moved toward the final races. Not only Arnav's but the whole of India's heartbeat became tenfold when Khushi arrived at the starting point. But Khushi was chill. Because only she knew she had never put in her full effort in the previous races. This was the time to show her talent.
Arnav was looking at the big screen, biting his nails. Khushi showed how hard she had practiced in the last years. That was her BEST performance ever. She won the race and set the record as the first Indian girl to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games' track and field events.
She saw Arnav running towards her, holding the Indian flag in his hands. This time, he didn't wait for her acceptance. He hugged her with the Indian flag and screamed in happiness. He covered her with the national flag and ordered her to run.
"But..."
"Do what I said. We will take another round after my race. Now, go and honour our country"
"You too, come with me"
Arnav nodded and ran with her.
Media people surrounded her with cameras and microphones.
"What would you like to say? How do you feel?"
"This is the epic moment of my life. I dedicate my victory to the one who is behind my success. If he had not been there, I would have been dreaming of this position; I would have been unable to do anything about it. The man behind my success is my husband - my better half." She smiled at Arnav, who was standing next to her.
The microphones turned towards Arnav.
"Do you think you can win your race?"
"If I don't think I can win, how could I reach the final?"
"Can we expect you to win another medal for India?"
"That's the expectation of millions of Indians." Thank you"
Clutching Khushi's hand, he walked.
"Why didn't you answer them directly?"
"If I say anything now and lose the race at any cost, they will create a meme with my race video and my statement and mock at me"
"Why are you thinking like this? You will definitely win"
"Of course, I will win, but why should I tell them that now? Let them see my performance"
The next day
Arnav got ready for the race. People watched in anticipation in front of the TV to see if India would secure the second medal. Most people wished to win at least a bronze medal. However, the one who would be on the track believed he would win gold.
Where there is confidence, there is success. Arnav followed the formula. He did not watch the news, nor did he go online. He stayed aloof from people. Only Khushi was with him.
"Arnavji..."
"Mmm?"
"Shall we start a sports academy in Delhi?"
Arnav looked at her, surprised because he, too, had the idea.
"We came abroad for our training because you have the resources, but it's not possible for everyone. There are many talented individuals in India, but they often lack the necessary knowledge and resources to develop their talents further and achieve their goals due to financial constraints. If we start an academy, it will be helpful for those"
Arnav hugged her and kissed her hair.
"Our wavelengths always synchronise"
Khushi looked at him, surprised.
"Do you think the same?"
He nodded yes.
"Shall we?"
"Yeah..."
They heard Arnav's race announcement. Arnav stood up, jumping.
"All the best, Arnavji"
"Be ready with our national Flag. We are going to give the same pose"
Khushi nodded smilingly. She was glad about his confidence. Arnav went to the track. This time, Khushi bit her nails in nervousness. When the gun was shot, she closed her eyes tight and prayed to God. She opened her eyes when she heard,
"Again... again, India won a Gold medal..."
She looked at the big screen and saw Arnav reaching the finishing line first in a slow motion. She hopped cheerfully and rushed to him, taking the national flag. As they said, the same photo was clicked and became the headlines.
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