An Ordinary Story

It was late summer and college was reopening after a long vacation.
As always the second year students were gathered in the canteen. In the
distance and in everyone's view was the ramp. The ramp was actually a
very long stretch of concrete which ran from the college gate to the
canteen entrance. The chemistry department students were planning some
new pranks for the fresher's welcome. Suddenly they spotted a
well-built boy coming on a bicycle along the ramp. From their vantage
point the boy looked imposing and fit of body. Infact he stopped his
vehicle, locked the thing and alighted all in one action. Atleast
that's what it seemed. The boy appeared to know who these people were.
For, he came to them and spoke, 'Hi, I am Andy from Darjeeling. I will
be your classmate from today'. He offered his hand to shake but no one
showed any interest. However before he moved on Andy smiled shyly at
the most beautiful girl in the group whose name was Nelly.
Andy was an average student. He was regular in class and always noted
down what he was asked to. He was good at sports particularly hammer
throwing and discus. One day the college coach asked him to try on a
pair of boxing gloves. Andy was more than eager and was able to knock
down everyone including the rotund coach. Soon he was boxing for the
college and won a number of medals.
Lab class was always great fun. On one occasion during an important
experiment Andy ran out of ferric salt. Nelly and her lab partner Dolly
were on the opposite table. Andy thought to himself that perhaps he
could ask Nelly whether she could give him some salt. So he went up to
her and said,'Can I borrow some ferric salt'. Nelly flashed a brilliant
smile and said,'Sure' and that was that.Andy took the salt and went his
way.
A few days into this incident the class went on picnic. Nelly brought
her kid brother Neil along on the occasion. In the evening while coming
back it started raining. Then their vehicle had a flat tyre. The group
had to walk to the nearest station to catch a train. Andy carried Neil
on his shoulders all the way.
The Friday after this Andy decided to talk to Nelly. He was lucky to
find her in the canteen sipping coffee. With much hesitation, he went
to her and said,'Nelly will you be my friend'. Nelly appeared irritated
and blurted out,'Well what do you have to offer me. You are this
unknown quantity from the hills. What kind of future would I have with
you'. Andy was shocked out of his skin by these words and mumbled,'You
are right', and walked away.
Soon Andy began to take his boxing more seriously. He continued to be a
regular student though. He practised harder and harder. He qualified
for the boxing nationals where he struck gold. He was picked for the
Olympics too. The whole college was proud of him. But Andy did not look
for Nelly.
Andy was the only person from his country to win a medal, a gold medal.
When he came back he was given a hero's welcome. The next day he was in
college,. He rode his bike down the ramp straight to the canteen. Nelly
was there, so were the others. Andy noticed no one but Nelly. He went
down on one leg and said to Nelly,'Will you be mine?'. Nelly smiled and
nodded.