A Desperate Contestant

                   The inked black words blurred into slender random curves as the teardrops came splashing down my cheeks. I swept with sleeves the tears from my eyes and strived to stare at the noticeboard to seek out my name in the list. My eyes scanned the names from top to toe of the list, but no name was as alike as mine. Then again I glanced over the three names of the winners very slowly lest I should miss my name, but to no avail.

On the spur of the moment, my mother’s smiling face flashed before my eyes.

“Mom, I lose it again … “ I whimpered. “I would never be able…to win…this contest.”

“My son,” her soft sweet voice echoed in my ears. “the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, who strives valiantly;

“But…this is… fifth time, mom!” I sobbed.

Her face vanishes. My mind blanked out for a few seconds. I stared at the list blankly and then trampled.

“My son,” her voice reechoed. “who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions…”

“It’s not for me, mom.” I mumbled. “I ain’t gonna be a winner. I give up.”

I plodded wearily to the college corridor.

I won’t take part in it… never ever again. I made up my mind. I wrote again and again. My teachers, my mother corrected my stories. I didn't win the contest first time, but I didn't lose hope and kept going. They bucked me up.

"What happened? Why are you weeping, Evans?"

I turned my glance to the asker. It was Alex who was coming from the opposite side.

"Is it about the short story contest?" she held my shoulders and stared into my eyes.

"No, no... nothing!" I unhanded my shoulders politely and moved swiftly to the college exit.

"Come on, Evans, don't take it to your heart," Her voice was sympathetic.

I couldn't utter even a single word in response of her sympathy, but I only hastened.

“Evaaaans…” someone were shouting from afar. I didn’t stop.

“Evans, you did it.” They were running toward me. I looked back. They were Reece and Charlie, my classmates.

“Why are you shouting?” I uttered in very low voice. They had come nearer to me.

“Evans, the winner!” both shouted together at the top of their voices and jumped onto me.

“What? “ I staggered.

"Oooh aaah... you crazy!" We three fell to the ground.

"You won!" Reece punched my belly.

"I myself saw the list. My name is no there." I protested.

"That would be old list. New list is on the noticeboard B near library. Your name is at first place."

Charlie exclaimed with joy. I gazed at him incredulously for a while. Then I stood on my feet and went at a gallop to the library noticeboard. Reece and Charlie were running after me.


The Word count = 502