Half Girlfriend

talk later, okay? I need to rush. I’ll call you.’
‘Yes, thank you, Samantha.Thank you so much.’
'Here's my card,’ Phil said as he slipped one in my hand. ‘Your
work has impressed us. I know St. Stephen’s. To give up a career and
come here is admirable.’
I wanted Riya to hear this too. I looked for her but she was
nowhere in sight.
Crowds of villagers filled the stage. Security personnel escorted the
Gates Foundation delegation out of the venue to their cars.
‘Thank you, Rajkumar sahib,’ a villager tried to touch my feet.
‘You are our hero,’ said another.
I wanted to bring Riya on stage. But the crowd wouldn’t let me get
past them. The crowd lifted me. I was thankful; at least it would be
easier to spot Riya from someone’s shoulder.
‘Rajkumar Madhav,’ said one.
‘Zindabad!’ the others shouted in response.
I saw her empty seat. Where did she go? I wondered. The crowd
bobbed me up and down.
I looked around frantically. There was no sign of her. The media
wanted quotes. I remember saying this was a fantastic outcome that
would change the future of thousands of students of Dumraon.
‘Are you happy?’ one reporter asked me.
‘Uh? Yes,’ I said. I was happy. I mean, I should be happy, I told
myself. Where the hell was Riya?
My mother came to me. The media turned to her.
‘Ma, have you seen Riya?’ I said.
‘Who?’
‘My friend. She was sitting in the front row. Where did she go?’
My mother shook her head. She turned to the reporters.
I extracted myself from the crowd on stage. MLA Ojha came up to
me.
‘Congratulations, Rajkumar ji. Lot of money, eh?’
‘Thanks, Ojha ji.Thank you for the opportunity.’