“Anna, here only, right?”

“Yes, Anna. How much?”

“One second Anna, *click**click*. ₹186, Anna.”

“Ok, UPI scanner, Anna.”

“*click**click*Here you go.”

“*Mi Ne* Done, Anna.”

“Thanks Anna. Please give 5 star rating.”

“Sure, Anna.”

Getting off his cab ride, Raghav walks across the wealthy looking street. Luxurious looking villas and beautiful parks. Properly maintained roads and a sincere watchman.

“Bhaya, where does G S Subramanyam lives?”

“Oh Subbu garu. I am somehow going there to deliver his bills. Get on the back of my scooter.”

“Ah, okay Bhaya.”

“By the way, how are you related to him?”

“We both were great friends.”

“Nice. Subbu garu shifted into the neighbourhood few years ago. He is so cheerful. I always was confused if he had any friends who visit him.”

“Oh. To be frank, he is a very mingling person. It’s been many years since we two met. Last I met him in the year, 2031. If I am not wrong, it’s been 19 years.”

“Ayyo, why did you not meet between these years?”

“We wanted to meet him. When we separated, some outside force stopped us. Might be our career, age and many factors.”

“Hmm, by the way, what is your name?”

“My name, *duk*~”

“His house.”

“Oh great.”

“Ah, you didn’t tell your name.”

“Oh sorry. My name is Raghav Prabhu.”

“OH you are Raghav Prabhu. Babu-garu spoke about you in our conversations. He told, idiot, foolish, unsynchronized~” 

“Wow, wow, enough, Bhaya. I never knew I was praised so much. By the way, you told that you had to give some bills. Somehow I’m going in, why not give those bills too.”

“Ah, thank you Appa.”

“Mention not.”

Raghav takes the bills from the watchman. He opens the gate and walks across it. He climbed up the stairs leading to the main door. The exterior was well maintained by different hanging plants, pots, some sitting furniture, a mini gym and a volleyball court at the right side, a little far from the gate.

Swallowing the nervousness, Raghav rung the bell. The sound of the lock was heard. A middle aged woman came out.

“May I know who you are?”

“I am Raghav Prabhu.”

“Raghav Prabhu of IVF?”

“I know I am not married but I even know that I never donated my next generation for the sought of things.”

“Oh my god, you really are funny. By IVF, I meant Indian Volleyball Federation.”

“If the IVF does not mean what I think, then yes.”

“Stopping joking. Please come inside, Raghu.”

“Thank you.”

A nicely maintained house. The living room was nicely furnished with sofas and tables. It had a 100’’ wall mount TV. One side of the hall had exhibition of various awards and family photos.

“Anna, would you like to have some coffee of tea?”

“Ah, ‘coffee of tea’?”

“Oh my bad. Coffee or tea?”

“Water. I prefer water.”

“Give me a second.”

The woman walked into the kitchen and brought Raghav a bottle of water. Raghav gulped quite a volume of water.

“Now, how is he and how are you, ma?”

“I’m good and healthy. Coming to him, I can’t say much.”

“Why?”

“After that incident, he got drifted apart from the team and stuff. I think his interest in the sport came into life through Arjun, our son.”

“If I’m not wrong, you have a daughter also. Am I right?”
“Yeah! My son Arjun is in his first year of B. Sc. In Astro Physics in IISC. My daughter, Durga is doing her final year in school education.”

“Times have changed a lot. When we were children, we had 10+2 but these days, 5+4+3 is dividing their burden. If we were born in this age of modern education, I would become a rocket scientist.”

“Yea, yeah, Subbu always praises about your NaCl date.”

“That idiot!”

“By the way, why did you stop here?”

“Should I lie or spit truth?”

“Hmm, first lie then truth.”

“Lie: I came here to meet that friend of mine with whom I loved to play and if I was a girl~”

“Enough, will kill me by your funny lies.”

“Ok, now truth: Team India needs a person, a mentor who can make them fit and fine for the next Asian Games in 2051. I only have your husband, G S Subramanyam in my brain.”

“He might reject the offer, Anna.”

“Yes, I know right. He is still pissed off. By the way, does he uses the court outside.”
“No.”

“Hmm, were you out yesterday?”
“Why?”

“Answer my question for me to answer yours.”
“Ok, I came back from a business trip today.”

“So my assumption is right.”

“What assumption?”

“When I was outside, I noticed that the court looked used. The grass looked stamped and the ball was outside the bag.”

“That means?!”

“Yeah, he still has it. He is just not showing. At what time is he coming home today?”
“7 in the evening.”

“I’ll wait and get him to the national team. Is it okay for you?”

“Hmm… he always spoke about his game but I never witnessed it. I mean, I can see his passion but I can’t see how he does it, how he play’s it. I want him to go back to what he is destined for. Can you do it, Anna?

“I can. I surely can and I surely should. I promise that you’ll see that angle of your husband that you never saw before. *pause* Ma, I forgot to ask. What is your name?”

An awkward silence across the room.

“Anjali, its Anjali, Anna.”