“Is all packed, Garuda?”
“Yeah, IVF.”
“Stop it. I know I messed up that day.”
Garuda laughs at his Raghav. Raghav lowers with shame and checks his watch.
“It’s time. Luggage is loaded. Say all your farewell. I’ll be waiting near the car.”
“Yeah, time for my chapter 5.”
“THE HECK?! What were your previous 4 chapters?”
“Chapter 1, my childhood training. Chapter 2, CISCE, PUC and Mysore Dussera Tournament. Chapter 3, U19. Chapter 4, Over 19. Proper?”
“Very proper *Sarcastic look*.”
Garuda smiles and enters into his house. His wife and children were standing next to next. His wife, Anjali smiled at him and asked:
“Leaving?”
“Yes. Meet you after Asian Cup.”
Anjali smiled at him. She walked into the Pooja room and brought some Saffron powder (kumkuma) and put it on his forehead. Garuda smiled and brought her close to her and kissed on her forehead. Tears started coming out of his sharp eyes.
T/N: Saffron Powder- Kumkuma i.e. Saffron Powder is put on one’s forehead after prayers or before going out for work.
“Don’t cry. Children are here.”
“I will not be here for one year know!”
“You emotional man. We will always see you in TV and if you bring the team to Finals in the Asian Cup, we will attend the event live.”
“Then, I’ll give you in writing. Team India is the winner of Asian Cup 2051.”
“That is the spirit.”
Garuda wiped his eyes and turned towards his children. He had his eyes down to the floor. With a weak tone, he said:
“I will not be here any longer for at least till next Asian Cup. Study, play or do what so ever. Just give your best. Take care of Amma.”
“Yeah, Appa. All the best.”
“All the best, Appa.”
Garuda felt more light heartened after their wishes. He put his left hand inside his left-back pocket and brought out his wallet. He took out ₹5,000 and handed over to Anjali for ration. He took out two notes valued at 500 and gave one each to Arjun and Durga.
He then started walking out. All three of them followed him. Suddenly, an aged man, close to his early 50s, walked towards Garuda.
“Babu, I am ready. Sushma will stay here with them.”
“Then, Mutthu, shall we leave?”
“Yes, Babu.”
Garuda finally waved his final bye and walked into the car with his loyal house help, Mutthu, leaving his wife in care of the house.
Within no time, they reached the Airport and even flew to the Headquarters in Delhi, finishing the paperwork.
“Huh, Garuda, your stay has been prepared. It’s a 3-BHK apartment in~”
“Raghav, do you expect I’ll stay there?”
“Then where will you stay?”
“In my old cottage near the stadium.”
“That 2-BHK cottage?”
“Yeah. Technically, that is the first house that I own.”
“I know right. You used to spend lot of time cleaning the house in the weekends.”
“I remember. So, pass me my keys.”
“Why not I join you till there and pass you back the keys?”
“Sure. By the way, where is Ramya?”
“Ramya? Her mother is ill. She took her to the hospital in the evening.”
“Oh! I’ll meet her later then.”
The three of them start walking towards the old cottage. Enjoying the green walkway and a path full of beautiful memories, Garuda felt overwhelmed.
“Raghav, you remember our first practice match with the Chinese team?”
“How can I forget that, it was the first game right? We both were cheerleaders. We finally lost that game.”
“Yeah. Then Parthasarathy sir took charge.”
“I still remember his hot pepper juice.”
“Yeah. He was the one who actually selected the diamonds in us.”
“Then that old man fell to bed before FIVB group round.”
“I wish he was with us today.”
“Yeah. We reached.”
Raghav passed the key to Mutthu. He hailed out the name of Lord Krishna and opened the door. The cottage was as clean as always. Raghav and Garuda exchanged glances. Raghav went back to the building to grab some supplies. Garuda occupied a room and Mutthu occupied the other room.
Roughly 30 minutes later, Raghav came back. Garuda was lost in his phone call with his family. Seeing the entry of Raghav, Garuda ended the call.
“Here you go, you two’s food and water for the week. They’ll come by and give you everything you need one’s you inform them.”
“Yep.”
“What are your plan for training them?”
“A match.”
“Match? Something like dividing them and stuff?”
“Nope. Ten defenders of theirs against my lethal serves.”
“I didn’t get you.”
“Just get them up by 4 in the morning in the Running track. I’ll show them the difference between the training given by a ‘coach’ and a ‘GOAT’, ok?”
“Yeah. Just don’t mess up.”
“I ain’t too.”
“Ok, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, SIR.”
“YOU…”
Comments (0)
See all