11. The Angry game
"I have an obligation" Satya continues
He looks at her face blankly
"And I am here to request some help from you"🤔
He's quiet and confused. It shows on his face. He's also apprehensive about what it could be
"We can crack a deal on it or however you want to do it"
"Just say it without much suspense" He bursts out not bothering how his tone of voice is
She's a little taken aback by his order but collects herself to stay calm
"I want you to train Malavika" She blurts out in simple sentence😃
"Whaat?" He wants to reconfirm what she just said😕
"Yes, you heard it right. I want you to train Malavika"
Not sure whether this request disappointed or miffed him. He sure wasn't expecting this and he sure doesn't know what he was expecting as well😆. May be something about their equation? He dismisses that thought now. He settles down taking in the message and thinks about it without other distraction
"But why?" He asks
"I want her to go places where she deserves to be."
"I thought she's doing good wherever she is"
"She does but that's not enough. I need her to be exposed to bigger games which can lead her to her dreams"
He looks at her questioningly as if asking what is it.
"To be part of the National basketball team" She says and looks at him🤓
He gives a plain look at her not allowing her to read anything. But Satya can very well see that he replays his own dreams. And he's trying to avoid her gaze.
"Prasanna.."😃 This is the first time she's even using his name and it sounds so different and nice in her voice. He likes it and looks at her. He forgets what he was thinking and continues to look deep into her eyes. As if waiting for her to call his name again
"Can we sit somewhere and talk?" She asks
"Hmmm. Let's go to the sports room"
They enter the college sports center which is busy with students everywhere around the TT table, carrom, pool table, etc. He takes her to one of the small partitioning which must be his office space. He doesn't have much there. She could see few pamplets regarding sports schedule pinned up on the wall. His tables is almost empty except for a paper weight and a pen stand.
And her eyes glances at the small photo frame, almost hidden behind the pen stand, which she could have easily missed. A picture of a cute little boy, holding a trophy in one hand and a basketball in another.
"That must be you" She says😛
"Hmmm yes" For some reason he's happy inside in having her there in his workspace. And she sharing a part of his personal space as well.😳
Both sit down in the chairs opposite to each other with the work desk separating them. He drinks a bottle full of water rehydrating for the workout. Also he needs that to balance out the emotional imbalance just his past memories created.
"Coffee or Tea or something?" He asks
"It depends"
"On?"😕
"You.." She's looking straight into his eyes as if piercing through his soul
"I mean if you want to discuss more about the deal, then yes. A coffee would be great"😃
He calls the canteen asking them to send two coffee. She's relieved that the channel is open.
"Thanks. So how do you want to do it?" She asks enthusiastically
"I'm not doing anything"
She gives a confused look
"Look Satya"😛
She liked how easily her name comes through his lips. And he realized that as well.. 😉
"In my opinion Malavika is very talented and you are doing a good job in getting her trained well"
"I know I'm doing well on my part but that's not what I'm talking about"
"I understand what you are talking about"
Satya wants to push through the power game and get Malavika get the real thing that she deserves. And she confidently believes that Prasanna can ensure that the political control in the sports wouldn't kill some innocent soul's dreams all over again.
"Will you help her achieve her dreams?" She asks earnestly
"I thought I am helping you" He smiles😛
She gives her cute smile without knowing what that's making Prasanna feel inside. He's controlling hard not to reach out to her. The coffee arrives and they silently sip them.
"Nice coffee"
"Yes, I know.. Otherwise I wouldn't have offered you"
That tender thoughtfulness makes her feel good and special.
"Ok when shall we start training. And how do you want your fees to be structured?"
He is quiet again
"She need not come to me for training. She can continue whatever she's doing and I can help her when the need arises"
Satya is unable to get his notion in this whole deal.
"You mean you'll not be her coach but will just call up to fix some official issues, when there is problem?" She is controlling herself not to show her disappointment
"Yes, something like that"😕
That is the last straw that breaks her patience. She springs up from her chair and looks at him angrily
"I didn't know that you are a selfish man"😡
Prasanna doesn't say anything and that only irritates her more
"What are you? A coward who's scared to face it all again? Or do you think too high of yourself that everyone else seem to be unfit for such a thing? Oh yeah, now I know. Your male ego.. You don't think a girl can make it all leaving you look like a failure? Yes, that must be it. You are anyways not much focused on your own girls' team thinking they are just plain stupid girls fit for nothing.. I should have known that. Yes, now I know.. I've been stupid myself too. Thinking that we have made some magical connection and can be compatible because of our passion"😡
She utters all those words in one go, not knowing how harsh they are. And not even noticing how horribly bad Prasanna is feeling hearing the accuse for no fault of his. But he says nothing again. She suddenly goes quiet not knowing what to say next. She just storms out of his space. 😡
She could see everyone staring at her in shock. They must have heard the noise coming from his space. She doesn't even pause to be embarrassed for her act. She walks out without looking at anyone.
Prasanna is sitting in the same position without any reaction to whatever happened a little while ago. His face doesn't show up any anger or disappointment or annoyance. He couldn't think and doesn't seem to be thinking anything at all. He hears some sound and lifts his head to see Satya standing in front of him. 😕
She has forgotten her jacket and keys which she's picking up, while her eyes are fixed on him. He is very calm again. And this time it's not worrying her. In fact his calmness makes her realize how unreasonable she has been with him. But she doesn't stay back to mend things up and walks away again, in a calmer pace this time.🤔
Late into the night both Prasanna-Satya are sleepless in their respective beds. He's not sure what is happening around him and what will be the direction of his life next. He's not in the mind to decide anything or to even steer his life in any direction because he's very blank on what he wants it to be.😕
On the other hand Satya is getting more and more involved in the whole mess of them. It's either something or nothing at all. She doesn't want it to be any normal thing between them. She's not plotting her moves next but she's giving deep thoughts to know what her heart wants to do next.😎
Her heart is saying many things which is all driving her towards him. But what if there's something inside that little heart of his that cannot be healed. What if it's something that could bring a big crack in their relationship. As much as it's related to his emotion it's also related to her emotion. That emotional connection between them is their passion for the sport. 😃
She can't even imagine herself being so stiff or cold when it comes to her love for the sport. Because it's the place where she sheds her inhibitions and she can be all herself carefree of any worries. But for him it's not like that. Something is bothering him. If the same place can act as an emotional block for him, then she has to find a way to get through it or get past it. She can't just ignore it as if it's nothing.👍🏼
She takes her phone and juggling between the options of calling or messaging him. To her surprise she receives a call. And it is from him.😳
12. The Tough game Edited by Push-pull - 8 years ago
Cricket
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