Chapter 3

Koeli

@Koeli

I opened my sleep-deprived eyes as the alarm rang against my ears. The whole night I couldn’t sleep thinking about that khadoos coach. How is it my fault? I thought. How am I supposed to know that a college student is going to be the coach of the national team? Damn it! Now, what am I going to do? That Saberwal is not going to train me he said with conviction. The way he looked at me I could see an instant dislike already. That makes my heart sink even more. The sound of the second alarm jolted my thoughts. Shit, I am going to be late for my English literature class.

Thankfully I was on time. I rushed inside the classroom and took the first available seat having a sigh. My heart was racing due already as I practically ran from the entrance of the college to the class. We all stood up as the professor entered the class. Once the prof settled, I fetched my notebook from my bag. My eyes classed with a certain brown orb and I was stunned to see Mr Saberawal seated beside me. On damn! I didn’t even realize that I took the seat beside him when I entered. Good, now I can pursue him to talk to me. At least let me apologize.

The professor gave us some tasks and walked out of the room to attend an emergency staff meeting. I took that opportunity to look towards my right. Mr Sabrewal was wearing big black-rimmed glasses. He was oddly looking older than his age. I don’t understand how he maintains his composure at this age. Boys of his age are more impulsive and fun-loving. Whereas, this man is calm and quiet.

“Mr Saberwal, can I have a minute of yours?” I ask chewing on my pen. He didn’t look at me and continued to doodle in his notebook.

I cleared my throat and tried once again… “erm! Shaurya can I…”

“Are you always this indiscipline? Don’t you understand that I don’t want to talk to you? Don’t you have self-respect Miss? Anokhi Bhalla?” he said not even looking at me. What was his problem? Why is he so bitter with me? Is he like this with everyone else or just me? I wondered. However, I have to keep my ego aside because the principal told me that I have to train under Shaurya only and for that, I have to pursue him. He also said that he is the best and other state association tried to pursue him so many times but he never left this college. So he doesn’t want to make him angry.

“Shaurya, there was some misunderstanding. Please at least listen to my version.”

“Please don’t waste my time Miss Bhalla. You are free to train under anybody you want but don’t under me neither on my time. So, stay away from the field as you won’t like it if I through you out of the field again.

I shifted towards him and held his hand to stop whatever he was doing. “Why you don’t want to train me Mr Saberwal? Give me a good reason for that. Just because I thought that the other guy was the coach, it is not my fault. I am new to this institution and I didn’t think that the National team coach will be a young guy. Mujhe laga koi khusat buddha hi hoga.”

That grabbed his attention. He then looked at me. “Khusat buddha?” he asked making an expression.

“Haan, aur nahi to kya? Waise in your case only the buddha is not applicable.” I said as a matter of fact.

“Wait…what?”

“Nothing Mr Saberwal. All I want to say is….” I paused. “I am sorry. It was my mistake and it will not be repeated.”

“You have just called me Kharoos, and after that, you think that I will train you? Tum ho kya cheez Ms Bhalla?” he said boring his eyes.

“Kabhi aazma ke dekhiyega Sir. Apni college ki top athlete reh chuki hoon mein.”

“Bohot dekhe hai tum jaiso ko. You had no competition, Miss Bhalla. This is not your small-town school. To get a chance in the national team you have to compete with the best. And I don’t think you have that fire in you, Miss. Bhalla. Khud ka kyun beizzati karana chahti ho?”

“Until and unless you see me on the field how can you judge Mr Saberwal?”

“Listen, Miss, I am the coach, and there is a reason why I am. I can understand who can be a good athlete just by looking at him or her. Don’t you dare challenge me? Main athletes banata hoon. One mistake, I don’t spare anyone.”

“I am asking for a chance Mr Saberwal. I am not asking you to include me in your team.”

“Sorry Ma’am, you have lost that chance already. I know your types, Miss Bhalla. Chote sheher ki bari bari soch wali ladki. Apni innocent wali faces dikhake hashtag buddho ko fasake team mein ghusna tum jaiso ki aadat hai.”

“Enough is enough Mr Shaurya Saberwal. I am not here to listen to your crap. You might be the coach, but I have self-respect. Aap ki gandi soch aapko Mubarak ho. But that will not stop me from entering the national team. I will also see how you stop me. It’s a challenge Mr Saberwal, one day your opinion about me will change. And I will change that with my dedication and that day you will not want to lose an athlete like me.”

“Challenge accepted Miss Bhalla. Either I will there or you.”