Every time on his way he would glance at it, from the corner of his eye. It would never do to look at it openly. The repercussions!
Yet, he wasn’t sure why his heart beat a tad faster, in its proximity.
Ever since he was this much… that would be a foot and a half he had fallen in love. With the grace and beauty of a smooth throw which went swish through the air, the slight grazing of the net and a dunk!
It seemed like magic when the boys and girls filled with enthusiasm jostled on the court, passing to friends, leaping in air and achieved their goal!
Watching him glued this way, his father felt a tug at his heart.
“Rohan, come let’s play,” he said.
“No, no!” He refused vehemently.
Father was surprised, but they were getting used to the discrepancies.
As time passed by Rohan showed promise in many things. Some he accomplished, taking to them as naturally as a duck to water, while in many others he struggled miserably.
At school children realized he was different. They either made fun of him or plain ignored him.
Rohan struggled to make friends and to learn his lessons. He was soon written off as a basket case.
“ Hey, ccc… can … I ppp… play with you?” He asked some boys playing his favourite game!
They looked at each other, rolled their eyes and Shambhu said… “ Sure!”
With a yelp, he was in, running around, from one end to the other. He didn’t even get to touch the ball. Yet the smile could not be wiped off his face!
That night he even told his mother, “It was the best day in my life!”
From then on he would surreptitiously prance around the court, dribble… rather make an attempt and chase the ball a hundred times. With his butter fingers, it was a task to grip the ball firmly. But now that he had drawn first blood, it was difficult to let go.
He just froze if there were spectators. It was a lonely battle for him!
Again as he went past the court, love sparkling in his eyes he dared to look at the goings on. Only the few who would include him now and then were sweating it out. He watched mesmerized! The leaping, the bounding, the throwing, the cheering, the squabbling… seemed like such fun!
Suddenly the ball rebounded off the board and in a blur came right at him! Without thinking much, he scooped it up and taking a leap aimed it back!
Swoosh it went back hurtling through the air, tapping the board while finding its way gracefully into the ring!
Silence!
Uproar! Everyone broke into applause, screaming Rohan! Rohan!
Coach walked upto him “Super basket! Join in for practice! Congratulations son you made it to the school team!”
