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I linger at the reception waiting for the boys to return from the practice. My pretense of being on a call ends the moment I see him walking in. His steps are slow and I assume that it must have been a tiring day on the field.
He reaches the reception as the rest of the boys disperse into different directions. It's surprising that no-one seems to notice his absence. I release a long breath to relieve me of my annoyance and greet him with smile, "Hey. Long day?" I ask as I help him inside the reception and make him sit.
It was a good decision to send Sara and Divya for a meeting with Mahesh. "Yes." The exercise makes him look more radiant than ever.
This time, I let the thoughts come in. I let myself notice the details I had dismissed after a lot of effort. His muscled arms. His smartwatch sitting tenderly on his right hand. His eyes. Do they always twinkle like that?
I reach for the pack of KitKat that I had brought and give it to him. His amused face is a treat to watch as I say, "You need a break, and perhaps a little chit-chat."
He chuckles at my word play and unwraps the pack. He offers a piece to me and I take it.
I watch him as he sighs and stretches a little. I think he wants to lie down.
"You're tired."
"I am."
"And you're planning to climb 15 floors and tire yourself even more."
"Yes." He says it slowly.
"God, Ruturaj." He waits for me to continue but I have already finished.
"Meet me in the 1st floor lobby in five." I tell him as I turn.
He's sitting on the stairs when I arrive with the wheelchair. His eyes widen at it's sight.
"Kritika, I am capable of climbing 15 floors on my own. I might take a little longer today but-"
"But what, Ruturaj? You think I will allow you to burn yourself out? I most certainly won't."
His gaze softens. "Kritika, please."
"No, Ruturaj. No. I have already had enough of this. Don't you understand that tiring yourself out is not going to help anyone. We have elevated platforms for a reason. And I am going to make use of them today."
He considers it for some seconds and I can feel the fight leaving him. "Okay." He settles down in the chair.
"Good boy." I pat him on the head. He looks up and his upside down smile makes me want to touch my forehead to his.
But I resist.
Pushing a wheelchair on a platform is tougher than I thought. By the time we reach the 6th floor, I am sweating a lot. And that is enough for him to get up.
Before he can protest I ask him, "Does Thala know?" Implying if he has told Thala that he's claustrophobic. And specifically, afraid of elevators.
"Yes, he's the only one who knows." I nod. Thala being aware makes so much sense. There was no way he wouldn't have noticed Ruturaj sneak out every single time.
"And I am planning to tell Sai soon." He adds, "Sai Kishore is my new friend at the camp." I enjoy listening to his narration of how relieved he was to find someone who was intimidated by the other players as well.
Ruturaj Gaikwad speaking is a joy to watch.
I straighten up as he mentions that he feels that his and Sai's friendship was meant to be.
"Why did you feel so?"
"You might find it silly. But back in Maharashtra, we believe in Sai Baba who is said to be an actual person and not a man made deity. I try to follow his teachings especially - Shradha which means have faith and Saburi which means have patience.Hence the moment Sai told me his name, I had this strange feeling that Sai was going to be my friend." He has a faraway look on his face. Perhaps recalling that first introduction.
"I don't find it silly." I admit. He smiles.
"I'm glad you don't, but he is sure to. So don't tell him." I purse my lips. And pretend to throw the key away. He laughs.
"He calls me Macha. That means brother in Tamil, right?" I nod.
The confirmation makes him smile wider and at this moment I want nothing more but for that smile to last as long as it can.
After a while, I say, "Enough of break time now, come sit." And grab the chair again.
He looks like he is about to protest again but doesn't and I'm glad.
Push, push, push, Kriti. You can do this.
Yes. Just a little more. Almost there.
Come on. Don't give up now.
If anyone were to hear my thoughts they'd assume this to be the other kind of labor.
Heat rises in my cheek.
"You don't have to do this, you know." I look down to see him looking up again.
"I know. But I want to. Now stop looking at me."
He shakes his head before using his hand to wipe the new beads of sweat on my forehead.
He has been doing that every once in a while and still I'm not used to his spontaneous touch.
We reach his floor. And he gets up abruptly. He looks so relieved as if someone has ended his agony.
I'm about to tell him bye when he says, "Please come in and let me order a Nimbo pani."
I shouldn't go in. There'll be trouble if someone sees me going in or getting out.
I look at Ruturaj's earnest face.
Anything for this boy.
"Okay." I step in.
A/N - Hello All! Please let me know your thoughts in comments! I appreciate them a lot. Until next time.
