A runner. He runs his heart out. Every muscle of his body, voluntary or otherwise, knows that. His coach knows that. This ‘knowing’ is the silken thread that has pulled him out of gravest of miseries. This time shall not be an exception. He knows that.
He is 22 year, 3 month and 2 day old. Yes, he has been counting. This is the only form of meditation he has been deliberately pursuing, perching atop a wheelchair for the last 7 months and 5 days. His mind is ticking ceaselessly with the vivid image of that cherishing penultimate event. He was one race away from his dream win when that fateful incident happened. He was literally racing towards his track on the D-day when he had to make a choice. A choice. He had no idea about it until then. He fell victim to a seemingly ‘ordinary’ road accident. For a moment, he was happy that it was him and not that straying kid who was lying safe in his grip and had an innocent smile now on his face. By then, the curtain was down. He knew it. That was then.
He leaves his wheelchair today. For good. He still has 13 days left for his event. He is ready. 13 days are far too many. Or so he thinks. The D-day arrives. He takes his position and here comes the gun shot. And, oh boy! He freezes. He hallucinates a winding track lying before him surrounded by a cacophonous crowd. No, he is not on drugs. The dope test came out clean. It is something else. But he was ready.
He and his coach spend the rest of the day toiling around a children’s park. They are not however dissecting the incident. Absolutely not.
The coach has a plan. The runner follows it unquestioned. He takes up the role of a newsboy in his neighbourhood. He goes to his customers, makes sure to greet them, and delivers papers daily without failure. 9 months or so have passed. Not sure about the time though. He is not counting anymore!
It is that time of the year. The event. The runner wins it this time comprehensively. Amidst all joy, he is still confounded by the logic behind his mentor’s peculiar plan. He is not sure whether that plan actually had any ingredient for his success. The coach unravels the mystery with a ‘Yes’. It is the ‘social network’!
