Aiming Right

It was a beautiful summer day. The birds were chirping and a gust of wind flew by tinkling the wind chimes. 

The apples in the backyard were shining red and ready to be munched.

 

Rohan was standing under the apple tree with his slingshot aiming at the juiciest apple. He stretched the band. Felt the wind around his wrist. Turned a little right and then released the band. 

The sling recoiled and the pebble soared towards the tree. It hit right on mark and the apple spiraled down on the earth but was caught by Rohan midway. 

He took a bite and smiled to himself; yes, he never missed a shot.

 

He got ready for school quickly but packed his cricket kit carefully. Today was the school cricket team selection day. Today he might become the Captain, might become…No, he would definitely become the captain.

 

Cricket was not only pleasure for him but it was his passion too. How hard he trained on ground. Batting and balling with precision. 

He was clearly the best player on team and was even the vice-captain. So, clearly the odds were in his favor. He would surely be a great captain as M.S. Dhoni, his idol.

 

Rohan reached on pitch, his best friend Mahesh smiled and spoke, ‘Ready for being the captain.’ Rohan just waved him off but inside he felt even more encouraged.

‘Stop your flattery. Who is that boy with blonde hair?’ enquired Rohan. ‘Must be a new admission.’, replied Mohan uncertainly.

 

The day passed on. Coach sir shouted a lot on the prospective team members. 

When Rohan turn came for trial he nodded at his aim and even offered a rare smile. By afternoon after shouting himself hoarse the coach had finally selected his team.

He called out the members of team and then named the captain of team as---- Ravi.

 

The new boy stepped in front when his name was announced. Rohan was shocked. He felt his team staring at him, some were whispering about him too. Mahesh even shouted, ‘How is this possible Coach Sir?’

The coach replied gruffly, ‘It’s not your matter to question my judgement. Now go home and be on time for first training on Monday.’

 

Rohan was still too stunned to speak. Finding his voice, he ran towards the coach. ‘But sir I have always played well. I have been in team for six years. I am even the vice-captain, sir’ he spoke pleadingly.

The coach was unmoved he spoke, ‘You are still the vice-captain so be glad for it. You are just not ready to be the captain.’ 

Saying so he moved away, leaving a devastated Rohan alone on pitch.

 

Tears were threatening to spill down on his face but he pulled them back and ran towards home. His mother was asking about his trials but he shut her out and locked himself in his room. Anger such as he had never felt before was flowing through his veins.

 

Betrayed was how he felt right now. How much he had toiled on that pitch. 

He had always worked for the team’s victory, now even during the last school year the coach had denied him the chance to achieve his dream. His only dream since he came on team to be the captain, hold afloat the trophy at the end of the match. 

Now a newbie has taken his place. What does he know about this team? How can he be the captain?

 

He took out his slingshot and threw it out of the window. What’s the use of a good aim? He was nothing now. He lay down on bed tears finally broke free and streamed down his face.

 

In morning, his eyes were swollen. He was still in his cricket dress. He went to have a bath. His mother was calling again for breakfast but he ignored her. He just sat on bed resentment still flowing through him.

 

His father knocked on the door. He kept sitting. Dad yelled, ‘Really now, if you don’t open this door, I would break it open.’ 

Half- heartedly he crossed towards it and opened the door dad rushed in and held him, ‘Well what’s the matter are you ill?’ He shrugged him off and turned away. ‘Trials didn’t go good?’

Rohan still ignored him. ‘Well, you can’t always shut yourself out from us.’ Rohan looked at his dad and sat down next to him on bed and started speaking angrily about his fate.

‘So, what will you do now?’, inquired dad after he had rattled all the injustice. ‘I would …I would not play well at all and that newbie captain I won’t listen to him at all. Let’s see how he can coordinate us when no one will pay heed to him.’ Rohan spoke maliciously.

Dad spoke cautiously, ‘And what would happen if your revenge is successful?’ Rohan replied in ecstasy, ‘Our team would lose and then everyone would blame the captain.’

Dad smiled a bit and then spoke, ‘It might happen that your team loses without you but what about you would you win? Dhoni was not only a captain but was also a great player himself. Will just one failure change you? Would your love for cricket just vanish? You need to choose your own path.’ 

Saying so dad handed him back his slingshot, gave a little smile and went out.

Rohan fingered his slingshot and was lost in deep thoughts. He thought about all the time when he shot with his slingshot was it the fruit he wanted or was it the fun he had in aiming it and finally he realized the truth and got up with a light heart.

 

Many months later…

The annual Inter-school Cricket match was going on in full flow. Rohan was hitting every ball with energy. They were just seconds away from victory when Rohan made a spectacular hit and the ball sailed away. Their team had won.

 

On the stage, Ravi being the captain was awarded the trophy but Rohan won ‘the Man of the Match title’. Standing on the stage with this honor Rohan’s heart fluttered with pride.

 

Finally, he learnt how to aim right in life as well.