Rakhi With A Twist [COMPLETED]

Training...And Maybe A Flashback

It was 4:05. I was 5 minutes late for training.

"Sorry I'm late, Tim. I had to finish an assignment for tomorrow."

"Hey, that's alright," he looked unusually cheerful. "Just don't be late for your professional training sessions." He gave me a big grin.

"My what now?" I had no idea what he was talking about.

Still in a fairly jubilant mood, he handed me a crisp white envelope. "It's an invitation from the State Boxing Association to participate in the Interstate Under-18 Amateur Boxing Tournament, for a certain Zara Anand." He chuckled a little to himself. "You have been selected to represent the whole state, and you might even get a chance to go on to nationals. This is such a great opportunity."

I couldn't even speak properly. "What? Really... how even...why me? Other people...wow....okay... I am not that good-"

"Relax. You are that good, and you will get better with those extra training sessions – no extra costs. And as for why you were selected, it's because you work hard for it. Now get ready for practice."

"Yes, coach." My cheeks hurt from smiling when I felt my blood run cold. There was no way Chirag would let me compete. No no no. He would explode if he had to spend even a single dollar to send me-

"Zara, come on." Tim urged.

"Yeah, coming." I murmured. I could still hear my heart beating really fast as I put on my gloves. My opponent, the punching bag was standing ready when I turned towards it.

"Focus."

My attention focused solely on the rubber in front of me.

"Now, you have all the techniques and moves, Zara. So, what I want you to do is to bring passion in. I want you to imagine that this is a fight that you cannot afford to lose, as if there is a lot at stake. Now, begin," Tim said.

I nodded. To be honest, everything he said went straight over my head. The only thing I could think about was Chirag.

I remembered the first time we found out that mum's illness. Of course, he was worried, but there was a little part of him that was relieved that he had found an excuse to ask me to stay home.

"But my training sessions are only one hour." He and I both knew that mum's condition wasn't serious enough for someone to stay at home to take care of her.

"Zara, I told you before and I am telling you now, boxing isn't for you," Chirag said sternly, as if he made any sense at all. "And now is not the time to argue. Stay with mum."

"While you do what, huh?" I argued. "You can do whatever you want, but I have to refrain from doing the one thing that I love? Kiaan is not staying home. He gets to play soccer, as always."

"Chirag, Zara. Stop fighting. Zara will go to her training sessions, Chirag. I can take care of myself. No arguments."

Chirag looked like he was going to protest, but one look from mum made him shut up.

Giving me a cold stare, he said again, "Boxing is not for you."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Tim said. "Slow down. You don't want to kill your opponent.

I was pulled back into reality. Instead of on the hook, the punching bag lay on the ground. My hands started to ache as my nails dig into the cloth of the glove. "S-sorry, coach." I looked down as blood rushed to my cheeks. The floor seemed really interesting right then.

"Something's up. What's wrong?" Tim's voice sounded concerned.

"Nothing."

"Look up Zara"

I did.

Tim gave me a meaningful look. "Is everything alright with you and your brother?"

He knew everything about my family and Chirag, but I hadn't updated him since a long time.

So I told him everything from mum's illness to Chirag's possible tantrum about my selection.

"I should have expected that. Well, you haven't talked to him yet, so maybe he will be a tiny bit supportive. I won't talk to him because you know what happened last time.

"Yeah, but –"

"Zara, we need you to compete in this tournament. This is your chance to make your mark. You have always wanted this. You have to get this consent form signed. You have already taken so many risks to get here, it won't hurt to take some more."

I sighed, "okay Tim. I'll try.

"Yes, coach." He chided.

"Yes, coach," I repeated.

"Also," he looked a bit sheepish, "I know this is too much to ask, but your gloves are not in a good shape to take to a match. It concerns your safety. You need a new pair."

"Yes, coach." I could feel pinpricks in my eyes. Before I could burst out into a full fledged sobbing session, I took a deep breath and looked away.

Tim put his big hands on my shoulder. "Hey, it'll be fine. You can go home early today. Rest. And think about how want to tell him."

I nodded.

"I hope your mum gets well soon."

With all the energy I could muster up at the moment, I thanked him.

***