The Girl in the Gym

I may be your man

There was supposed be a tournament at the end of every course cycle, where the clients were pitted against each other. It comprised of races, boxing matches, karate rounds, endurance evaluation, etc. The trainers whose clients came first, second and third would be given a fast-tracked raise, a possible promotion and also a chance to be featured in the city's premier sports magazine. It was a thing of prestige and also incentivised the trainers to produce results. Inaya had not worn it yet because the Olympic level trainees always won. This time, however, those trainees had gone for an external sports camp and were out of running. She had not dared to imagine that Jack would pose any competition in the beginning, but looking at his shape now, she was sure he could at least bag the second or third place.

Jack too, was hopeful of a positive outcome. But more than anything, he wanted to prove it to Inaya that he could be the man for her. With that thought burning in his mind, he surpassed all his previous training levels and practised continuously in the week leading up to the tournament. The morning of the tournament Inaya woke him up with a knock. He went to open the door, surprised that she had come.

"It's a big day! I wanted to wish you the best of luck," she said, smiling shyly.

Entranced, he murmured, "Thanks. Although I should be the one wishing you- you have more at stake than me."

"Umm, so I'll see you in an hour or so at the rink. Bye," she said and jogged back.

Extremely pleased, Jack ruffled his hair and woke Bud up. "We need to get your morning walk over earlier than usual today Bud," he said to the puppy, who was wagging his tail happily.

He reached the arena a little early to warm up, but the other contestants had the same idea. Following a round of good-natured leg-pulling, they gathered around the head trainer.

"You will all go up against one another in knock out rounds. We have paired you according to your seeding which has been prepared and evaluated by all your personal trainers. Basically, the last person standing will win," he announced. Everyone cheered and got into the groove of things.