Too Close To Perfection

Chapter 4

The rest of the day was uneventful. The end of lessons came around and as the six of us parted ways for our different CCAs, I told the guys that I'd see them tomorrow.

As I was about to head for Cross Country, Karthi asked "Hey, let me walk with you?" Knowing that passing the Track wouldn't detour him to his CCA, I nodded. While walking, I asked, "We are going to Subway right?". "Yesh. So I'll come over at around 7?" He replied. "Ya, sure. Well, we're here. See you later Karthi!" I said and jogged to the Track. 

"Alright guys and girls, we have a big competition up ahead of us in 2015 so we better get serious and training is going to be more often. Partner up and start streching. Dayanita, can I have a word with you for a while?" The coach instructed. I headed over to Coach Lim. 

"I'm going to get straight to the point. You are by far the best runner the school team has ever had. That's why this competition is your time to shine. I want the best for you, seeing as your parents are gone." I flinched slightly as he mentioned my parents. But he continued anyway. "I want you training extra hard because this is your shot to get spotted by NUS. You're a smart girl and I don't doubt they won't accept you for your University Admission Score, but think of this as an advantage. You have an even higher chance of getting the President's Scholarship." I perked up at this because getting the President's Scholarship was one of the things I really wanted. If I went overseas to study, I could take my brother with me and we could live peacefully for a while until I get a job too and after that we would finally be happy because we wouldn't be scraping by with my brother's measly pay.

"Can I be assured that you will put in your best for this competiton Dayanita?" Coach Lim asked. I nodded and said, "I will do my very best coach," "Good, because after you strech, you're going to lead everyone in 20 laps." He said with an evil grin. He know what was best for us and by puching us, he was getting everyone to realise their full potential. At least he helped me to do that. 

After warming up, I gathered everyone and said, "Okay, Coach Lim asked us to do 20 laps," I waited for the groans of disappointment to end before I continued. "Everyone knows the drill, no overtaking in the first lap and if you can't keep up the pace, slow down. We don't want anyone vomiting like the last time," I said, looking straight at Ray. Everyone laughed and Ray's cheeks were tinted red. "Make sure you time yourself and try to beat your last timing. And... yah that's it so let's get to it!" I said.

After 20 laps in which everyone was complaining that it was torture, I wiped my face with a cloth and checked my watch for my time. 30 minutes and 57 seconds! I had improved by a whopping 2minutes! I was so proud of myself that I looked back at the track and imagined myself on it again, breaking a record. That was when I noticed Ray still on the track. He was still running. All alone. I jogged over to him and ran with him.

"You... you don't have to... run with me," He huffed. 

"Yes I do. Come on Ray, this is not like you! How long have you been running for?" I asked.

He showed me his watch, which read 48 minutes and 26 seconds. 

"Ray! That's more than 2 minutes per lap! Come on, you have to push yourself. How many laps left?"  I chided him, knowing that he was way below his standard.

"Last... lap..." He breathed. I ran with him until he completed his 20 laps.

His watch read 50 minutes and 57 seconds. I could not help but feel disappointed at Ray. His best timing was around 35 minutes. I didn't know what was happening to him, but I intended to find out. After he had caught his breath, I went up to him and asked, "Hey, is everything okay? You're 15 minutes behind your peak time."

"Uh, yeah. I promise I'll do better next time. Gotta go." He avoided the question and made an attemot to escape.

"Ray." I said with a serious expression on my face. 

"Fine. I'll tell you. But not here. Tonight?" He suggested.

"Uh... you're taking train home right? Tell me then can?" I asked, not wanting to postpone the dinner with Karthi. 

"Alright." He said and we went to assemble with everyone else. 

"While you guys ran, I observed and I saw some extraordinary talent out there." Coach said while looking directly at me. I couldn't help but feel proud of myself for beating my previous time. "But some of you were disgraceful." Even though he didn't say who, all of us knew who he was talking about. Ray. " I expect better performance from all of you next training. And remember, train on your own at home too. I'll see you guys on Thursday. Have a good night's rest. You're dismissed." He said. 

I Whatsapped Karthi, telling him that I wouldn't be able to go home with him today because I had to do something else. After that, I went up to Ray.

"Ready to go?" I asked. He nodded and we made our way to the MRT station. 

"Ray?" I asked. 

"Oh, yeah. Why I suck at running now. Well, here's what happened. About 2 weeks ago, I was with my younger sister at the playground. I was pushing her on the swings and she kept teling me to push harder. So I did. But she wasn't holding on very tightly and she went flying. Landed a few metres away and she was bleeding from so many places. Her right arm was doing something it was not supposed to. I called for an ambulance, and they brought her to the hospital. My parents were still working so I just sent them a text. I didn't know what to do after that, I felt so helpless. I mean, Rebekah's only 5! I didn't know whether she was going to survive or not. And when my parents came to the hospital..." He broke off, his voice cracking a little.

I rubbed his back, trying to comfort him and trying to get him to continue. "They saw Rebekah and my mom just burst into tears. My dad stayed silent but was trying to comfort her and I was just standing there, not knowing what to do. I mean, my sister was in comatose, my parents were hugging each other, giving each other support and I just stood there. I knew it was my fault and I was trying so hard to keep it together. I had to stay strong for Rebekah. Even though she was only 5, she was already acting like a big sister to me. She wouldn't want me worrying about her even though she was lying in a hospital with a fractured neck, dislocated shoulder and huge gashes on her legs and arms. She's still in a coma and I can't stop worrying about her. What if she never wakes up? What if she does and blames me for this? I cannot take her being angry with me. I just want her to be okay..." He whispered the last part so softly but I still caught it. 

I hugged him, knowing he needed it. I knew how he felt. When my parents just lay there in the hospital side by side, I felt helpless. Still, I stayed strong for them. Abhilash however, couldn't take it and cried his eyes out. I had experience in comforting people in these kinds of situations so I knew exactly what to do. I stood there with my arms around him, allowing him to let out his tears. The train was quite empty so not a lot of people were watching a 17 year old boy cry.  He wasn't sobbing or anything, he was just crying. I felt his tears on my shoulder and neck as he leaned down into my hug. 

After he had stopped crying, I rubbed his back one more time before pulling away. "Better?" I asked. He nodded and sniffed one last time. "It will get better Ray. Judging by her injuries and how strong she is, I'm sure Rebekah will recover. But even if she doesn't, I don't want you taking it out on yourself, okay? I'm here for you if you need me. Until them, I think you should just take your mind off her. Get some sleep okay?" I aksed. "Yah, okay. Thanks Dayanita. You really know how to make someone feel better. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" He replied as he realised his stop was nearing. 

"Bye Ray, see you tomorrow!" I said and waited for my stop to come. I thought about Rebekah and just hoped that she would pull through. I knew she could.

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Hi there! I know I haven't updated much, but I was busy (celebrating my exam results...) Anyway, Merry belated Christmas! And advanced Happy New Year! I hope I can update more frequently next year... I'll try my best okie??

Please vote, comment and follow!! I hope to take this story as far as I can, and I don't really have a strong skeleton but I know with your support I'll be able to complete this story for your reading pleasure!!

Love you guys <3

Baizzz