"Ma, can you give me some lunch money?" he asked timidly. He knew she'd never question him or refuse. Sometimes he'd ask his Pa, sometimes her, but neither let him down. He was an only child and he knew they liked to indulge him. His mum worked very long hours as a nurse and his father was a big businessman in a thriving manufacturing company. Neither had much time to spare their son, as both worked very hard to pay for his education. He knew that. He loved them for it. But he missed having them take more of an interest in him. But he was a shadow, a nothing, a recluse. What could he expect. He spent a lot of time in his room on his computer playing games and researching his hobbies and interests. He had gotten used to being alone. But today, he DID feel positive, he had a plan when he'd woken up. It came to him in the night and today, come what may, he was gonna put it into action. Today WAS his day, he put it into action. Today WAS his day, he COULD feel it. He smiled to himself and his momma. He even gave her a hug. He wasn't big on displays of affection so she gave him a big beaming grin and started Singing, "Ooh baby I love your way..every day," whilst dancing round the kitchen. Her cringed, his mum sure knew how to move her big hips and was surprisingly light on her feet. Guess that's where he gets it from.
"You wanna what?" said the gym teacher cycling him with open incredulity. "Try out for the Track Team," he replied in his most confident voice. "Look son," Abhaysima hated the derogatory way he used that term, "you know these guys are a good deal older than you don't ya?" "Yes Sir, but I'd still like to try." He felt sure in few things, but running was one of them. Today was his day. He had devised this plan and nothing in his control was gonna veer him off of it. Not even the idle thought of losing. He was a winner when it came to running, and he loved it. The teacher scowled. He paused for a while before finally seeming to accept the Inevitable. This lad had been persistent. For the past half hour he'd been badgering him to comply, so he reckoned what the hell, he may as well give the little kid a break. "Okay, here after school, 5pm. Bring your kit and your best trainers. Don't let me down kid, I hate time wasters." With that Abhaysimha Makeeba jumped for joy inside. He held his head high all that day in school. He could doubt his looks, his feelings, his hard life, but he didn't doubt his talent for running!
His heart was thumping in his chest as he raced that night. His parents had given him a really nice pair of running shoes for his birthday. He'd only worn them half a dozen times, just enough to break them in. And as he went round in his lane all he had going on in his head was the words of his momma that morning.. "today is our day, a good day,".and he felt the fading sun on his back as he ran. He'd already passed Parker Jones and his two goons. They'd tried to trip him but he was giving them a very wide birth as he raced past. It was at that point. He noticed the crowd that had formed. Just other school kids who had heard.what was going down that day after school. There was quite a crowd. Bigger Even than when word gets round that.there was gonna be a bundle after school. Seems watching humiliation on any level, in any way shape or form was part of the average school kids' repertoire. And as he heard Parker's out of breath whisper, "I'm gonna get you kid" in his wake, he felt now he was proving something to himself...and to them....and to all of that crowd. And as he struggled for breath, his feet faster than ever, he passed the front runner with a bend to spare. He came out ahead at the home stretch and the roar of claps and shouts thundered in his head. People actually got up and whooped and hollowed for him. They were cheering for the little man, the guy they didn't even acknowledge with a name. Sure it was only the trials, only a. start, but it was a declaration of war. His war on all of them, and his battle within himself. As he leant out and crossed that tape he felt his feet weren't just running on grit, they were treading on air. The crowd were going wild and he was a success. As Parker came in five minutes.later he went straight over to him, but not before the coach did too. "Hey Parker, leave that kid alone, he's part of our new track team, and darned if he ain't our star!". With that Parker and his other goons now coming in backed off. And then it happened, on the tannoy his name came, and was displayed on the huge sign.overhead, "Abhaysima Makeeba...first place and winner He was etched in their minds, he was carved in stone as the hero of the day. He was no longer the unforgettable "That" to them. To his great pride and relief he was more, and he felt more. He glowed with an inner satisfaction, and he went straight up to Parker Jones and said for all to hear, "Brother, you give me Pa's watch back I need it to run better. We're on the same team now bro, so if you wanna win, you'll quit hassling me."
Step up Abhaysimha Makeeba. GOLD medal not for the race, not for the win, but for the attitude and finding yourself, and your place in life. Today was a good day. And I smile.
End.
