Abhishek's Musings

  THE STRIKER   Sachin Anthony Raja was a promising athlete in high school. His keen eye, fluid movements, and striking abilities were noticed by his high school coach pretty early on. Mr Arkin Nicholas decided to field him, one last time, for the Seattle Thunderbolts before he moved away to university. The game was fixed against the Tallahassee Swamp Rats in their home ground.   ‘The weather is certainly extreme here in Florida, ’ moaned Sachin, as he and the team arrived in Tallahassee by train. The match was fixed for the coming weekend. As it was a university game, a packed house was expected. The day of the week was Wednesday, which meant they had one whole day to themselves to rest and do what they may. The Tallahassee team management had insisted on the match being played on a Friday, as rumours had it, it was their lucky day. Mr Arkin reluctantly agreed on the match day, but given a choice, he would have picked Sunday. His team were a group of fearless young lads,...

  THE RECLUSIVE MUSICIAN   ‘DAMN GOOD PERFORMANCE,’ said Saanvi, as she watched her little kid brother strum his guitar and sing an old Kishore Kumar song.  “Come on! I’m just jamming and warming up,” said Ajay, as he tried to hide his embarrassment. He strummed his guitar a few more times,  ‘Neele Neele Ambar Par’ , before he signed off. ‘I didn’t know you could sing and play like that, Ajay!’ Saanvi exclaimed, still unable to mask her astonishment. ‘But it’s the most delightful surprise I’ve had in a long time.’ ‘You should play for the family, you know.’ ‘Drop it, Di, you know I don’t have it in me to play in front of others. It’s just something that I like to do on my own. I’m not ready to be judged by others. And… moreover, I have to be damn good to play for others’ said Ajay as his face turned beet red. ‘I’m tempted to call in my friends and organize a concert for you. You are too good, Ajay. Where have you been hiding your phenomenal talent all these year...