10.5 Seconds
Arya
Are you someone who is mesmerized by star gazing every night? Appreciate the beauty of birds soaring in the sky? Or finding joy when waves caress your feet on the beach? When others dismiss these to be disjointed patterns, are you able to decipher a regular pattern in these occurrences? If the answer is yes, then welcome to my club!
I observe these regular patterns not in nature alone. Would you believe me, if I say that I am able to discover patterns even in peak traffic jam on our roads? In fact, in the tranquility of night, I am able to discover patterns in the sound from outer world.
You must be wondering how am I able to do this? This is because of my interest in mathematics. I am able to apply the regular patterns that you usually find in numbers to scenarios in real world too. Mind you, this has gotten me into trouble quite a few times. I went to an exam without preparing for it based on the assumption that I would get the same marks as that of the previous three times I took the exam. But, I failed the exam miserably that time. This taught me a valuable lesson as not to predict my future life with the patterns of my past.
Nevertheless, I am happy that this talent of mine has given me this coveted position.
My name is Arya and I am 45 years old. I am the Chief Designer at Google headquarters in Bengaluru. The project that I am currently working on is very challenging. You can see the stacks of papers sitting on my desk. These are the weather data for the past hundred years from a few important places on Earth. The goal of this project is to decipher a pattern using this historic data, so that we can predict the weather for coming years.
It has been a long struggle that lasted for two years before I could inch closer to success. When I thought I had reached the finish line, a problem showed up. The predictions that I made earlier and that which I know were correct, were now turning out to be incorrect.
I lost all hope. That’s when I chanced to read upon ‘Chaos Theory’. It pointed me as to where I was going wrong. Once again, I scoured through all the data and found that the cause of all miseries was due to the value of one of the parameter, which was incorrect by 0.01%.
From that moment, I was a big fan of Chaos Theory. I understood the importance of it when applying it to my project, despite the fact that I couldn't wrap my head around the mathematics behind it. May be I would attribute this to my age. With my age comes experience to look at everything from just the surface level and have an overall perspective. But to dive deep into a problem and find the solution you need an enthusiastic and intelligent mind of a young chap.
I wish I know who can help me do this?
I am still searching for one such person.
Nisha
I am Nisha. I am one of the participants of women’s 100 meters Running race in this year ’s Olympics being held at Rio.
10.5 seconds. My goal, my ambition, my destiny, my very existence lies in me being able to run within 10.5 seconds. Chasing this unbelievable goal, has literally made me into a robotic machine.
I run with a burning passion to achieve my goal. All I can see are the numbers 10.5.
But do you know that in order to achieve this elusive goal of running within 10.5 seconds I am destructing myself day by day? How many of you are empathetic to my wishes? Does anyone at least bother to know what they are?
When I was a child, I have had a keen interest in mathematics. I had mastered calculus when i was in my fifth grade. I was dreaming of becoming an astronaut one day.
Currently, I am doing my undergraduate studies in Astronomy at Regional Engineering College, Trichy. I was chosen the winner of the 100 meters running race at my college annual sports day by finishing it within 10.5 seconds. I did not know that I had set a new world record.
It was my fate, that Naren happened to see me perform at that sports day. He visited my parents frequently and cajoled them to accept him coaching me.
Look at where I stand now! or rather where I am running now! This entire year has flown by practicing, practicing and even more practicing. It’s been ages since I set foot at my college.
Naren gets furious if I even hold a book. My reward would be running 20 laps at the ground. But this did not stop me from secretly reading my favorite science books. At the moment, I am enjoying reading about Chaos Theory. If only I had the means to study properly about it for 10 years, I am confident that I would win a Nobel prize on the subject. But whats the use of wishing when you know it can never come true?
“This time you have sprinted like a deer to achieve your goal. You have been running within 10.5 seconds continuously for a month. If you continue to keep up the good work, then there is no one stopping you from securing the gold medal at Olympics this year” said Naren.
Naren lifted me like a child and kissed my cheek with joy. That made me return back to Earth from my dreamland.
Naren
No one can experience a pain, worser than the one that failure brings. I am a victim of injustice. What should have rightfully been my victory was sabotaged by a cunning fellow.
In 2012, I won a gold medal for running 100 meters at the Olympics. But two days later it was snatched from my hands. I was shattered beyond belief when the tests showed that I have been using steroids. Later, I found out that this was the act of Vikas, my fellow competitor who sneaked steroids in my food.
I spent the next three years of my life drinking the whole time. I was losing my mind. But I would still visit each and every place to watch running race. That’s when I happen to watch Nisha perform one day at REC, Trichy.
Nisha was standing at the start line, looking thin with a slight hunch on her back. No one would think of her as being fit for an athlete. In fact, they despised her for participating in the running race, unaware of her abilities.
Nisha became an altogether different person when she started running. Her focus was only on sprinting to the finish line and which she did in an unbelievable 10.5 seconds. No one knew that she had set a new world record. The previous world record for 100 meters race was 10.59 seconds, which Nisha had surpassed now. If only Nisha repeated the same performance at Olympics, India would bag a gold medal for sure.
I made up my mind at that moment that Nisha would be the means to achieve my dream. Convincing her college management and her parents was a breeze.
But the problem was changing the mindset of Nisha as she was not aware of her extraordinary talent. I can see her with a book in hand, most of the time. Added to this was the issue that suddenly she would zone out, unaware of what’s happening around her. Like she would enter some dreamland or something. Deep down, I always have this fear of whether she would freeze during any of her major running events.
Right now, she is in one such trance state. She did not realize that i hugged her and lifted her. Only on shaking her shoulders vigorously, did she come back to her surroundings.
Nisha
When I came back to my senses, I realized that Naren was hugging me. He becomes ecstatic and hugs me whenever I perform well i.e up to his expectations. This is nothing unusual between coaches and athletes. When overwhelmed with emotions, gender becomes insignificant.
Initially I disliked being hugged or kissed by Naren. As days went by, I got used to it. I could feel that his intentions were genuine, devoid of romance or lust. I wonder if I would have liked it if it had been a romantic gesture.
We were calling it a day and walking away from the ground when suddenly Naren bent over my feet. He was fastening my shoe lace which had come off.
“I have told you several times, Nisha. An athlete should not be careless like this. What will happen if you did not notice this on a major event?”
Naren was patiently tying my shoe lace.
I could make out that he was in a pleasant mood. I seized the opportunity and began to speak my mind, although a bit hesitantly.
“Naren, you know that this year I haven't attended any of my classes. My final exams is due next week. I have to be there for sure.”
“You need not worry about these petty matters, Nisha. The minister himself has sorted out this issue with your college vice-chancellor. So, you will pass with distinction. Your focus should be on winning the Olympics alone and nothing else.”
“That doesn't bother me, Naren. You know how much I am involved in my undergraduate studies. Why don’t you agree to me sparing a few hours for my studies too? I am asking this as I have sacrificed enough for you.”
“You have not sacrificed anything for me. The sacrifice you are doing is for our nation. In fact, there is no difference between our soldiers fighting at our borders and you, when it comes to sacrificing your happiness.”
“But, you very well know that after 35 years, I wouldn’t have many opportunities. What will I do with my life once I reach that stage?”
“Just see what happens when you clench the gold medal at Olympics this year. The government will honor you with crores and crores of money. Money will keep raining through brand endorsements. Even after you retire from active sports, you will be in high demand as private organizations will want to employ you.”
“OK then. Let’s make a deal. We will collaborate only till this year Olympics. After that, we will go our separate ways.”
“I wouldn’t commit to that. If you win the gold this time, then people’s expectations will increase too much. Even you may not be able to retire like you wish.”
Nisha hung her head in deep silence.
Naren put his arms across her shoulder and said “Nisha, just don't dwell too much on this. You were not born to do a desk job from 9 to 5. You have such an extraordinary talent. You were born to be a star. I can forsee that many women would be interested to pursue a career in sports, following your footsteps.”
I wanted to argue that I can inspire others by excelling in science too. But I remained silent, not wanting to start an argument.
I could see that Naren was worried. His face was grim. He did not even bid good bye when we reached our hostel.
Naren
My head was splitting with pain when I reached my room. I couldn’t reason with what Nisha spoke today. My deep down fear of things going south was surfacing again.
I was pacing back and forth in my room. Then, having made up my mind I went to Nisha’s hostel.
I started speaking to the watchman of the women’s hostel.
“I want to ask a few questions about a girl named Nisha, residing here.”
“Oh! Are you talking about the girl who is going to run in the Olympics?”
“Yes. You are right! I am here coach.”
“Go ahead, what do you want to know?”
“Does Nisha frequently go outside?”
“No, she has got just one friend here. Sometimes, they both venture out to have food. But, that’s it.”
“The reason that I am asking is because the Olympics is about to start in the next three months. We have to be extra tight on her training regime. So, do not allow her to venture outside this hostel except for training. Just tell her that it is the minister’s orders so that she can’t disobey.”
“I will do as you say. All these are minor things which can help our nation get the gold medal this year.”
“I need you to do one more favour. I would like a set of her room keys too.”
“Obtaining the key would be difficult as it wouldn’t look good on you to enter her room without her presence.”
“I absolutely understand your concern, but as she is a teenager, I want to make sure that she is free of any bad habits. Please get me the keys to her room.”
“Fine then. I will get the keys from warden’s room.”
The guard returned with the keys a few minutes later.
I opened Nisha’s room and went through all her belongings. She had a few books in her suitcase. I took those with me and locked her room as it was. I handed over the keys to the watchman and left her hostel.
As soon as I came to my hostel, I set fire to those books and watched it burn ablaze.
My mind was getting relieved. That night I had a good sound sleep.
Next day I went to the ground with renewed vigor. Nisha used to be waiting for me at the ground every day.
Strangely, she was not there. I waited for her for a long time. But there was no signs of Nisha.
Nisha
I saw my picture on the front page of the newspaper lying in my room. It was a cover story on the athletes participating in Olympics on behalf of India that year.
The storm that was brewing in my mind was clearing a bit. I began to realize the responsibility on my shoulder, of fulfilling an entire nation’s expectations.
There was a strong urge to speak to Naren. But, my friend Sunita asked me to join her for dinner.
Returning to my room after dinner, I deduced that someone had been inside my room by the displacement of my suitcase. I was shocked to see my books stolen, on opening the suitcase.
On enquiring the neighboring room mates, I came to know that Naren had come to my room.
I marched towards Naren’s hostel with full rage. As I was speaking to the watchman to let me in, a burnt paper hit my legs. I followed the trail to where the pages were coming from. I was further enraged to see that all my books were burnt to ashes.
Did Naren stoop this low to prevent me from studying? I went to my room and cried behind locked doors. I had made up my mind on the next set of actions that I would take.
I rang Vinod who is my classmate in Trichy. He used to pursue me even though I was not interested in him a bit. He preferred girls with brain over those with beauty.
“Vinod, I need you to do something for me now. Please book a train ticket for me in the train leaving from Delhi tonight to Chennai and if possible a ticket for Chennai to Trichy.”
“So what do I get in return for this help? Will you love me?”
“We will discuss this later. But I can promise you that I won’t forget the help that you are going to perform.”
“Then I need you to kiss me. Once over the phone and the other one when we meet next time.”
I agreed as it was just a kiss.
Within a few minutes, I received my ticket details as a text message. I packed my stuff and went to the front gate. Suddenly, I had an idea and came back to borrow burqha from my friend Nasleen. Wearing the burqha, I managed to step out of the hostel without anybody noticing me.
I hired an auto rickshaw to the train station. Finally, the taste of freedom was sweet.
Naren
It was frustrating to wait for Nisha after a few hours had passed. I went to her hostel and got her room keys from the watchman. I was in for a shock, when I opened her room and found it to be empty. I tried calling her mobile, but there was no answer.
I began to think about her whereabouts. I enquired many people in her hostel but no one knew where she was. I was getting infuriated with her absence now.
Suddenly it crossed his mind, that Nisha might have left to Trichy. I concluded that it was the only viable option.
I thought of going to Trichy but instead met with the Olympics co-ordinator/director Ganesh Ram and explained the situation. His face turned red with anger.
“How can you behave so foolishly? What did you achieve by burning her books?” he scolded Naren.
“I thought she would concentrate on her running instead of wasting time on books.”
“She must be infuriated with your behavior, that’s why she is missing now.”
“Shall I go to Trichy immediately and talk to her?”
“No. I will handle this sternly. I am going to send out a warning letter. She should be afraid of the consequences and will come to Delhi at once.”
The director explained his plan. Naren thought it was good enough and left his room.
Nisha
I was feeling exhausted after being in two trains to reach home. Everyone was pleasantly surprised on my arrival. I had not informed them earlier of my arrival as I did not want them to be anxious of my return.
After exchanging pleasantries, followed by a grand feast, they questioned why I had come to Trichy. My dad was persistent in his questioning.
“Nisha, you had promised us that you would visit us only after winning in the Olympics. So only we had booked tickets to Delhi to visit you next month. Though it is good to see you now, is there a reason for your sudden visit? Is something bothering you?”
“I am not going to run hereafter, dad.”
“What are you talking about? The entire country is expecting you to win a medal. Last week, people from ‘The Hindu’ newspaper were here for an interview. We mentioned that we would be super proud of you if you win. And now you are talking about quitting the race?”
“I wish to study dad. I want to become a successful scientist. I don't have interest in sports or running. Above all, my coach Naren is causing me so much distress.”
“You can continue your studies after winning the gold this time.”
“I fear it won't happen, dad. I am 100% confident of winning a medal. The question is whether it is a gold or silver one. I fear of becoming a slave to the money and fame that comes after winning the title. I am worried that it might disrupt my confidence that I can continue with my studies.”
“Assuming that you are becoming a scientist later, what are you going to do if you turn out to be like just another ordinary scientist? When you know that you are naturally blessed with talent in sports, why do you brood over unnecessary thoughts?”
“I don’t know if I will be yet another scientist or will turn out to be a hugely successful one. But one thing I know for sure is that I will be a happy soul. I will enjoy each and every moment I work as a scientist. And at this point, this is exactly what I need.”
“Let me cite my life itself as an example. I dreamt of becoming an architect from a very young age. But, now I am famous lawyer because I listened to what your grandfather said. Now, I am one of India’s reputed lawyers. I earn handsomely and live a happy, satisfied life with my family.”
“You are not 100% happy with your life, dad. I know that pretty well. Even now, you spend a lot of time reading articles on Architecture rather than law matters. You are in your own universe when you admire the beauty of an interesting building.”
“I would say that has worked to my advantage only. If I had chosen architecture as my field, I would be too engrossed in it that I would start neglecting my family. My profession would instead turn out to be a burden.”
“I wouldn't refute the fact that you are spending lot of time with us. But that doesn't mean it is quality time. If only you had been in architecture field, even the less time that you spend with us would have been of better quality.”
“Now, lets get back to you. What are you planning to do next?”
“I am going to issue a press release stating that I am going to quit running.”
“Are you prepared to face the wrath of people? The government may try to pressurize you into doing this.”
This post first appeared on Stories By Sathish Rajamohan English, please read the originial post: here
