Welcome to my blog of stories! I will update with my short stories as often as possible. The content in this blog are purely my own work. Feel free to comment on my stories.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Shadow of Victory

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The following story is an inspiration from real life incidents.

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Hi, I am Pugazh, M.B.A (Marketing). I am a guy whom you could often meet at Kodambakkam tea stalls. I live there. I graduated from a college in Theni - then moved here to work in the RealWorks firm as a marketing analyst for their products. What am I going to narrate? I would like to tell the story of my dear friend Sudeep. He worked under me as one of the clerks. He doesn't have anyone in his life. He always came to me for advices and inspiration.

There was one thing common among us. We are both district level runners. Internal politics led us to not run for state level. Sudeep even had the talent to reach the national level. If that had stopped us from reaching any further for the national level, it was probably destined for us. Then came the famous Chennai marathon - an open tournament to the people of Chennai to run and conquer the luring first
prize of one lakh. That was the time we decided to change our destiny.

Sudeep was clearly the best runner. I had never admitted in front of him because he likes challenges. He was almost sure that either of us will win. He had such confidence. He was sure that I could be the only competitor to him. He never minded that. He wanted me to run as fast as I could to be an inspiration -  an inspiration for him to run better. We were very much looking forward to that day.

It was a Saturday, a day before the marathon. Sudeep and I went for a practice run. We ran for 2000 metres continuously. After the run, I decided to call it off. Sudeep was seated near a tree with a cool attitude he often shows in his face. He was tall, lean and dark. He had an oval face that often smiled. I do not know whether he did that to cheer himself or others. The sweat that he had on his face made him darker.

"Sudeep. Let us call this off. Let us have a snack and head home"
"Pugazh, you are scared that I will win?"
"Come on Sudeep. You know very well that it we have practised well enough"
"No. Definitely not enough. You are my boss only in office. Try to beat me tomorrow"

Saying that, Sudeep started running. The effect of that long run had an effect on him the next morning at the marathon. He looked tired but deterministic. We both reached the Lighthouse located at the Marina beach where the marathon race is to be held. It was a four miles run. Around 5000 had come to participate in that big marathon. Ambulances and rescue squads were present. The rescue squads had water packets at regular distance throughout the marathon. It was a grand event - an event that was sponsored by big companies and promoted by celebrities.

We were asked to take medical tests before the event. We lined up in the queue to get ourselves tested to be fit of participating. Once we got ourselves tested, we were given a number badge that read "Chennai Marathon 2010" and below that was an unique number to identify ourselves. Mine was 459 and Sudeep's was 634. A news was circulating that the State-level champion Kunal is going to participate in the marathon. That drained the hopes of quarter of the runners. The rest of the runners were there just for fun.

"Hey Pugazh, did you hear that Kunal is participating?"
"Ya. I am sure I can beat him. Are you scared?"
"That is good. You can do very well in the second place."

We exchanged a mild laugh and punched our fists before we headed for the race. People came in thousands to witness this grand event and the cheer that erupted, when the gun shot was heard to mark the start of the race, was tremendous.

The 5000 participants started running slowly as a jog for half the journey. Some had a break, some left the race. It was only when half the distance was covered, people decided to run fast. Sudeep and I started picking up speed and raced through the crowd now level with other competitors determined to win. Now is the real game.

A few minutes later, Sudeep and I were now among the front ten people. I was sure that Kunal was one among them but I didn't  bother to look. I slowly moved to the first place - Sudeep was following just behind me. It was his trick to follow me all the way and then suddenly pick up speed to win the race. I carefully observed his moves.

The end point was now visible. A red flag was being waved at us. I was able to sense that  Sudeep was picking up speed. I moved to my right to block his path - he usually overtakes in the right. But the day was extremely sunny and humid. The sun was scorching bright to my right in the east coast. That was when I saw Sudeep to my left. This guy was not following me on the right. He was following me on to my left to avoid the sun - a clever move. I continued to run helplessly as I saw Sudeep going front. He was clearly way ahead of me.

The end point was just 400 meters ahead. I pushed myself faster and got closer to Sudeep. The turning point occurred when I sped very fast ahead of him. I was able to sense victory but I was able to sense some weirdness. Sudeep was nowhere near me. I was not that good to be ahead of him by several meters. I stopped immediately and turned around. Sudeep was lying down with his hands stretched out front.

I moved quickly to him, turned him around. Sudeep was lying unconscious. I was gasping for breath and I called a rescue guard to bring some water. I tore a packet and sprayed it on his face. It didn't work. The rescue guards immediately picked him and rushed to a nearby ambulance. A doctor was readily waiting to check on his pulses. I heard a huge cheer behind me. Someone had won the race. I didn't bother to look as I waited for the doctor to give treatment to Sudeep. The doctor checked his pulses and told the rescue guards, "He is dead. Cardiac arrest". The scene ahead of me started blurring and I fainted.

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"Hey Chennai. Looks like we had a great event. We were glad to have 5123 participants, the biggest turnout ever in Chennai. On this day, we were unfortunate to lose one person named Sudeep. We deeply regret over that incident and until further inquiries, we are not going to talk about it. We are not going to have a great ceremony either. I would like to call upon Kunal to receive the award and a cheque of one lakh rupees and it will be presented by the sports minister Mr.Narasimhan", said Raja, an ex-national runner.

Kunal went to the stage and collected the prize. When the crowd cheered, he requested silence and started speaking.

"First of all, I would like to thank all of you for your support. This is a great honor for me to win it. On this day, I would like to talk about the sad demise of our beloved friend Sudeep. This event was supposed to be an event without controversies. I feel very sad for this incident and I dedicate this award to him. Whoever you are Sudeep, this is for you!"

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After the rites were performed, I went to meet Sanghvi, my girlfriend. She had just returned from a North India tour with her family.  She also worked in the same company that I worked for. Her face was pale when she opened the door. She was clearly sad.

"Come in!", she said inviting him to the house, "Mom, it is Pugazh"
Her mom greeted me from inside the house. Sanghvi interrupted, "I know you must be feeling very bad"
I looked at her speechless.
Sanghvi continued, "How did it happen Pugazh?"
"It is my fault Sanghvi", I spoke with a broken voice which scared her.
"Don't panic! It is not your fault"
"I shouldn't have allowed him to run extra during the practice run", I dropped into the sofa.
"No Pugazh, it is not your fault", she pressed my shoulders.
"It is!"
"The news has become a controversy. The death of Sudeep has led to certain reports that the organization was not well. It seems that there weren't enough rescue guards and the fitness test proved to be a disaster"
That did not help me.  I closed my eyes.

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A week later, Pugazh was working in his cabin at office when a peon came by and told him that he has a visitor. Pugazh immediately went out to check out who is his visitor is and to his shock found Kunal. He is the star of Chennai. He is not just a State-level runner but also the winner of the marathon. He had troubled eyes and that should have been because of his hour long interviews. This marathon could lead him to running for the National team.

"Hi, I am Kunal. Are you Pugazh?"
"Yes, I am", Pugazh got curious and asked him to sit down at the nearby table.
"I heard that you are the best friend of Sudeep and that he has no one else. I can't express my grief and I am not sure how to express by condolence"
"Please Mr.Kunal! Do not remind me of that incident. I am getting over it", Pugazh rose up from his chair, "Congratulations on your victory Mr.Kunal! All the best!"
When Pugazh neared the exit door, he heard Kunal speak behind him, "I could have saved him!"
He turned around and looked at the long dark troubled face, "Mr.Kunal, I don't understand what you are talking about"
Kunal continued, "Yes, that day, during the marathon…."

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It was almost the end of the marathon when every runner started picking up speed. I saw two guys racing almost together. The front guy clearly had an edge. No, he did not. The guy behind him just raced past him on his left. I closed in on those two guys. I realized that I am the third. Two local guys are at the front and a state-level runner like me is way behind them. Just then, again the guy in the right overtook and he was leading.

 Suddenly, the guy in the back stopped and stretched out his hands. I almost neared him when he fell to his knees and he shouted in pain, "Heeeeelp"

Pride took over me as I didn't bother to stop. I just kept running. I realized that the front guy stopped running and the victory almost came. It did reach my hands finally. It was destined for me.

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"Mr.Kunal", Pugazh looked at the red eyes of Kunal. He didn't feel angry but felt sorry, "It is not your fault. You just ran for the prize"
"No Mr.Pugazh, I could have saved him. I have learnt first aid. He could have been saved if I had rubbed his chest and blown through his mouth"
"Mr.Kunal, it is not your fault. Please calm down! Go to your home and take rest!"
Kunal got up and moved away slowly.

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The next day morning at 8, Pugazh received a call. It was from Sanghvi. A panicked Sanghvi voice told him over phone, "Look at the news Pugazh!"

He went over to the television immediately and also asked what the problem is over phone.
Sanghvi continued with a panicked voice, "Kunal is dead. He committed suicide in his apartment"

It was a shock to him as he searched for the remote channel. On reaching the channel, he saw a flash report on the demise of Kunal, a national level hero. The lady news reporter named Anjali Gupta said, "We are now standing outside the house of Kunal, the deceased. We all know that what a hero he is. He also won the recent Chennai marathon. What could possibly have led to his death?"

A video clipping of Kunal was shown and clips of his interviews were shown as Pugazh watched in shock. The news channel was focusing on his words said during a particular interview, "I feel guilty!"

Anjali Gupta came again on the screen, "Could guilt be the possible reason for his suicide? He did tell us that he felt guilty for the demise of Sudeep during the marathon. We are not sure of the reason. However, reports claim that Kunal has written a signed letter just before he died. He claims no one is responsible for his death"

Pugazh continued to watch in shock, the photos of the man he met only the day before. Clearly, it was his guilt. Reporter Anjali continued, "We just got one more information. We got the last few sentences of his letter. Report claims that it goes like "I meant it when I dedicated my award to Sudeep. Whoever you are Sudeep, this is for you!""

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