Football

The first encounter

"Ready to leave dad."

Without another word he turns around and I leave for a hell year at DMA

I almost sleep in the car but woken up by dad to discuss 'my code of conduct' and 'ground rules'

"So let me get this straight. You are to follow each and every order of Colonel Darc and are to respect his authority. He is my senior and had been my trainer. A single complain about you and I shall have your neck in my hands. Are we clear?"

"Yes Dad"

Dad you don't know I have met him before and you won't like much if I tell you. I did not know who he was at that time. Damn I will never forget that day when my 13 years old self comforted a 40 year old stranger!

"So about the rules. The grades will be monitored as I used to and don't think there will be no consequences. Colonel will take care of that and trust me you don't want to be on his bad side"

I started wondering weather Colonel would remember the first time I met him. But then I never met him again that means he would not remember me I did not even tell him my name!

RECAP- When Kyra met Colonel

I was in the army hospital garden reading a book waiting for dad to get his medical report completed. Just then I saw a man looking at dandelion flowers with pain in his eyes and his eyes holding his tears. He was in army uniform and the number of stars on his uniform told me he is a colonel.

I could not see him in so much pain and was also afraid to talk to him. I set aside my fear and decided to talk to him

"They are my favourite too"

I read his badge and his name was Colonel Darc McGrace

He looked at me with confusion, anger and sadness in his eyes. I wondered how can I help him. Then the words of my coach ringed in my ears 'Pain is always a choice'. He was back to his stoic composure hiding all the pain behind the face

"Holding onto emotions only makes it more difficult. No matter how tough you show yourself there will always be a moment when you can't take it anymore and, in that moment, it's good to let go. The tears are not your weakness sir they just show that you feel things and its okay to feel "

I was waiting for his reaction. This was the longest conversation I had with a stranger but somehow, I feel connected to him knowing that I was at the same place 2 years back holding onto my emotions

"How do you know how I feel?"

"I don't and nobody ever will. But I can see you hurting. There is pain in your eyes. I don't know what it is and its not my place to know but there are always people who care about you and it will hurt them to see you in pain all alone."

I spoke the same words that coach spoke that day when I was sitting on the bleachers bench drenching myself in rain

"Have you been in pain before?"

He asked and looked at me as if he knew the answer to his question

"Yes" I replied looking at the dandelion flowers reminding me of mom bringing a smile to my face. Just then I remember dad will come any moment and he won't find this particularly good