Chapter 1

 The Breaststroke Girl

I was in 6th grade when I switched from Football to Competitive Swimming. My little sister was already a state level competitor and every evening, returning from Football practice, I used to stop by and watch them swim. I was Fascinated. I used to imagine myself swimming, imagined how it felt. I never tried swimming before but after watching others swim for more than 5 months, I was confident that I would quickly catch up to them. It was somewhere around august that I finally made up my mind about joining the club.

Next day, I was at the pool's dressing room. My mother was calling out for me from outside. And I wasn't ready to go out yet. I was afraid. Afraid of new faces, afraid of their stares. What if I mess up in front of all these people. After 15 minutes or so, I came out of the dressing room. I was still afraid. The instructor there called for me. I went near him and he asked me "Can you swim?", "Nope" I said, with air barely leaving my mouth. Nervousness was clearly visible on my face, I think the instructor noticed that too. "Come with me" he said. He started walking towards the deep side of the pool. My mind went blank, and I started following him.

We were walking along the side of the pool and I noticed, a navy blue speedo cap, emerging out of water right beside us, I can clearly remember that moment as if it happened just yesterday. Blue Cap, Black goggles, black suite. that was the most elegant Breaststroke I ever saw. I was mesmerized for a moment. We reached the deep part of the pool. The Instructor waited a few moments and said "Jump in the water and swim to the end". I was like "Whaat??".

But he was dead serious. I then prepared myself for the jump. but my legs wont move. He then pushed me into the water. What happened in the next few moments I cannot remember correctly. But I finished the lap and I knew, that was the worst freestyle swim anyone could ever see. After regaining my breath, I noticed, I was standing right beside the breaststroke girl. Now she had removed her cap, Her hair was braided, she had a fairly tanned skin, almost chocolate like. her goggle wrapped around her collarbone like a neckless. She had a sipper in her hand which I assume contained energy drink.  She was looking at me. She seemed amused, I was confused. Her friends looked amused. Entire Swimming pool was looking at me, amused. They were looking at me the same way a person looks at a chimpanzee doing something stupid in the zoo. By then my adrenaline rush died out. Now it all started making sense to me. My pathetic swimming was soo unusual to these masters, that it was more entertaining to them than weird. I have no words to express that weird 5 sec stare I received from everyone in the pool.

But I was able to swim 25m without prior experience. Which was a good thing according to me. I came out of the pool. I was happy. If you were to compare my feeling then, then it would be similar to a cat coming out of a vets. I was relieved. I changed into my regular cloths. My mother was talking to the coach and the instructor. they looked at me gave me a nod and talked a bit more with my mother. She then returned with a smile on her face.

My swimming club started there. first 3 days, they asked me to work on my basics like kicking using kickboard. I was a fast learner. In less than 2 weeks, I was promoted into the elite group. The group who competed in Division and State level competitions. But I never saw the Breaststroke girl after my first day. I became good friends with the elite group members. I found out that breaststroke girl was a guest visitor from dolphin club. A powerhouse of swimming in our State. Her name Shruti. 

From time to time, when I would watch others do breaststroke, I would recall her but other than that, she never came to my mind. like that, 1 full year passed. I became one of the fastest freestyler in our district. Now it was time for my first competition which was to be held in the next city to ours. It was the day of our competition. there I met her again.

I cannot forget that encounter.

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800m Dash  >>