Chapter 3: Birthday

I was completely immersed in a warm, dark space. It was quiet and peaceful, and I was content to stay there forever. But then, something started to happen. Suddenly, there were bright lights and loud noises, and I was being jostled and moved. It was overwhelming and confusing. I tried to cry out, to let everyone know that I was scared and overwhelmed, but no sound came out.

I was lifted out of the warm darkness and into a cold, bright world. It was overwhelming and I couldn't understand what was happening. I was placed on a soft surface and wrapped in a warm blanket. And then, I heard a voice - a soft, soothing voice that spoke to me in a language I understood. I was soothed by the voice and the gentle touch of the person holding me.

I slowly began to adjust to my new surroundings, and as I did, I started to make sense of the world around me. I began to see shapes and colors, and to hear more voices. And gradually, I began to understand that this was my new home, and that these were the people who would take care of me and love me. I was a tiny, helpless newborn, but I was also a curious and adventurous spirit, ready to explore and discover the world around me. This life I will achieve what I couldn't in my previous life.

.....

[3 Years Later]

It is 1993 and I am three years old. First three years of my birth did a real number on me. Having control of your bowels but not being able to reach the toilet is something that pissed me to the limit.

I had to take a hit in the very clothes I wore and cried out for my parents to get attention for them to change it. It's weird being in your own faeces. I mean if you are a regular child it would affect you much as you don't know what's going on but being able to understand and still lying down in it is something I wished never happened.

I cried my heart out during these years as a man. I won't be allowed to cry as I grow in days.

I could always understand what my parents were saying but I never did anything which would badge me a genius except for being potty trained a little earlier.

Now, If I talk about my family background. Nothing much has changed except for the fact that I was born in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi. My name is Vipin Chaudhary with our family being one of the many middle class families around. My father is a lawyer and mother who has now stopped working after birthing me. She was a teacher so I can have an excuse if I say some intellectual shit.

"My mother taught me this. She was a teacher" It is a good excuse.

For the past three years I haven't roamed much outside my house. Though I have cried for a cricket bat and got one but I have no one to play with.

These past three years I have tried to check if I got what I asked for. The three wishes I asked for will help in the near future when I will incorporate them in my play.

My control over my neuron sense and pathways will make my reflexes quick so taking catches at the slip position will make it as easy as swatting a fly. The ideal ratio of slow twitch and fast-twitch fibres in my muscles will help me longer play with the same explosive power throughout. As for the metabolism rate, I just want to eat my fill and still be able to maintain my weight and thus fitness. I want to eat a load of foods and my metabolism will take care of the rest.

As for today, I am going to my very first school class. I got enrolled in Nursery at Vishal Bharti Public School. The school is about 10 Kms from my house. There is still a concept of pre-schools here. Though it is in India but not popular among us regular folks.

....

[5 years later]

It's 1998, currently in third standard and 8 years of age. Studying is not an issue for me. I complete my homework just after it is given and learning basic stuff and then repeating it in front of the teacher is no problem for me.

After school I go to the local ground to play cricket and not brag, but I have made a name for myself. I mean, if someone who will obviously make a name for himself playing the game in future acknowledges you, you sure are playing great.

Whom am I talking about? Obviously, My buddy, Virat Kohli, The Run Machine.

My buddy you ask. Well, his father is also a lawyer so my father met him during a trial. They bonded really well so he invited him with his family on my seventh birthday. Birthday celebrations are a huge thing here. Though you celebrate it every year, making it a kind of celebration is a big thing. Not everyone gets to celebrate like this and if they do it's rare.

My parents threw a big feast as I have aced my exams though they serve no means and this time the results were also declared around my birthday. Though they were just some minor quarterly exams, for them, their son who is just five, topped his class and got extra marks for his proper handwriting and got extra marks above the total.

The Kohli family came. As they live in the same locality as us. The family came. Virat with his siblings, Vikas and Bhawna both older than him, came. They passed me my gift which was a long box wrapped inside a gift packaging.

"Can I open it now?"I asked those three as my father and mother were busy serving the guests.

"Sure.", Bhawna replied. I immediately tore open the packaging and pulled open the box. This was the best gift today. I received a gift from everyone who came here.

Much more expensive than what I just received from them. I got an RC car which is a huge deal around this time from one of my fathers clients and no one is old enough to play with RC cars.