Chapter 25: Grief

The days at the National Sports Academy were some of the most intense and rewarding of Rohan's life. He was training harder than ever, surrounded by the best coaches and athletes in the country, and he could feel himself improving every day. The recognition he had received after winning the National Championships had opened doors that Rohan had once only dreamed of, and he was determined to make the most of every opportunity.

But even as he immersed himself in the world of elite athletics, there was a part of Rohan that couldn't forget where he had come from. The village that had shaped him, the family that had supported him, and the mentor who had guided him—they were all a part of his journey, and Rohan knew that he owed his success to them.

One day, after a particularly grueling training session, Rohan received a call that would change everything. It was from his mother, Shanti, and her voice was trembling with emotion.

"Rohan, beta," she began, her voice choked with tears. "Mr. Kumar… he's gone."

Rohan felt his heart stop. "What? Ma, what do you mean?"

"He passed away this morning," Shanti said, her voice breaking. "The doctors said it was another heart attack. He didn't make it."

Rohan's world seemed to come crashing down around him. Mr. Kumar, the man who had been his mentor, his guide, his inspiration—was gone. The news hit Rohan like a physical blow, and he felt a deep, overwhelming grief wash over him.

"I'm coming home, Ma," Rohan said, his voice shaking. "I need to be there."

Shanti didn't try to dissuade him. "Come home, beta. We'll be here."

Rohan made the journey back to his village in a daze, his mind racing with memories of Mr. Kumar. The older man had been more than just a coach—he had been a father figure, a mentor who had believed in Rohan when no one else did. He had guided Rohan through his toughest moments, encouraged him to keep pushing forward, and taught him the values of discipline, hard work, and perseverance. And now, he was gone.

The village was somber when Rohan arrived. The news of Mr. Kumar's passing had spread quickly, and everyone was mourning the loss of a man who had been a pillar of the community. As Rohan made his way to Mr. Kumar's home, he was met with solemn faces and words of condolence from the villagers. They all knew how much Mr. Kumar had meant to Rohan, and their hearts ached for him.

When Rohan reached Mr. Kumar's home, he found it filled with people—friends, neighbors, and former students, all there to pay their respects. But Rohan barely noticed them. His eyes were fixed on the still figure lying in the center of the room, wrapped in a white shroud.

Rohan knelt beside Mr. Kumar, his heart breaking as he looked at the face of the man who had meant so much to him. The tears came then, hot and unstoppable, and Rohan wept for the loss of his mentor, his guide, his friend.

For a long time, Rohan stayed there,

kneeling beside Mr. Kumar, lost in his grief. He thought of all the lessons Mr. Kumar had taught him, all the times he had pushed Rohan to be better, to strive for greatness. And now, with Mr. Kumar gone, Rohan felt a deep, aching void in his heart.

But as the day wore on, Rohan realized that Mr. Kumar's passing, while a great loss, was not the end. The lessons he had taught Rohan, the values he had instilled in him—they would live on. Mr. Kumar had always told Rohan that the journey was just as important as the destination, that it was the challenges and obstacles along the way that made a person stronger.

Rohan knew that he had to honor Mr. Kumar's memory by continuing the journey they had started together. He had to keep pushing forward, keep striving for greatness, just as Mr. Kumar would have wanted him to.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden light over the village, Rohan stood beside Mr. Kumar's family as they prepared to say their final goodbyes. It was a solemn, emotional moment, but Rohan felt a sense of peace as he looked out at the faces of the people who had gathered to honor Mr. Kumar's memory. He realized that Mr. Kumar had touched the lives of so many people, and that his legacy would live on through them.

Before leaving the village, Rohan visited the small field where he had first met Mr. Kumar, the place where his journey had begun. He stood there for a long time, lost in thought, remembering the man who had set him on this path. As he looked out at the horizon, Rohan made a silent promise to Mr. Kumar, to carry on his legacy, to keep striving for greatness, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

With a heavy heart, Rohan returned to the National Sports Academy. The loss of Mr. Kumar weighed heavily on him, but he knew that he had to keep moving forward. He threw himself into his training with renewed determination, driven by the desire to honor Mr. Kumar's memory and to make him proud.

The days turned into weeks, and Rohan's grief slowly began to heal. The memories of Mr. Kumar remained, but they were no longer a source of pain—instead, they became a source of strength, a reminder of the man who had believed in him and guided him on his journey.

As Rohan continued to train and compete, he carried Mr. Kumar's lessons with him, using them to guide him through the challenges and obstacles that lay ahead. The recognition and opportunities that had come his way were incredible, but Rohan knew that they were just the beginning. There was still so much more to achieve, so many more dreams to pursue.

And as Rohan looked to the future, he knew that he was ready. He had the strength, the determination, and the support of those who believed in him. He had faced loss, overcome challenges, and emerged stronger for it.

The journey was far from over, but Rohan was ready to take on whatever came his way. He would continue to strive for greatness, to push himself to new heights, just as Mr. Kumar would have wanted him to.

And as Rohan laced up his running shoes and stepped onto the track, he felt a deep sense of peace. The future was uncertain, but Rohan knew that he was ready to face it.

For he was not just running for himself—he was running for Mr. Kumar, for his family, for his village, and for everyone who had believed in him.