Chapter 3: The Proposal

The next morning, Rohan woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. The air felt fresher, the sky seemed brighter, and even the mundane tasks of daily life seemed more bearable. He knew that something had changed, something that would set the course of his future. For the first time, he felt like he was on the path to something bigger than himself, something that could take him far beyond the confines of his small village.

After helping his father in the fields, Rohan made his way to Mr. Kumar's house. It was a modest home, much like his own, with a small garden in front. As he approached, he could hear the sound of birds chirping and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. There was a peacefulness here that Rohan found comforting, a stark contrast to the noise and chaos of the festival the day before.

Mr. Kumar was waiting for him on the porch, sitting on a wooden bench with a notebook in his hands. He looked up as Rohan approached and smiled.

"Good morning, Rohan," he greeted him warmly. "I take it your family has agreed?"

Rohan nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Yes, sir. They've agreed. I'm ready to start training."

Mr. Kumar's smile widened. "That's the spirit. We'll start right away, but first, I want to talk to you about what this training will involve. It won't be easy, Rohan. You'll have to work harder than you've ever worked before. There will be days when you'll want to give up, when your body will ache, and your mind will doubt whether you can do it. But if you push through, if you stay committed, you'll find that the rewards are worth it."

Rohan listened intently, soaking in every word. He had no illusions about the challenges ahead, but he was ready to face them.

"I understand, sir," Rohan replied earnestly. "I'm ready to give it my all."

"Good," Mr. Kumar said, nodding approvingly. "We'll begin with the basics. Before we even talk about speed or endurance, we need to work on your form, your breathing, your diet, and your mindset. These are the foundations of any great athlete."

The days that followed were some of the most challenging Rohan had ever faced. Mr. Kumar's training was rigorous and demanding. They started each day before dawn, running laps around the village, followed by drills to improve Rohan's posture, stride, and balance. Mr. Kumar was a stickler for detail, correcting even the slightest misalignment in Rohan's form.

"You need to run efficiently," Mr. Kumar would say. "Wasted energy is the difference between winning and losing. Every step, every breath, must be purposeful."

At first, Rohan found it difficult to adapt to the new routine. His muscles ached, his lungs burned, and there were moments when he felt like he couldn't go on. But Mr. Kumar was always there, pushing him, encouraging him, reminding him of why he had started this journey in the first place.

"Pain is temporary," Mr. Kumar would say during the toughest drills. "But the pride of achieving your dreams will last a lifetime."

Rohan took those words to heart. He pushed through the pain, the exhaustion, and the doubts, fueled by the vision of what could be. His family's support, especially the quiet encouragement of his mother, kept him going. She would wake up early to prepare his meals, ensuring he had the right nutrition to fuel his training. His father, though still cautious, began to show a quiet pride in Rohan's determination.

As the weeks passed, Rohan began to notice changes in himself. His body grew stronger, his movements more fluid. The drills that once left him gasping for breath now seemed almost routine. Mr. Kumar introduced him to new exercises, increasing the intensity of the training as Rohan's endurance improved. They began to focus on speed and endurance, running longer distances, and timing his sprints. Mr. Kumar even brought in old stopwatches and timers from his coaching days, recording Rohan's progress meticulously.

One day, after an especially grueling session, Mr. Kumar handed Rohan a towel and a bottle of water. "You've come a long way, Rohan," he said, his tone one of genuine pride. "But we're just getting started. There's a regional competition coming up in a few months. It's a chance for you to test your skills against some real competition."

Rohan's eyes lit up at the mention of a competition. The village races had been fun, but this was something entirely different. This was a chance to see how he measured up against others who were serious about running.

"I'll do it," Rohan said without hesitation. "I want to compete."

"Good," Mr. Kumar replied, his smile returning. "But remember, this won't be like the races you've run before. The competition will be tough, and you'll need to be at your best. But if you stay focused and keep up with your training, I believe you have what it takes."

The next few months were a blur of training and preparation. Every day was a step closer to the competition, and Rohan threw himself into the work with

 everything he had. The village began to take notice of his dedication, and people would often stop to watch as he and Mr. Kumar trained. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, a feeling that something big was about to happen.

And through it all, Rohan felt a growing sense of confidence. The doubts that had plagued him in the beginning were fading, replaced by a quiet assurance that he was on the right path. He knew that the road ahead would not be easy, but he also knew that he had found his purpose. Running was no longer just a way to escape the hardships of life; it was his calling, his way of making something more of himself.

As the day of the competition drew nearer, Rohan could hardly contain his excitement. He had trained harder than ever before, and he was ready to prove himself. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the first step on the path to something greater.

Little did he know, this competition would be just the beginning of a journey that would take him farther than he had ever imagined.