Chapter 2: The Inciting Incident

The village festival continued into the evening, with more games, dances, and feasting. Rohan was the hero of the day, basking in the adulation of his friends and neighbors. His victory in the race was the talk of the village, and people patted him on the back, congratulating him on his win. Even the elders, who were usually reserved, had kind words for him, praising his speed and determination.

But amid the celebrations, a pair of eyes watched Rohan with more than just admiration. Mr. Kumar, a retired coach who had moved to the village a few years ago, stood at a distance, observing the boy with keen interest. Mr. Kumar had once been a respected athletics coach in the city, training many young athletes who had gone on to achieve great things. But age and health issues had forced him to retire and seek the quiet life of the countryside.

He had heard about Rohan before, the boy who was known for his speed, but this was the first time he had seen him in action. And what he saw impressed him. Rohan wasn't just fast; he had a natural talent, an instinctive understanding of running that couldn't be taught. The way he moved, the way he paced himself, the way he pushed through the final stretch—it all spoke of raw, untapped potential.

As the festivities wound down and the village returned to its usual calm, Mr. Kumar couldn't shake the feeling that he had witnessed something special. He had seen many talented runners in his time, but there was something about Rohan that stood out. The boy had a fire in him, a hunger that Mr. Kumar recognized. It was the kind of hunger that could drive a person to greatness if properly nurtured.

The next day, Mr. Kumar found himself walking towards the Singh household. He had made up his mind. He wanted to meet the boy, talk to him, and see if his instincts were right. The Singh house was modest, a small structure with mud walls and a thatched roof, surrounded by a small garden where a few vegetables grew. As he approached, he saw Rohan and his father working in the garden, their hands covered in dirt as they tended to the plants.

"Namaste," Mr. Kumar greeted them as he reached the gate.

Rohan looked up, surprised to see the older man. He recognized him as the retired coach who lived on the other side of the village, but they had never spoken before. His father, Amar Singh, wiped his hands on his dhoti and walked over to the gate.

"Namaste, Mr. Kumar," Amar replied politely, though with a hint of curiosity in his voice. "What brings you here today?"

"I came to speak with your son," Mr. Kumar said, his gaze shifting to Rohan. "May

 I have a word with him?"

Amar looked at Rohan, who nodded slightly. He stepped aside, allowing Mr. Kumar to enter. They all moved to the small porch, where they sat on the charpoy—a traditional woven cot.

Rohan felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He had heard stories about Mr. Kumar from the villagers, about how he had trained athletes who had gone on to compete in national and international competitions. The idea that this man wanted to talk to him was both thrilling and intimidating.

"I watched you run yesterday," Mr. Kumar began, his voice calm and measured. "You have a gift, Rohan. Not just speed, but the right instincts, the kind of instincts that can't be taught."

Rohan's heart skipped a beat. This was what he had always dreamed of hearing, but he wasn't sure how to respond. He remained silent, waiting for Mr. Kumar to continue.

"I spent many years as a coach," Mr. Kumar went on, "training young athletes in the city. Some of them went on to achieve great things, but very few had the kind of natural talent you have. With the right training, you could go far, Rohan. Much farther than this village."

Rohan's eyes widened. He had always dreamed of leaving the village, of doing something more with his life, but he had never imagined it could be through running.

"But how?" Rohan finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "How can I do that? We don't have the money for training or anything like that."

Mr. Kumar smiled, sensing the boy's eagerness. "Don't worry about the money. I'm willing to train you myself, right here in the village. You don't need fancy facilities or equipment to start. All you need is discipline, hard work, and a willingness to learn."

Rohan felt a surge of hope and excitement, but it was tempered by the reality of his situation. He knew that his family was struggling, and he didn't want to burden them further.

"I'll need to talk to my parents," Rohan said, glancing at his father, who had been listening quietly.

Amar Singh, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. "Mr. Kumar, we are simple people. We appreciate your offer, but we can't afford to take risks. Rohan is needed here, in the fields. We can't lose his help."

Mr. Kumar nodded, understanding the father's concerns. "I understand, Mr. Singh. But think of it this way—if Rohan has a chance to make something of himself, to perhaps one day lift your family out of poverty, wouldn't it be worth the risk? He's still young, and this is the time to invest in his future."

Amar looked at his son, who was watching him with hopeful eyes. He could see the longing in Rohan's expression, the dreams that were just waiting to be realized. It pained him to think of holding his son back, of denying him an opportunity that could change his life.

"I'll talk to his mother," Amar finally said, his voice heavy with the weight of the decision. "We'll discuss it and give you our answer."

Mr. Kumar nodded, standing up to leave. "Take your time. But remember, opportunities like this don't come often. Don't let it slip away."

As Mr. Kumar walked away, Rohan felt a whirlwind of emotions—hope, excitement, fear, and uncertainty. He knew that the decision was not just his to make. It would affect his entire family, and that was not something he took lightly.

That night, as the family gathered around the small table for dinner, the topic of Mr. Kumar's offer dominated the conversation. Rohan's mother, Shanti, was concerned about what it would mean for their already strained finances, but she also couldn't ignore the possibility that this could be the break they had been waiting for.

"It's a risk," she said softly, looking at her son. "But if it's what you truly want, Rohan, we'll find a way to make it work."

Rohan's heart swelled with gratitude. He knew his family was sacrificing a lot to even consider this, and he vowed that he would not let them down. He would give it everything he had, and he would make them proud.

The decision was made. Rohan would train with Mr. Kumar, and together, they would see just how far his talent could take him.