Chapter 0 - The Meeting

My heart was pumping hard, the blood rushing to my head where it threatened to burst out through my eyes and nose. The cheers were dimly hitting my ears as I lowered the bar to my chest to rack out one more rep. Sagar was standing near my head to spot me and preventing any accidents from happening. But even his eyes betrayed his nervousness at the weight. 

It was not every day that I decided to bench press 200 kg.

It all started with an argument that I had with one of the gym trainers. I have been working out for years and have several fitness training certifications to my name. But it was something that I had done to educate myself and not take it up as a profession. I designed my own regime and quietly followed it, neither offering nor asking for guidance.

One of the trainers seemed to have a problem with that. I had built up a pretty powerful and toned physique and he seemed to be quite offended that it was all without his help. So, he kept on offering me advice on my regime and form and it got irritating.

I politely told him that I knew what I was doing and was not looking for any advice.

To my surprise, he started mouthing off, "It is because of over smart amateurs like you that gyms get a bad name.," he said loudly and arrogantly. "You won't train with qualified trainers, get hurt and then blame the gym."

I was taken aback. "Bro, I am a certified trainer myself and probably more qualified than you," I retorted. "What the hell is your problem? Don't cross your limits".

Sagar had gone to call the gym manager and came over with him.

"What's wrong sir?", the manager asked me.

Before I could answer, the trainers said in a sneering tone, "Nothing is wrong Salim bhai. Some members think too much of themselves. They think they know more than qualified trainers like us."

I lost it and stepped towards him. Sagar stepped between us. "Bro, don't do anything that you'll regret".

I looked around and saw that some people had already got out their mobiles and started recording. The trainer was standing there with a smug smile on his face. 

I paused. There was no way I could let this cause trouble for me. I was at a good position in a reputed MNC and this was something that could derail my career.

Instead, I got an idea. 

"Hey Mr. Super Trainer," I called out to the idiot. "Let's put our strength and skill to the test. I call for a bench challenge. Whoever can ultimately lift the max weight wins. And the loser apologizes to the winner."

The corners of trainer's mouth curled in a sardonic smile. 

"Challenge, huh?" he scoffed, "You are on".

One flat bench was chosen for the challenge. Everyone gathered around the bench. And now almost everyone was recording. The trainer straightaway set a weight of 120 kg. Two other trainers helped get the requisite plates on the barbell rod and set the locks. He easily did one rep.

Now it was my turn. I lay down and also did one rep without sweating. Then it was my turn to set the weight. I chose 140 kg. 

This time my opponent strained, his face reddening as he barely managed a single rep. I again finished my turn easily. 

Then the trainer upped the weight to 150 kg. He managed one agonizing rep but barely. I again hammered out one rep.

Then I decided to really crush him.

"200", I said, relishing the way his face drained of color. It had turned ashen.

But he wasn't one to give up easily.

"This is an impossible weight to lift at this level", he declared. "Why don't you lift it first", he said, turning to me.

Sagar now turned to me. "Das, that's way beyond your max. You'll get hurt badly if this goes sideways".

I was already feeling the rush of adrenaline flowing through me and my heart racing with excitement. I knew the risk and but that just made it exhilarating for me.

"Spot me," I said to Sagar, a wide smile spreading across my face.

I lay down on the bench and gripped the bar with my hands shoulder width apart. Then with Sagar's help I took it off the rack. Immediately I could feel the immense pressure on my arms, shoulders and chest. There were loud gasps from the crowd. Slowly, I pressed it down to my chest, feeling my muscles pushed to their very limit, the blood rushing in full force to my head. My vision tunneled, the world fading away except for the weight and my own determination. Then with a surge of adrenaline, I slowly straightened my arms and pushed the bar up. You could hear a pin drop in the silence.

Cheers erupted as the weight got racked. My opponent didn't even try to match my feat. He started to leave. The manager stopped him.

"You lost. Please apologize", he said to the arrogant trainer.

The trainer turned to me. 

"I apologize for my behavior", he said through gritted teeth, not meeting my eyes. I shrugged; a bit dizzy with the strain. Sagar, his face a mix of relief and exasperation, put his arm around my shoulders to steady me.

"Das, you are going to kill yourself one day or get into big trouble", he said, ruefully shaking his head.

We walked out of the gym.

"See you in office bro", Sagar said, heading towards his bike. My place was close by so I was walking.

I was on a high, the adrenaline still coursed through my veins. My chest and shoulders were still a bit shaky but I was pumped. Turning up the volume in my earbuds I strode along. Out of the corner of my eye I registered a blur of movement shooting towards me. A quick glance revealed a lithe figure running at a fast pace towards me. I couldn't see her face but she was fast and her fluid movements were fascinating to watch. 

Suddenly I realized that she had covered the distance between us and was almost upon me. I quickly stepped to the right to let her pass. Unfortunately, she also decided to shift to the right to pass me.

She slammed into me with tremendous force. At least for her. I, a grounded oak compared to her lithe willow, barely budged. As she staggered back, I reached out without thinking and caught her by the waist with one hand. Her hands caught hold of my arm and shirt.

I stared at her in shock. She was stunning. Probably in her twenties. A sharp featured face with perfectly proportioned features. brown eyes (a little dazed), black hair tied back. Her face was flushed from exertion and as I watched, a bead of sweat rolled down her face. Her hands were gripping my arm and shirt tightly.

Then the moment passed and I hurriedly let go of her. She stepped back looking me up and down with an appraising look.

I also couldn't help looking. Clad in a fitting workout t-shirt and slacks, her figure was awesome. Slim and lithe and as perfectly proportioned as her face. Perhaps more so.

As she realized that I was staring, the color rose to her face and her features hardened to match the glare she was now giving me.

"Watch where you are going", she snapped her voice a blend of irritation and something suspiciously like amusement, and took off. By the time I looked around she was already some distance away but I could not help giving an admiring look at her ass. Unfortunately, she chose to look back at the same moment and did not look very happy with my admiration. I hurriedly turned and walked off before I got into any trouble.

And that was our first meeting.