That carrom match...

Carrom has been one of my favourite indoor games. I remember days sitting alone and playing the game. I was very fascinated to see the four pockets galloping the carrom disks one after another. That was the age when losing was something that easily brought tears. Winning either by hook or by crook was the motto.

My sister was my opponent in the game most of the times. The only person who gave me tough competition in the game was one of my cousin sisters-Toshi. The blog is about the most memorable and fascinating carrom match between us. It also involves another character-Pragya, who was 7-8 years old when this match was being played. It’s that age when kids end every sentence with a ‘?’. Pragya was no exception. Almost every sentence of hers had a KNOW. The story follows.

I had no clue what went wrong? Was I playing after too long? Was it the extra powder on the board (an excuse to make me happy)? I admit Toshi was playing her best and winning every match further boosted her confidence. Was it my bad luck…or…was it Pragya? “I can play better than you Suyash bhaiya. You hold the striker in a ajeeb way. Give it to me. I shall show my way of holding it.” Now there was not a percent doubt that it was Pragya who affected my concentration. “Do you know Sony TV will be showing Kuch Kuch Hota hai today. Next week they are coming up with DDLJ. It’s a part of the SRK series for a month. I have told mom to let me watch all of those. I will not study a single page if she doesn’t.” I wish I had a remote to mute her for a couple of hours. Now I noticed Toshi had realized this and she made everything possible to have Pragya sit by her side. I was losing the game…and moreover my patience. “Why don’t you get a haircut Suyash bhaiya. This long hair doesn’t suit you. Or are you a part of the Dhoni trend.” It was enough. I very politely asked her, “Pragya can you leave us for a while? We are playing a game, if you don’t mind can you join us after an hour or so?” “No Pragya, sit by my side,” Toshi said grabbing her hand. “Why should she leave? You are losing the game, so is it her fault?”. “Ummm…Yes, why should I leave? How am I supposed to affect the game? I am sitting on the bed and not the board. How can you 'put the blame on me' (in the famous tone)” Pragya said after which Toshi winked at her and they hi-fived. I simply hate people who hi-five each other on PJ’s!

There I was. Women power started to dominate over my mind. It wasn’t just the game I had to deal with; I also had to deal with the battle against these two tiny sisters of mine. The status of the game was 17-0. Whoever reached 29 points would be the winner. I was close to a whitewash. Toshi knew this was the best chance to win a game against me in this fashion and narrate every second of her victory to all the relatives of how she defeated me 29-0! I am sure she might even narrate strangers she met on the road and mumble it while she was asleep.

Though it was my turn to arrange the board, Toshi did so, as she could not afford to waste a single second. She could smell her victory. We played another game and with absolute perfection she continued to send the coins in the pockets. My shots went too wayward, and now with every coin I missed were followed by giggles of Toshi and Pragya. “Achha tell me something. The cricketers wear helmets and pads. What about their chest?” a typical Pragya question was fired at me. “They do have protection there,” I said wishing if I could bundle her in a bag for a while. “But how do you know that?” “I don’t know anything Pragya! Will you just shut up and go away!!!!” I had completely lost it. Tiny tears rolled down her tiny eyes. Silence prevailed for seconds. “Why are you shouting at me?? What have I done? ” and she started crying. Will she leave now I thought? How could Toshi miss the opportunity to console her lucky charm and she hugged Pragya as a symbol of sympathy (I am sure it was rather an attempt to make sure she didn’t go away). “Achha listen listen, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I am not well. Oh see, how bad you look when you cry.” Both of them did not utter a word. I was too rude I guess. “Ok listen I am sorry again. But please don’t cry. Go and wash your face and ask mausi to prepare a cup of tea for me after which I will take you out for ice cream. Now say cheese??” I had just hit the jackpot!! Without wasting a second she smiled back and rushed for whatever business I had asked her for. I looked back at Toshi who gave me a surprised look. She had won the game by 12 points which enhanced her lead to 27-0! “Just two points away! I am just two points away from winning the match. Tilllyy lee lee!” She danced on the bed as I arranged the board.

In Pragya's absence I won the first game of the match which reduced the lead to 27-11. “Not bad Syu bhai. Don’t think you played well. I thought of gifting you some points as you were so upset!” By the mid of the next game, it had turned into a very serious match. Toshi just needed two points and I needed plenty but something had happened. Toshi’s game went wayward. I won the second game reducing the lead to 27-20. Now it was a close fight. We continued the game in absolute silence and the slightest of missed chances were followed by ‘Shit yaar!’ I won the next two games by one points each reducing the lead to 27-22. We played the next games with ‘either by hook or by crook’ motto! I finally won the game 31-27. Toshi banged her fist on the board out of absolute frustation. “Hota hai, hota hai. Badey badey games mein aisi chhoti chhoti haar jeet to hoti rehti hai,” I said immediately after which I was attacked with a pillow!

By then Pragya returned with a cup of tea, more than half of which was spilled in her journey from the kitchen. She wore a new frock and had a neatly combed pony which did not exist a while ago. “See Pragya I won the match!!” I said while she still concentrated in balancing the tray. “Aww Toshi Di, aap haar gayin kya?” Toshi did not utter word. “Ek toh waise he behcaari haari huyi hai tum aur jaley par namak chhidak rahi ho?” I said and could hear Toshi cursing me as me and Pragya left for the Ice-cream deal!

“Once we reach home, will you play a carrom match with me?” she asked anticipating a definite why-not from me. I was too tired for another carrom match. I looked at her, her eyes were still moist. I could not take another chance, so I agreed. “You know whomever I ask for to play carrom, never says no. I have improved my game. You know Suyash Bhaiya when I am alone I practice a lot. I clean the entire board in 1 hour 20 minutes, you know. I am a bit bad at rewind na, so I pick some of the disks which are left. I know that is not right but I shall improve. I will also show you how I hold the striker, it will help your game. And you know… ” she continued to bless me with her extraordinary carrom skills and gave a damn if I at all was interested.