Raju Ganapathy

Tragedy

3  

Raju Ganapathy

Tragedy

Langda Tyagi

Langda Tyagi

4 mins
421


Langda Tyagi, one would call him a beastly villain. Could not imagine boyish looking Saif Ali Khan portraying this unforgettable role in the block buster Omkar, an adaptation of Shakespear’s Othello. If one were to introspect one has this aspect of Langda Tyagi in each and every one of us. Enviousness of others and to some extent feeling of malevolence thinking about other’s success. In the film Omkara the spited Langda Tyagi brings every one down cause of the twin evil of envy and hatred.

I had seen this film when I was in my 40s. I never thought I could become one such villain literally and figuratively. My name is Tyagarajan and leading a nothing to boast about life in a middle class setting. Life, according to many was a rat race. Not really for me. The job I was doing was no adventure or sport, yet the usual office going from 10 to 6. Once in five years one would look forward to moving to a higher grade. One learnt to find joy in little things. An occasional holiday, a monthly outing for a film and food; a good meal prepared by the dearest wife; and a visit by a friend’s family; feeling in some happiness in son’s achievement in school and so on.

Raghavan was a good colleague and closest to being called as the best friend. He perhaps had a better job; more adventure and sports; a bit akin to a rat race. A school mate of mine but took a different path since college days and life has landed him in a better position than I myself found in.

Perhaps on account of this rat race India had taken to running. More Indians were running. Decathlon, the sports retailer, became the favourite destination for many middle-class Indians with a sporty outlook. Name anything in sports you found it in Decathlon and affordable as compared to the premium Nike and Adidas. The running spirit caught us (Raghavan and self) and we enrolled in a coaching sponsored by Decathlon. We got into training for a half-marathon. The coach in his mid-twenties quite a motivator had assured us with 10 weeks of training we could make it.

So, began our morning workouts starting at 5:00 Am sharp. With some looseners, we would begin our run followed by exercise for one hour or so. Cardio; muscle strengthening, for the back, shoulders etc were the focus of our training.

Half-way through the training Raghavan started performing much better. He had taken to running like fish takes to water. For me it was a daily ordeal. I didn’t get the runner’s high as they call it. Endorphins didn’t cruise through my body. I felt sour all the time in my mind and body. Raghavan was already clocking good timing and the coach assured him that in the age category of 40 plus he stands to win a medal.

In a trial run of 15 kms Raghavan did very well and I just managed to huff and puff my way to the finishing line. Along with my physical pain I started hurting in the mind as well about Raghavan’s progress. A seed of resentment got sown that day and soon germinated and grew quickly day by day. My ever-observant wife could notice this darkness in my mind and asked me about this. I just brushed it aside as some temporary work pressure.

Soon it was D-Day for the half marathon. All I knew was I would complete the proceedings and well be called as ‘Also Ran.’ According to our plan I would reach Raghav’s home by about 4:45 am by my bike and would proceed to the stadium in his car. There was an overnight rain and the morning was a bit chilly. I got up with a resentment filled mind apart from physical pain. When I reached his house, Raghavan said for some reason his car would not start and could we proceed in my two-wheeler.

As it was a bit late already, we speeded up in my motor bike and made good time by the time we reached the last turning. The road was still to dry due to the overnight rain and my bike skidded in the sharp turning I took. Last thing I remembered was a severe shock in my knees and I blanked out.

When I came to my senses, a few hours later I saw my tear-filled wife. She hugged me as soon as she saw my eyes opening. She said excitedly that I have only a hair-line fracture and would be walking in about two weeks. “Raghavan,” I asked. She sobbed a while and said “his left knee has been badly damaged as it took the hit. A knee replacement was required. He would never be able to run again.”

I closed my eyes and Langda Tyagi flashed in my brain. I found myself grinning hearing the news that running was over for Raghavan. I didn’t feel any remorse for the accident or for missing the half-marathon event. I felt relieved of my resentment. I became one with Langda Tyagi at that moment.


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