The Game Of Life

Like the dying fish which is washed ashore for hours and lastly getting embraced by a fresh wave to breathe again, Joseph felt born-again. Unable to handle the overwhelming state, his brain had become still and every nerve started sending different signals confusing each and every other cell in his body. If truth be told, his mind went blank and wiped out of all emotions. After failing for 5 continuous years, after his family and friends had lost all credibility over him after there was no one left on earth to have hope in him, came this success surprising everyone including himself. 

 The Final results of UPSC Civil Services Exams,2020 were out and the dream "Joseph, Indian Administrative Service" is now a reality. Shortly, Joseph would become the poster boy and interviews from different channels would keep popping. Phone calls were already gushing and his mobile ran out of memory for the first time due to overflowing congratulatory messages. However, the most relaxing thought for Joseph was that he finally got liberated from the shackles of this addicting exam. No more current affairs, history, economics, polity, and geography. There was no need to look into the world another time through the lens of UPSC. A rose will be just a rose and a dog will be just a dog, and there needn't be any more worries about their IUCN status. The guilty feeling that pops up every time while in a movie, a party, a beach, and the pressure that builds to stick to schedule seemed like a distant past. After years, Joseph was smelling freedom, the freedom not to study restrictively, the freedom not to think within limits, the freedom to sit idle and the freedom to live life. 

"Why does the world disdain failures? Why are humans trained to suffer? Are competitions necessary to derive competence? What does success actually mean? After years of chasing a dream, has the accomplishment brought happiness inside..." Countless unanswerable questions started exploding in his mind. At the same time, due to continuous vibrations, Joseph's mobile fell down from the table and hit the football which came running helplessly to him.

******

If there was one thing that could break the hearts of fans at Nehru Stadium, it was the football Finals match for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Gold Cup. The Final match was significant for many reasons as India was playing to beat Bangladesh to defend their last won title. India's victory would make it the first team to retain the title. While there was a completely different reason for the josh that spread around. 

 "Peter", India's new Striker, the rising football star became the buzzword throughout the series. The crowd was mesmerized by his goal-scoring abilities especially using his unique rabona kick. What remained a mystery was, whether it was the football ground that energized Peter or if it was Peter's energy that energized the football ground. The total arena was energized by this unknown source of mystic energy.

 At the nail-biting moment, when everyone in the Stadium was nervous and heart-pounding, Peter just smiled. His complacent smile evidenced not just his confidence but clarified that India's victory was reassured. Though it may sound rude, the fact is, it was not India's victory which motivated Peter. To play the ball itself was a kind of meditation for Peter. The passion was not in winning but playing. He had a ruthless love towards the ball and the ball gravitated around him vulnerably. 

 It was the last 5 minutes of the match and India was already in the lead. The entire crowd was stunned for a moment by the unexpected enthralling bicycle kick of Peter, that forced the ball towards another goal rendering a Himalayan Victory for the Indian team. Peter sensed a kind of unconsciousness while the entire crowd kept shouting in awe, "Peter! Peter! Peter!".        

*******

 Amidst the elegant mountains with lush greenery, was mounted blissfully the city of Malappuram, also called the Mecca of Football. Kadalundi Puzha, the major river of Kerala garlanded the city creating a hidden paradise on Earth. The city was bustling busy with every shop crowded owing to the upcoming Christmas. The crowd was alarming in the main market area, where stood "Anumol Tailors", a small shop with two workers.  

 "Peter! Peter! Peter!", the stiff voice of Anumol, brought Peter back to his senses. "This is festive time Peter. You can't work so dumb. I understand you were a football player who made India proud in international games. But, your football is not giving you money to run your family. So, forget it and focus on the sewing machine. Make it fast Peter. Don't make me shout again" when Anumol spoke, Peter could hardly reply back. He became another machine before the sewing machine, with the huge heap of clothes piled up for stitching. 

 It was a very long day and when Peter came out of work, it was night 11 'o'clock. Most of the shops were shut, except for a few that were functioning to gratify Christmas which was arriving in a week. Peter felt as though his legs and hands never existed. Owing to the continuous running of the sewing machine, his legs and hands went numb. He had never felt so tired in life even when he had kicked the football continuously day and night. The tiring body reflected his mental deterioration besides aging. The red-colored lollipop that hung in a small shop, attracted the attention of Peter and he bought two Lollipops for his son, Lijo.   

  Mary, his wife was half asleep and Lijo was in deep sleep when Peter reached home. While Peter was having dinner, Mary saw the lollipops and started the conversation, "Lijo is studying in Eighth class and you have bought lollipops for him. He is not a small boy". Peter couldn't control his laughter," Lijo is always a small boy for me. How is he studying? This festive season demands too much work. I am not even able to talk to him properly." 

Mary replied mockingly," Like Father, like Son. I have been shouting at him continuously to study. Why does he care? His full focus is on football. His team has won the zonal last week and wants to take part in State level match. His coach and friends see him as a hero and his class teacher sees him like a zero." 

 Peter replied smilingly, "Lijo is not like me Mary, but is a hundred times more than me when it comes to football. I practiced and worked hard to become a proper football player but Lijo is born a football player. Even I was mesmerized by the way his legs move the ground. His style of kicks is something very unique. Lijo will ever be remembered as an irreplaceable hero in the football world." 

Mary got exhausted and stopped him abruptly," Football is not just about talent. It requires money too. He needs money to play the State-level match. Can we even afford this?" Peter without any second thought, took out the salary money in his pocket and gave it to Mary and spoke "This year Anumol gave advance salary due to hefty orders. I thought of buying new dresses for all. It's ok Mary. We can buy dresses for next Christmas. Lijo has to play the State Level match. He is born to make the nation proud just like me. He will create a new history for India not only in Asian games but also in FIFA World Cup and Olympics." 

Mary couldn't control her tears and exploded," Why do you want to spoil my son's life too? What did you get after winning the South Asian Games? Are we even able to eat proper meals any day? It has been years since we celebrated a festival. Now you want to waste this hard-earned money on football too? I cannot tolerate this stupidity anymore." 

Mary's tears took Peter back to the past. After the bicycle kick in SAFF Gold Cup, Peter's right leg got fractured and he fainted on the ground unconsciously. For nearly 6 months, he was unable to move his leg. It took almost a year for him to recover, by which time, the entire scenario changed. Nobody was willing to bring in the injured person back to the team and AIFF politics ensured Peter's exit permanently from the Indian Football Team.

 Every tide has its ebb. But, the fall was shocking for Peter. He knew nothing other than football. His life revolved around football and for the first time, he had to think of something apart from football to feed his family which included a school-going son. He did not have the luxury to start a football academy or to become a coach. 

 When Peter was totally helpless, Georgekutty, a fellow footballer, gave him the idea to apply for Government Job using Sports Quota. This brought new light into Peter's life and he immediately applied for the job based on his participation in the international football games. It was then, Peter understood that the toughest task on Earth was not to win the FIFA World Cup but to get a government job in India.

 Peter ran from pillar to post, bribed the government machinery from peon to officers for the job. His file moved from one office to another, returned back every now and then due to wanting of money. Every time, his file returned, Peter's expenses increased, to pay away from the bribe money. To meet his family expenses and bribery amount, Peter started working temporarily for Anumol Tailors. It has been 4 years since he joined the Tailor shop and his file was in the final stage at Collector's Office. He got a call from Collectorate Office two days back, asking him to appear in person this week.

Peter tried to pacify Mary, "Don't worry Mary. This week after I meet the Collector, I will get the government job. All our sorrows will be gone and we will celebrate a happy Christmas. Why do you cry unnecessarily? Let Lijo play the State level match with this money. Daily battles should not outshine powerful Visions. We must be proud of Lijo." With tons of hope about the week, Peter's family slept that night. 

When Peter reached the Collectorate Office early in the morning, he was astonished at the first sight of the structure and machinery. The majestic symbolism and the royal treatment provided to the District Collector, the nameplate imprinted with bold letters, "Indian Administrative Service" brought a strange euphoric feeling in Peter. 

When Peter was called in, he sensed a kind of nervousness that was eroded away by the polite gesture of the District Collector. "Peter Sir, I am extremely delighted to meet the most sensational football player. It was my luck that I was in Goa when you played the finals. You set the entire Nehru stadium on fire. When I saw your file, I wanted to meet you personally and hence called for you. Do you like to have tea or coffee sir?"

Peter was speechless as he found the Office very different from other government offices. In other offices, common citizens were rendered inhumane treatment and were looked down on by every government servant. He was surprised to see the District Head giving respect to a common man. While he was confused, he was offered tea. 

As Peter took the first sip, the District Collector spoke, "Peter Sir. The majority of the sportspersons come from deprived economic backgrounds. Sports Quota is a laudable effort by the Government of India to support such talented players with a source of regular income. However, you have lost eligibility to get a government job under this quota. The job requirements include your participation in sports in the last three years. Also, you do not qualify for the age limit specified. Though I am a fan of yours, I am really sorry about your file. I cannot help you in this matter, sir".

 Without taking another sip, without uttering a word, Peter stood up and started walking out. He couldn't control the tears which were overflowing insentient. The agony which was deep inside unleashed involuntarily exploding in the form of anger. Why does the world disrespect talent? Why are the exemplars extinguished under the clutches of the second-handers? Why are the extraordinary punished for not being ordinary? He was angry at the Government Machinery, Anumol Tailors, his family, and himself. Finally, all his anger turned towards football.

 Lijo, who was fascinating the ground with his butterfly kick, was shocked to see his father on the ground in such an anguish state and ran towards him. Peter wept and his words poured out painfully, "Lijo, don't become stupid like your father. To live a life of respect, to meet the basic survival needs, money is essential. Football may satisfy the soul but to satisfy the body, you need money. Football is not the game where Indian players earn. It is a game in which players are made to suffer. Lijo, throw this ball out of your life. You must become a government officer. I must see your nameplate," Joseph, Indian Administrative Service" before I breathe my last. Will you?". 

Lijo alias Joseph, though couldn't understand the purpose of earning money and respect after losing the soul, had no other option other than nodding to his father's dream!