31 Sports day

I had to wake up a little early for Twen's Sports day. He looked extremely happy as he dressed in his school jersey and kept rambling about his participation in race. I prepared some simple sandwich for his breakfast and looked through my things for my camera. I wanted it to be in the best of shape.

"Twen get the newspaper" I called him. I wanted to go through the headlines before leaving.

"Yes mommy" Twen answered through his sandwich filled mouth.

I heard him open the door while I checked the camera. There was a short pause and then Twen's voice rang out, "Mommy, someone sent you a bouquet and a gift"

I frowned. I don't exactly have admirers for receiving flowers. I ambled through the narrow passage to the drawing room. Twen was fiddling with the gift box. I came closer and lifted up the bouquet and the newspaper. It was a small, very tasteful looking bouquet of white and red roses. I never liked very showy things, this bouquet was exactly my type. I searched for a name but there were none.

"What is this?" Twen asked turning a small very elegant looking flat box on his hand. There was an expensive famous brand name on top. I asked Twen to hand it to me and opened to see a blood red coloured silk tie with a tag saying only one word "SORRY"

I didn't have to rack my brains to know who sent it. I opened the tie. It was beautiful. It had a very smooth texture and the crimson colour gave a very royal and majestic feel with a graceful elegant touch. I don't have many occassion to wear formals so I just have two formals, one tie, and one blazer. It was not a very expensive one. So, this tie seemed to be a mismatch with them just like how Robbie was for me. I folded it and kept it back in the box.

"Twen, is everything of yours prepared?" I asked him.

"Yes all done" he said, his face shining with happiness.

I placed my hand in my pocket and pulled out my car keys, "Here are the car keys, go and seat in the car. I will come down in a few minutes"

Twen's eyes sparkled as he took the keys. I locked my finger round the key ring as Twen held the keys,

"Don't touch the steering, gear or anything of the driver's seat. You will keep your things in the back seat and wait inside quietly, okay?"

Twen gave me a sheepish but mischievous smile, "Promise!"

I let him take the car keys. He smiled broadly and ran inside to take all his things before hopping out of the door, like a bunny.

"Don't run on the stairs. Careful with your things" I yelled behind him.

"Yesssss" I heard Twen reply in a sing-a-song manner.

I laughed shaking my head. I looked at the bouquet and the tie box. What to do with them? I placed the bouquet and newspaper on the coffee table and then took the tie box to my room. I opened my wardrobe and placed it safely inside the locker.

"I don't know how sincere you are, but how I wish, that your speaking the truth" I mumbled to myself closing the wardrope

ll

Venue: Grey Mount School's field

I was stuck with the crowd of parents outside the school field gate. Twen had already went in. I was just wondering if there will be space for parent's to see the kids performance, when a teacher came and guide us to a small sitting area with a shade. I saw many junior and middle school students in their blue and white jersey with their school emblem on it. I couldn't find Twen in this sea of blue and white kids. I scanned the field to see his dark curls but didn't find it.

The sports day started with the principal's lecture and then the special guests. Then, the middle school students played a band parade to start the day. Then, one by one sports events started. The athletics was first. There were various sorts of races; 50m, 100m, 200m and relay race for both elementary and middle school. There was also long jump but only for middle school kids. There was floor gymnastic for both classes which would not take place in the field but in the school auditorium. Then, finally there was badminton (played on the court thirty metres from racing track) and soccer (which will be played in the field opposite race track). This two was only for middle schoolers too. Many of the parents went to the ground for watching the soccer as it was being played side by side athletics. At the end of the day, awarding ceremony will take place and then the end band parade.

I knew from all Twen's babbling that he was in 50m, 100m and relay race. I got ready with my camera to shoot him. There was a faculty who was announcing or hosting while there was their sports teacher who was the time keeper. I saw the host carrying a small whistle. He was telling the rules of the race.

In the soccer field, the coach of their soccer team was also the referee along with another refree from their sister branch.The prelims were played inter-section and were done before the sports day. Now, the two winning team of prelims are playing the teams of their sister schools. (Grey Mount had three sister branch- Treasure Mount, Snow Mount and Merry Mount). There was two teams from each sister branch, a total of eight and so the quaterfinals was to be played among them. Similarly, in the race too the top two were selected who were to race with their sister branches winners.

I was extremely proud and happy that Twen was among the winners to be selected. I looked through the field again but it was nearly impossible to see him among so many kids.

"First race, 50m straight race from elementary class A. Please take your place" the host called

A small band of kids came forward. They stood in a straight line and then kneeled with their hands in the front. I searched for Twen among them but he was not there.

"On your mark" the host bellowed and the kids looked ahead, "Get set" the kids raised their hips and knees up. Then, the whistle blasted and they ran.

This continued and I found Twen in the third group. I clicked pictures of him on position during the race and as he finished. In the 50m race he won. I cheered for him from the seating area. Some of the classy and sophisticated mothers in the area, found my behaviour rowdy and snorted disapprovingly.

Next in the 100m, he finished third and relay race too, he and his team of racers finished third. I cheered for him all the way and clicked several pictures to save it in the photo album. Afterall, it is this pics which will serve as memories later. I don't care whether he wins or not. It was more than enough for me that he had participated and was trying his best.