Chapter 8
His kids
JIMMY
Mr Bhatia took some convincing to overcome his reluctance, but I spun a web of prospects for our gym.If my time with the children succeeds, the program would offer an excellent opportunity to expand our business into private schools in the hills.Working with the kids would introduce them to health consciousness, and some of them may become our future clients.Bhatia Ji bit the bait, allowing me two hours off on Tuesdays for a month on a trial basis.
I rushed out at 7.30am, and here I am, sitting on a fallen deodar tree, admiring the man who has invaded every minute of my life in such a brief span of time.From a short distance, I am glued to the action.A dozen children encircle Aditya.
A teenage boy and he have red-coloured paper crowns over their heads.The girl beside them has a turban.A wooden stick serves as a sword as the boy and girl battle, enacting the Maratha warrior king Shivaji's arrest in Aurangzeb's court.Aditya is the last person I would cast as the infamous Mughal king.The action ends with the boy arresting the girl and tying her hands behind her.The children applaud the act.
Aditya places his crown on a boy sitting near him.“Shivaji Raje did not give up.While under arrest, he made plans.Various stories are associated with his escape.In one such legend, Shivaji Raje escaped with his son in large baskets of sweets and fruits.”
When he turns to survey the kids, his eyes meet mine.I wave, and we exchange a dopey grin.
“Children, I have a surprise for you.Do you want to be fit like the uncle sitting on the tree stem?”Aditya chuckles at his loud emphasis on the word ‘uncle.’I only get a few seconds to glare at him as all the children turn to me.“I want you to meet Mr Jimmy Narwal.He is the lead trainer at the gym in Mahabodhi Resort and Spa.Jimmy is going to work with us on our physical fitness.What do we say, a healthy body...?”
“Leads to a healthy mind,” the children finish in a chorus.
“Let us welcome Jimmy Sir.”
The kids stand and greet me — the loud namaste echoing against the nearby hills.
“Namaste.Your Professor Ji is smart.He understands the importance of physical activity.”I bite my lip, watching Aditya’s nostrils flare at my exaggerated take on his title.Payback for calling me an uncle.
“Do you all play cricket?”All the boys raise their hands, but the girls turn coy.
“Today, I will demonstrate how to warm up before doing any physical activity.We will also learn some light exercises, which you can do anytime at home or in school.”
The kids follow my instructions and line up in four columns.“First thing — always have a water bottle nearby.Second — if you have any injuries, talk to your doctor, teacher, or coach before the physical activity.”I check with the kids to reinforce my message.“Does anyone have any injuries or is anyone unwell?”
After the children confirm, I instruct them to do joint movements, starting from the head and moving down to the toes.The children giggle while they complete each set of exercises.
“Now, let us see who can touch their toes while standing?”I demonstrate the movement.The children follow suit.I walk past each child.“No bending knees.No cheating.”Once the warm-up is finished, I demonstrate the exercises and ask the kids to follow me.The entire session passes in fun and activity.
“What do we say when the class ends?”Aditya joins me at the front.
“Thank you, Master Ji.”The kids shout on cue.Aditya showers me with his adorable grin.
“You are a devious fox.”I shove him with my shoulder.He pushes me back.The children laugh, bringing our attention to our surroundings.Oops.I rub the back of my neck.
“Okay, break time.Come back when the bell rings, and no moving out of the campus.”Aditya uses his stern voice to make them fall in line.
“Follow me.”He leads me to a bench by the side of the school building and takes out two tiffins from his bag.“I promised you breakfast.”He hands the sandwiches and pours steaming tea into two cups from his thermos.“Nothing fancy, but I guess you would not want a heavy meal at this hour.”
“Anything cooked by you is good for me, Addy.”
“Complimenting my cooking is not winning you daily free meal coupons at the HiraniDhaba.”He jests.
“Okay.If not compliments, what will win those meals at your restaurant?”I bite into the three-layered club sandwich.“Whoa!Mmm.”I hurry to finish the bite.“Wow.I am ready to pledge my life if you keep feeding me these delicious meals.”
“Be careful what you promise.I may entice you into my lair.”He winks and devours his sandwich.
My hands itch to grab his neck and pull him close for a kiss to show him, but doing something here will cause an uproar in this hill town and get him kicked out of the school.For now, a gentle nudge to his foot with the toe end of my shoes will have to do.
