Chapter 29
Stepping forward
JIMMY
“Welcome back, son.”Bhatia Ji extends his arms and gathers me in a hug.The frail seventy-year-old balding man is way shorter than me, but he squeezes me tight, spreading the warmth of his love and care.From the first day, when I walked into Mr Bhatia's office in sweaty, oil-stained clothes and slippers tied to my feet with a piece of rope, he has been my guardian angel.Like Aditya.I shut my inner voice the moment the words appear.Angels don't lie.
Tears roll down my face as Bhatia Ji holds my hand and ushers me into the gym three months after the attack.The gym is decorated with balloons and festoons.Sahil and the other staff stand in a line, holding a banner to welcome me.My old clients are also here.Each of them shakes my hand, and some gather me in a hug.
“Surprise!”Brian, Kenny, Kiron, and Sudhanshu gather around me.Pats, more hugs, and pecks on my cheeks break the dam in my eyes.“Guys, this is not fair.You should have warned me yesterday.I am shedding crazy baby tears, and Sahil will post all these on his Insta account.”
“If we had told you, how would this be a surprise?”
I swivel toward the familiar voice.“Priya, you traitor.We spoke yesterday, and you did not even give me a hint.”She had been relentless for the past month, pushing me to return to the gym.But I kept holding back.
“You would have run away if we had told you about all this.”Priya sweeps her hand, indicating the arrangements at the gym.
“Hmm, so you are an equal culprit.”I tease her.
“Okay, enough of this banter.”Kiron takes my hand and moves me to a table with a two-layered chocolate cake.On top, a four-inch replica of a muscled man in our gym's black-and-yellow trainer uniform stands.'Jimmy, we love you' is inscribed around the fondant figure.
I squeeze Brian's arm.“Is that me?”He giggles, and I point to my replica.“Aww, but this Jimmy is way more muscular than I am at the moment.”
“You will be in shape in no time, mate.”Brian tucks me to his side, squeezing my shoulder.
“Everyone, please gather around,” Kenny calls, and lights the candles.“Bhatia sir, please join Jimmy.”He makes space once the candles are lit.
Mr Bhatia holds my trembling hand while we slice the cake.A round of applause and hollering breaks when Mr Bhatia feeds me the first slice.“Umm, this is mouth-melting.Thanks, Brian.”
“We want a welcome note, Bhatia sir,” Sahil shouts from his position while snapping more pics.
Mr Bhatia obliges.He conveys the depth of his affection for me in his soft voice.Lumps of love and gratitude form in my throat.No one has ever spoken about me in this manner.By the time he finishes, most eyes are moist.I touch his feet in reverence, but Bhatia Ji pulls me into a hug.
I clear my throat and face the crowd.“Can I say a few words?”
“As long as you don't cry or bore us.”Kenny snorts.
I roll my eyes at him.With folded hands, I address the gathering of friends and people whom I call family.“Thank you’ are two small words.They are not enough to convey my gratitude for what each one of you has done for me in the past three months.I would not have survived these tough times without your love and support.”And without the risk a particular person took, putting his life on the line, I may not even be breathing.My voice cracks, before tears flood me again.Kiron comes to my rescue.
“Enough mush-slush for the day.This is a celebration of good winning over evil.So let us enjoy the food and the company of friends and family.”Kiron cheers the gathering.They usher me to a seat by a table.“Sahil, don't let this bugger move.”
