And thus the breakup.....Part 1.

 Their story -

"And it's a deuce", exclaimed the commentator. The crowd cheered with joy. Shalini wiped the sweat off her forehead with her left hand. She made a tight grip on the racket with her right hand. She looked up once and signaled 'ball boy' to fetch her the ball. She moved racket and the ball upwards, and with a loud "Haah" she served, using all her might. The ball hit the opposite court so swiftly that the opponent couldn't judge the speed and it was a straight 'ace' (service point gained when opponent's racket doesn't touch the ball). The commentator announced with elation, "It's an ace. Shalini is back in the game".

There was an uproar in the crowd once again. Shalini made a tight fist of her left palm, gripping her racket tighter said to herself, "You can do it, go go girl".

She looked to her right side, in the stands, she could she him sitting. He was waving at her, screaming her name, holding a bouquet of roses.

She smiled, shyly. She got recharged and served once again. She was so close to winning. But the rally continued, ball was being tossed back and forth. Shalini, now was struggling. She could feel a stretch in her right thigh and knee. Yet, she wanted to win this. The opponent hit the ball with a faster pace, but Shalini leaped and glided over. She stopped it with full force and she got the point. She fell down on the ground. Her racket slipped from her hand.

Chants of her name filled the stadium. She received a standing ovation. She was so exhausted that she couldn't get up. She laid on the court, trying to lift up her head to see the crowd cheering.

Her coach ran towards her. He helped her to stand up. She smiled and he high-fived her. "Are you okay?", he asked.

Catching her breath, she said, "Ahhh! Y..yes Sir". She sat on the bench and dabbed herself to wipe off the sweat. Her knee had some scratches and her elbow was bleeding too. The coach handed over the ointments and she applied them quickly, as they were announcing the winner.

As the commentator announced Shalini's name, she got up and shaking hands with her coach, she started jogging towards the podium. The honorable guest put the gold medal around her neck. And the exultation in the stands echoed throughout.

The crowd started dispersing. And she could now see him running towards her. Samrat, just like his name had this aura of a king, broad shoulders, tall, wheatish complexion, a perfect sportsman stature. Shalini and Samrat had been in love for 3 years now. They had started their careers together. Both loved tennis and their common love played the role of cupid in their love story.

Shalini wanted to win this tennis tournament at any cost. It was her dream to play for the country, along with Samrat. She was reaching towards her goal one step at a time.

Samrat wanted to propose to her but was waiting for the tournament to get over. And now was the time. He handed over the roses to her, "Congratulations dear. This was an awesome game. That's my Shalini. But are you okay? You fell down and my heart skipped a beat. I know you wouldn't be bothered for the injuries but you would've regretted losing. And my, my,  look who's going for the Nationals with me now!", he hugged her.

"Oouch!", Shalini screaked. "Hey! You okay dear?", Samrat turned her hand, her elbow was still bleeding. "Coach, I'm taking her to the hospital", Samrat literally picked Shalini in his arms and rushed to the exit.

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"Doctor my elbow is okay, but the pain in my knee, it's unbearable", Shalini told her doctor.

"First things first. The first aid comes prior. Then let's do some x-ray and scans. We will know what's wrong. Is it okay Shalini?", the doctor said.

"Scans? Why doctor? Is the injury that bad?", Shalini was worried.

"Well, can't say. Let's see. And Mr. Handsome, Samrat is standing outside with red roses and all? So you finally getting married?", her doctor asked.

"Married? Doctor aap bhi na. Jaldi se mujhe theek kardo.I will grab the National Gold. And we will get married then, pakka", Shalini said.

After the scans and x-rays, the doctor asked Shalini to call Samrat in the cabin to discuss. "Kya hua doc? Is anything wrong? I want to know first, I will talk to Samrat later", Shalini said.

"Look Shalini, it's not a minor injury. I had told you earlier too. You should take care of your knee if you want to keep playing. But you insisted on wrapping up the physiotherapy sooner. You wanted to train for the tournament and you neglected the rehab. Now things are hazy. I think we should call Samrat in", doctor said.

"No! Please doctor. Just tell me what it is. He will get stressed. I don't want him to know. I will do as you say. I will take the rehab. I will recover. Let's just keep it a secret", Shalini insisted.

Doctor told Shalini that she had to undergo a surgery. Shalini was shocked to hear this. She was a sportsperson and an injury meant that it could hamper her career.

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Was she wrong?

"How are you feeling Shalini?", the doctor asked.

"Much better doctor", Shalini tried to get up from the bed. "No. Don't move abruptly like that. Take your time, slowly", doctor helped her up.

Shalini's eyes were swollen. Her mom came in carrying fruits and a tiffin.

"How's my sweety now doctor?", she glanced at Shalini. She couldn't bear to see her condition. She teared up. But couldn't show her daughter her sorrow.

Caressing her head she said, "Here, have some oranges. Vitamin C for my tennis champ", and abruptly covered her mouth in regret.

Shalini put up a fake smile, "Thanks Maa. Don't feel guilty. It's not your fault. It's me who has ruined my life, my career. Only if I had listened to the doctor....", Shalini sobbed holding her Maa's hand.

"Shalini, you are a strong girl. Don't worry you will recover soon", doctor said, showing a thumbs-up and left the room..

Shalini knew that there was no way out of this. Neither could she play tennis again nor could jump or run.

"Samrat had called again the other day", Maa said. "He's trying hard to get in touch with you Shalini. I had switched on your phone for some work related documents. There were 15 missed calls", Maa said.

"Maa, we've already broken up. It's okay if he gets annoyed. He will recover from this hangover soon. But I can't ruin his life and career. I can't be selfish. If he stays with me, he will have to suffer each day. He would be sad to see me in this. state. He too, would give up his career and I don't want his dreams to shatter too. Atleast one of us has to succeed. I know I won't be able to walk properly too. How can I be a burden to him? I love him Maa, I should let him go".

"But they said that you can be better with physiotherapy dear. You will recover soon", Mom said.

"It's their duty to encourage the patients Maa. I overheard the doctor say that the surgery isn't quite successful. I would be limping rest of my life. Anyway, I don't want Samrat to take care of a handicapped wife forever. My conscience and my self-esteem won't allow me", Shalini pulled her quilt and laid down on the bed.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sometimes it's better to let go in love, if you really love someone from bottom of your heart! ~ JUI.

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