Dreams...

The first rays of the sun peeped in through the glass window, announcing the break of dawn and I felt inexplicably that it wasn't going to be an ordinary day in the celebrated sports merchandise shop where I lay- new, unpacked and smelling of fresh willow- on the shelf that read "New Arrivals". As time passed, the buzzing in the streets grew louder and customers dropped in to purchase sports articles. Mostly, young people were seen hanging out, looking for goods that suited both their needs and pockets. Many stood awe-struck before me, but my price tag read too high and it only gave me a sense of pride and aristocracy. So I lay on the rack- observing the people in the shop and speculating my fate- when suddenly my musings were disturbed by the sound of animated murmur and everyone rushed to the door. An elegant car had stopped outside the store and a well-built handsome man stepped out from it. he entered the store and shook hands with the owner, who treated him with more reverence than I had ever seen him bestow on anyone. I heard a young man whisper excitedly to his friend, "Oh my gosh! It's J, the cricketing legend!!!" Mr. J was led into the section of the store where I lay, amidst curious looks and a few requests for autograph which he fulfilled patiently. The manager pulled out the best cricket bats and handed them over to him and he discarded all of them after close examination. All of a sudden, his eyes fell on me and he walked across to the spot where I lay. My heart palpitated as he lifted me, removed the cover and scrutinized me carefully. As J hit a few imaginary balls into the air, the manager endorsed, "Very good bat, Sir...arrived just yesterday...just the right size." After five minutes, I was in his car bonnet. I belonged to him.

J spent the next morning practicing in the nets with me. He was a very hard-working player, careful in his shot selection and extremely sincere. I felt sorry and perturbed when I overheard someone say that he had recently been out of form and if he didn't perform well immediately, his position in the team could be at stake. That night, before he went to bed, he held me and sat quietly for some time and after giving one friendly pat, put me into his gaming kit. It was evident that he was disturbed and I was intent on helping him in every possible way.

The next morning brought a lot of fervent anticipation with it. His team was already in trouble when he held me firmly and we entered the grounds amidst the cheers of spectators. There was a look of determination in his deep eyes as he got ready to face the first delivery. The ball sped towards me like a comet and hit the middle of my polished surface. A chill ran down my spine and the ball raced away to the boundary. Then, there was no turning back. J hit 4s and 6s, pulling his Team out of danger and securing his place in the side, while I stood with him as the weapon in his battle. Finally, when he smacked the delivery that brought up his century and lifted me up against the sky with ecstatic delight, it was the most glorious moment of my life.


Dear Lord, in my next life, I want to be Jacques Kallis' bat.