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The Spare (C)rib/Abhilasha Khaitan

Strawberries and dreams

The phone isn't ringing. Mongia's a little worried, and I don't know how to comfort him. I tried strawberry yorghurt. Strawberry yorghurt always works for me, when I'm feeling worried. But he didn't seem to want any. What's a guy to do?

In any case, I promised to help him with any packing or last minute shopping, if he needs it. It's important to be there at these times, you know. It's terrible if one forgets to pick up some presents for the family, even if one has to leave in a hurry. I would hate that to happen to me.

In any case, one thing good which has come out of this weekend is, no football!! Paaji's decided that instead of kicking the ball, some of these guys need to learn how to throw it! (smirk) I know, it's the cold weather and tour planning and what have you, but Paaji's not one bit happy, let me tell you that. After the pizza he bought for us the other day, there has been no talk of more. Normally, he'd ask, I know he would.

You know, I was thinking. (What do you mean, why?! A guy's got to do something!) So, as I was saying, I was thinking, Kapil Paaji's a lot like that school teacher who's teaching in a school where he was a student before, a head boy at that! So, having been there, done that, bought the T-shirt and worn it too, he's got this knack of knowing just what the boys are up to, and what they'd like and what they'd hate. He knows what he needs to do to keep us in line, and what he has to do to make us loosen up a bit.

>Like the pizza. That helped.

Also, he knows how to deal with the headmaster, and the school administration? I mean, if he had not been head boy when he was in school, he would've had a bit of a problem with them. But now, he just needs to remind them about who he was, and the school's running just as he wants it!

But, right now? He's not a happy man. I think he's a little angry. Ok, make that very angry.

I shouldn't be saying this, but young Cox didn't help his mood much. Just when we thought we'd done well, remember the century and the semi-century against the mean mean Tasmanian attack? Well, just when the feather had almost been stuck in our caps, things went a little wrong huh? And, waiting for the other team to declare, when Paaji'd like some of his young guns to get a jot of practice, didn't sit too well, let me tell you that. Also, it's a little difficult playing when even the spectators are running into their homes for cover?

Given that I had some free time on my hands, I was brushing up on some arithmetic. And it also makes for a great sedative -- in fact, I plan to recommend it to some of my hyper-tensive team-mates... best way to relax, before going out to face Glenn McGrath, is to mentally recite the times-two table, two ones are two, two twos are four, two threes are... you know how it goes. I defy anyone to get tense repeating that particular mantra to themselves...

So, as I was saying, I was brushing up on some arithmetic. Specifically, I was counting the number of people who were there to watch play. Thank god, I wasn't tested much! Three hundred and sixty people, I counted. Mr. Subramaniam, my math teacher at school, would be one happy man, because his prize pupil, who spent most of his math class time practicing to play, is now practicing math when he should be playing!

So, anyway, things aren't as cheerful as they were when we last spoke. And, I'm not just talking about the weather. I'm feeling bad for everyone. Vijay looks very tense. And Gandhi, I think he and I need to talk. He's been talking about the Himalayas too often for comfort. It's an ok place to visit, but I think he's making long term plans? Hrishi is worried. As they say, the next one can be anybody's game.

Oh wait. What about me? I almost forgot that I'm supposed to get a game too? I don't think I'm in the running though. Just a couple of tests to go. Rob and Chops will be in for the one-days, I suppose. What'll my kids say?!! Panic!

I want my strawberry yorghurt. Now! Bye!!

Pray for me?

The Spare Crib/Abhilasha Khaitan