Love means zero or nothing in Tennis. That’s all I can understand from that word. Even though I do ‘love all’, I am far from understanding any romantic love, I think.
I have met a few beautiful (by heart) human beings in Iowa and one among them is Mr. Tom Hysell, my tennis friend. He must be 50 something but he runs like a kid, very athletic, polite, humble, helping and very down to earth person.
This happened sometime in September this year. We both reached the finals of the 3rd division in the GDMTA play offs. We were supposed to play our final match in that last week of September and convey the results to the organizers. We checked the weather forecast and the only days we found playable were Wednesday and Thursday. He asked me if we could play on Thursday. I checked my calendar and said that I had a project party that evening.
He suddenly sounded nervous and said, “Actually on Wednesday I and my wife have something important”
He requested if we could play on Thursday after the party.
I responded irritatingly, “how do you expect me to play after a party? By the way can’t you postpone your Wednesday plan with your wife?”
“No. Actually it’s important”
“Is that a doctor’s appointment? or a festival?”
“No. none of those. It’s something that we just both do”
“Come on Tom. Could you please request her to postpone that thing? This is the final match you know”
There was a pause. He then said meekly, “I will try Sajid”
He agreed. Rather I made him agree for the Wednesday.
On that Wednesday we started our final match. I was prepared and hitting well. While playing I was seeing some uneasiness in Tom. He wasn’t in his usual mood and wasn’t playing that well too. I sensed that his mind could be somewhere else. But for me winning was important and I beat him in straight sets.
After the match I inquired him if there was anything wrong. He nodded. I felt bit guilty if it was his plan with his wife which was cancelled because of the match.
Then I said, “Sorry Tom. Because of the match you had to forego your plan with your wife. If you don’t mind could you please share it with me?”
He took a deep breath and said, “Every last Wednesday of the month, I and my wife kind of celebrate. Just we both. No reason. We have been doing it since some time now. She cooks something new. I play some instrument and we sing and dance”
That sounded romantic. Then what he said really touched me.
He said, “In the last 25 years, today is the only day we missed our celebration!”
I hadn’t heard something like that before. Apologetically I asked him, “Sorry about that Tom. I am ok to let go this match. We can replay this match tomorrow”. That was the least I could do
“No. You deserved to win today. Tomorrow anyway I will be having the missed celebration with my wife. It’s ok. For a change, we will have it on a Thursday. It will be fun” he said smilingly.
I knew he was a man of words. Since then I somehow feel guilty whenever I see my Trophy.
Haarkar jeetne wale ko baazigar kehte hain !!
