About the author

Originally from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Prabhakar Thanikasalam presently working on his Master's degree in USA. This is his frist literary adventure. His other hobbies include playing/watching sports.

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Yet to Come ...

Boris

by

Prabhakar Thanikasalam

“Boris! Boris!” He heard his mother call out for him from down below. He did not want to get up; all he wanted was to curl back into the blissful confines of his sheets and drift off into oblivion. He wished he could turn off his mom just like he had turned off his alarm clock sometime back; how long ago, he had no idea. Boris dreaded at the thought of another day at school. Another day of algebra and tongue twisters in Chinese II did not appeal to him. As he gradually woke up from his slumber, the realization that school got over last week descended upon him. It was the second week of June. Come September and he was a junior at Covalsburg High School in Covalsburg, Virginia. His heart grew a little gladder at this thought. It was only a year from now and he would be a senior in school. That had its perks and appeal.

The rhythmic footsteps of his mom, Beth coming up from the living room towards his door bolted him back to reality and now. He was up and sitting on the edge of his bed when his mom’s head peeked in through the door. “Good Morning Hun”, she said to him. “Its 6:45 get up now or you are going to be late for practice”.

Boris stretched out his hands and let out a big yawn that culminated in a half pronounced-half swallowed “Thanks Mom”. He was looking forward for tennis practice today. His close buddy and doubles partner, George would be waiting for him in the corner of Smith Ave and Main St in exactly 15 minutes. George was never late. And George would hate to be kept waiting. It would take 5 minutes on his bike from his home on Feldman Drive to the rendezvous point. Realizing the time crunch, Boris muttered a curse under his breath and was thankful that his mom, busy with something in the living room had left and was clearly out of earshot of the mutterings. The morning ablutions were taken care of at record pace and Boris scanned his room for a clean pair of socks. Having found one, he put on his favorite blue Nike shorts and a white t-shirt; he reached out for his racquet bag hanging over his bed and headed down the stairs two, sometimes even three at a time. He could see his dad trough the kitchen window out in the finely manicured lawn picking up the morning paper and beaming with pride as he stood leaning against his new, 1 year old Mercedes Benz parked in the driveway wishing all morning exercise enthusiasts with a nod. Boris did not quite agree with his dad’s fervor to keep the lawn this perfect. It was grass, for God’s sake.

A glass of orange juice was waiting for him on the dining table. He gulped it all down and kissed his Mom goodbye as he rushed out the door. His mom would leave to work before he got back home. She worked in the local supermarket as a manager. Boris had turned down her offer for a job there for this summer. Instead, he was helping out in Bob’s motor works. His pay for all the work this summer was that Bob would fix up the old ’68 Ford laying in waste at the back of his shop for him. Bob had said, “I can fix her up good enough for you to take her around town, but no long distance trips”. The blue paint on the car was peeling off and Boris had already picked out a darker shade of blue. He would spray paint the car himself.

Boris took his bike, which was sprawled on the lawn where he had left it last night and had to fight off Rocky, the family dog, a German shepherd, as he started down the street. He waved at his dad as he gained speed and adjusted his racquet bag over his back to a position that least bothered his cycling motion.

He reached the end of Feldman drive and turned right onto Scarlet Ave and passed by the Stewarts. He looked up and saw the pink curtain in Katie’s room fluttering in the early morning breeze. Katie Stewart went to school with him. She was one of his better friends. They had even gone out a few times though it had not been official ‘dates’. He would meet her during lunchtime. He had lunch in the restaurant she worked as often as possible. She would then get permission to take about twenty minutes off and they would go out to get ice cream. Boris found her very cute. He definitely thought she was a lot more mature than him. But hey, “At that age, all girls were more mature than boys”. She always got straight A’s and helped Boris a lot with his schoolwork. She wore glasses, had her shoulder length dark brown hair in a ponytail most of the time. He had seen her with her hair loose a few times he had visited her at home and he thought she looked better that way. He had yet to find the courage to tell her that.

He turned left onto Smith Ave and saw George in the distance waiting on his bike. George saw him too and slowly started biking towards him. “You’re late”, George bellowed at him. “Sorry, overslept. Was tired.” replied Boris. And then they started racing each other in their bikes towards the high school. This was fast becoming an everyday morning ritual. The streets were empty this early and George edged past him as they reached the courts. Huffing and puffing, George looked his way and flashed a victory smile. “Tomorrow”, said Boris.

“Go for your daily run, guys”, called out Sam, their high school tennis coach. Sam was in his mid thirties and had played for the University of North Carolina in his college days. He was a strict disciplinarian but also was very compassionate towards his players. Boris and George started on their runs and they saw their other teammate, David and members of the girls’ tennis team doing stretching exercises on the other side of the track. David was a senior this year and clearly a better player than either Boris or George. He was being recruited by UNC. Sam had also put in a good word for David with his old coach in college. A couple of other colleges were also trying to rope in David. David was a good friend and teammate but Boris yearned to be better than David. He wanted to be Numero Uno. As they neared the other group, they could hear the girls chatting away. Last night’s soap opera on television was being dissected and each girl had their own view on how the romantic adventures of each character should progress. George and Boris looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.

Their runs completed, they came down to near the tennis courts and started to do stretching exercises. The other players were already on court hitting a few balls. Sam was talking to David with gestures that looked like he was trying to make corrections to David’s serving action.

“George, I am going out with Katie tonight”, said Boris.

“Where to?”

“I don’t know. I will meet her during lunch.”

George looked at him in a queer way and smiled.

“What?” asked Boris.

”Nothing”, replied George.

“How’s it going with Natalie?” Natalie was George’s girlfriend. They had taken European history together the previous year.

“Everything’s cool”, said George. “She is leaving for Canada for a couple of weeks, visiting family up there.”

“How are you guys doing? Done with your stretching?” Sam was alongside them now. “I want you guys to start practicing playing more doubles together. I think you guys complement each other very well on the court. Practice and lots of it will greatly improve your on-court chemistry. David will be our singles player this year”. Boris cringed at this statement though he showed no outward expression of disappointment. How could Sam make that decision so early in summer? Did he not at least deserve a shot at competing for the singles player position in the team? He had a point to prove before the summer got over. “Come on, let’s get on court and work on your volleys”, said Sam. The others were working on drills that Sam had given them. Sam made George and Boris stand side by side at net and bombarded them with volley practice drills. Boris’s mind was just not here. He was still thinking how Sam could have counted him out as a singles player so early. He was a robot for now, lunging at balls that came his way without any effort or passion. Most of them went dipping into the net right at his feet. “Time”, called out Sam and walked towards them.

“What’s wrong, Boris?”

“Huh, nothing”, replied Boris.

“Ok, let’s do it again. I want you to concentrate harder for every volley this time. Get your feet moving”.

Boris thought what better way to show Sam what he is made of. The volleys from his racquet were beginning to flow now; his feet started moving with a grace only he knew he was capable of. He reached every ball with time to spare. Sharp, crisp, concise strokes that made the balls fly back to all corners of the opposite court emanated from his racquet. Sam hit it harder and Boris responded with even better volleys. “Good work. Keep practicing volleying with each other”, said Sam after five minutes of intense practice and headed of in the direction of David. Meanwhile, David was practicing his serves. Sam stood next to David and observed him. Sam had a quick word with David and then went over to the girls.

Boris and George were going at each other now. Taking turns to volley, the other trying to hit passing shots. Normally, it would have been an equal contest, but today was different. Boris had more motivation than he ever needed. He was clinically dismantling George. George was in awe of the fact that Boris was simply outstanding today. Shot after shot, hit with aplomb and authority; going past the outstretched reaches of George as he was sent scurrying to all parts of the court. Sam then made them play doubles with the girls’ doubles team, Emily and Martha. Emily and Martha were both seniors and had played together for a couple of years. The boys were winning but it was clear they had long ways to go before they mastered the art of playing doubles. There were clumsy moments when they clashed into each other going for the ball and times when each one expected the other to go for the ball. Emily and Martha went together like a hand in a glove. They fit into each other’s playing style perfectly. They worked in unison and were a joy to watch. The boys beat them but agreed there was a lot that could be learnt from Emily and Martha.

George had to leave early that day. Sam then asked David and Boris to play against each other. This was it. With Sam watching, it was the perfect stage for Boris to show he was much better than what Sam gave him credit for. And he was playing at altogether another level today. They started and matched each other shot for shot. 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2- 2, 3-2, 3-3; it was level pegging. The girls had finished their practice for the day and were now courtside. They had split into two groups cheering on either player. 4-4. David took the next game to lead 5-4. Boris fought back to level it 5-5. The summer sun was up by this time and the sweltering heat was taking its toll. The next game went to David. Boris now had to get this game to push it into a tiebreaker. Two well played points and Boris was up 30-0. His serve deserted him at that point and he served 2 double faults to come to 30-30. David then conjured up the energy and outplayed Boris to take the set. This was excruciating to Boris. So near, yet so far.

Sam was all praise for both David and Boris. Boris was in a daze. He could not believe he had given it up so easily after putting up so much resistance all along. He kept thinking of what had gone wrong as he slowly retraced his way back home. His nerves had let him down. At this moment, he knew he had it in him to climb over that mountain of beating David; he just had to put it all together. He had this wretched feeling in his stomach that he had to get rid of. There was only one way to do it. Beat David. He went home, showered, had some breakfast and made his way to Bob’s motor works.

Bob and the rest of the workforce were already there. They were going about their jobs in their usual slow-paced methodical manner. An engine tune-up here, a brake job there. It was routine stuff. Boris was the handy man in the shop. People sent him to fetch things; tools, engine oil, gloves, the air-pressure gauge, a flashlight etc. He also did a lot of the cleaning work in the shop. He had been coming here for almost a week now. He could now look under the hood of a car and identify every engine part. He wanted to learn everything there was to learn about cars, as he would have his first car by the end of summer. Boris was not learning anything today. His mind was clogged with David and the letdown of the morning. The hours passed by and it was time for lunch.

Washing the grease and stains of his hands, Boris was excited about meeting Katie. He smoothed out his hair with his wet fingers and trotted down the four blocks down Main St to the burger joint where Katie worked. He was unconsciously walking faster than usual to reach there. He got there and saw her in her work overalls and cap taking orders from a couple seated at the far corner of the joint. There was nobody else in there. The door bells tinkled as he opened the door. Katie looked up and a smile came to her face as she saw him. She motioned for him to sit down at a table by the door as she rushed on her way into the kitchen. She was out as soon as she had gone in and she joined him. She came over to his side and joined them at his table.

“Hi, did you come here to eat lunch or to see me?” she teased him.

“Both”.

She laughed a little, “Good answer, what’ll you like to have?”

“A burger and soda will be fine. Can you eat with me too?”

“Sorry, I cannot. I am the only one around here and if somebody comes in, I will have to take care of them” and she rushed into the kitchen and brought the couple their food.

This more than ruled the going out for the ice cream after the meal today. She came back to his table and sat down. They talked about the weather and she started telling him of how she was trying to win a trip to Europe later this summer. She stopped to check on the couple and also brought him the burger. Then she came back and continued on how the Department of Education in Washington DC had this contest on creative essay writing on an environmental related topic for high school students and the top 10 were chosen for the trip to Europe. She also asked him how his morning tennis practice went. She knew he was in the school team. He told her about the doubles match with the girls’ team and the fact he was going to play doubles this season with George. He also went into the intricacies of how he thought he had improved his volleying today. She did not understand all of it but she sat there, listened to all of it and smiled at him. He avoided telling her about the loss to David. He will tell her about the whole David scenario the day he beat David. He had not realized how hungry he was. The burger was devoured in no time.

He sat there sipping the soda and asked her “What would you like to do tonight?”

“I don’t know. Maybe we can just hang out or go for a walk.”

“Sure” he said instantly liking that idea. “I am done at the motor shop at six today. What time do you get off here?”

“I get off here at six too.”
“Would eight in the evening be good?”

“Yes, that would be good.”

The door bells tinkled once more and a couple of people walked into the joint. He took his soda with him and said “Great, I’ll come down to your place then.”

“Bye” she said and waved him goodbye and her smile almost melted him. He forced himself to leave and got out into the blazing sun and started on his way back to the motor shop. He realized that this was the first twenty or so minutes that he was not hounded by the ghost of David.

The afternoon passed by quickly. He learnt how to clean the fuel system and set the timing and idle on a car. Bob called him over and asked him if he would like to help in putting ‘his’ car together. Boris was more than thrilled. They overlooked the car and saw it needed a lot of work. The engine looked in good shape but it needed tires and the steering mechanism needed tuning

“We have a lot of used tires at the back of our shop. We can find something that will fit this car.” said Bob. “You should help a lot in getting this baby on the road and that way you will know how to take care of her.” Boris was making a mental note of every word out of Bob’s mouth. This was going to be his baby very soon.

It was almost six and Boris was getting ready to leave for home. Half of the workers had already left and Bob was in the back taking care of the accounts. Boris cleaned himself up and walked down to his bike parked in the far corner of the shop. He made his way towards home. His mom would be back from work. His dad always came in a little bit later at around seven. Rocky, his German shepherd came hounding towards him as he neared his home. He dismounted from the bike and petted Rocky. Rocky loved being scratched behind the ears. Thrilled to see Boris, Rocky was going crazy and ran circles around his legs. Boris played with rocky all the way to the door. He slid his bike into the garage. He took a ball lying on the front porch and hurled it across the lawn. Rocky went hurtling after the ball.

Boris opened the front door and he saw his mom in the kitchen preparing dinner. She also had the cordless phone cradled on her left shoulder, “Yes and I would also need some fresh lettuce and milk on your way home, dear. Bye, I love you”. She then turned to him.

“Hi Mom”, he said.

“How was your day, Hun? How did practice go? How is work at Bob’s?” she asked him.

“I and George are going to be playing doubles for school this year.”

“Terrific. I would love to come watch you when you play. Get ready for dinner. Your dad is on his way home”

Boris, with a shake of his head made his way up to his room. He was tired. He kicked off his shoes and walked into his bathroom. He showered. He picked out a nice pair of khaki trousers and slid into his Covalsburg high school pullover. He went back down and his dad was home. His mom was setting the table and his dad was out in the lawn talking to their neighbor, Mr. Parker. He slid into the couch and switched the TV on. He did not care too much for what was being telecast. He just sat there and gazed at it. Rocky came and nuzzled itself between his legs. Boris was gently patting his dog when his dad walked in. They all sat down for dinner and his parents were discussing about where to go for the July 4th weekend. They asked Boris and he had no particular place of interest in his mind. The dinner conversation meandered on. Boris got to know his uncle and cousins from North Carolina would be joining them for that holiday. That was good news. He liked hanging out with his cousins, Andy and Marsha.

After dinner, his mom and dad were watching a game show on TV. “Mom, I’ll be back in an hour”, Boris called out as he left. “Ok, be back early. Don’t stay out late” came back the reply. He decided to walk down to Katie’s house. It was almost eight. The weather outside was great. He walked up their driveway and knocked on their door. Katie was the one who opened the door and let him in. She was wearing a jeans shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt. Her hair was let loose.

Boris pulled up all his courage and said, “Your hair looks great this way.”

“Thanks. Leave now?”

“Yes, where are we going?”

“Let’s go down to the river and sit there and talk”, she said.

They started out on their way and trudged along the half-mile or so from her place to the river. They found a nice place to sit down among the rocks overlooking the mountains. The sun was going down behind the Blue Ridge Mountains and the air had a quality of ethereal serenity. Boris told Katie about how the tennis coach had made up his mind with David being the singles player for the school .He told her about the narrow loss to David this morning. Somehow, at this moment, he felt he could share everything with her. His passions, his successes, his defeats; he had never felt so vulnerable to someone else and surprisingly, it felt good.

She smiled at him, touched his arm and said, “Keep trying. You’ll get there soon.”

She went on to tell him that she was going to write about the water conservation system in their town and all the different ways she had thought about on improving it for the essay to be sent for the contest. It was twilight and they could hear the birds chirping as they made it back to their nests. They just sat there and watched in silence the sun disappear behind the peaks.

“It’s getting late. We should be headed back home”, she said.

“Yea”

They walked back in silence. Silence seemed to form a bond that no talking could ever hope to provide. Katie’s home came upon them in far quicker time than what Boris would have liked. He held her hand for a brief fleeting moment at her doorstep and said “Goodnight. I had a great time.”

“Me too. I’ll see you tomorrow” she said squeezing his hand ever so slightly and saying so vanished past the door into her home.

Boris sighed and began his walk towards home. He had never felt this way about a girl before. Was this love? He had no idea whatsoever. His ruminations took him home and he let himself in. His mom and dad were still watching TV.

“Is that you, Boris?” called his dad from the living room.

“Yes, Dad. I am going up and to bed, I am tired. Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad”

“Good Night”, they both wished him in unison.

Boris reached his room and the sight of his bed made his eyes droopy and his legs felt like lead. He hurled himself onto the bed and pulled his sheets around him. He was thinking about Katie and the evening and he slid into a deep sleep.

He was on a tennis court. David was standing on the opposite side of the net. They were playing for the singles player position on the team. Boris’s game was supreme this day. He was making David look like a novice and was toying with him. He saw Katie and George sitting in the bleachers cheering him on. He was leading 5-2 and serving out the set when he heard it.

He heard his mother calling out for him “Boris! Boris!”

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