We started our reluctant training during our school days at the behest of our father. From trying somehow to escape the gruelling training to becoming champions of the sport, we have been together in every phase of life. From schoolmates to roommates, we have shared so many beautiful memories and I have opened up to her as a friend as well.
We have had a lot of fights growing up where I had to yield since I am the younger one. Her decisions have dominated over mine at times which is because in our culture and family we have been taught to always respect our elders. If it was a major argument, our parents would step in and decide. At times when we were furious over an argument outside the ring, we would vent out our anger while practising in the wrestling ring.
In a combat sport like wrestling, one of the biggest hurdles in an athlete’s life is injury. And I have ended up with an injury in practically every major tournament of my life. But Geeta made sure that an injury never made me lay low for too long. “Why are you the one who gets injured always?” she would ask me jokingly, and then motivate me to get back to practice, saying you can’t let a little pain win over your strength. That would make me go the extra mile in getting back to training hard.
As I matured in life, I learnt to deal with all difficulties myself. But the assurance of Geeta being there and listening to me has always lessened the burden on my heart and mind. When she got married and left home, it has created a huge vacuum in my life since we talk less often, separated by distance.