Chapter 4: A Match of Equals
The next day, the school courtyard buzzed with whispers.
"Did you see him yesterday? He lasted longer than anyone expected against Manish."
"Quiet boy's got something in him, huh?"
Vaibhav pretended not to hear as he walked toward the neem tree. But inside, his chest fluttered with nervous excitement. People noticed him. Not for marks. Not for being quiet. For something else. For strength.
As he neared the familiar stone bench, a group of boys waited.
"Vaibhav!" a voice called out. It was Ramesh, a wiry boy known for speed rather than strength. Beside him stood Sandeep—bigger, older, thick-armed.
"Want to try a match with me?" Ramesh grinned. "Let's see what you've got for real—not against a giant like Manish."
The other boys chuckled.
Vaibhav hesitated for a breath, then stepped forward. "Alright."
They locked hands. Ramesh's grip was quick, snake-like. The crowd gathered, eager for this unexpected rematch of skill and technique—not just brute force.
> "Three... two... one... GO!"
Ramesh struck fast, snapping pressure on Vaibhav's wrist. But Vaibhav held firm, pulling back, using the shoulder technique Lucky had drilled into him. Back and forth they pushed—neither gaining ground.
Muscles strained. Wrists wobbled. Sweat dripped.
"Come on, Ramesh!"
"Hold him, Vaibhav!"
Finally, after what felt like forever, their hands froze mid-air. Neither falling. Neither winning.
> "Tie!" someone called.
Gasps. Then cheers.
Vaibhav exhaled, shaking his arm out.
But before he could rest, Sandeep stepped forward, grinning. "My turn. Let's see if this beginner can hold me off."
This time, the pressure was different—heavy, forceful. Sandeep pressed slow and steady, muscles rippling.
Vaibhav grunted, locking his wrist, pushing back, sweat burning his eyes. His forearm screamed.
"Come on, boy! Don't fold now!" Sandeep growled.
But Vaibhav didn't fold.
He held. Pushed. Pulled.
Neither budged.
The boys around cheered louder as the struggle dragged—seconds turned to minutes.
> "Tie!" Lucky announced with a grin.
Even Sandeep laughed, pulling his hand away. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all. No one's ever tied with me first try."
Vaibhav leaned back, chest heaving, muscles on fire—but his heart glowing with quiet pride.
For the first time, no one laughed.
No one mocked.
They clapped his back. Called his name.
Even Vivek, watching from a distance near the classroom window, lowered his mocking gaze—just a little.
Lucky leaned beside him. "Two ties in a day. That's rare. You're learning faster than I thought, Vaibhav."
Vaibhav smiled softly.
Inside him, something was changing. Growing.
A fire that would not go out.