The Event

Govind was still trying to come to terms with what had happened so far. Things had started innocently enough, just like any other day. But now, it seemed that history was in the making. Govind shivered at the thought.

Time seemed to be moving very slowly. The tension Govind was going through was too immense. He knew he was not alone. This was something that would touch many lives. How would people react? This would be something that would be remembered for years to come. Life would no longer be the same anymore. The rules of the game would be changed forever, so to speak. Govind started pacing up and down, the suspense getting the better of him. He started praying furiously.

“It was fate. How else could one explain that it was exactly this day that I had to be here at this time?” Govind thought to himself again and again. The television channels would burst out with the news, the newspapers would be splashed with reports on how it all happened. But that would not be until later. Govind started thinking about the commotion that would start afterwards. He realized he was sweating, despite the cool environment.

The events had unfolded in a manner that made the final outcome look almost inevitable. No one would have thought at the start of it all that it would amount to this. But now, there could be no doubt. It would happen. There was no stopping it. Govind found it almost impossible to contain the mix of excitement and fear.

But now things looked a little different. It almost seemed like time would run out. “So, there still is some unpredictability to the proceedings after all.” Govind thought. Exciting things were still happening, but it looked like it would not end the way Govind had anticipated it to end. Govind felt helpless; wringing his hands that there was nothing he could do either way.

After what seemed like an eternity, the stage was set for the final act. It was as if the whole of the universe waited with bated breath to see what would happen. Govind felt that everything was moving in slow motion. He could hear the beating of his heart, louder than ever before. He could sense his breathing, heavy, almost labored. He held his breath as the final act was set to take place. He felt his heart had stopped breathing. And then it happened.

The relief flooded into Govind’s body in a rush. He let out a loud sigh. He knew that what had happened would go into the history books, and he was glad he had been a witness to it. He still found it hard to believe. It was like the perfect dream, the greatest fairytale. He thanked God that it had happened in his lifetime. And then he jumped for joy. It had finally happened.

Sachin Tendulkar had become the first man to score two hundred runs in a one day international innings.