Race, of a different kind

Shyam was getting impatient. The calming greenfield did nothing to alleviate his irritation. He only watched her from the corner of his eye.

She skipped thrice, stood at ease for less than a second, and immediately launched towards the cockpit of the airplane with two quick jumps. She quickly scooped up her prized possession and started the return trip.

With five quick jumps she was back to the tail end.

Level 9 done, she smirked, to no one in particular.

“Damn. No mistakes made,” her brother admitted grudgingly.

The two were playing hopscotch: The rules of the game were simple: throw a stone into one of the many boxes on the airplane-shaped play-field. Skip to the box, and get the stone back. You played until you strayed away from the boundaries.

For the longest time, Shyam was unbeaten in this game.

Only recently, had he carved out an airplane on the ground by digging large mud trenches in a greenfield. Because the ground was his, he considered himself a better and more dedicated player.

But today, Ramya seemed to be unstoppable. She had zoomed past 9 levels, blocking any and all chances for him to play.

So he simply faced away from her and started wandering to the other side of the plane. What you cant see, cant hurt you, he thought to himself.

In the meantime, Ramya had crossed yet another level! Crossing the 10^th level meant you had to start throwing the stone to the farthest end of the plane, blindfolded.  The farther you threw the more points you got.

She clamped her eyes shut, and lobbed the stone to the other end of the plane.

Splat!

Ow!

Arghh.

The multiple unpleasant sounds told her what had happened.

The stone had landed directly on her brother’s head, who at the time, was wandering on the field.

He lay there, arms splayed, teeth bloodied. 

He stared. She only turned away.

If speed was his talent, anticipating the future was hers. The two were the last remaining giants, left on the earth, with tons of time, and little to no work to do.

Even as Shyam got ready to claim his revenge, Ramya moved slightly to the left.

The stone landed a few feet away from her, and she smiled triumphantly.

She calmly lifted the stone, and proceeded to finish the 11^th level.

“No no no,” he came charging at her. “You are out. It’s my turn now,” he said.

She did not give in.

He tried to throw a punch at her, and she jumped to the next box.

“You landed in the middle of the field, you idiot, “ she shouted, as she skipped along. “Just as you are now. Now, move,” she said.

She was right.

“I hate you,” Shyam thought. “What cant you be like my other human friends? ..Weak and submissive,” he said aloud.

“Giants or humans..the rules of the game stays the same,” said Ramya. “Now move,” she commanded, as she went on to score a streak till the 15^th level.