Skipping

Ayaan entered the bathroom and was immediately smacked by the humid air as he looked at the variety of bottles and soaps covering the shelf.

He looked at the variety of bottles and soaps in the bathroom and wondered what they were for. Some of them he recognized as shampoo, but others he didn't know. He looked puzzled when he took a bottle with the word "conditioner" written on it.

"What the hell is this for? Is it just another type of shampoo?"

He took off his clothes and entered the shower, turning on the faucet to let the water flow. He reached for a bar of soap and started washing every part of his body.

Ayaan was determined that today was the beginning of a brand new chapter in his life. He was prepared to change into an entirely different person.

After taking a shower, Ayaan felt refreshed and rejuvenated. He took a bottle of shampoo from the rack and lathered it into his tangled, dark hair to wash the grime and dirt out of it.

After finishing, he dried off before leaving the bathroom by draping a soft towel around his waist.

He quickly changed into a fresh t-shirt and shorts since he was ready to begin his workout at the gym.

"Oye, kid, come here." The old man's voice rang in his ear as he turned to see him at the small cabin.

He walked toward the cabin, a little office space close to the gym's entrance.

The old man inside tossed a nail cutter at him, and he caught it, staring at the old man with a puzzled expression.

"Cut your nails with this."

"H... How?"

The old man approached him, and he seized the nail cutter from his grasp. He gently trimmed the nail on Ayaan's pinky finger to show how to correctly cut nails.

"Will you be able to do it now?" the old man asked while handing over the nail cutter.

Ayaan nodded.

The old man watched him trim his fingernails and toenails with great care.

"How did you trim your nails until now?"

"I simply bite it off with my teeth." He replied.

"Kid, where did you come from?" the old man asked.

"From the slums."

"And where are your parents? Will they not be worried about where you have gone?"

"I don't have any parents; I am alone."

The old man watched in silence as Ayaan finished trimming his nails.

After he was done, the old man carefully examined Ayaan's body, checking the muscles in his legs and arms.

"Listen, kid. If you have to learn how to fight, then you have to listen to my instructions carefully.

"Every morning starting tomorrow, you have to get up early and clean the toilets and hall. When I come and open the gym, everything should be cleaned until then. After that, you have to follow my instructions no matter what they are."

"Yes sir!" Ayaan inclined his body in a humble bow, a gesture of respect.

"Good. Now go and take a skipping rope and start skipping. Do you know how to do it?"

"Yes, I have done it sometimes when I used to play with some kids in the slums.

"Okay, go on then."

He gave a nod to the old man and walked into the hall, tiptoed towards the rack, trying not to disturb anyone, and took one of the skipping ropes quietly.

Looking around the gym, trying to find a place where he could practice without disturbing others. He snuck into a vacant nook and approached it silently.

Ensuring not to draw attention, he began to skip, the rhythmic thump of the rope on the floor accompanying his every jump.

Ayaan found it difficult to get into a rhythm when he was skipping and occasionally tripped over the rope. He continued, though, and eventually got his rhythm, jumping smoothly and maintaining the tempo without skipping a beat.

The old man was sitting at his desk looking through some documents, occasionally looking up to give guidance to the boxers and gym-goers. An hour passed by in this way.

"Hmm... Let's see how he's doing."

The old man emerged from his cabin, taking a sweeping glance around the gym to assess the patrons. His eyes fell on Ayaan, who was in a corner, dripping with sweat but persistently jumping rope.

The boy's impressive stamina caught the old man's attention. Perhaps his tough living conditions have forged his endurance and determination, though the old man noticed signs of malnourishment.

"Stop now," he said.

After the exhausting rope-skipping session, Ayaan dropped to the floor, his chest heaving as he tried to regain his breath.

"How does it feel? This is not even the start; there will be more grueling workouts in the future." The old man said.

"I... had fun... Can't wait... for more."

The old man's lips curled into a smile upon hearing that.

"Come with me; let's have lunch. You need proper food from now on if you have to keep moving towards your goal."

Ayaan got up, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and trailed after the old man into his cabin.

He dialed the number and placed an order for some eggs. Meanwhile, retrieved a large lunch box from his bag, which he opened, releasing the mouth-watering scent of freshly cooked vegetables, rice, and roti. Ayaan's stomach growled in response.

"Come eat."

Ayaan stared at the enormous amount of food in front of him, his eyes widening in wonder. Tears trickled down his face as he tasted the delicious food he hurriedly plunged in and started eating.

He couldn't remember ever having so much food in one sitting.

A little while later, the eggs were brought in, and the old man handed them over to Ayaan.

"Today, I will take you to a boxing match in the evening."

Ayaan nodded in response.