Every evening a bunch of youngsters gather at the field downstairs to play football.
They've been playing football ever since they broke the window glass of the old man, staying on the 5th floor,while playing cricket. That was the end of my association with those kids half my age.You can play cricket all day... fielding at the boundary beneath the tree,or bowling leg spinners,or umpiring... no fuss.. no loss of energy!!
  Football is very demanding.It needs a lot of energy.
Every evening the intercom rings n some small kid pops up..
" vicky bhaiyya hain..? We are starting the game."
So li'l brother gets into his studs and hops/skips/jumps downstairs.
One fine day he asked me to join them.I bluntly refused the offer.But i agreed to watch their game.It was electrifying.
Next day  i answered the intercom...
"Uncle uncle,vicky bhaiyya hain..?"
I was furious.Uncle... I'm not bald,i dont have a moustache and most importantly i dont walk with a stick in my hand!
I told the kid to stop calling me uncle.
"Why dont you play with us then..?"
Smart kid.I took up the challenge.
I donned my sporting apparel... jogged around the house.. a few jumps here n there...
phew.. i was feeling like beckam already.
I entered the field and ran across once.I was already imagining that dream goal i was gonna score today...
"What do ya play?"
" I play football."
 "Nah..I mean what position you play?"
Hmmm... Ummm .. "Where does beckam play?"
Five minutes had gone by.I hadnt even had a touch.I was right back,defender.
Then came my lucky break... i managed to push one to the ground.Fortunately the kid wasnt hurt.
There were no cards.So now i had my gameplan.
Fifteen minutes later my head started spinning.I was out of breath.I couldnt continue for long.
"Goalkeeper change..."
The evening at the goalpost was far more enjoyable.The opposition scored a few.My team had to remind me that the goalkeeper can use his hands too!!
The lights started fading.But the game continued under the lamps.I could literally see the stars...Finally it was all over.We all shook hands and headed home.
I didnt dare to answer the phone the next day.But then i thought about it.I was fresh.I wasnt thinking about my boss.I was extra-cheerful at my workplace.I was singing a song when i reached home.And i wasnt even looking for my cell phone.Infact i was feeling great.
So i ran across the field again...
Its a routine now.I feel a lot younger with these kids around.Reminds me of my school days.And most importantly,nobody calls me 'uncle' now...