Raj sat alone in the practice hall which is surrounded by cloth pieces, straps, threads, and a big cardboard box with the number "10" written in red.Ten gloves.Ten RajCraft gloves.That was the sponsor's first small order which we have to made. And the deadline time was only one week.He had never made more than two at a time before.
Now, he must make ten. All the size should be same along with same quality which also should contain same feel of using and each and every one of them had to work.
He did not start the work right away.Instead, he just sat there with the materials spread around him.His hands didn't move.His mind is thinking many thoughts like:
-What if they tear while using in start?
-What if they say I copied again?
-What if the design isn't good enough?
He looked at the table for a long time.Then finally started picking up the first piece of cloth.That night, he stitched the base of the first glove.The foam was a little too thick. It didn't bend right.He pulled it apart and started again.The second try was better.But it was still not perfect.He did not sleep at all that night.
By morning, he had two half-ready gloves.Only eight more to go.
In the afternoon, Uday asked:"Bro, you've gone quiet again."
Raj replied:"I've been working.""Eat something," Uday said. "You sound like your own glove."
Raj smiled weakly. "I'll eat when the tenth one is done."
Uday said,"You sound like a movie villain."
"I feel like one," Raj said.Uday was quiet for a moment.Then he said, "You remember the first glove? The one that looked like a wet towel?"
Raj laughed.That laugh felt real.Just for a span of second.
By day three, Raj had finished four gloves.They weren't perfect, but they worked.Each stitch hurt his fingers more than the last.His eyes were tired. His back was hurting.But he kept on doing the work.Each glove he made came out a little better than the last.
On day four, something strange happened.After lunch, when he returned to the practice hall, he found a folded note placed on top of his stitching cloth.It didn't mention any name on it of the writer.But the handwriting was neat and clean and also too familiar.In the note it was written as
"Don't build to be seen. Build because it matters. You told me that once."
Raj shocked.He knew these words.He had said them once, but to someone , in his old life.In a moment of weakness. A moment no one should remember in this life.Yet someone did.He looked around the hall.It was empty.It was too silent.Except for the memory now buzzing in his chest.
That evening, Priya stopped him near the dorm stairs.
"You haven't been talking to anyone," she said.
"I've been busy," Raj replied.
Priya said,"You've also been scared."
He looked at her.
"You know you don't have to do this alone," she said.
Raj nodded.But deep down, he still felt alone.Not because no one cared about him.But because no one else remembered the version of him that failed in his previous life.Except maybe that one person.
By the day six, Raj amde eight gloves ready and it's two more to go.His stitches were tighter and stronger than before now.It was also cleaner and he made them faster.Each glove took less time than the last.But the pressure in his chest didn't go away.It grew more heavier.
That night, after finishing glove number nine, he sat by the edge of the field.The stars were shining in the sky.The wind was soft and cool.He took out his notebook and opened to a blank page.Then started drawing.Not a glove.But a memory.His old school wall.The bench he used to sit on.The little girl who once helped him hold a broken bat with tape because they couldn't afford new gear.He didn't know why he drew her.He didn't thought about her in this life.But maybe she was part of RajCraft too.
The next morning, he brought all ten gloves to the academy's sponsor office.The man at the desk checked them carefully.
"Solid work," he said. "We'll start testing this week."
Raj nodded.His hands were hurt.But they didn't shake.Not this time.
Later that day, he went back to the practice hall to clean up his stitching area.Someone had left something on the table again.Another note.Same handwriting.This time it contains the lines:
"You kept your word.
You didn't give up.
You're building it better this time."
He looked at it for a long time.Then turned it over.There was no name mentioned.But on the back was a small drawing.A sunflower which was his favorite flower.But he had never told anyone about.
Except maybe . . .
System window popped out
[System Alert: Identity Clue Strengthened – Spandana]
Emotional Anchor Confirmed. Past Connection: 92%.
She remembers.
But she's waiting.
To be continued.....