Free The 3 Mistakes Of My Life by Chetan Bhagat

degree, this boy's brain is wired differently. Some may call it a
    defect, so I suggest you don't make a big noise about it'
    'He is Indian team material,' Ish said. 'Dr Multani, you know he is.'
    Dr Multani sighed. 'Well, not at the moment. His headaches are a problem, for
    instance. While his brain can analyse fast, it .ilso tires quickly. He needs to stay
    in the game. He has to survive Until his brain gets refreshed to use the gift again.'
    'Can that happen?' Ish said.
    'Yes, under a training regimen. And he has to learn the other aspects of cricket.
    I don't think he ever runs between the wickets. The boy has no stamina. He is
    weak, almost malnourished,' the iloctor said.
    I am going to coach him,' Ish vowed. And Omi will help. Omi will make him eat
    and make him fit.'
    'No, I can't,' Omi refused as all looked at him. 'Dr Verma, tell I hem why I can't.'
    'Because he's a Muslim. Multani, remember Naseer from the Muslim
    University? Ali is his son.'
    'Oh, that Naseer? Yes, he used to campaign in the university elections. Used to
    be a firebrand once, but I have heard that he has toned down.'
    'Yes, he is in politics full time now. Moved from a pure Muslim to a secular
    party,' Dr Verma said.
    Ish looked at Dr Verma, surprised.
    'I found out after you guys left yesterday. Sometimes I feel I run a gossip
    centre, not a clinic' Dr Verma chuckled. 'Anyway, that's the issue then. A priest's
    son teaching a Muslim boy.'
    'I don't want to teach him,' Omi said quickly.
    'Shut up, Omi. You see what we have here?' Ish spoke.
    Omi stood up, gave Ish a disapproving glance and left the room.
    'How about the state academy?' Dr Verma said. 'They'll ruin him,' Ish said.
    'I agree.' Dr Multani paused. 'He is too young, Muslim and poor. And he is
    untrained. I'd suggest you keep this boy and his talent under wraps for now.
    When the time comes, we will see.'
    We left the clinic. I took out four marbles from my pocket and called Ali.
    'Ali, time to go. Here, catch.'
    I threw the four marbles high in the air towards him. I had thrown them
    purposely apart.
    Ali looked away from his game and saw the marbles midair. He remained in his
    squat position and raised his left hand high. One, two, three, four - like a magic
    wand his left hand moved. He caught every single one of them.

    Six

    He won't agree, I spoke to him already,' Ali huffed. We reached the end of
    Belrampur to get to his house. He lived in a particularly squalid pol. Ali pressed
    the bell. I noticed his father's nameplate had a motif of the secular political party.
    Ali, so late again,' his dad said as he opened the door. He wore an impeccable
    black achkan, which contrasted with his white beard and a tight skullcap of lace
    material. He looked around sixty, which meant Ali came late in his life.
    And who are you gentlemen?' he said.
    'I am Ishaan,' Ish said. And this is Govind and Omi. We are Ali's friends.'
    'Friends?' Ali's dad said, underlining the absurd age difference.
    'Yes abba, they came to play cricket at the school. They have a sports shop. I
    told you, remember?' 'Come in,' Ali's dad said.
    We sat in the living room. Ali's mother, wearing a brown-Coloured salwar suit,
    brought in glasses of roohafza. Even though a dupatta covered most of her face, I
    could make out that she must've been at least twenty years younger than her
    husband. She scolded Ali for not studying for his test the next day. I think Indian
    mothers have two tasks - to tell children to eat more or study more.
    'We wanted to talk about coaching Ali,' Ish began after Ali left the room with his
    mom.
    'Cricket coaching? No, thanks. We are not interested,' Ali's dad said in a tone
    that was more conclusive than discussion oriented.
    'But uncle...,' Ish protested.
    'Look above,' Ali's dad said and pointed to the roof, 'look, there are cracks on
    the ceiling. There is this room and one other tiny room that I have taken on rent.
    Does it look like the house of a person who can afford cricket coaching?'
    'We