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Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa: "I Need Ice, NOW!"

Rahul Prabhakar severely injured his ankle during a crucial cricket match but insisted the physio treat it with ice so he could continue playing and help his team win. The physio was skeptical but relented to Rahul's pleas and treated his ankle. Rahul then limped back to continue playing through the pain.

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51 views2 pages

Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa: "I Need Ice, NOW!"

Rahul Prabhakar severely injured his ankle during a crucial cricket match but insisted the physio treat it with ice so he could continue playing and help his team win. The physio was skeptical but relented to Rahul's pleas and treated his ankle. Rahul then limped back to continue playing through the pain.

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ARR V
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“I need Ice, NOW!

Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

Rahul Prabhakar screamed in agony, clutching his ankle. A collective groan arose from the bowels of the
Mangaung Oval. The match was tantalizingly poised – India was playing their arch-nemeses, Pakistan in
the Cricket World Cup Finals. Chasing 283 to win, Pakistan had accumulated 192 runs for the loss of
three wickets, all three Pakistani batsmen falling to Indian star all-rounder Rahul Prabhakar.

While landing at the bowling crease, Rahul’s left foot slipped and he landed heavily on his ankle,
immediately straining it all the way down to the tendons. Tears poured down from his eyes, the pain
was only partly responsible, as he signaled frantically for the team physio.

Jonathan Kendrick, the portly Australian physio of the Indian Cricket team, waddled down to the pitch
with his kit in tow. He immediately set about examining the swollen ankle – pushing and prodding to
determine the extent of the damage.

“Looks like you’ve done some major damage to your ankle, RP”, Jonathan declared solemnly. “Guess
your night is over. Sorry, mate.”

“No way, Jon. Ice the damned ankle. I need to play. I have six more overs and I won’t quit now.”

“Mate, it looks like a serious ligament injury – might even be a tear. I can’t clear you to bowl now. You
might end up doing some permanent damage.”

“I don’t give a damn, Jon. I would take retiring tomorrow morning if I can win tonight. Work your magic,
my friend. Please.”

With an understanding nod, Jon started his treatment. The noise inside the stadium that started as a
faint murmur increased to a roaring crescendo as Rahul Prabhakar stood up gingerly and limped to mark
his run-up.

“I need Ice, NOW!”

Muro, Mallorca, Spain

Krishna called out to the Maitre D’ as Erica gazed at him in amusement. They were at Giordano’s, a
quaint little Italian restaurant in Muro – a tiny municipality in the northeast of Mallorca. Their long
awaited vacation had gone off to a great start – hikes through the Serra de Tramuntana, strolls through
the old town part of Alcudia and visits to the Dragon Caves (Cuevas del Drach) complete with the
brilliant concert towards the end. They ate sumptuous food in charming little bistros, swam to their
heart’s content in the crystal clear blue of the Mediterranean and made passionate love in secret
alcoves along the white sanded beaches, with seagulls their only witnesses.
The Maitre D’ arrived with the ice bucket. Krishna was nursing a Glendronach 18 and Erica was sipping
her second glass of Dom Perignon.

“Just three cubes, por favor”, Ice met glass and made a faint clinking sound, smothered by the single
malt. Krishna looked into the ice bucket and frowned.

“Disculpe. Que es esto?”

“Esto el hielo, señor. Just as you asked.”

Krishna pushed the ice bucket over to Erica. “Sweetheart, why don’t you take a look at this?”

Erica’s interest was piqued. She peered into the ice bucket. A beautiful Solitaire winked back at her from
amidst its cheap imitators.

“I need Ice, NOW!”

Redfern, Sydney, Australia

Dheeraj moaned, his hands folded in a desperate plea. His body shuddered, it’s central nervous system
desperately craving a shot of the Methamphetamine it was used to. He was hunched pathetically
against a rotting wooden garage door.

“Tony, I need Ice real bad, mate.”

Tony, his dealer, a six-foot-seven-inch figure of raw power and menace viewed him without any
sympathy.

“You know how this works, D. You get me the Pineapples, I get you the Ice.” He made to move. Dheeraj
moved across to block him, even as he struggled to maintain vertical posture.

“Tony, Please mate. I need it now. Just look at me, mate. I can’t move ten feet without the damned Ice.
You know I’m good for the money.”

“D. Last time, mate. And I need the Pineapples by the evening. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn ya”, Tony
tossed a small pouch in Dheeraj’s general vicinity and walked away. Dheeraj scrambled greedily to pick it
from the ground, his mind swimming with hopes of happy thoughts.

Twenty years ago

“I need Ice, NOW!”

A five-year-old Dheeraj screamed at his mother. Behind him, Rahul and Krishna exchanged victorious
grins. They would feast on the delicious vermicelli popsicles that day. The ice cream vendor smiled at
them.

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