First Words

As soon as I entered the track, I was met by an older gentleman who I see every time and with whom I have run a few times.

Aaj kya, he said.

It wasn’t yet dawn. These were the first words I had heard today. 

Continuous, I said. My first word for the day. 

Chalo, he said. As if it was obvious that we should run together.

I pointed at Lane 10. He nodded and we began. 

In the first lap, he grumbled ever so slightly about his glutes and kidneys. Ya glutes ki problem hai ya kidney ki problem. I murmured that he should have it checked out and he grunted.

For the next fifty minutes we scarcely said a word. Just in step running lane ten. Some joined in for a few laps. No words exchanged.

A fist bump and a nod at the end was enough. 

It was quite the perfect way to start the week.