The Young Gymnast Who Sprained her Ankle

It’s been two years since Bia joined Superstars Gymnastics Club. It was not easy, but she enjoyed it. Repeatedly falling down and injuring her arms, she did not quit. Even though she had almost broken her legs, she was still fond of doing this. Since then, being a gymnast has become her dream of the future. Luckily her mother is not as rigid as typical Indonesian parents. Therefore, having such a dream is acceptable. She thought that being a gymnast was something wonderful anyway. In the Club’s Hall Today was the last day of practice. Bia and her friends were practicing very hard. They were enthusiastic but nervous at the same time. Tomorrow they’ll have a rest day before leaving for Jakarta for the tournament she’s been waiting for the Gymnastics Friendship Meet 2024-organized by British School Jakarta. 

Bia: (Mumbling while practicing some moves.) I love these moves so much. They make me feel like a pretty swan flying in the blue sky. (She then giggled) 

Zara: Yes, you’re the expert on that. Nobody can beat you, queen (Giggling). 

Bia: Stop it, Zara. You can do that, too. I’ll teach you how. It’s only a matter of strong will and hard work. 

Zara: Alright, Queen Bia… 

Bia & Zara: Laughing loudly at the same time. 

Ronald had just arrived and Raffan returned from the toilet and asked what happened. 

Raffan: Hey. What are you guys up to? Something funny? 

Ronald: Yeah, what's up? Bia: Nothing, bro. Zara just kept teasing me about what I do. 

Raffan: Hope you’re not jealous of her, Zara. 

Zara: Of course not, Fan. I like to see her blushing when she gets called “Queen Bia”. 

Bia, Zara, Ronald & Raffan: Laughing even louder. 

Coach Bisma: (From where he was, a little shouting) Hi, what are you guys doing? We only have an hour left today. Make sure to make it count. 

Bia, Zara, Ronald & Raffan: Well noted, handsome coach… hahaha. 

Coach Bisma's relationship with his gymnasts was casual. He did not require them to bow and use rigid language as their age gap is only 5 years. After a second, they got back to practicing again. Unluckily, after two minutes, Bia could not land her body smoothly. She might be very tired. Her right foot was not ready to land but she could not stop her body. Then when her foot touched the mattress… 

Bia: Ouch! (Bia screamed very loudly, then sat sideways) 

Coach Bisma, Zara, Ronald, and Raffan ran towards Bia. 

Coach Bisma: Are you OK? Ronald Bia! How are you feeling? 

Zara: Bia, what happened? 

Raffan: Was the mattress slippery? 

Coach Bisma: Now rest your leg slowly and carefully. I’ll give you a light massage. 

Raffan: Here’s the pain killer spray. 

Zara: Let me hold you back and lead you to sit on the bench. It’s gonna make you feel better as you can rest your back. 

On the way home, Bia felt very frustrated. Tears came out of her eyes. Taking part in the tournament has been a dream of her life. However, when she sprained her right ankle, it was all blown away. At Bia’s Home Bia was in her bedroom feeling weak and painful on her right ankle. It was swollen very badly. 

Mom: (Knocking on the door) Can I come in? 

Bia: (hurting) Yeah. Sure Mom, please. Mom, I got you some yummy fries and ice gel to help you ease the pain in your ankle. 

Bia: (Smiling and feeling grateful) Ohhhh thanks, Mom. You’re such an angel. Love you so much!

Mom: Ohhh, stop it darling! Ehhmmmm do you mind if I ask you about the tournament? 

Bia: (Eating some of the fries and trying to hide her tears) Mom, I want to join the tournament. But I felt so stupid, I should’ve been more careful landing in the right position. Arrrgggghhh! (cover her face with her hands). 

Mom: (Rubbing her daughter’s shoulder) Hey! That was an accident. Everyone made mistakes in their life. But the points are to learn from them and to figure out what we can do to ourselves. Don’t give up! 

Bia: (Sobbing) Should I just call my coach again? Because I really want to join and I can do better this time! (Convincingly)

Mom: Oh darling (touching Bia’s hair). If you think you can do it you should give it a go. 

Bia: (Still sobbing, wiping off her tears) Ohh Mommy. I don’t know what to do without you. (Holding her mom tightly) 

Mom: Ohhh Bia. I love you more than anything in this world. (letting go of Bia's hand and holding her shoulders) But you have to promise me that you will be more careful and try your best not to hurt yourself again! 

Bia: (Smiling) Yes, Mom. I’ll try my best! (Laughing together) 

Mom: (Laughing and smiling) Now try to call your coach again and convince him. OK? 

Bia: Okay. (Wiping off her tears) Bia grabbed her phone and dialed her coach's number. 

Bia (on the phone): (While sobbing) Assalaamu’alaikum. Good morning coach. Sorry for disturbing you, but can I join the team and compete? I don’t care if I’m gonna sprain my ankle even worse. All I know is that I wanna be in the tournament. I’ve been waiting for this for the last two years, and don't want to let it slide away. I promise I’ll do my best. 

Coach Bisma (on the phone): Wa’alaikumsalam. (Sighing) fuhhh. Bia, of course, I want you to be on the team. But I need to care about your condition. I don’t want you to make your ankle even worse. You can still join this next year. 

Bia (on the phone): Please, coach. This is the only wish I’d like to ask you for. I’ll never ask for such a thing again. I'll be careful. I’ve asked my dad to buy me extra bandages and painkiller spray. And I also got massaged last night. My father called a therapist to help me with that. 

Coach Bisma (on the phone): But I require your parents to join us and be prepared for everything, including something we never wish to happen. 

Bia (on the phone): Thank you, coach. You’re not only a coach. You’re an angel. Wassalaamu’alaikum. Coach Bisma (on the phone): I wish I were an angel. Wa’alaikumsalam. 

In the British School Jakarta’s Gymnasium

The day has come. British School Jakarta’s gymnasium was noisy and packed with all the participants and spectators. Deep inside, Bia got even more nervous and her heart thumped quickly. She’s been dressed in her gymnastics leotard. She even forgot the pain in her ankle. All she felt was excitement. She felt ready to show off. Then the speaker said, “Please welcome, Zabia Nitisastra Utama from Superstars Gymnastics Club Yogyakarta”. As her breath beat faster, she did her best to control her feelings. Then she did the moves, the best she could do. Although trembling, her moves looked perfect. Even coaches Bisma, Zara, Ronald, and Raffan could not believe it. Not even her parents. 

Raffan: Bia!!! You did it! But are you OK? Is your ankle alright? 

Ronald: There you go Bia!! You did great! 

Zara: Hey, Queen! So now, it's not even an exaggeration to call you a queen? 

Bia: (Grimacing while touching her right ankle, holding her pain). Sssstop ttteasing me, gggirl. Then she went unconscious. 

Ronald, Raffan, Zara, Coach Bisma: Bia!!! 

Coach Bisma: Ronald, help me hold her. Raffan, please call the medical team. Zara, help me rest her on that bench. 

Later that day, Bia was brought to the nearest hospital and properly treated. The doctor said that she was exhausted and held her pain until she went unconscious. However, very surprisingly, she was announced to place the second runner-up for solo women’s artistic, and Zara and Raffan got into the big 10. They were happy but sorry for Bia.