"Grandpa is the first man I have seen that doesn't watch football," Albert whispered to his cousin while they were watching the Euro2098 championship game between England and Denmark.
"I thought I was the only one who observed it; Grandpa practically doesn't like football," Bernard replied.
"Did you see that? They almost got a goal." Uncle Alfred's scream interrupted the boys chat, and everyone cheered for the goalkeeper for saving the opponent's shot.
"There must be a reason why he doesn't like football because at the viewing in the city, men of grandpa's age still watch football," Albert continued.
"I remembered asking my dad why, and he said I would find out myself. Your dad told me the same, so it looks like there is something they don't want us to know," Albert added.
"My dad never told me too. We can ask Grandpa later, but let's concentrate on the match for now. It's getting more interesting," Bernard replied, and the boys concentrated on the match again.
Every year, the Chitta families gather at their grandpa's place to celebrate Christmas. It was an opportunity for them to reconnect as families since the majority of them live far away from their hometown.
One of the things the men enjoy together during the holiday is the Euro Championship, but Grandpa had never sat with his family to watch football, and for the first time, his grandsons were curious.
"When will the first half of the match be over? I need Albert and Bernard to run errands for me," Grandpa asked on his way to the private living room immediately after he finished cultivating his garden.
Everyone burst into laughter, and Grandpa took a glance around the living room, as he couldn't figure out the reason for the sudden laughter that broke in the living room.
"What's funny?" Grandpa asked as he took a step forward.
"Dad, we don't have the 1st and 2nd half things anymore; these guys now play for a straight 60 minutes, and that's all," Peter, Grandpa's eldest son replied.
"Oh, I didn't remember that's how they play this sport of yours. Boring!" Grandpa replied.
"It's football," Peter replied, and everyone including Grandpa burst into laughter again.
"Grandpa, you should enjoy football with us. It is fun, and you will love it," Albert said immediately after they stopped laughing.
"I would have loved to sit with you all, but this is not football. The real football ended some decades ago," Grandpa replied and retired to his private living room.
The match ended in a draw, and England's chances of qualifying for the knockout stage became slimmer, which bothered Albert a lot.
"Let's just hope we win the last match," Bernard said immediately the final whistle was blown and Uncle Alfred reminded him of Grandpa's errand.
Albert and Bernard dragged themselves to Grandpa's private living room immediately, and upon arriving there, Grandpa was fast asleep, so the boys returned to their dad to enjoy the conversation they were having about the Euro Championship.
Grandpa stepped out later in the evening and requested a cup of coffee as he settled under a big mango tree in his compound to enjoy the evening breeze.
"Grandpa, we came to check on you earlier, but you were fast asleep. Can we still run the errand now?" Albert asked.
"Here is your coffee, sir," Angela interrupted.
"Thanks, Angela," Grandpa replied, taking a sip.
"Boys, it's late, but you can still help me run the errand tomorrow," Grandpa replied to Albert.
"Okay, Grandpa," Albert replied. Bernard whispered to Albert while they were still with grandpa and he nodded in agreement with what his cousin said to him.
"Grandpa, can we ask you something?" Bernard stuttered.
"Have your seat; what's bothering you boys?" Grandpa asked.
"Why don't you like football? It's very unusual for men not to like football," Bernard replied, and Grandpa burst into laughter.
"I have said it jokingly several times, and the only reason why I don't watch football is because this is not football," Grandpa replied.
"But it is called football" Albert replied.
"Yes but the old football is the real football," Grandpa replied, sipping from his coffee cup.
"I never experienced it but have seen videos about the old football," Bernard replied, and Grandpa shook his head as a soft smile briefly appeared on his face.
"You boys wouldn't just make me remember the good old days; you will make me miss the good old days as well," Grandpa replied and stood from his chair.
The boys stood as well and followed Grandpa immediately, he made a gesture for them to follow him. They went to Grandpa's garage, and he led them to his basement from there.
"When I was your age, football was the only thing that made me happy. It gave me hope and I was looking forward to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi," Grandpa said to the boys immediately they settled in the basement.
"We have read about the greatest footballer," Bernard replied.
"Yes, there were many of them, and they gave me the hope of becoming one someday. I never skipped training and was doing so well for myself even though my parents weren't happy about it," Grandpa paused. He told the boys to bring some of the cartons sitting in one corner inside the basement.
"A few years later, I joined Liverpool Academy and became famous as a teenager. I knew my future was going to be bright, and I would never stop working hard to bring my dreams to reality."
"I got my first call-up in the senior team when I was 17, and that was the beginning of my success as a footballer."
Grandpa paused to open one of the cartons while the boys stared at each other. They were surprised to know Grandpa once played the old football professionally.
Grandpa reached for a jersey in the carton he opened and showed the boy
"That was mine, the deadliest teenage sriker at age 19. Scoring goal was what I did best," Grandpa stuttered and for a moment, he recall some beautiful memories from over six decades.
Grandpa brought out some football boots, pictures, awards and medals. He told the boys stories about every item in the box and the kids were fascinated.
"Wow, how come our dad never told us about all these things?" Bernard asked.
"They found out just like you and it didn't mean much to them. The real football was gradually fading away when I had Peter and he only saw just little while the others never watched," Grandpa replied.
"I guess we missed a lot. I wish I could travel back in time just to watch grandpa play back then," Albert muttered.
"That's not possible, but I hope the real football returns someday," Grandpa replied.
"You have some balls here too," Alfred said after opening the only carton grandpa didn't touch.
"Yes, those were balls I got for scoring hat-tricks back then. I gave some out when the era of good football ended," Grandpa replied.
The long chat finally ended, and they left the basement since it was already night.
"So boys, that's it. Seeing these robots run around kicking balls was never exciting to me."
"They just kick the ball around with zero excitement or emotion; there is no feeling whatsoever attached to the game anymore. You see why this game should be called metal ball and not football." Grandpa rounded up the discussion, and they retired to the dining room after.
Bernard and Albert didn't stop thinking about everything Grandpa said and they really wished to experience the old football game just once.
