Troy stormed out of the door. He had gotten tired of watching Nat Geo Wild endlessly with his father while a boxing match was going on. He needed to get to Bryan's room as soon as possible before the match was concluded.
"Troy, come back here" his dad shouted but he would not obey, he was not ready to watch one more second of wildlife.
About five minutes earlier, Mr Rick was pretending to be paying rapt attention to Nat Geo Wild. It was a documentary about various nocturnal animals. He was not oblivious of his son's angry glances, it was in fact on purpose.
He was well aware of Troy's hatred for documentaries but he was not willing to fuel his boxing desires.
"Dad, I can read about these animals later, just switch to the match, it's time" Troy had pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears.
Mr Rick had been forcefully made to retire from boxing two years ago just after his second professional match, due to an uncontrollable bleeding from his nose, mouth and other areas he was hit during the fight. He had been warned by the doctor after his injuries refused to stop bleeding and he had to be transfused with platelet concentrate and some clotting factors.
"Your condition is called haemophilia, it's an abnormal bleeding condition and your injuries would take longer to heal unlike other people" the doctor had said.
"Does that mean I can't fight?" Rick had asked, fearing the worst.
"As long as you will get injured, either when you are hit or when you hit, I advise you stop, because with time, your symptoms may worsen. Already you spent a whole lot to acquire the transfused blood components, and except you were lying about your finances, you may not be able to afford them if you have another episode."
Initially, Rick had ignored the doctors warning and went for his second fight, everything was going so well and he even won the fight but afterwards, when the adrenaline rush was over, he observed there were a lot of bleeding sites on his skin, he also kept getting weak necessitating an emergency visit to the hospital.
"I told you to stop fighting", the doctor had said after resuscitating him "I would inform the boxing federation about your condition, you need to be stopped before you kill yourself"
Rick had accepted his fate and because of his experience, he desperately needed to abate his son's interest in boxing by all means. "I don't want to see you suffer" he had told troy when he realised his son wanted to pursue the career that nearly killed him.
In Bryan's room, Troy could be himself. He became a commentator for the small crowd of friends, he anticipated all the players tactics and even called out fouls before the referee did.
"Troy, you know this boxing thing too well bro, tell me again why does your dad not want to support your dream?" Bryan asked during a short break.
"You know he was forced to retire because of a bleeding condition, he fears I may have the same condition but I am sure I don't" Troy replied, looking sad. "I love boxing bro, I don't think anything would give me happiness if I don't pursue a career in boxing".
Bryan didn't need to be told, he knew his friend too well. "I know about your love for boxing, I vividly remember you begging me to sneak you out to watch a match on your last birthday, against my wish. I only accepted because it was your birthday and you blackmailed me that it would serve as the perfect birthday gift".
Troy remembered perfectly, it was the period his dad made the rule of not watching any match live, you either watch on TV or forget it.
"Troy, I have an idea. I can't deny your love for boxing and since you have not been medically confirmed fit to fight, I suggest you enroll for this referee training" Bryan said handing Troy his phone, he had opened a boxing website it was an advert for basic referee training. "I don't think your dad would object to you being a referee, because the risk of getting hit is low. Also you would be actively involved in the boxing you love so much and with reduced risk of injury so it's a win-win. What do you think?"
"I have never really considered this, but it's a brilliant idea, I think I would make a good referee to start with, I already know all the rules, all I need is the certification" Troy said smiling. "When I get home, I would tell my dad about this, I believe there would not be any issues."
Mr Rick was not opposed to the idea, he infect loved it. "Troy, this is brilliant, somehow I never thought about this. You know what, tomorrow we are going to register for this training, I will take you there. Get your passport and other requirements ready." He said, he looked so alive.
Troy was excited, he seldom saw eye to eye with his dad on important decisions, it seemed like the beginning of a new life to him.
"Next!" The registrar called out after attending to Troy and his dad.
"I am next" Mr Rick said, Troy was surprised.
"Dad, do you want to become a referee too?"
"Yes, I have been unhappy since my forced retirement, I can't wait to get back in the ring, this time as a referee" he said. "I have dreamt many times of being in the ring, but I didn't know how to actualize this dream, but thanks to you my son, I shall be happy again".
Troy didn't know how to respond, it was a shock. He knew his dad was devastated by his inability to fight but had felt he no longer harboured the love for boxing coupled with the way he was always on discovery channel and Nat Geo wild. Little did he know that he was just trying to distract himself from anything boxing.
After the registration was completed, Troy and his dad began the Basic Referee Training together. It was a beautiful bonding moment for father and son.
Troy was always topping the class while his dad was comfortable to pass with the basic grade, he was just pleased to be in boxing again.
At the end of the training, they had to come to the Central Boxing Arena(CBA) for their induction into the National Referees Council. The arena was the biggest boxing stage in the country and
had the most expensive ticket fees. Even as a boxer, Mr Rick wasn't qualified to fight here. It was the dream of every boxer to fight at the CBA even if they lost the fight.
"It had always been my dream to come to the CBA but thanks to this referee training, I don't have to pay a dime to be here" he said to Troy smiling.
"Take a look at the crowd, look at the lighting, see the gigantic ring. This is a forgotten dream come true, thank you again my son. I am so glad to be here today, give me a hug"
Father and son hugged tightly, ignoring the first call for the new referees to have their seat.