Hunger Strikes Hard

By Aarika Gupta

Posted on February 1, 2026

Cover Image Title: Goal Seeking

Cover Image by: Nathan Savone

Classification: Photography

Specifications: Resized from 4032 pixels x 3024 pixels

Location: U.S.A.

Year: 2024

I gasped for air as I moved to the water fountain for a quick sip of water. My soccer cleats clicked on the pavement as the stream of water flushed out and the cool drink floated, then dried in my mouth. I made no haste as I wiped my mouth, but then a sudden rumbling flashed through my body. All I could expect was more water to flow down my esophagus, but nothing helped. Stomach ache? I thought, Nah, I didn’t eat anything–until this morning. I stared down at my stomach—so bare.

 I would over-exert myself if I kept going, or I could make my team proud and win the championship. I decided the championship was much more important, so I hustled into the field and started kicking the ball. Hoping my stomach would ignore the fact that it was hungry. 

I felt a little dizzy, but not to the point that I’d faint. My eyes started drooping as I tried to keep my balance and stay on my feet. My friend shoved my arm and asked, “Didn’t you get enough sleep before coming?” 

I nodded as I continued to kick the ball forward and forward into the net until it went in.

I scored a point for my team. 

“WOOHOO!” The crowd yelled as I smiled at all the parents who were clapping.

My eyes started to droop even more as the referee called an end to the game. I took a sip from the water fountain and exhaled slowly. As I took each step, my stomach started to feel more and more empty. I-should-have-brought-a-granola-bar. My mind stuttered as if it were ready to faint from the abandoned muscle.

My mother walked over to me and smiled, “Let’s go home now.”

I nodded as I dropped my head on the car seat, closing my eyes ever so slightly from the pain I felt in my whole body. She looked at my face, which was sweating and heavy from my exhalation. She looked through her purse and found a small aluminum foil package, a grilled-cheese sandwich. The foil crinkled as she handed it to me. “Here, you must be hungry from the game.”

I nodded. All I could do was indulge in the sandwich, letting the cheese melt in my mouth. It felt as if Mexican Maracas were playing with a jolly singer playing his heart out on his guitar. My face, my body—it felt light. It felt as if a whole factory turned back on after a power outage. We rode off towards home. 

Now that I realize it, this event taught me something. No, not “eat food before a big game”. Something more like food is a necessity. Without it, people can starve to death. This soccer game may have been an hour or two, but any longer could’ve landed me in the hospital. So I urge you, food may seem like a simplistic thing, but in the end, we all need it.    

[ Writing Editor: J.Y. ]