Heart wrenching adopration Part-34

“All the best Arnav! I know you’ll win!”Khushi squealed, practically flattening me to the ground as she caught up with me  in front of the changing room. I grinned at her rather pleased.

“Thanks khush!”I said fervently. 

“You are still apprehensive, aren’t you?” Khushi asked and I swallowed. As much as I could try to feign nonchalance in front of everyone, I couldn’t get away with my pretences with khushi.

“ Arnav, you are so silly! You are just so perfect! In fact, even though I don’t know a bit about cricket, even I can tell that you’re the best, then what’s the need of fretting over so much?Just show that Singha his actual place and then we’ll party tonight!” Khushi enthused, bobbing up and down on her toes. 

  I was overwhelmed with the confidence she had in me. Really what would I have ever done without her in my life, acting as my own angel?

“Arnav, come on! The match is gonna begin soon!” Rakesh, a teammate of mine called me, emerging out of the changing room.

I darted in the changing room after a swift goodbye to khushi and soon enough I was walking down the pitch with my team, clad in a white jersey, to immense roar of applause. I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear, at the grimaces on our rival team’s face, especially on that of Ranveer at our warm welcome.

“Captains, shake hands!” The umpire ordered and I stepped forward to shake hand with a troll-like boy with pockmarked face-the Captain of the team of Kendriys Vidyalaya, Haryana.  

 The guys clasped my hand more forcefully  than necessary and I glared at him evenly. Playing a fair game was literally a fat chance with Kendriya Vidyalaya, Haryana!

We lost the toss and thus had to bat. I sent Ranjan and Rakesh for the opening and sat in the pavilion all padded up, clutching my helmet and bat. The bowlers of Kendriya Vidyalaya bowled really well, especially Ranveer who took two out of three wickets of our team, leading us to a really tight spot. 

  I went for batting when the fourth wicket fell and I could literally feel my skin prick as I knew that all the spectators must be having their eyes on me.

I looked round the pavilion and wondered where khushi might be. Just the thought of her made me feel all energetic. I reached the pitch and as I turned to take the strike, I saw Ranveer going up to the captain of the team and whisper something, smirking at me evilly. I rolled my eyes , amusedly. 

So, it was going to be one of those days!

I knew what was cooking in Ranveers’s mind and sure enough as if to confirm my theory, latter took up the ball. I tried to hit the ball to the mid- off, but couldn’t manage to score run.

Ranveer looked rather pleased with himself and discreetly showed his middle finger to me so that no one except the wicket keeper noticed and laughed rather unpleasantly. I glowered at him and clenched my fist, fighting the urge to make the same rude gesture as I had promised khushi that I won’t let that cheap Singha get the better of me.

Focus Arnav! I told myself as I grasped my bat tightly and squared me shoulder to face the next delivery. 

I concentrated hard and hit it for a neat six, that had the pavilion erupt loudly with the smattering of applause. I smirked happily at Ranveer who spat on the ground bitterly before bowling  

The game continued in the similar fashion as I was skilfully aided by my teammate Ashish as we made a partnership of 80 run of 45 balls, hitting sixs’ and fours every now and then.  We gradually led our team to a respectable score of 138 in 20 overs and then walked back to the changing room rather pleased with ourselves after all 138 wasn’t a bad score really!

After a short break, the Kendriya Vidyalya took to bat and I got busy arranging my team on the ground. I had made my team practice hard for a month for this moment and now it was here, the grand scene, whether we’ll make it or mar it, we didn’t know!\

The game became very high-voltage and as it inched towards the climax, the entire stadium ‘Oohed’ and ‘Aahed’ in unison. Every time someone from Kendriya Vidyalaya hit a boundary, the audience booed and jeered and whenever any one of them  got out, the stands nearly exploded with cheers. 

We fought really hard and ultimately when we won the match with 20 runs and 2 wickets, the entire crowd was on their feet, even teachers were jumping up and down enthusiastically, all dignity forgotten.

I took a stump, waving it above the heads of my teammates as they caught me in a fierce embrace. I searched for Ranveer in the crowd which came pouring out from the stands, feeling rather ecstatic because it was me who had caught the catch that got him dismissed. 

Suddenly, I felt a small, warm hand encircling my arm as khushi teared through the caught and latched herself on me, jumping madly.

“You won! You won! YOU WON! Yay!! Arnav, you showed him! You showed that Ranveer Singha so DAMN well! You were simply WOW!” Khushi screamed herself hoarse, clutching my arm and bobbing like a child.

“YOU DID IT ARNAV!” She continued screaming as we ambled towards the stage where the Principal stood grinning, clutching the cup. 

As I was dragged my laughing and cheering teammates and rest of the school up the stage, I grabbed khushi’s arm, pulling her along. After all, it was khushi who was the sole reason that I had won the match...she was the source of my encouragement and hope throughout, then I could forgo her at this crucial juncture of my success.

“Come on khushi!” I said.

“Arnav what?”Khushi asked me, perplexed as I towed her with me through the crowd.

“Khushi, you are the sole reason I reached here! You led me here, making me come out of my past that haunted me for so long! You gave me the courage to take Ranveer face-on, otherwise I never had the guts to do that khush! You know what, you are my lucky charm,  my source of courage and encouragement. This cup is as much mine and my team mates as it is yours and so I want you to be there with me...now and always!”I stated simply, letting her know a bit of what I really felt for her and smiled at the stumped expression on her face. 

She looked stupefied, so I simply pulled her with me, taking advantage of her momentary silence and as I rose the Winner’s cup in the air, amidst the cheering crowd, with khushi at my side, I truly felt like the luckiest guy alive!