Chapter 18:Flashback
Flshback starts six years ago:
Shubman's age-(22)
"Dad, do we really have to move to Jharkhand? I don't wanna leave Mumbai," Shubman whined, his frustration evident in his voice.
His father, a weary look in his eyes, replied, "Son, I understand your reluctance, but it's necessary for the business. I can go alone if it's too much for you."
Shubman shook his head vehemently. "No, Dad, I can't let you go alone, especially after Mom..."
His voice trailed off, the pain of his mother's loss still raw after all these years. Since her passing, Shubman had become his father's constant companion, unable to bear the thought of leaving him alone amidst his grief.
With a resigned sigh, Shubman began packing his belongings. Sebastian (his manager) , stood nearby, a silent pillar of support. Sebastian, the son of Shubman's father's bodyguard, had been by their side through thick and thin, accompanying them on their countless journeys across states.
As Shubman folded his clothes, his mind wandered to the darker side of his family's legacy. Behind the façade of richness and success lay a cruel reality that Shubman was all too familiar with. His father and uncle, leading figures in the cutthroat business industry, had inherited not only wealth and power but also a darker side that seemed to be passed down through generations.
Shubman knew the whispers that circulated about his family, the rumors of a hidden darkness lurking beneath their polished exterior. It was an open secret, known to all but spoken of in hushed tones.
Leading for two generations and still stay at number one wasn't a game of saint, Shubman understands it very well.But it was a burden they carried, weighed down by the secrets and sins of their forefathers.
As he zipped up his suitcase, Shubman couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over him. Despite the allure of wealth and influence, he couldn't help but wonder at what cost it came.
When Shubman was just a kid, he hated the scary sounds he sometimes heard around from the garage's basement. Whenever he heard people screaming or begging for their lives from basement, he'd cover his ears or run outside to play cricket. Cricket was his thing, his way of forgetting about all the scary stuff happening around him.
Shubman wasn't the most outgoing kid. He didn't have many friends,he was the shy one always.So he mostly hung out with his cricket coach or their gardener. The gardener was a nice guy who always brought him flowers. They'd spend hours playing cricket together, even though the gardener wasn't great at bowling and didn’t know anything about cricket.He would just throw balls at random and Shubman would defense it.
One day, Shubman's dad saw them playing and got him a fancy balling machine to practice with instead. His dad said they shouldn't get too close to people like the gardener, because they couldn't trust them.His father didn't trust anyone except Shubman,his uncle and his mother.Shubman didn't really get it, but he did what his dad said when he was around.He was always a obedient boy.
Despite the shadows that loomed over his family's legacy, Shubman held his father in high regard.He idolizes him.His father, despite his flaws, was a pillar of strength and stability in Shubman's life. As a husband and father, he excelled, showering his family with love and affection.
Every day, without fail, Shubman's father would return home with a bouquet of flowers, a small gesture that spoke volumes about his devotion to his wife. Occasionally, he would whisk Shubman's mother away on fancy dinner dates, treating her to a night of luxury and romance. Shubman admired this side of his father, the side that showed him capable of tenderness and affection.
But it was the moments spent with his father on the cricket field that Shubman cherished the most. Despite the weight of his responsibilities, his father always made time to play with him, setting aside business matters to focus solely on their shared love for the game.
Shubman would eagerly await his father's return home, his heart filled with excitement at the prospect of showing him the new batting tricks he had learned. Though they were often simple maneuvers, his father's face would light up with pride, his eyes shining with genuine admiration for his son's accomplishment.
Capturing these precious moments on film became a regular ritual for his father, a way of immortalizing the bond between father and son. In those fleeting moments of joy, Shubman used to found solace amidst the chaos and loneliness.
One day, as Shubman watched his father from a distance, he noticed a bulky man standing nearby, clad in a tailored suit that strained against his muscular frame. Curiosity rose, Shubman approached his father,with a curious look.
"Dad, why do you need a bodyguard?" Shubman questioned, his gaze flickering between his father and the imposing figure by his side. "Are you in danger?"
His father chuckled, pulling Shubman onto his lap. "Well, Shubman, sometimes it's just nice to have someone around for company."
Shubman wrinkled his nose in confusion. "But Dad, aren't bodyguards only for movie heroes? Are we in danger?"
His father ruffled his hair affectionately. "No, no, we're not in danger, champ. It's just for companion. Besides,he has a son around your age. You'll meet him soon"
Shubman's Excitement lit up Shubman's eyes. "Really? That's cool! Maybe we can play cricket together!"
His father nodded with a smile. "I'm sure you'll get along just fine,my boy."
Shubman didn’t like Jharkhand.Well don't blame him,someone who lived in Mumbai,It's not easy for them to like Jharkhand on the very first day.
As Shubman settled into their new home in Jharkhand, he found himself spending a lot of time alone while his father was busy with work. At first, the solitude felt overwhelming, but Shubman soon discovered solace in the familiar rhythm of his cricket practice.
One sunny afternoon at the local academy, Shubman caught the eye of the coach as he effortlessly sent balls flying across the field with precision and power. Among the other players, one boy stood out—Abhishek, with his infectious enthusiasm and natural talent.
"Hey, nice shot!" Abhishek called out as Shubman effortlessly dispatched another delivery to the boundary.
Shubman flashed him a grin, impressed by Abhishek's keen observation. "Thanks! You've got a pretty solid swing yourself."
From that moment on, a bond began to form between them, fueled by their shared passion for the game and a mutual respect for each other's skills. As they spent more time together on the field, their friendship blossomed, strengthened by countless hours of practice and friendly competition.
Man, I can't believe you nailed that cover drive!" Abhishek exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration. "You've got some serious talent, Shubman."
Shubman shrugged modestly, but a spark of pride gleamed in his eyes. "Thanks, Abhishek. But I've seen you pull off some pretty impressive shots too. We make a great team."
Their camaraderie extended beyond the cricket field, as they shared stories and dreams while lounging under the shade of a nearby tree during breaks. From discussing their favorite players to exchanging tips on technique, Shubman and Abhishek forged a bond that went beyond mere teammates—they were friends, united by their love for the game.
"You know, Shubman, I've always dreamed of playing professionally," Abhishek confessed one day, his voice tinged with determination. "But sometimes, it feels like a long shot, you know!"
Shubman clapped him on the back, a reassuring smile playing on his lips. "Hey, nothing worth having comes easy. If one keep working hard and pushing each other, who knows what one can achieve?"
With each passing day, their friendship deepened, weathering the highs and lows of life both on and off the cricket field.
One day Abhishek took him to a birthday party of one of his local friend
As Shubman stepped into the venue of Abhishek's friend's birthday celebration, his gaze was immediately drawn to a young man who stood out from the crowd. With his long hair cascading around his face,ears pierced,an impish glint in his eyes, and a laughter that seemed to effortlessly fill the room.He didn’t notice them coming.
"Hey, Shubman, come meet my school friends"
Shubman watch Abhishek to go to the crowd, to that said pretty boy who was surrounded by a group of laughing friends.That boy's eyes sparkled with mischief as he regaled the group with animated tales, his laughter filling the room with joy.
When Shubman decided to go to them,at that very moment he got a call from Sebastian,to come home urgently as his father was feeling sick.
Shubman had to go back without knowing the pretty boy's name.
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