Leg Before Destiny
Reyansh "Rey" Nanda was once India's most promising cricketer-unstoppable on the field, untouchable in fame. Until one match changed everything. Accused in a doping scandal, abandoned by his team, and shunned by the sport he loved, he disappeared overnight.Five years later, he's a ghost of his former self, living under a new name in Dharamshala, where cricket is nothing but a painful memory. His days are spent fixing broken furniture, trekking through the mountains, and sipping coffee at a small hillside café run by Eshani-a woman who has no idea who he really is and no interest in finding out.Eshani lost her father to the dark side of the sport-betting, alcohol, and debts that didn't die with him. To her, cricketers are nothing but selfish men who ruin lives. She doesn't know who Rey really is, and he has no reason to tell her. He keeps his past buried beneath his rugged, unrecognizable appearance, never talking about cricket. But sometimes, at a tea stall, when a match plays in the background, the words slip out before he can stop them-"That shot was too risky," or "The field placement is all wrong." The moment he hears himself, he stiffens, his heart pounding. He quickly looks around, making sure no one noticed, and when he finds no curious eyes on him, he exhales in quiet relief-just another close call.He wanted to hate cricket, but he couldn't. She already does. Yet, when Rey finally opens his heart to Eshani, he also opens the door to his past-a past that could destroy everything between them. Because when she finds out who he really is, she isn't just heartbroken. She's furious.…