NEVER LET THE FEAR OF STRIKING OUT KEEP YOU FROM PLAYING THE GAME.

~KARAN LUTHRA

"The famous cricketer of BPL, Karan Luthra, has been in the talks of being made an Indian National Cricketer.  According to reports, the Indian Cricket team is going to be completely changed. The committee will be bringing in fresh faces. The main team will be announced this Sunday. 

The physiotherapist of the team, Dr. Arvind Sinha, is officially retiring. He announced his retirement on his Instagram handle yesterday. It looks like the whole Indian Cricket crew is undergoing a makeover. There has been no news about who would be taking over Dr. Sinha's position as the official physiotherapist of the team."

The television was suddenly switched off. 

"Karan, why did you switch off the TV? We were watching the news," A lady said.

"Mom, why do you want to see me on the TV? I am right in front of you. The Karan Luthra is standing right in front of you," Karan said to his mother, who had a slight scowl on her face.

"Oh, so you are now making excuses in front of your Mom? If you are THE KARAN LUTHRA, I am also THE RAKHI LUTHRA. Your mother," Rakhi said to her son.

"I was saving electricity. TVs consume a lot of electricity. Stop watching me, Mom. How many times huh?" Karan asked.

"Why should she stop watching her son? Even I like watching you on TV," The deep voice of Mahesh Luthra boomed in the living room of the Luthra Mansion.

"Dad! Why? I am right in front of you. Why do you show so much love to my images?" Karan huffed.

"That is because my grandson is the most dashing dapper dude. DDD," Bani Luthra, the matriarch of the Luthras, said while entering the conversation.

Before Karan could reply, his phone rang. He looked at the caller id. It was his coach. Coach Ahuja had been Karan's coach ever since Karan first held the cricket bat.

"Hello, Coach," Karan answered the call.

"Karan. I called to inform you that we have a board meeting in a few minutes," his coach said. 

"I will be there soon," Karan said and cut the call.

"What happened Karan?" Rakhi asked.

"I have a board meeting in a few minutes," Karan said, "I will be back soon, Maa."

Karan left for the meeting venue. He was driving when he got a call. He connected the call to his car's speaker.

"Hello baby," the cringy voice of Sophia greeted him.

Karan flinched at her tone. Sophia was his current girlfriend in front of the media. She was a model by profession and had quite a large name in the fashion industry.

Why am I stuck with this witch as my girlfriend? Ah, yes. I remember. She was better than the other options. He rolled his eyes internally.

"Sophia, I am busy. I will call you later," Karan said and cut the call without waiting for Sophia to reply.

His car stopped in front of the board complex. He got out of his black car and walked into the building. He was greeted by the many security officials who were standing there. He walked into the board room in style.

"Hello Coach," Karan acknowledged him with a handshake.

"Hi, Karan. We are announcing the new team today," The coach informed him.

"Wasn't it going to be done on Sunday?" Karan queried.

"It will be announced to the public on Sunday. Today, we will be informing the player," Coach Ahuja said.

"OK," Karan replied.

"Coach Ahuja. We want you to announce the eleven new members of the team," one of the Cricket board members called out.

Coach Ahuja nodded and walked to the dais. All the assembled members took their seats on the chairs arranged in the room. Coach Ahuja took a deep breath and started his announcement.

"As every one of you is already aware, the BCCI has decided to change the cricket team for India. We have been grateful to the previous members of the team to bring Indian Cricket to such a high stage. We expect the legacy of Indian Cricket to be carried forward by the new team.

Without much further ado, I announce the team members. Take a deep breath everyone. The first candidate of our front 11 member team is Mishal Vij, the wicketkeeper of the team. The bowlers chosen are Vijay Vats, Arihant Das, Tarun Garg, and Jay Mehta. The batsmen chosen are Krishna Dayal, Purab Brar, Nikhil Zaveri, Gyaan Jha, and Shiv Vyas. A round of applause for each one of you."

Karan was perplexed. Ideally, his name should have been in the five batsmen. Did that mean that he did not make it into the team?

Why was my name not announced? If I was not in the final eleven, then why was I called for the meeting? Am I going to be accepted as a substitute? Karan's thoughts started troubling him.

"I know all of you must be wondering that I have only announced 10 players as of now," The voice of Coach Ahuja brought Karan back to the room.

There were quite a lot of whispers going on in the hall. All of them were opining about who the last member would be. Shiv Vyas was sitting right next to Karan.

"Who do you think it could be?" Shiv asked him.

"I don't know," Karan muttered. Internally, Karan was praying that the last cricketer should be him. Cricket meant the world to him.

"The last member of the main 11 and the captain of the Indian Cricket Team is our very own THE KARAN LUTHRA," Coach Ahuja announced.

Karan's joy knew no bounds when he heard that. He looked at Coach Ahuja. Coach Ahuja was smiling widely at Karan. The whole room was cheering for Karan. Shiv stood up and hugged Karan. Shiv Vyas had always been Karan's best supporter. He had been with Karan ever since he had joined the team.

"Congrats on becoming captain, TKL," Shiv said.

"Thanks," Karan reciprocated, "You too are now with me in the team."

"Yes," Shiv patted him on the back.

Suddenly, Karan's phone rang. He groaned to see who was interrupting such a wonderful moment. He did not want to ruin his mood. His face turned into a frown when he saw the caller. 

SOPHIA

"Go on. Tell your lady love the big news," Shiv urged.

She is not my lady love. She is more like lady trouble. Karan thought as he picked up her call.

"Karan baby," Sophia yelled. Karan moved the phone away from his ear to save it from getting damaged.

"Sophia, I said I was busy," He said, "I would appreciate it if you would stop disturbing me. I will come to meet you later."

Sophia had not been a spoilt brat. She was always the ignored child in her family. A girl child, even in modern society, is not given equal importance as a boy. When she had met Karan, she was a sweet and patient girl. As fame started addicting her, she turned into a rude, spoilt, and impatient woman.

"OK, Karan," She sighed, "I had something really exciting to tell you."

"Shoot," Karan said, bluntly. He wanted to get this done with. He wouldn't have to travel to meet her if she would tell him the reason.

"I have been declared the face of Panache, the best fashion house in the country," she revealed.

A small smile spread on his face. He had seen Sophia work really hard for this. Although she had bad qualities, she always took her work seriously.

"Congratulations Sophia," he said, "Let's celebrate this on Sunday. At the party. After the Indian Team is announced."

"Sure," Sophia agreed and cut the call.

Karan put his phone back in his pocket, but it started ringing again. He took it out to see the caller. It was his mother. 

"Hello Mom," Karan answered the call.

"Karan, come home fast. Your elder brother, Rishabh is meeting a girl today. I want you home," Rakhi said.

"I will try. By the way, who is this girl?" Karan asked.

"Sherlyn Khurana," Rakhi replied, "She is one of your Aunt Kareena's friend Sanjana's daughter."

"I think I have never looked at any of those girls," Karan chuckled.

"Come home fast," Rakhi said while hanging up the call.

Karan walked towards Coach Ahuja and informed him that he had to leave due to personal reasons. After exchanging some pleasantries with the members of the board, Karan left for Luthra Mansion. As he entered the house, he saw his elder brother Rishabh in a three-piece suit sitting with a girl. She looked quite simple. She was fidgeting with her fingers. It was quite clear that Sherlyn was nervous and slightly scared.

"What is your education level, Sherlyn?" Rishabh asked her.

"I have done an MBA in Human Resource Management," Sherlyn replied.

"Sherlyn meet Karan. Karan is Rishabh's younger brother," Rakhi introduced him to the girl.

Sherlyn greeted Karan very sweetly, "Hi Karan. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Karan said gruffly and took a seat next to his father.

"I want to talk to Sherlyn alone for a while," Rishabh announced.

Rakhi and Mahesh obliged after Bani gave her consent. Karan looked at his brother. Rishabh's excitement was not concealed from anyone. It looked as though Rishabh liked Sherlyn. He watched as his brother escorted the lady upstairs. 

"After Rishabh, you will be the one to marry some lady. Better behave yourself. Discipline is the key to success," His father nudged him. 

"I don't want to marry yet," Karan whined.

"You will settle down soon," Rakhi confirmed, "I am searching for a perfect girl for my dear Karan."  

"There is no girl who is perfect, Mom. Remember this. Humans make mistakes. No human is perfect. To err is human," Karan replied.

"I never said a perfect girl. I said a girl perfect for Karan. A girl who would be able to stick with you at all times. A life partner," Rakhi said, pulling his cheeks.

"Most of the girls are after my fame, Mom. Even Sophia has changed so much. She is not the girl I liked being around with," Karan sighed.

"It is good you now know that Sophia was never the right one for you," Mahesh patted him on his back.

"Yeah. I will break up with her after the party on Sunday," Karan informed them.

"Good decision," Rakhi affirmed.

At that moment, Rishabh and Sherlyn walked down the stairs. Karan looked at Rishabh. He could see that Rishabh seemed quite satisfied. Karan then moved his gaze to Sherlyn. She looked quite relieved. 

"So, what have you decided?" Bani asked Rishabh and Sherlyn.

"Well, I like her. It is a yes from my side," Rishabh said, his eyes on Sherlyn.

"I agree to this marriage," Sherlyn blushed.

"Wow! I am so happy Rishabh," Rakhi squealed with joy as she hugged her son.

"I will call Sanjana today evening. Once Kareena arrives, we will decide the date for the engagement and wedding," Bani said.

"Dadi, don't call too many guests. Covid is still on the loose," Karan said to his grandmother.

"Alright Karan," Bani smiled at him.

"Congratulations Bro," Karan hugged Rishabh. He then turned to Sherlyn and smiled.

"Welcome to the family Sherlyn," Rakhi smiled and embraced her.

Sherlyn Khurana was the daughter of Sanjana and Ashish Khurana. Sanjana Khurana was one of Kareena Luthra's friends.

"Aunt Kareena would be so happy," Karan said, "After all, she chose Sherlyn for Rishabh."

There were a lot of gossips exchanged. After some time, Karan felt lost. There was a thought troubling him. He knew his brother was a gentleman with a perfect image. Hence, it had been easy for Rishabh to get a perfect match like Sherlyn. However, on the other hand, he as a cricketer had an image of a flirtatious playboy who had broken many hearts. He was perturbed by a question running in his mind.

Would I be able to get a soulmate who will understand me?

HI EVERYONE!

THIS WAS THE FIRST  CHAPTER OF THE BOOK.

IT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL IF YOU GAVE ME SOME OPINIONS ON THE CHAPTER.

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