Chapter:1

Rishav's POV

"...And that's  a massive six from the emerging talent- Rishabh Pant!" The match commentator went on rambling in excitement as he witnessed the ball fly out of the stadium.

Mom and Dad, too, clapped their hands in happiness as they watched him finish the over with a shot that made the ball fly out of the stadium. I rolled my eyes and wondered what their reactions would be if they ever actually sat in a stadium and saw the match. They already acted like maniacs when watching a match on a TV screen.

Although I could already figure out that this was just one of their ways to encourage me to achieve my dream. Yeah, being there on that field. I would proudly raise the bat in my hand and listen to the crowd chanting my name, "Rishav! Rishav! Rishav!..."

My train of thoughts derailed when Sameer, my elder brother called my name.

Way to ruin my day dreams brother.

I looked blankly at him. He had charcoal black eyes like Mom and was fair-complexioned unlike me who had got his skin all sunburnt by spending hours at the fields, practicing under the harsh sun. Sameer was 27 and was a successful mechanical engineer. My parents always held their heads high when some family friend or relative would talk about my elder brother's achievements. Mom and Dad never discouraged me in my career option as a sportsman. I guess they still think that I am a kid who's dreaming and that nothing about my decision is quiet serious.

"Yeah?" I asked Sameer.

"It's been a while since I saw you playing for the school team. What happened? Not selected?" Sameer questioned.

And there goes my brother again with the 'Be-Serious-With-Your-Life'. I gulped once, trying to come up with a reply which could satisfy him but, unfortunately, my pea-sized brain gave up after 5 seconds  of pondering. It's not that I despise these talks with Sameer, but the fact that I can't sit in a room with him peacefully without encountering this conversation has become a near-impossible task.

"Selections are a week away actually. If I get into this inter-school match, then, I am pretty sure I'll get a chance to play for in the Ranji Trophy," I said, hoping for my voice to come across as affirmative as possible to end this conversation right then.

"That's what you said last year, Rishav," Sameer pointed out.

Mom and Dad kept looking back and forth between me and Sameer. To them, our little conversation suddenly seemed more interesting to watch than the cricket match on the TV.

A wave of relief washed over me when I heard someone call for me from outside. I hopped out of the couch and scrambled towards my bedroom, internally thanking my saviors who were outdoors.

"He ain't gonna change," Sameer sighed as I headed off for my bedroom.

From there, I flung open the door to my balcony. Placing my hands over the now-hot iron railings, I glanced down to find two guys standing over the street, looking up at my direction. One of them was Ravi and the other one was Kabir. Both of their faces lit up when they saw me emerge.

Ravi, Kabir and I had been best friends since 1st grade. Ravi and I were both crazy about cricket and both of us dreamt of being a part of the Indian Cricket Team. But Ravi wasn't lucky enough to have supportive parents like I did. His father was a businessman and wanted his son to take on the family trade instead of a game.

Kabir, on the other hand, was quiet serious with his studies and wanted to be a part of some big engineering project some day. He was often somewhat 'inspired'  by my brother who also happens to be an established engineer. But being studious didn't mean Kabir wasn't a good player. He was a fast bowler and I haven't met anyone who threw the ball any faster than him. To a rookie player, it would be impossible to see the ball coming before it's too late.

I raised my hand to gesture for them to wait. They nodded and I made my way back to my bedroom. I kneeled down beside my bed and peeked underneath. Shoving the guitar wrapped in a cover aside, I pulled out my bat which was a few years old. Getting back up, I turned to leave but sighed mentally when my eyes fell on Sameer's tall figure, leaning by the door frame. His hands were crossed on his chest and he was looking at me with a frown tugging on his lips.

"I'll get going," I mumbled and walked past him as he sighed in frustration.

Sameer was just the perfect definition of a son to my parents. Even though they never said anything like that in front of me but their actions were enough to prove that. It isn't like I am bad in academic ways or lag behind in any criteria, but just because I chose cricket over books is why my relatives began to judge me. Mom and Dad just listen to their rant with their eyes lowered while I ignore them with all my might.

Reaching the front door, I fixed my dark hair in the mirror before leaving; messed up hair is something that can get on my nerves on any lovely day. Moreover, the bike ride to the grounds will ruin my locks anyway. Descending the stairs, I walked out of the building and made my way towards my guys. Ravi was already waiting on his Royal Enfield, while Kabir was pacing around my bike to get a ride to the field.

Kabir had those honey-brown locks and a greenish tint to his grey eyes. He generally wore specs but preferred to put on contacts when playing. Girls often swooned when they'd take notice of him in the cricket grounds but would completely ignore him at school without even realizing that it's the same guy. I often considered such girls as a speck of time flying by, never to give them any of my attention.

Kick-starting the bike, it finally came to life on the third attempt. It was about 5 to 6 years old now and I was hoping to save enough to get a new bike or at least repair my current one. To say I was jealous of Ravi's Enfield would be an understatement. But my bike had been really loyal to me.

"You gotta get it some parts, Rishav," Kabir said as he settled down behind me.

"Yeah, I hope I get it done soon," I sighed and we made our way towards the grounds.

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