The day had finally come. The Indian cricket team was about to board the plane for the T20I World Cup in the USA, and if there was one thing everyone could agree on, it was that the journey was going to be chaotic as hell. 

The airport terminal was bustling, the noise of players, coaches, and support staff all mingling in the air, and somewhere in all the madness, the Indian squad was ready for their next big challenge.

Shubman Gill, who had just made it into the reserves, was lounging lazily against the check-in counter, watching his teammates like a hawk. 

Even though he wasn't officially part of the playing eleven, he wasn't going to let that stop him from being a part of the action. 

Beside him, Naima was barely keeping it together as her excitement was palpable. The thought of stepping onto international soil for the World Cup had her jittery, but she loved the chaos, the energy, and everything in between.

"You ready, baby?" Shubman asked a playful glint in his eyes, his lips curling into that mischievous smile that always sent a shiver down her spine. 

"Or are you gonna be the one to freak out and ruin our group photo?"

Naima rolled her eyes, adjusting the strap of her backpack. "Shut up, Gill. I'm fine. You're the one acting like a little bitch." 

She smirked, teasing him as she nudged his arm. "If anyone's gonna mess up the photo, it's you."

"Oh, please," Shubman shot back, playfully brushing off her jab. 

"You've already claimed the title of 'World Cup badass,' I'm just here for the ride."

Nearby, Suryakumar Yadav was walking by with a grin, overhearing their conversation. 

"You guys are acting like this is some fucking vacation," he said, chuckling. 

"Get your shit together. We've got a tournament to play, not a goddamn honeymoon."

Naima laughed, flipping him off as he walked away, but in all honesty, she was feeling the pressure of what was to come. 

The T20I World Cup was no joke, and she was determined to prove herself. But for now, the chaos of the airport was all-consuming. 

Rishabh Pant was running around with Sanju Samson, pretending to be the director of some reality show, and throwing his backpack over his shoulder dramatically.

"Yo, Naima! Tell me, what's it like to be the star of the team?" Rishabh shouted across the terminal, flashing her an exaggerated grin. 

"I mean, you've got the 'power player' badge now, right?"

"Shut up, Rishabh," she shot back, laughing. "You think I've forgotten that one time you almost got run out because you tripped on your own feet?"

The group burst into laughter, but as they approached security, the vibe shifted to something more serious. 

Rohit Sharma, their captain, was standing with Virat Kohli, discussing the game plan. 

There was a fire in their eyes, and despite all the jokes, everyone knew that when it came down to business, they would deliver.

"You guys better start getting serious," Virat called out to the younger players, including Naima. "The World Cup isn't some joke. Get your heads in the game."

Naima nodded, her playful grin now replaced with determination. "I know, Virat. I'm ready. Just wait till we're on that field."

But before the conversation could go any further, Hardik Pandya, always the one to stir up some drama, jumped in. 

"Nah, nah, she's ready. She's been ready. The rest of you better catch up," he said, walking by with a wink.

Jadeja, who was standing next to Hardik, let out a loud laugh. "Hardik, shut up. We all know who the real star is here," he joked, nudging his teammate with a playful elbow.

Naima gave him a knowing smile. "I'm not the star here, Jaddu. You are. Don't act like you're humble."

"Tell me again when you've bowled someone out with that last over magic of yours," Jadeja shot back, winking.

Before Naima could respond, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Axar Patel walked up, both of them trying (and failing) to suppress their laughs. 

"You guys know the real chaos is coming once we're on that flight, right?" Yashasvi said, looking at the group with a cheeky grin.

"Don't jinx it, Yash," Naima warned, rolling her eyes. "We've got enough chaos to handle already without you adding to it."

The entire group was now walking towards the departure gate, bags slung over shoulders, with loud chatter filling the air. But the moment the security check came, it all went to hell.

"Hey! Who the hell put their phone in the bag?" yelled the security officer, causing a momentary panic as everyone scrambled to check their belongings.

"I didn't do it!" Rinku Singh cried out, holding up his hands. "It wasn't me!"

Shubman, ever the troublemaker, looked around innocently and muttered under his breath, "I swear, if I have to listen to any more 'who-did-it' games, I'll lose my mind."

Rishabh was practically crying with laughter as he nudged Naima. "Tell me you're not enjoying this. This is gonna be a nightmare."

"I don't even care," she said, giving him a thumbs-up. "I'm just glad I'm not the one holding up the line this time."

By the time they finally got through the gates, the flight was a mix of chaos and fun. Players were juggling snacks, phone chargers, and last-minute adjustments to their jerseys. 

And despite the stress of the upcoming tournament, it was moments like this—the joking, the ribbing, and the playful teasing—that reminded Naima of how lucky she was to be a part of this team.

"Alright, alright!" Rohit called over the noise as they boarded the plane. "Get your heads straight. You can joke later, but the World Cup starts now. We have a fucking job to do, and we're going to win it. No distractions. We're here to fucking dominate."

The mood shifted again, this time with focus. Naima met Shubman's eyes as they settled into their seats, and without saying anything, she knew he was ready. 

They all were.

But the chaos, the distractions, and the fun? That was just part of the ride. 

The real work would begin once they hit the pitch in the USA.

Welcome to the twenty-ninth chapter of "The Man"!
they're so chaotic !!

what are your thoughts about the next chapter?
anyway, hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!
make sure to comment on what you liked!

until then, yours truly
soup 🫶