As Ishan walked towards his room after the ad shoot, the weight of his insecurities and fears hung heavy on his shoulders. The constant trolling and criticism had taken a toll on him, amplifying his anxiety about his performance in the upcoming IPL season. He feared that if he failed again, he would not only disappoint his family and his team but also himself and his bestie, less lover.
Just then, a familiar voice called out his name, pulling him out of his thoughts. Turning around, Ishan saw Jasprit Bumrah, affectionately known as Jassi bhaiya, standing before him. The sight of his teammate and mentor brought a sense of comfort to Ishan's troubled mind.
"Bhaiya," Ishan greeted softly, enveloping Jassi bhaiya in a tight hug.
"Kaise hai bacha?" Jassi inquired, his hand gently caressing Ishan's head.
"Thik huin bhaiya," Ishan replied with a forced smile. "Aap kaise ho, Sanjana bhabhi kaisi hai aur Angad baby kaise?"
"Shant ho ja, Rajdhani Express," Jassi said, his tone laced with concern. "Mein aur sab mast hai."
Despite his attempt to put up a brave front, Ishan could sense the worry in Jassi's eyes as he took in Ishan's changed appearance. The weight loss and the dark circles under his eyes spoke volumes about the mental toll Ishan had been under. Jassi's observation left Ishan feeling exposed, but he pushed aside his discomfort.
"Tu dekh kitna patla ho gaya hai," Jassi remarked, pulling Ishan's cheeks.
Ishan chuckled nervously, trying to mask his inner turmoil. "Bhaiya, fit ho gaya huin."
Jassi's expression softened as he looked at Ishan with understanding. "Pata hai, team ki jaan," he said, pulling Ishan into a comforting embrace. "Chal, tu mere saath. Teri bhabhi aur Angad baat karna chahte hai."
Feeling a mix of flattery and gratitude, Ishan followed Jassi, but before they could leave, Ishan gathered the courage to ask a burning question.
"Bhaiya, kya aap... mujhse naraz ho?" Ishan's voice trembled with uncertainty.
Jassi's brows furrowed in confusion. "Kyun hoga mein naraz? Tu team ki jaan hai" he reassured Ishan.
Ishan hesitated before voicing his concerns. "Maine Ranji games nahi khela, aur IPL khelta huin. Log mujhe attitude player samajh rahe hai."
Jassi's gaze softened as he listened to Ishan's words. He pulled Ishan closer, gently caressing his hair.
"Bacha, mein ya team koi bhi tujhse naraz nahi hai," Jassi said reassuringly. "Mental health bohot zaruri hai.hum tere saath hai ."
Jassi's comforting words eased Ishan's mind, but his concern for the state of domestic cricket lingered. Sensing Ishan's thoughts, Jassi continued to offer his perspective on the matter.
"Arein pagle, tere vajse domestic players ko moka mila hai," Jassi explained, his voice carrying a mix of empathy and frustration. "Limelight mili, domestic cricket ki condition pata chali."
Ishan listened intently, absorbing every word as Jassi shed light on the challenges faced by domestic players in India. The realization dawned on Ishan that his struggles were not isolated; they were reflective of the broader issues plaguing the domestic cricket system.
"Tere fans tere sath hai, hum saath hai," Jassi reiterated, his unwavering support offering a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. "Mujhe pata hai tera comeback aisa hoga ki log regret karenge."
Ishan nodded in agreement, grateful for Jassi's wisdom and encouragement. With newfound determination, he vowed to not only make a triumphant comeback but also to advocate for positive changes within the cricketing ecosystem.
