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The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, the sound a dull hum against the sudden silence in the common room. My fingers traced a loose thread on my cricket jersey, the rhythmic rasp echoing in the stillness.
Ajay, Ansh, Aadhit, and Tanmay all stared at me, the question hanging heavy in the air. This wasn't my style. I was the quiet observer, content to let my bat do the talking. But Kiara's speech that day, her fiery belief in chasing dreams, had flickered something awake inside me.
"Coach Raj called me in today," I finally blurted, my voice rough with emotion. "He... he wants me to try out for the city U-19 team."
A collective gasp filled the room. The city trials were a golden ticket, a chance to play at a whole new level. But I remained glued to the worn thread, my face a mask of indecision.
"That's incredible, Ayush!" Ansh exclaimed, breaking the stunned silence. "That's a massive opportunity, man!"
I shook my head, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "It is, but..." I trailed off, my voice dropping to a whisper. "My parents... they've always seen me as the cricketer, the one who wouldn't take academics seriously. They might not understand."
The guys exchanged a sympathetic look. They knew my parents, who were placed in a premium academic excellence. Cricket, in their eyes, was just a hobby, a distraction from more important pursuits.
"Maybe you should just try out," Tanmay suggested gently. "Give it your best shot, and then talk to your parents. They'll see how passionate you are about this."
A flicker of hope ignited in my chest. The idea of defying my parents was daunting, but the thought of playing for the city team, of proving myself, sent a thrill coursing through me.
I looked around at my friends, their faces etched with unwavering support. In that moment, under the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights, I felt a surge of courage bloom in my chest.
"Yeah," I said, my voice gaining strength. "Yeah, I think I will."
The next two days were a blur of nervous anticipation. I skipped my usual study sessions, my mind consumed by the upcoming trials. I practised relentlessly, the rhythmic sound of the willow against the leather ball my only solace.
The girls in the school were a flurry of confused whispers, their resident who wants to improve the most is suddenly missing from their study sessions. But I was oblivious, lost in a world of boundaries and sixes.
The day of the trials arrived, a bright, crisp morning that held the promise of a new beginning. I walked onto the field, my heart hammering against my ribs. I scanned the faces of the other hopefuls, a mix of nervous energy and steely determination.
