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My stomach was a knot of fear as I pulled my chair out and sat down at the dinner table. Mom and Dad were already there, their faces a mix of concern and something else I couldn't quite place. Grandpa was in his usual corner, a silent observer. And Aish, well, she was just Aish, always trying to play peacemaker.
"Ayush," Dad started, his voice firm. "We need to talk about your future."
I knew what was coming. I'd heard this tune before, but it was louder, and clearer this time.
"We understand your passion for cricket," Mom added, softening the blow a little, "but we also need to be realistic. This pandemic has shown us how uncertain life can be."
Her words were like icy water drenching my burning enthusiasm. Cricket was everything to me. It was more than a game; it was my escape, my dream and I gave attention to academics as much as I could in the past few months.
"We want you to focus on your studies," Dad continued. "You're a bright boy. You can do well in academics. Commerce or PCM, those are stable options."
Stable. That's what they wanted for me. A stable life. But what about my dreams? My heart pounded in my chest like a trapped bird.
"But Dad," I managed to squeak out, "what about when things get better? What if I get a chance or I can do both together?"
He shook his head, his expression firm. "We can't keep waiting, Ayush. Life doesn't wait for anyone. You need to prioritise things whether it's cricket or academics. You need a backup plan."
A backup plan? Was cricket just a backup? A lump formed in my throat. I wanted to shout, to scream, to tell them how important this was to me. But words failed me.
"But what if cricket is my main plan?" I finally blurted out.
Mom's eyes widened. "Ayush, please understand. We're not asking you to give up cricket completely. You can play for fun, for your college team. But we need you to focus on your studies as well."
Grandpa, who had been quiet until now, cleared his throat. "Sanjeev, Jaya," he started, his voice carrying a hint of disapproval, "let the boy decide. He is old enough to make his own choices."
Dad and Mom exchanged a tense glance.
"Papa!," Dad began, his voice tight, "We are only trying to look out for Ayush's future."
"And I am trying to look out for his happiness," Grandpa retorted. "A forced path never leads to success."
The tension in the room was thick. I felt like a ping-pong ball, being batted back and forth. Aish, bless her heart, tried to break the ice.
"Maybe bhai can do both," she suggested timidly. "He can study hard and also practice cricket."
