Second Innings

Chapter 2

As the memory fades, Nadiya stands in the juice bar, her tears mingling with the remnants of her sorrow. The past and present blend together, her emotions raw and exposed.

The flashback of the playground, filled with hope and warmth, contrasts sharply with the harsh reality she faces now. Aiwarya's derisive remark about Arjun's parentage still echoes in her mind, adding to her heartache.

With a deep, shuddering breath, Nadiya wipes her tears away, trying to regain her composure. She takes one last look at the fading images of Aishwarya and her friend, then turns her gaze to the ground, lost in thought.

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On the other side, back at the village ground, Arjun is ready to bowl the next ball. Pughal and Bala walk over to him, with Pughal shaking his head dramatically.

Pughal: Enna da pannura nee? Yedo kakkaku soru podura madiri ball ah podura? Unaku than nalla poda varudula apo poden da  (Pughal says with exaggerated flair.)

Arjun and Bala laugh at Pughal's playful scolding. Arjun grins and says, "Iruda,iruda poduren" while spinning the ball in his hand.

Bala taps Arjun on the shoulder, encouragingly, "Va da macha va da."

With a nod, Pughal and Bala move back to their positions, leaving Arjun to focus on his next delivery.

Pughal  pretending to be the commentator raises his imaginary microphone once more, his voice filled with excitement.

Pughal: Yes, folks, we all saw what happened a while ago, but we won't give up as a team. They need 12 runs from 5 balls to win this match. And  Arjun is ready to bowl, and we only need three more wickets to seal the victory. Here comes Arjun, gearing up for his next delivery.

He lowers his hand and starts clapping enthusiastically for Arjun, cheering him on with fervent support.

Then Arjun ran and bowled the ball. It sped past the bat, and the wicketkeeper caught it swiftly, then hit the stumps. The batsman was out, and the entire team erupted in cheers.

Pughal with the imaginary microphone exclaimed, "Yes, this game's talented batsman is out!"

He ran to Arjun, leaping into his arms with his legs wrapped around Arjun's hip in a jubilant hug. Bala came running up and hugged Arjun from behind, and they all shouted in celebration of their victory.

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On the other hand, Ashwin was ready to bowl his next ball. He ran up and delivered it, but the batsman hit it hard, sending it soaring for a six. Ashwin watched in disbelief as the ball flew over the boundary, and he placed his hand on his head in frustration. The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating the massive hit.

Up on the podium, Kumar also placed his hand on his head in frustration. The coach glanced at Kumar with a smirk, adding a layer of tension to the moment.

Meanwhile, back on Arjun's ground, he delivered his next ball with precision. The batsman missed, and the ball crashed into the stumps, claiming another wicket. The team erupted in cheers, celebrating Arjun's success.

While on the other side, Ashwin bowled his next ball, only to see it soar over the boundary once again for another six. Frustration mounted as the crowd cheered loudly for the opposing team's impressive batting.

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On the other side of town, in Nadiya's juice bar, a cute and beautiful girl with long, flowing hair walked gracefully towards the entrance, her hands cradling a stack of books. She entered the juice bar with a warm smile and sat down at a table, placing her books neatly on the table in front of her.