Night of 25TH

Alternate Ending: Epilogue

Present:

Author

3 months later

It was finally time for Shubman to shine on the big stage and retire with the respect he had earned over the years. Although he hadn't always won, he had certainly gained the admiration of many. However, to win his final game and retire was a different feeling altogether.

As Shubman entered the vast MCG ground, he looked around, taking in the sea of spectators. The crowd was roaring, cheering for the team, and the noise echoed all around. The energy was electric, and in that moment, Shubman felt the weight of both the past and the future. This was the culmination of a long journey—one last chance to leave his mark before stepping off the field for good.

His eyes travelled up to the VIP stands, where his family sat, cheering him on. His niece and nephew, full of excitement, were shouting their hearts out for their beloved "Mamu." They held up a large banner that read,

"JEET KE AANA, MAMU, VARNA GHAR MEIN GHUSNE NHI DENGE!"

Shubman couldn't help but laugh out loud as he read the words. The playful threat from the little ones brought a sense of warmth and lightness to his heart amidst the pressure of the big game. At that moment, the noise of the crowd faded into the background.

His eyes then found his mum and dad, the constant pillars of his life. His mother, the woman who held him so dearly throughout his life and still does, blew a flying kiss his way. It made him giggle like a five-year-old, a brief and innocent break from the tension. His dad gave him a thumbs up, a proud smile on his face. Shubman's eyes welled up as he looked at his father—the man who had shaped his career, the man who had dreamt this dream for him long before Shubman could see it himself.

Breathing deeply, Shubman's gaze then moved toward his sister. She had always been there, his fiercest supporter and confidante, the one who shared his highs and lows. Just the sight of her, cheering him on, filled him with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

He rolled his eyes as he spotted his friends, Sanket and Rahil. They were the ones with whom he had spent his wild, carefree younger days. Despite their antics and the mischief they got up to, seeing them there brought a fond smile to his face. Their presence was a reminder of where he came from and the journey he had taken to reach this moment.

Sanket and Rahil, now happily married, had found their unique paths to love. Sanket had met his partner on a flight, while Rahil's heart had been captured in a stadium. Both of them were now blessed with baby girls. It seemed like everyone in their group had found love and happiness.

As Shubman reflected on this, his eyes landed on his wife, smiling warmly at him, her dimples mirroring his own. Yes, wife. They had decided to marry as soon as they came back from their trip. It wasn't an extravagant or grand affair—just a quiet court marriage, because neither of them wanted to spend another moment away from each other.

His gaze softened as it drifted toward her belly, gently rounded, showing she was three months along.

He wanted to win, not just for himself, but for his family—for his wife, the child they were about to welcome, his parents, his sister, and even his old friends—this game was more than just a match. It was an opportunity to honour the love and support that had brought him to this moment, to secure a victory that would be a testament to their shared journey and future together.