💖Bound by Runs and Dreams💖

Chapter 4: Reflections and Realities🪞

Ruturaj returned home late that night, his mind still lingering on the brief yet intriguing conversation with Utkarsha. Pune ki thandi hawa, the quiet streets, and the familiar roads of his hometown soothed him, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

He entered his house, greeted by the warmth of his mother, Savita Gaikwad. "Rutu, khaana ready hai. Tumhara match ka schedule kaisa chal raha hai?" she asked, setting the table.

Ruturaj smiled, pulling up a chair. "Sab theek hai, Aai. Match ki preparation achhi chal rahi hai." His father, Dashrath Gaikwad, was seated nearby, reading the newspaper but always tuned in to Ruturaj’s cricket life. "Baba, kal Ranji ka match hai," Ruturaj said, casually.

Dashrath glanced up, nodding with a proud smile, "Mujhe pata hai, beta. Tumhara game hai samajhdari ka, bas dimaag thanda rakhna."

Ruturaj nodded, but his mind was wandering elsewhere. Rahul, his best friend and childhood cricket buddy, had texted him earlier. They always caught up before a big game. But today, all Ruturaj could think about was Utkarsha.

As he lay in bed that night, he couldn’t help but replay their conversation in his head. "Speed, accuracy, aur batter ko confuse karne ka mazaa hi kuch aur hai." Utkarsha had said it with such passion and conviction.

"She's not just another cricketer," he thought to himself, staring at the ceiling. "She's different."
_______________________________

Utkarsha's Side

Meanwhile, across town, Utkarsha was back in her small but cozy apartment in Pune. She shared the space with her elder sister, Priya, who was studying medicine.

Their parents lived a little further out in their hometown of Kolhapur, where they had grown up. Her father, Anil Pawar, had always been her biggest supporter.

“Papa kehte hai na, ki sapne bade hone chahiye,” Utkarsha whispered to herself as she sat by her bed, going over her bowling videos. Her father’s words always echoed in her mind whenever she felt the pressure of cricket. He had been the one to push her into the sport, despite all the naysayers. “Ladki hai, cricketer kaise banegi?” people had questioned.

But Anil Pawar never wavered. “Tujhme dum hai, Utkarsha. Cricket mein bhi, aur life mein bhi,” he would always say.

Utkarsha was grateful for that support, but it also meant the expectations were sky-high. Her mother, Sunetra Pawar, had always been the quieter, supportive type, making sure Utkarsha had everything she needed, from nutrition to emotional strength.

As she lay down that night, Utkarsha’s mind kept drifting back to the café. Ruturaj Gaikwad. She had known about him for years. It was impossible not to. He was Pune’s pride and one of India’s rising stars. But today, seeing him up close and having that small chat had given her a different perspective.

"He's humble," she thought. “Koi celebrity vibes nahi tha usme. Just another cricketer like me, with the same struggles.”

She opened her phone, scrolling through her social media feed. Her fingers hesitated before she typed his name in the search bar—Ruturaj Gaikwad. His profile was flooded with posts about his recent IPL season and his upcoming matches, but what caught her eye was a picture of him with his parents. Family meant everything to Utkarsha, and it was clear Ruturaj shared that value.

Utkarsha smiled slightly before turning off her phone. “Shayad humare safar ek jaise hain,” she thought before drifting off to sleep.
_______________________________

The Next Day: Match Day

The sun rose over Pune, and the city buzzed with excitement for the upcoming Ranji Trophy match. Ruturaj was mentally prepared, focusing on every little detail that could give him an edge. "Har ball pe focus rakhna hai. Pressure ko handle karna hai," he reminded himself as he stepped into the stadium, the familiar scent of freshly cut grass filling the air.

But as he warmed up, tossing balls to his teammates and practicing his drives, his mind wandered back to that conversation with Utkarsha. There was something about the way she spoke, the confidence in her words, that kept playing in his mind. “Ek fast bowler ka pressure kaisa hota hoga?” he wondered, imagining himself in her shoes.

Just as he was about to head to the pitch, his phone buzzed. It was Rahul. "Bro, best of luck for today’s match. Maar ke aana! Baad mein milte hain." Ruturaj smiled, pocketing his phone. Rahul had always been his biggest cheerleader, right from the days when they used to play in the streets of Pune.
_______________________________

Utkarsha’s Practice Day

Utkarsha, on the other hand, was at the academy, gearing up for her intense bowling session. "Aaj pace pe zyada dhyaan dena hai," she thought, tightening her shoelaces as she stood by the nets. Her bowling coach, Mr. Kulkarni, stood nearby, watching her with a critical eye.

"Utkarsha, focus on your wrist position. Pace aur swing ka balance hona chahiye," he said, tossing her the ball.

Utkarsha nodded, setting her mind in place. "Ruturaj ke saath baat karne ke baad, yeh pata chala hai ki sab apne pressure ke saath deal kar rahe hote hain," she thought, taking a deep breath. Cricket wasn’t just about skill, it was about mental strength too.

As she bowled her first delivery, the ball swung beautifully, clipping the stumps with a sharp sound. She smiled to herself. “This game, this passion... it’s what keeps me going.”

_______________________________

Done!! 👍
Hope you like it!! ☺️

Stay tuned for the next chapter!!🥰⏭️