Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter 8 - The Noise of Joy

One Month Later

The clink of weights echoed softly in the gym as Meera pushed through another set of squats, her muscles burning with effort.

She had grown stronger—both mentally and physically—and it showed in every controlled movement. 

Her thoughts, however, drifted as she finished her last rep. It had been a while since she'd last heard from Arya and Arjun, and she missed them—missed their teasing and the easy conversations that used to fill the room.

Just then, the sound of boisterous chatter broke her reverie.

"Scowlie!" Harry's voice boomed from across the gym, pulling her back to the present.

Meera groaned. "Harry! Don't call me that." 

At the same moment, Rahul's voice chimed in, "Don't call her that!"

They exchanged amused glances before saying in unison, 

Harry strutted over with his trademark grin. "Oh, lighten up! It adds character."

"You all need better hobbies," Meera shot back, stretching her legs.

Before she could say more, the gym door swung open with a thud. Arya and Arjun walked in, dressed in oversized sunglasses and caps, each lugging a massive suitcase behind them.

"Maintenance check!" Arya announced with a mock serious tone. "We heard there's a Scowlie that needs some repair!"

Arjun, leaning casually on the doorframe, grinned. "Figured we'd drop by for some 'essential' work."

Meera's eyes widened. "What in the world—?"

As the group gathered around, laughing at their absurd getups, the duo dramatically opened their suitcases to reveal training equipment—kicking pads, gloves, and even a punching dummy.

Harry was the first to burst out laughing. "Now that's a luggage load worth unpacking!"

"Thought we'd come prepared," Arya said with a wink.

Meera's heart swelled at the sight of her friends. Their playful antics filled the room with warmth and laughter, but amid the teasing, Arjun caught her eye. His grin faded into a serious expression.

"Meera," he said quietly, "we need to talk."

Her stomach tightened, sensing something deeper behind his words. Without a word, she nodded and led them out of the gym, leaving behind the chatter and playful noise, her mind swirling with curiosity about what lay ahead.

The room buzzed with a comfortable silence as Meera, Arya, and Arjun sat together, the weight of their upcoming mission heavy on their minds. They had just shared a wordless hug, a silent exchange of solidarity after months apart, with memories of Ayan lingering between them, their unspoken bond keeping sorrow at bay.

"He would've wanted us to go on," Arya said, her voice quiet but firm. Meera nodded, momentarily lost in thought before straightening her posture.

"Absolutely," she agreed. "But he'd also tell us to focus on the task at hand."

Arjun leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "The mission is during the India vs Bangladesh Test in Chennai, October 2024. It's going to be chaotic—thousands of people, VIPs, and countless distractions. We need to stay sharp."

Arya grinned. "I'll be undercover while you two handle the security detail." She winked at Meera. "Try not to miss me too much."

Meera rolled her eyes but smiled. "I think we'll manage."

Just as they were about to dive deeper into the mission, a loud thud startled them. A cricket ball flew in through the open window, bouncing off the table and rolling to a stop at Meera's feet. Without missing a beat, she picked it up.

"Seriously?" Arjun muttered, confused, as he followed her gaze to the field outside. There were Subh, Shrey, Virat, Rohit, Siraj, Rish, Jassi, Rahul, and Harry—all engaged in a heated game of cricket.

On the sidelines, the wives—Nush, Rits, and Tia—stood together, laughing, while Vamu, Aku, and Sammy squealed in delight, watching the game with wide, excited eyes.

Subh and Rish waved their arms up at the window. "O sohneyo! Ball dede, nazuk kaliyon ko chot na lag jaye!" Rish called out in a comically thick Punjabi accent, making Subh crack up next to him.

Virat burst out laughing, clutching his side as he pointed at Rish. "That Punjabi accent! What are you even saying?"

Rahul shook his head, clearly amused. "You don't know what you're inviting with that."

Arya leaned out the window with a mischievous grin. "Tu ruk kake, mainu neeche aan de!" she yelled back, a playful glint in her eye.

Virat raised an eyebrow in surprise, laughing. "Wait, are you Punjabi?"Arya smirked. "Yes, sir, by all means!"

The three exchanged knowing glances, and Meera felt a surge of excitement as she threw the ball back out. "Let's go."

As they made their way down, Arjun teased Meera, "You ever played cricket?"Meera shot him a smug sideways glance. "Watch me."

Arya took the bat first, smashing one ball after another with sharp precision. She moved with confidence, laughter bubbling up as she sent the ball flying.

"She's got some moves," Subh commented, impressed. But when Meera stepped up, all eyes turned to her. Adjusting her grip, she swung at the ball—and with a satisfying crack, it soared across the yard, nearly clearing the boundary line.

"Oh!" Jassi shouted, clapping his hands. "She's in the game!"

Virat, still recovering from earlier laughter, looked at Rahul in disbelief. "You never told us you had a cricketer sister, Rahuliya!"

Rahul grinned, clearly proud. "There's a lot about her you don't know."

Arjun shook his head, crossing his arms. "Okay, I didn't see that coming."Meera smirked, adjusting her gloves. "I've been saving it for the right moment."

The game intensified as players took turns at bat, each trying to outdo the others. Rohit and Virat exchanged playful jabs, determined to hit the longest shot, while Rahul joined Meera in practicing their swings, both of them encouraging each other.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the yard, laughter and playful banter filled the air. Arya, Meera, and Arjun seamlessly joined in, the seriousness of the mission momentarily forgotten. Arya's competitive spirit shone through, but Meera held her own, surprising everyone with her skill.

Meanwhile, Rohit and Virat kept the mood light with jokes and encouragement. Rahul stood close to Meera, offering tips and cheers, his camaraderie further cementing their bond.

As the game wore on, the tension of their upcoming mission faded into the background. Surrounded by laughter and cricket, everything felt right. For now, the mission could wait.

______________________________________________

This book is going to be a little slow and will have long chapters.

I see views on the chapters, but there are no votes or comments whatsoever.

It's difficult guys to know whether you like it, you don't like it or whether you're expecting something different.