Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter 13 - Day 1, Kanpur

The Kanpur Test day had finally arrived, and an electric buzz filled the stadium. Fans flooded the stands, clad in blue and green jerseys, their cheers blending with the vibrant atmosphere.

The sun bathed the lush pitch in warm light as the Indian team geared up to face Bangladesh.

As the national anthems played, invoking pride and unity, Meera and Arjun felt an undercurrent of unease lurking beneath the festivities. India won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that set the stage for an intense match.

Arjun turned to his team, commanding attention with urgency. "Ira, you're on the stands. Manav, you take the entrance. Diksha, you're at the commentator's point. The rest of you spread out.

Nobody leaves their position without orders. Backup team, you'll be near the dressing room."

Meera, standing by the dressing room, watched Arjun's authoritative presence. His eyes softened as he noticed her encouraging her brothers on the field. He approached her, sensing the tension in the air.

"Meera, we need to stay vigilant. Something feels off today."

"I know," she replied, gripping her pager tightly. "There's been a report of smoke pipes detected near the players' entrance."

His expression shifted from casual to concerned. "We need to check this out together."

"No," she countered firmly, her voice steady but urgent. "If it's a trap, we can't risk both of us getting caught. I can handle this alone."

"Are you sure?" he asked, concern etched on his brow.

"Trust me," she insisted, raising her revolver slightly. "Just keep the team safe."

Arjun hesitated but finally nodded. "Alright, but you keep your comms open. And Meera-promise me you'll call for backup if anything feels wrong."

"I promise," she said, her voice firm, though deep down, the fear gnawed at her. She couldn't fail again. Not today.

Back in the dressing room, spirits were high despite the unexpected halt. Arjun called the team to station around the dressing room while he went in search of Meera, relaying the situation to Arya, who was undercover in the stadium.

"Arjun," she whispered into her comms. "That guy. Section B, Row 15. He's acting suspiciously."

Arjun's response was immediate. "I see him. Let's approach carefully. We can't risk spooking him if he's part of something bigger."

They began moving through the dispersing crowd, their steps calculated, adrenaline starting to pump. Just as they neared the man, he bolted, darting into a narrow alley between the stands.

"After him!" Arjun shouted, and the chase was on. The pounding of their footsteps echoed against the stadium walls as they sprinted after the suspect.

Meera's heart raced, fear and focus colliding in her mind. She couldn't shake the memories of Ayan's last moments-the helplessness she felt as she watched him slip away, unable to save him. Not again, she thought. I can't let anyone else die because of me.

They cornered the man in the alley. Meera's hand was steady on her gun, but her heart hammered in her chest. "Stop right there!" she ordered, her voice stronger than she felt. "We just want to talk."

For a moment, the man hesitated. Then, without warning, he threw something to the ground. A device exploded into a thick cloud of smoke, instantly disorienting them.

"Arjun!" Meera shouted, coughing as she stumbled backward, her vision blurred by the thick fog.

"Stay close!" Arjun's voice was barely audible through the smoke. But when the smoke began to clear, the man was gone.