Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 47

At the MCA Stadium in Pune, the air crackled with anticipation. Staff hurried from one end to another, running last-minute checks, setting up barriers, and testing equipment. The match was set to begin in two hours, and soon, the stadium would flood with fans, their energy turning the quiet hum into a deafening roar.

Amid the bustling chaos stood Meera. Her presence was a steady anchor against the frenzy, dressed as always in cargo pants and a white shirt layered with an oversized orange one—this time Arjun’s.

Her specs glinted in the morning light as she adjusted the walkie-talkie clipped to her waist—a far cry from the gun she was used to carrying. She shook her head subtly, still adjusting to her new reality. This is going to take some getting used to.

After briefing her team—Ira, Manav, Vedant, and Mishka—she dismissed them, watching as they dispersed into their assigned zones. She was about to move to her next task when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Corporate again? she thought with a sigh, half-expecting a sponsor or logistics manager. But the name on the screen made her pause—The Colonel.

A small, rare smile crept onto her lips as she answered. “Hey Handsome,” she greeted quirkly.

His familiar voice crackled on the line, warm and steady as always. “How’s my sweetheart doing?” he asked, the nickname carrying with it years of shared battles and silent understanding.

Meera leaned against the nearest wall, letting herself relax just a bit. “Still standing,” she said lightly. “First day on this side of the job... just feels strange.”

“I imagine it does,” the Colonel replied, his voice carrying the weight of both reassurance and experience. “Transitions are always a little disorienting. It’ll take time, but you’ll settle in.”

Meera bit her lip. “I miss the field,” she admitted quietly. It was the closest she could come to saying I miss them—Arya, Ayan, and Arjun.

The Colonel’s tone softened. “I know, sweetheart. It’s not easy.  They’re focused. They’ll be back soon.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, grounding herself in his words. “It’s not just that... It’s weird not being able to reach them. I hate this part.”

He let out a low chuckle. “Spoken like a true control freak."

Then, after a pause, he added, “It’s okay to miss them. But don’t let it drag you down. They’re where they need to be, and so are you.”

“I know,” the Colonel continued gently. “It’s the hard part of the job. But you know the drill—you trust, and you wait.”

Meera nodded to herself. “Yeah, I know.” There was a brief silence, one of mutual understanding, before she added, “Take care of yourself, Handsome,  I don't want your son to kill me.” The protective note in her voice was unmistakable.

The Colonel chuckled. “You sound more like a daughter every day. Don’t worry about me, kid. Just focus on today—and remember, don’t let the thoughts win.”

“Got it,” Meera replied with a soft smile.

The call ended with a warmth that stayed with her, lingering like an old song that refused to fade. Meera stood still for a moment, absorbing the exchange, then straightened as if pulling herself together.

Her phone buzzed again, drawing her attention. It was a message from Athiya:

Rahul’s not playing for this match. I’m worried. He was mentally drained yesterday, and I know how hard this will hit him.

Meera’s brow furrowed as she typed back:
I’ll keep an eye on him. He’ll be okay. It’s just one match—he’ll bounce back like always.