Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 64

The team bus was quiet, a tense silence filling the air as everyone grappled with the loss. India's defeat had been harsh, a stinging whitewash on home ground. The coaches had been questioned, the team heavily criticized, and Rohit, in the press conference, had shouldered the blame. Now, heading back to the hotel, the team members were drained and defeated, each lost in their thoughts.

In the convoy, Arya sat on high alert in the bus, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings, while Arjun drove ahead, with Meera and Ayan following close behind. As they moved further from the stadium, Arya suddenly noticed strange movements on the roadside. A group of people stood huddled together, some hiding behind trees, others shifting restlessly, their eyes fixed on the bus. Unease settled in her gut.

She grabbed her earpiece. "Guys, something feels off. I think there's trouble up ahead."

Within seconds, Meera's voice crackled in response. "Arya, close all doors and windows immediately. Tell everyone inside to stay put. Don't come out, understood?"

The instruction was clear, and Arya, her heart pounding, moved quickly, giving out warnings to everyone on the bus. As she secured the doors, she watched in alarm as the fans—no, these were more than fans, they looked like a group of rowdy, charged-up individuals—rushed onto the road, blocking the convoy's path. Angry faces, clenched fists, and shouts filled the air as the crowd hurled abuses, their rage seeming to target the team's defeat. Some of them held objects that looked dangerously like weapons, and it was clear they intended harm.

Meera, Ayan, and Arjun exchanged grim looks before stepping out of their vehicles. Meera took the lead, her expression cold and calculating as she quickly assessed the situation. With precise gestures, she motioned Arjun and Ayan to flank her, positioning themselves to contain the mob as best as they could.

The confrontation was swift. A few of the unruly crowd members lunged forward, but Meera and Ayan moved in unison, deflecting blows and using their training to neutralize the threat. Arjun swiftly tackled a few who attempted to get closer to the bus, blocking their path. Every swing and every calculated move kept the attackers at bay, but the mob's size and persistence were unrelenting. It was clear that this wasn't a simple case of disgruntled fans but something more intense, something that had quickly become volatile.

As they continued to fight off the crowd, Meera's voice remained steady over the earpiece. "Arya, do not let anyone open those doors, no matter what happens here."

The combat dragged on, each security officer holding their ground. Ayan's quick reflexes helped him dodge a crude weapon one of the attackers swung at him, while Arjun deftly sidestepped another who attempted to tackle him. The three worked seamlessly together, holding off the mob with a mixture of physical skill and strategic retreat.

Eventually, realizing they were no match for the disciplined resistance, the crowd began to disperse, hurling a few final curses before disappearing down the road. With the threat neutralized, Meera quickly regrouped with Ayan and Arjun, each of them showing minor scrapes but no serious injuries.

They returned to their vehicles, and Meera informed Arya, "It's safe now. Keep everyone calm; we'll be at the hotel shortly."

Inside the bus, the team members let out sighs of relief, some casting grateful glances toward Arya, who had kept them protected. The convoy resumed its journey to the hotel, each person quietly digesting what had happened. This was more than just anger over a lost match; it was a reminder of the intensity surrounding them, a challenge that extended beyond the pitch.

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As they reached the hotel, Ayan and Arjun went ahead, securing the arrangements, while Arya and Meera lingered to speak with the Colonel. Just then, Rohit, Virat, and Rahul approached. Rahul, reaching out to his sister, said softly, "Room tak chalo saath mein?" Meera glanced at Arya, who gave her a reassuring nod, and she followed the three.