Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 108

The next morning came earlier than usual—at least, that's what it felt like after the previous day's events. Everyone was back to their routines: Meera, Arjun, and Maithili resumed their duties with renewed focus, while the players—Virat, Rohit, Rahul, Jasprit, Rishabh, Shubman, Siraj, and others—were at the nets, honing their skills under the guidance of their coaches. The atmosphere was lively, with fans gathering in large numbers outside the stadium, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite players.

For the security team, however, the growing crowd was a nightmare. Meera and Arjun, though seasoned in managing such situations, felt the pressure mounting as the fans became increasingly restless.

By midday, the situation began spiraling out of control. A section of the crowd, seemingly emboldened, started hurling taunts and fat-shaming remarks at some players. The tension in the stadium was palpable, affecting the practice session. Sensing the unease, Meera quickly assessed the situation and signaled to the coaches for a time-out. Once she received approval, Arjun and Maithili moved swiftly to escort the players to a safer location within the stadium—a secure, enclosed building away from the chaotic crowd.

As Arjun led Rohit, Rahul, and Rishabh ahead, Maithili followed with the others. Rahul, glancing over his shoulder, noticed Virat and Shubman lagging behind, struggling to navigate through the increasingly aggressive crowd. Alarmed, he called out to Arjun, who immediately relayed the situation to Meera through the walkie-talkie.

Meera wasted no time. She moved toward Virat and Shubman, who were now nearly surrounded by the unruly crowd. The fans, in their frenzy, began pushing and shoving, making it almost impossible for the players to move.

"Stay close!" Meera ordered, her voice cutting through the chaos as she pushed her way toward them. She cursed under her breath as she assessed the growing danger. With no other option, she drew her pistol—a move intended to deter the crowd rather than escalate the situation.

But in the commotion, someone hurled a shard of glass, aiming for the players. Meera reacted instinctively, stepping between the projectile and her charges. The shard sliced across her brow, leaving a deep gash as blood trickled down her face.

Virat tensed visibly. "Meera!" he shouted, his voice laced with worry.

Shubman, equally distressed, called out, "Meera di!"

"Not now," she snapped, her tone resolute despite the pain. She tightened her grip on Virat's and Shubman's arms, forcing them through the crowd. Her focus was unshaken as she maneuvered them toward the building.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the three of them reached the safety of the enclosed area. The door shut behind them, muffling the noise of the crowd outside.

As the door to the enclosed building shut behind them, Meera finally exhaled, her chest rising and falling heavily. Blood trickled steadily from the cut on her eyebrow, painting her cheek in streaks of red. Virat turned to her immediately, his face tense with concern. "Meera, you're bleeding! What the hell were you thinking out there?"

Shubman, visibly shaken, chimed in. "Di, you should sit down. Let me get the first aid kit or—"

Meera raised a hand to stop him, her voice firm despite the pain. "It's just a cut, Shubman. I've handled worse. The important thing is that you two are safe."

Virat frowned deeply, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "That's not the point, Meera. You're out there risking your life for us, and we—"

"—you are my responsibility," Meera interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument. "This is my job, Virat. Yours is to focus on the game. Don't let a few idiots in the crowd distract you." She said looking at Rohit, Rishabh and the others all of them had been shaken with all the chaos.