The morning felt normal. Too normal.
Raj walked into school with his usual bag, his gear packed neat, his head filled with ideas about improving the wristguard design. He expected a quiet day, maybe the same from the expo.
Instead, he saw a car parked near the ground.
Not a teacher's car. Not a parent's.
A white SUV with a cricket academy logo on the door.
Beside it stood a man in sunglasses, black track pants, and a clipboard.
Coach Murali was already talking to him.
Raj slowed down.
Something was up.
At lunch, it was announced:
"An academy scout will be observing a short practice session today. Selected players must wear their own gear and no borrowed kits."
Raj shocked.
That was unusual.
Very unusual.
Zayed said. "This has to be about you, bro."
Raj replied. "Let's not assume."
Uday smiled . "You're the only one with gear that has a name."
By 2 p.m., the sun was bright but the tension was brighter.
A short 6-over match was arranged.
The man introduced as Mr. Arvind from Trinetra Cricket Academy said very little.
He just watched.
Took notes.
And made it clear: "We're not looking for runs. We're looking for attitude, gear usage, and clarity."
Raj was placed in Team B, batting second.
Team A batted first.
Their openers went hard.
Short boundaries, fast runs.
But two wickets fell in quick time.
They ended with 52 runs in 6 overs.
Decent.
Not impossible.
But not easy either.
Raj padded up.
He wore his glove, the elbow pad, and the wristguard.
Fully RajCraft.
The other players looked at him.
Some out of respect.
Some out of curiosity.
Some maybe jealous.
First Over:
Raj on strike.
Ball 1: Short of a length — he cut late, single to third man.
Ball 2: His partner edged for two.
Ball 3: Dot.
Ball 4: Leg glance for another single.
Ball 5: Yorker defended.
Ball 6: Slower — nudged for one.
Score: 6/0
Second Over:
The pace picked up.
Raj faced again.
Ball 1: Bouncer he leaved it.
Ball 2: Off-stump line -drove straight. Four.
Ball 3: Good length ball pulled softly for Two runs.
Ball 4: Yorker , squeezed to mid-off, quick single.
Ball 5: Full toss flicked in the gap. Four runs.
Score: 19/0
Raj: 12 off 9
The scout didn't smile. Didn't dissapointed.
Just wrote.
Elsewhere, behind the tree line, the girl in yellow dress sat again.
But this time, she wasn't alone.
Priya had found her.
She didn't ask questions right away. Just sat beside her.
For a full minute, they said nothing.
Then Priya asked, softly, "Why do you come here?"
The girl smiled slowly. "To see if he still plays the same like he used to."
Priya turned her head. "You know him?"
The girl paused and then answered.
"I knew who he was and before he even knew who he could become."
Back on the field:
Fourth Over:
Raj was 21 off 14.
The bowler changed. Right-arm pace. Good control.
Raj adjusted.
Ball 1: In-swing — inside edge, two runs.
Ball 2: Wide ball — left it.
Ball 3: Short — pulled! Boundary.
Ball 4: Dot.
Ball 5: Fast yorker padded away.
Ball 6: Full lifted to long-on. Caught? No catch dropped!
He got two more.
Score: 38/0 after 4 overs
Raj: 29*
Coach tightly folded his arms.
The scout finally spoke to him quietly.
Then looked straight at Raj.
Fifth Over:
Pressure was real now.
Ball 1: Yorker — defended.
Ball 2: Full length ball edged! One run.
Ball 3: His partner swung and missed. Bowled.
Next batsman came.
Ball 4: Dot.
Ball 5: Raj on strike again.
He stepped out and performed lofted shot.
Straight over the bowler.
Six.
Last Over:
8 needed from 6 balls.
Ball 1: Dot.
Ball 2: Single.
Ball 3: Raj back on strike.
Ball 4: Length ball.
He stepped across.
Flicked it behind square.
Four.
Two balls left.
Three to win.
Ball 5: Yorker. Raj dug it out. Single.
Last ball: two needed.
New batsman edged it.
FOUR!
They won.
Raj: 35 off 27*
The scout finally approached him.
"You play quietly."
Raj smiled. "I try."
"You wear your name."
"It reminds me what I've built."
The man nodded. "Expect a call. And don't stop creating."
Back under the trees, the girl stood up to leave.
Priya asked, "What's your name?"
The girl turned, eyes soft.
"I'll tell him first."
And she walked away.