A new day and new challenges.The sky was clear by mid-morning. Warm sun, soft breeze, and enough noise around the school ground to make it feel like something special was about to happen.And it was.Not a tournament. Not an official match.Just a friendly match, but for Raj it means something more.
Today, he'd wear his RajCraft glove in front of his classmates, coaches, and most importantly infront of the eyes of those who hadn't believed in him yet.Coach Murali stood near the center pitch, clipboard in hand.
"All right, boys. Today's match is internal. No pressure. Just play smart. We've got guests visiting next week, and I want our best combinations ready."
Two teams were picked:
Team Red – led by Raj
Team White – led by Vikram
It was a quiet rivalry now , no longer openly hostile, but definitely not friendly.Raj tied the glove on his right hand and testing his fingers. The stitching held. It fit well.Uday patted his shoulder. "First time testing your product in match?".Raj smiled. "Let's see if it will withstand."
It's toss time.Two captains stepped forward for it.Raj spin the coin.Tails is the call and tails it is.The toss was won by Vikram. He chose to bowl first.
Raj opened the innings along with Zayed."Take your time," Raj said. "We build partnership slowly. Pressure them later."Zayed nodded. "Let's enjoy this one."
The first over was tightly bowled. Just 3 runs of it.
Second over — a short ball came bouncing toward Raj.He didn't rush. He leaned back and hooked it to square leg for four.Clean and balanced shot. No high drama.
Near the boundary wall, a girl in a light yellow dress sat quietly on the cement floor bench, legs swinging, hair tied in a simple style.She wasn't talking to anyone.Just watching.Her eyes didn't follow the ball.They followed Raj.
RajCraft's glove didn't move. Didn't tear. The grip held even through sweat. The foam padding absorbed a tricky edge that could've hurt his fingers.Raj didn't say anything.
But after 6 overs, he was 29 not out.Between overs, some juniors started talking near the ropes.
"Is that the glove he made himself?"
"Yeah. RajCraft or something."
"I heard even Coach approved it."
Priya ,the quiet transfer student stood nearby with a notebook.She made a small sketch.Not of the match.But of the glove.
Zayed was run out in the 9th over. Raj ended with 41 runs off 33 balls.Not flashy. But solid.As Team White padded up, Raj leaned beside Coach Murali."Fielding positions?"
"You tell me," Coach said.Raj raised his eyebrows. "You're letting me place the field in real?"
Coach didn't smile. "It's your team."
Raj nodded and smiled.With system guidance, Raj placed his fielders slightly very differently.A deeper point. A narrower third man. Two short covers.
"Why two?" Zayed asked."They'll misread spin and pop short drives. Watch."
And on the second ball , it happened.
[System Insight Triggered: Field Placement Bonus +2%]
As the innings went on, more eyes turned toward Raj.Not just because of the glove.But because of the way he moved calm, steady, disciplined."You're becoming someone great," Uday said between overs.Raj didn't answer.His eyes moved toward the wall.The girl in yellow was still there.Still smiling and watching quietly.
[System Thread Update: Emotional Observer Present – Signal Strength: Rising]
Future Impact: Significant
Vikram scored fast, but the match ended in a draw.The only thing everyone could talk about after?
"RajCraft glove didn't tear."
"He played with so much control."
"I didn't know Raj could lead like that."
Coach pulled Raj aside after the final handshake."You ever thought about coaching juniors?".Raj asked:"Me?"."You notice more than most. Think about it."Raj nodded slowly.But inside, he was smiling.
That night, Uday sat with him on the rooftop.
"You saw that girl again, right?".Raj stayed silent.
"I think she's been watching you since the expo," Uday said. "Maybe she knows you."
"Maybe."
"You're not curious?".Raj finally said, "I'm not afraid to find out."Uday smiled and said. "Good. Because I think she's going to walk closer soon."
To be continued.....