Raj could not sleep that night.He kept looking at the window, watching the streetlights outside. His room was quiet, but his mind wasn't.His phone got a notification.
A message from Priya."Are you still awake?"
He didn't reply with text. He called her instead.She picked up quickly.Neither of them said anything for a few seconds.
Then Priya spoke, softly.
"You've changed."
Raj smiled. "In a good way or a bad way?"
"In a good way," she said. "But... I don't know. You seem far away now."
"I feel far too," Raj admitted. "This place... it's different."
"I know," she said. "You got an offer. Everyone's talking about it."
Raj looked down. "Yeah."
"Are you going to accept it?" she asked.
"I don't know yet."Raj replied.
She was quiet for a moment.Then she said, "Whatever you choose, just don't lose who you are."Raj nodded, though she couldn't see him.
"I'll try."
In another building of the academy, a boy named Sandeep knocked on a coach's door.
He didn't wait to be called in.
"I heard Raj didn't sign yet," he said. "If he backs out, I want the spot."The coach raised his eyebrow. "You think you're ready?"
"I've played more matches than him," Sandeep said quickly. "He's getting all this attention just because of some homemade glove."
"We'll see," the coach said. "I'll keep your name in mind."Sandeep smiled. "That's all I need."
[System Alert]
Someone else wants your place. If you wait too long, you might lose the offer.
The next day, Raj walked into the dining hall.Some boys were whispering again.Uday sent him a link.
"Look at this," he said.It was a blog post from the academy:
"RajCraft: The Brand Made by a Player"
"Not fancy. Not expensive. But reliable. Built with hands, tested on real fields. Raj's gear is making quiet waves."
A picture showed Raj playing during a match, wearing the glove.Below were short comments:
"This kid's real."
"Where do I buy it?"
"Respect for the effort."
Raj didn't reply.But he felt something in his chest.Maybe pride.Maybe fear.Maybe both.
Later that day, Sandeep walked past him in the hallway.
"Still haven't signed, huh?" he said. "Better move fast. Opportunities don't wait."Raj didn't answer.
But he knew.A big choice was coming and he has to be ready for it.
To be continued....