University Playground
Shrey entered the field with the rest of the players.The stadium echoed with applause; there was energy and excitement all around.
But Shrey's eyes went straight to the stands—and within seconds, they stopped.
Pranay, right behind him, followed Shrey's gaze.
In the front row...Prakhar was sitting—with Diamond on his lap.
Shrey's eyes lit up.
Yet, his breathing quickened a little, and a nervous look crept across his face.
Prakhar looked at him, smiled faintly, and gave a thumbs up—"Best of luck."
A soft smile appeared on Shrey's lips, and he nodded.
Pranay whispered softly,"Even your coach doesn't have this kind of effect on you..."
Shrey elbowed him lightly and said,"Shut up or I'll bench you."
The whistle blew—the match was about to start.
Both teams shook hands—in the spirit of sportsmanship, but the fire to win was visible in their eyes.
Another whistle—the game began.
Shrey's team took possession of the ball. Fast passing, high energy—Pranay received the pass. From the very beginning, it was a tough competition.
Shrey was at the center of the court—confident in his movements, but with every move, his eyes drifted to the side... where Prakhar was sitting.
Prakhar's eyes were on every move Shrey made.
Pranay caught the ball and made a fantastic pass to Shrey—As Shrey caught it, a defender charged at him.But Shrey spun around and dodged him, leaped from the three-point line, and shot—Swish!
First score—Shrey's team!
The audience erupted in applause—and Prakhar's smile grew a little wider.The opposing team gritted their teeth.
After Shrey's opening score, his team was riding high.But the opposing team—"The Red Badgers"—was experienced and known for their rough gameplay.Their strategy was clear—wear Shrey down, double-team him constantly, and pressure the rest of the team.
Early in the second quarter, Shrey was fouled.He took a hard hit to the shoulder.The referee raised his hand, but the opposing captain rolled his eyes—"It's a part of the game, sweetheart."
Shrey held back the pain.His eyes rose—Prakhar was right there.
He steadied himself and stepped up to the free-throw line.
First shot—missed.Second shot—bounced off the rim.Silence spread through the stadium.The Red Badgers' supporters began to cheer mockingly.
The score now: 32–17. The Badgers were ahead.
Shrey was breathing hard, sweat dripping down his forehead…The tightness in his shoulder kept disrupting every pass.
Pranay called a timeout.
"You okay?" he asked Shrey.
"Yeah," Shrey answered quickly, but his voice sounded exhausted.
"Don't lie," Pranay whispered."Your moves have slowed down. And you keep looking at Prakhar. The game is here—not there."
Shrey fell silent.Pranay was right—his focus was more on Prakhar than on the game.He looked at Prakhar once more... and then pulled himself together.
From now until the end of the match—he wouldn't look at Prakhar even once.
Third quarter began.
The Red Badgers took full advantage.Seeing Shrey's fatigue, they became even more aggressive.At one point, Shrey fell and dropped the ball—The opponent dunked and added two more points.
Score: 48–26.
The stadium grew quiet.It was starting to feel one-sided.
But then…
Fourth and final quarter.
Shrey stepped back on the court—his face still tired, but his movements had changed.
First play—straight cut through and left-hand layup. Two points.
Second move—tricked the defense, three-point shot—Swish!
New score: 50–35.
The Red Badgers started feeling the pressure.Shrey's eyes were now locked only on the basket—No noise, no voices, no pain—just the basket.
Three minutes left.Score: 58–54.The Badgers were still ahead by four points.
Pranay passed the ball to Shrey—facing a double defense.
Shrey made a behind-the-back move, stepped back, and shot from the three-point line—Basket!
58–57!
Now, the final 30 seconds.The Red Badgers had the ball—but Shrey stealthily intercepted it.
He sprinted across the court toward the basket—a defender stood in his way.
Shrey didn't stop.He collided with the defender—but didn't fall—And made the ultimate layup—Basket!!
59–58!!
The whole stadium exploded in applause and cheers.
Shrey dropped to his knees, a wide smile on his face.
The whole team lifted him into the air—but his eyes were scanning the crowd, searching for someone—Prakhar.
But... he wasn't there.
"Did he leave before the match ended...?"Shrey wondered.The smile on his face faded in an instant.
Meanwhile, Prakhar was speeding through the streets in his car.Diamond sat quietly in his lap, but Prakhar's face was tense.
"Where is Kunwar?" he asked, turning on Bluetooth.
"City Hospital..." came the reply.
"Damn…! Hold him—I'm there in ten."
He tossed the Bluetooth device onto the seat in frustration.
A strange mix of rage and helplessness was coursing through his veins.One side ached for missing Shrey's big win, and the other boiled with concern for Kunwar—who seemed determined to destroy everything.
Once again, responsibilities had defeated emotions.
At the hospital
Prakhar's car screeched to a halt.He jumped out, still carrying Diamond, and rushed inside.He handed Diamond to a trusted bodyguard.
A guard at the gate gestured the way—Prakhar ran in that direction without slowing.
Kunwar was bleeding from his head and hands.The ward was filled with a heavy silence.Doctors and nurses stood outside—none dared to go in.Any time someone tried, Kunwar's furious rage made them back away.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
Prakhar stormed in, heading straight for the bed where Kunwar was sitting—scrolling on his phone.
"Kunwar," Prakhar said firmly.Kunwar glanced at him—and then looked away.
"What kind of childishness is this?"
Kunwar turned his neck slowly—there was blood at the corner of his lips, but the smile remained.
"You're here...? Wasn't your cutie pie's match today?" he said quietly.
"Enough, Kunwar."Prakhar cut him off sternly."Both you and I know this was deliberate... so that I couldn't be there... with Shrey."
Kunwar's smile deepened. He looked away.
"If you knew, then why did you come...? You should've let me die."
Prakhar took two more steps forward, voice low—
"Your safety is my responsibility... and Prakhar Joshi never runs from his duty."
He picked up a towel from the table and began wiping the blood from Kunwar's hands.A strange silence filled the room—only the sound of Prakhar's movements and Kunwar's heavy breathing remained.
Kunwar's eyes were fixed on Prakhar's face.
"If only you'd say... that you love me…"Kunwar sighed deeply and lay back.
Prakhar stared at him quietly for a few moments.His expression softened—just for a second.Then he called the doctors.
Now Kunwar was getting treated without resistance.He grabbed Prakhar's hand with one of his own—And Prakhar, seeing his condition, didn't pull away.
Just then, Prakhar's phone rang.It was Shrey.
Kunwar saw the screen too.For a split second, a wicked smile curved his lips.
As Prakhar reached to reject the call,Kunwar snatched the phone.
"Kunwar!"Prakhar tried to stop him, but Kunwar stepped back.
"Hello, cutie pie..."he said in his signature tone as he answered the call.
On the other side, Shrey's eyes widened—As if someone had just dropped a bomb in his ear.