Chapter 1

Insult.

It is a very small word. But the feeling inside this word is big....no, not big. The proper word would be large. The feeling behind the word is large, larger, largest and bad, worse, worst. Arka Sen could not decide what he should feel now.

Today he was denied admission to the prestigious H.P. College of Kolkata. He had a marks percentage of 91.6 in the higher secondary examination in science stream. But that marks is not enough. The college authorities told him that he just missed up his chance due to the reservation and the management quota system. Arka is a student of general caste, and his family does not have the money for giving donations. He is the son of a car driver. His father drives the car of a businessman in Asansol city.

"Your attention please, the passenger train from Howrah to Burdwan will leave shortly after from platform number 9C."

Arka heard the announcement. Tears are forming into his eyes. He missed up a golden chance in his life. Now, people must be thinking that why is he so upset? There are lots and lots of college in West Bengal. He has a good percentage for enrolling in any other college. What is so special in H.P. College?

Yes, there is something special in H.P. College. It was something which was envied and coveted by every other college in the state of Bengal. No other college in the state had a powerful cricket team like H.P. College of Kolkata. The team is the best in West Bengal and one of the most powerful team in India. H.P. College cricket team won the prestigious KK challenge trophy four times. The KK challenge trophy is an all India cricket championship tournament. State and national cricket team selectors visited the semi finals and the finals frequently to search new talents. This tournament is a golden chance for budding cricketers who dreamt of playing for the national and state level official tournaments and the world famous T20 cricket league of India. Arka Sen knew that it was his only chance to prove his talent as a cricketer.

Yes, apart from being a meritorious student, he is a talented cricketer too. He had talent with both bat and ball. He knew that he could play, and play very well. But his playing was limited in the small grounds of Asansol city. His father, Suresh Sen knew about the talent of his son. He thought about enrolling his son into cricket coaching institutes, but every time, his monetary conditions became the thorn of the path. His son practiced with an old torn out book of cricket, an old and rugged bat and ball.

Arka was walking towards platform 9C. He was angry beyond his limit, not for his failure to enrol in the college, but for the insult he faced there. Some spoiled rich brats in the college insulted him for his poverty, for his lack of branded, costly attire, and of course, because his father is just a mere driver.

His legs were giving up. He somehow walked through the crowd and boarded the train. He was lucky to find an empty seat and sat on it. He closed his eyes, thinking about the insult he endured today.

"You are a driver's son. Go and drive a car for us. Cricket is not for you. We do not need to taint our college with people like you."

Arka knew that he was poor. But, before today, he did not care a little bit about it. His mother and father suppressed their lack of money with their love. They were a very happy family of four, his parents Suresh and Madhavi and his little brother Sanat. He was happy in his own bubble.

But today, THOSE RICH BRATS burst it.

Someone had truly said that words have more capacity to wound than a sword. Truly, Arka felt it today. He could not stop those horrible laughers of them. Lord Shiva did not give human beings lids for ears, as he gave for eyes.

"You alright, boy?" Suddenly he heard a voice in Hindi.

Arka opened his eyes and looked at the source of the voice. The voice came from a man sitting in the seat in front of him. He was wearing saffron colour dress, with a Rudraksh necklace on his neck. His head and face was cleanly shaven.

"A Hindu sadhu." Arka thought to himself.

The sadhu spoke again," You seemed to be in pain and trouble. Are you alright?"

The man's facial expression was peaceful. His smile acted as a cold hand on Arka's burning mind. Arka knew Hindi language well, so he could easily communicate with him. He told the sadhu everything.

The sadhu was listening patiently. Then he said,

"Both you and I know that your poverty is not your fault. Remember son, the way of life is not made of velvet. Hardships are part of our life. But I can see that you will do great things. Accept the struggle in your life, and have faith on GOD. You are radiant like the Sun himself. Embrace the bright sunlight and discard all sadness. Be victorious in life, son."

The kind words worked like magic. Arka felt his sadness vanishing with each passing second. He smiled and looked outside of the window. The sunlight embraced him, taking all his sorrow out from his mind.

No harsh word could damage his spirit again, he vowed to himself. He would fight every single hardship in his life. He may not be born with a silver spoon, but he had his hands and merit for struggle. His birth was a work of fate, but his skill and knowledge was his own. Now he would sharpen his skill again.

"But what about your cricketing talent?" A little voice asked inside his mind.

He did not have any answer for the question. He looked at the sadhu, but found that the seat was empty. The train had stopped in a station. The sadhu must have reached his destination. Suddenly, he heard a voice from outside the window.

"Son, just remember that who gave you hunger, also provide food for you. Ayushmaan Bhava, son!"

The sadhu was standing outside the window of the train. He blessed him, and then walked away. Arka crossed his hands, and then touched them into his forehead.

The train started, with it, another journey started too.

So, this is the first chapter of my new story. Please read, vote and comment.

Glossary:

Sadhu: Monk

Ayushman Bhava: May you live long.

And, at last, be safe from the terrible pandemic of COVID-19.

Stay in home, keep social distancing.

Together, we will win!!