UTKARSH'S POV :

I continue crossing my fingers, chanting names of all the gods I have heard of till date as if any of this is going to help.

The match currently lies at 21-22, which means Delhi Warriors need another two points to beat Bengluru titans.

Honestly this year's campaign hasn't been the best for Warriors. All these matches they have given their best regardless of the outcome but are currently 5th on the points table. Yes, it's just one place away from the qualification lot—which again will change drastically by the time of play-offs, but nevertheless after the miraculous season Warriors had last year—they would've expected better.

In the meanwhile I watch my brother get ready for his raid and within a couple of seconds—he enters the opposition's half.

Raghvansh touches the bonus line with his hand as the foot kicks jersey number 09 and I watch him cartwheel to the other side of the mat getting another player out.

What a fool.

He has to prove that he's your brother after all, right Utkarsh? I just ignore the voices in my head.

Doing all of this as if he's filming some kind of an action movie. Can he not see he's surrounded by the defenders now? I scoff. Could've just taken a bonus and came back...a draw is always better than a loss, gives you 3 points as well.

All of a sudden, the crowd goes silent—enough for me to hear my own heartbeat.

Pune really doesn't play about Raghvansh Birla, huh?

My eyes divert back to the match, where the defender dives to get a hold of Raghvansh's leg but it's late. Maybe a bit too late. You can't afford losing a second when you're around the world's best raider, can you?

All there's left to watch is Raghvansh pushing him down as he leaps over one of the finest defenders of all times just so casually.

But hold on...

One out-push from the other defender—and Raghvansh will be groaning in pain against the stadium signage. I scrunch my nose as the sight as the same appears in my mind.

Wanting to avoid the sight of my brother struggling and being the centre of attention, I try to turn to the other side but my muscles freeze on their accord.

In no time I am on my feet on its own as the sight infact, in front of me isn't of my brother lying on a stretcher.

He presses his forearm against the defender whose jersey number seems to be 31, and rolls over his back to land in the Warrior's half.

Hold on.

WARRIOR'S HALF??????

DOES THAT MEAN WE—

All of my thoughts come to a rest as the referee announces, "Super raid, 4 points—Delhi Warriors." And the buzzer goes off at that instance, indicating the end of this match.

I can't help but instantly jump in joy.

Okay, now I know why my gut refused to believe that we would lose this match even when Bengaluru was leading by 19-12. This is how you expect the defending champions to play, and their comeback just proved that they are for sure—the best team in this league.

I continue clapping since my hands don't seem to give it up yet, almost watching the winning captain in awe. HOW DOES HE MANAGE TO PULL OFF SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND MAKE IT LOOK SO EFFORTLESS??

This dude is crazy. Fucking crazy.

Raghvan is immediately hugged by Rizwan and Suraj—his teammates, and soon rest of the team + the coach join in.

As expected there is an uproar in the stadium, and just like me, I know rest of the fans in the stadium haven't been able to control their nerves, the atmosphere is almost electric and contagious. Man...I need to thank myself for being able to watch this match live.

Raghvansh looks back in our direction, and I am more than glad to see his smile widen—watching him excuse himself from the squad the next minute, as he walks, almost jogs towards us.

And even before I can comprehend, I feel the idiot jump on me, "dada!"

I try to shoo him away almost chuckling, "get off me dumbass!" Now, giving in to the hug anway—like I have longed for years. All I can hear at the moment is Raghvansh Birla giggling like an idiot. Well, has he finally lost it?

I pat his back lightly as he doesn't move for a good two minutes, which I absolutely don't mind.

If you told me a year prior that I would be watching Raghvansh from 20 metres away without getting slapped by him or my parents, I would've just laughed it off. Not sure about the parents part, we'll see about that bit later. But this moment right now—seems too real.

Praying for him from behind the screen for 14 years, and now seeing him even acknowledge me...makes me the happiest brother in existence.

Not just the happiest, but the proudest too.

I can't help but spell it out for him, "Raghav, you moron. Do you understand how goddamn proud I am of you?"

He only laughs putting a lot of emotions into it as well and hugs me tighter, "oh really?? Did you enjoy the game? Dada, tell me please, can you??"

I narrow my eyes at no one specially, why would he ask me something like that, "don't ask me the obvious questions, Raghav. I can't believe you just pulled that off. I literally had my eyeballs jump out of my sockets. Knowing you, you purposely edged us to our seats and then made it seem like an easy win. Isn't that right? What are you, a sadistic person???"

My beloved younger brother chuckles—confirming the allegations as he pulls away, now raising his hands in defence, "you definitely got me over there."

We share a laugh and I see his eyes form a moon like crest.

Woah. He's too happy today. Why wouldn't he be? Delhi Warriors are now 3rd on the table winning 4 out of 6 of their games, standing in top four with 21 points with only Kochi Chargers and Mumbai Mavericks above them.

There's a long way to go until qualifiers but this will surely give them a boost.

"Well played Raghvan! Or may I say skipper? That last move—superrr cool. I'm pretty sure it's nothing new for you but congratulations on your Super 10. It's always such a delight to watch!" Aaraya pats his arm to which he grins again.

"Thank you, Aaraya. About the Super 10 bit, I'm glad it went my way today." Woah, he's too humble. I'd be yelling and boasting to the entire world if I was even 0.01 times as talented as him, but I guess that's the difference between someone from a humble background who raised himself versus someone who wouldn't be able to do shit without his parent's wealth and position.

He goes on to touch Ishaani (Aaraya's mom) aunty's feet—to which she stops and embraces him, "beta, not with family."

He passes Ishaani a surprised look, biting back a smile. Slowly composing himself, Raghvansh now tries to speak, "aunty..." and the silly guy just laughs.

"You aren't injured anywhere right? The last raid looked really difficult—as if you invented a new move." She scans him for a quick second.

"Uff aunty, don't worry about it. I'm alright, infact better than ever. I hope you guys enjoyed it atleast?" Hriddan uncle and Ishaani aunty chuckle and nod in unison to that bit.

The stadium is extremely noisy and chaotic right now. I'm not sure whether this is just a Pune think, but oh—to be loved by these many people. Having so many people come out and cheer for you on a random Thursday evening might definitely be an overwhelming sight, but never forget that these guys have built this game. I remember the time when I had to find and connect with support staff from Delhi Warriors or Indian team's end, to even find out about the score or starting 7. Fast forward to today—where you cannot escape the news of kabaddi whatsoever.

They're freaking everywhere.

As it should be.

Raghvansh looks at the couple of stands behind us and the intensity of cheers increases further, which I thought would not be physically possible.

The celebrity in front of us just smiles and chuckles covering his face. Grow ass dude blushing, mind you.

The rest of us end up sharing a wholesome smile as well.

Hriddan uncle and Raghvansh continuing discussing the game over the next couple of minutes before one of the crew members walks up to our vip box, then excusing himself, "Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt the moment over here, but Mr Shivam Thakur needs you for the interview and also the post-match presentation."

The name obviously rings a bell in my head. Isn't he one of Raghvansh's close friends, the anchor guy? He dropped by Purple that day with Aryan and the three of them were hanging out for quite until they finally decided to call it a day. AT FUCKING 11 PM??? How do these dudes even survive late at night in this weird ass city. Nevermind, I keep forgetting they're more concerned about being spotted by the media, than criminals.

"SHIVAM? AS IN SHIVAM THAKUR?? FROM STAR SPORTS?" The said guy's friend looks like he has seen an UFO landing in the stadium, with thousand questions on his face.

The crew member subtly judges the weirdo in front of him, then pointing towards the presentation area, "indeed...Sir. He's the presenter today."

Me being the nosy person I am, I try to steal a glance of the presentation area, and yes there is indeed a Shivam Thakur in formals holding a set of cue cards—waving in Raghvansh's direction, and as expected, Raghvansh's face lights up again then waving back at this friend with twice the enthusiasm.

Damn, feels like he didn't know Shivam was going to be here today. Good for him. Not a lot of matches happen in Pune nowadays, and when they do—it might be nice to seem familiar people around.

HOLD ON. REMINDS ME I HAVE TO ASK HIM. "Wait, Raghav. You're coming home with us for dinner, right. Not gonna take no as an answer by the way, alright? Do you know how much effort Aru and I put into making dinner today?"

I don't know whether he just conveniently ignores the last bit or he's actually as puzzled as he looks, " wait me? home like Hriddan uncle and Ishaani auntys'? Can I come?"

"It's fine if you have a celebration with the team later, but don't forget to drop by once atleast before leaving, okay Raghvan?" Ishaani aunty politely tells him and he frowns then replying, "aunty, please! Of course I'm coming. Just give me a couple of minutes. I'll wrap up with the post match presentation and say hello to Shivam. He's one of my closest friends actually—we haven't met in a while. It won't take much time, you guys can go ahead though, I know it's a little chaotic here right now. I'll ask my manager to drop me off later, he lives near koregaon park anyway."

Hriddan uncle strongly disagrees to that just like the rest of us, "come on Raghvan. We never miss a single of your post match interviews okay?? How can we just go home without watching it live, that too leaving you here. Take your time. There's no need to hurry. Also why bother your manager, when we're right here?"

He then passes Hriddan uncle a grateful smile and quickly thanks him, "aww, thank you uncle, I'll be right back. Also let me tell someone to get a couple of bottles of chilled water or some refreshments. I'm pretty sure you all need it to chill your nerves as much as I do."

We share a warm smile as Raghvansh finally mumbles a 'see you' and heads towards the presentation area, stopping in his tracks to whisper something to the crew guy from earlier.

Aaraya shrugs, then smiling says, "what a humble fellow. With him—it never feels like you're talking to one of the most successful sportsmen in the world."

Both her parents also join in, "he's so down to earth. Not a single trace of snobbery or superiority. It's stupid for people to even assume he's rude + arrogant or any rubbish like that."

Wait. Raghvansh is arrogant though—

Okay jokes apart, he might be rude to people who deserve it, but other than that this dude does not have a single mean bone in his body. I mean come on, he hasn't even sledged anyone in a while. Sometimes I feel like he goes too easy on people who hurt him, be it in the past or present.

I take a sip from the bottle that was handed over to me prior and settle in my seat as the post-match presentation begins.

It's going to be a fun time at home, especially considering Raghvansh is back in Pune after a while.

√

AUTHOR'S NOTE :

I had planned to make this a long chapter, but honestly it took me a while to get this done. Also wanted Raghvansh and Piha's family's equation to stand out a little on it's own and the chapter was 2.3k words long anyways. The next part is actually going to be a lot more fun (continuation with another couple invited, any guesses who it's gonna be??). I'll try my best to get this written over the weekend, but if not then the chapter will definitely be up by the next week.

Take care and don't forget to vote!