The Right Wrong Number✨

♡ Chapter - 14 ♡

His heart tugged.

That was Mira.

Dramatic. Loud. Hilarious. But somehow, when it mattered, she knew exactly what to say to hold him together.

He blinked a couple of times and quickly wiped his eyes with his wrist.

No crying. Not before your debut.

He picked up the bracelet, traced the cricket bat charm with his thumb, and tied it around his wrist with the same care one makes a promise that means the world to them.

It felt... right.

Like carrying a piece of home, of belief, of her-with him.

"ARJUN!" his coach yelled from outside. "You ready?! Pad up... the mid-inning break is almost over!"

Arjun nodded, wore his helmet which was earlier placed beside him, stood, and glanced at himself in the reflection of the glass.

Jersey neat. Gloves on. Bat oh-so-ready.

And on his wrist?

The bracelet.

He closed his eyes for a second, whispering softly, "Maa... Papa... ab dekho aapka beta kya udataa hai ball ko."

(Mom... Dad... now see how your son makes the ball fly.")

And then, eyes still glinting with quiet fire, he smiled again.

This time, looking at the bracelet.

"Mira... ab tu dekh."

(Mira... now you see!)

He picked up his bat, walked to the field entrance, and let the roar of the stadium wash over him-strong, loud, and endless.

Like his heartbeat.

🏏🏏🏏🏏

Target to chase: 243 runs in 20 overs.

"Big, but not impossible," Arjun muttered to himself as he adjusted his gloves, standing on the edge of the pitch.

The Wanderers Stadium roared. A sea of blue flooded one half, waving Indian flags, while patches of yellow and green danced proudly on the other-South African supporters in full swing.

Vuvuzelas buzzed in the background, drowning every other thought.

Arjun stood there, heart pounding, eyes scanning the buzzing stadium. His gaze paused at the Indian section, their chants merging into a chorus.

Somewhere out there, he imagined Mira screaming, even though she was miles away. Maybe in her living room. Maybe with Pepsi in hand. Maybe, just maybe, watching him.

He exhaled slowly and looked down at his wrist. The black thread bracelet with a tiny silver cricket bat charm caught the light under the sun. Her scent still clung to it faintly. He closed his eyes. And then opens.
The South African team spread out across the field. On the other end stood KL Rahul, the non-striker.

Kagiso Rabada held the ball, ready to bowl the first over. The stadium leaned forward with a collective breath.