The Right Wrong Number✨

♡ Chapter - 15 ♡

The window overlooked half the city—lights twinkling like stars trying to speak.

He picked up his phone. Thumb hovered over a contact: "Papa ❤️".

His mind whispered, "Bas ek baar. Bata de unhe. Unki dua ne kaam kiya."

But his eyes flicked to the time.

1:42 AM.

He sighed. Let the phone slide down his thigh.

"Nahi... so gaye honge. Thak gaye honge... roz toh subah 5 baje uthte hain."

(No... They must have fallen asleep. They must be tired... They wake up at 5 a.m. every day.)

A wave of emotion rolled over him—like a soft tide that hits you long after the storm has passed.

He had waited for this day all his life.
They had waited longer.

And tonight, he'd finally lived it.

But he'd share it with them... just not tonight.

He looked at the bracelet again, turned it once around his wrist, and whispered softly—

"Aaj main kuch nahi bolunga... bas feel karne do."

(I will not say anything today... just let me feel it.)

Silence responded with warmth.

He lay back on the bed, phone beside him, dreams floating above his head. Somewhere in Kanpur, his parents slept peacefully... fully-aware that their son had lit up the whole damn sky tonight.

Aware...
And proud.
Always proud.

⋆˙⟡

Next Afternoon...

Arjun sat on the edge of the bed in the hotel room, the match behind him, the victory within his grasp. His phone was in his hand, but he needed to call one person first. His father. The man who had believed in him when no one else did.

He dialed the number, waiting for the call to connect. The familiar sound of his father's voice filled his ears almost immediately. Arjun's heart, filled with excitement and joy from the match, softened at the sound.

"Arjun! Kaise ho beta? India A jeet gaya! Aur tum bhi!" his father said, his voice warm and full of pride.

(Arjun! How are you son? India won! And you too!)

Arjun smiled, his chest swelling with emotion. "Papa, I did it... I finally did it. India A. I'm here... I'm living the dream. And it's because of everything you've done for me."

His father was silent for a beat, then spoke with that calm strength Arjun had always known. "I know, beta. I've always known you'd make it this far. Sab kuch teri mehnat ka hai. Tumne kabhi apne sapne ko chhoda nahi. I'm proud of you... more than you know."

(It's all because of your hard work. You never gave up on your dream.)

Arjun's voice cracked slightly, emotions threatening to spill over. "Papa, I... I don't know if I made you proud. But I just want to say... I love you. You're the best. The best father anyone could ask for."

There was a moment of quiet on the other end. Arjun's father took a deep breath, his voice steady but with that familiar depth of wisdom. 

"Arjun... you've already made me proud. You don't need to prove anything more. I've watched you grow, and I've seen you fight every step of the way. Just remember this—life, cricket, success... it's all about timing. The game will test you in ways you can't even imagine, but don't forget why you started playing in the first place. For the love of the game, for the joy in your heart. You'll face losses, you'll face struggles, but if you remember why you started... nothing else will matter. Chhoo liya aasmaan, par pair hamesha zameen par rakhna, beta!"