The Right Wrong Number✨

♡ Chapter - 28 ♡

"Maine uss ladke ke chehre pe woh chamak dekhi," I explained, almost breathless with the flood of words tumbling out. "Usne ek shot maara maa... uss tareeke se jo maine sikhaya tha... aur sab taaliyan bajane lage... aur mujhe laga... main bhi toh yahi karta tha na? Logon ko khushi dena. Khud ko jeene ka ek reason dena. Ab wapas karna hai."

(I saw that spark on that boy's face, he fired a shot, the way I had taught him and everyone started clapping. And I thought, I also used to do the same thing, right? Making people happy. Giving yourself a reason to live. Now I have to return.)

Tears welled in her eyes. I stepped forward, wrapped my arms around her and pressed a kiss to her cheek, like I hadn't done in years. Her warm hands trembled as she pulled me closer, kissing my temple.

"I'm proud of you," she whispered, voice thick. "More than I ever have been."

I smiled into her shoulder. "Maa... ab dekhna. Kya karta hoon. Atleast main koshish karunga. Aur mujhe pata hai... main karunga. Bas dekhte jao."

(Mom... now see what I do. At least I will try. And I know... I will. Just keep watching.)

There was a tiny sniffle behind us.

"Main bhi hoon yahan, guys," Mira's voice chimed in softly.

(I'm here too, Guys,)

I turned to see her standing by the doorway, arms crossed, eyes glossy with emotion. She looked like she wanted to hold herself back, but then she strode toward us and looped her arms around both of us in one tight hug. My two pillars, anchoring me home.

I pulled back, a laugh lodged in my chest. "Okay, okay... before I get too soft, I have something to do."

They looked at me curiously.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket. My hand didn't shake this time. I scrolled through my contacts, and there it was- Childhood Coach. My thumb hovered for a second, but I didn't overthink it.

Second ring, and he picked up.

"Hello?" His voice was the same-gruff, but dependable. Firm, like the crease lines on a well-worn bat.

"Coach," I said. "Main Arjun."

There was a pause. Then a chuckle. "Tu bhi jaanta hai mujhe ye kehne ki zarurat nahi thi."

(You also know that you did not need to say this to me.)

I laughed, feeling the warmth in his tone. "Main wapas aana chahta hoon, Coach. Practice... sab kuch. Dobara shuru karna hai."

(I want to come back, Coach. Practice... everything. Start over again.)

The silence that followed was heavy, but not uncomfortable.

"You ready?" he asked finally.

"Jitna ho sakta hai... usse zyada ready hoon," I said honestly.

(I'm more ready than I can be,)

"You've been through hell, Arjun," Coach said, voice lowering. "But sometimes fire forges steel. Tu wapas aa raha hai. Aur main wapas se tujhe train karne ko taiyaar hoon."

(You are coming back. And I am ready to train you again.)

I swallowed. "Parso se shuru?"

(Starting the day after tomorrow?)

"Parso subah. 6 baje sharp. Late hua toh ground ke chakkar alag se katwaunga," he said, but his voice cracked a little at the end. "I'm proud of you, beta."

(Day after tomorrow morning. 6 am sharp. If You get late, I will make you go around the ground separately,)

I ended the call, feeling lighter than I had in months. I looked up at the two women waiting for me-Maa and Mira.