The Toss, The Text and The Timing

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“He wore his gloves. But her words? That’s what really fit.”

---

📍 Match Day — Stadium Locker Room — 1:07 PM

“Gill, pad up next.”
The coach’s voice cut through the buzz.

Shubman nodded, but his fingers moved slower than usual.

The room was full of noise —
shoes squeaking, kits rustling, laughter from the boys.

But he?
He was in a different place entirely.

A softer one.

Where time felt slower.
Where something unread wasn’t just a text — it was a thread tying him to stillness.

---

His phone buzzed.
One notification.
No name. Just… “from the unknown.”

He didn’t even have to check who it was.

He knew.

The moment he opened it —
it felt like someone had just placed light inside him.

Like breathing between pressure.

---

He read the letter once.
Then again.

And by the third time?

He wasn’t sitting in a locker room anymore.

He was standing inside her words.

---

> “You’re not playing for anyone.
You’re playing through everything you’ve ever been.”


---

He blinked,
eyes lingering on the final line.

Then, gently —
he did something he hadn’t done before a match in weeks.

He closed his eyes.

And smiled.

---

> “Shubie, ready?” KL asked, already tapping his helmet on.

> “Bas ek second,” he replied, calmly.

He slipped his phone into his bag.
Not like he was hiding it.
More like he was… honoring it.

As if that message deserved a safe place before battle.

---

He stood.
Tightened his pads.
Slipped on his gloves.

But it wasn’t the equipment that gave him strength.

It was her words —
quietly woven into the fabric of his rhythm.

---

And as he walked out through the tunnel,
past the cameras, the lights, the roaring crowd—

He whispered under his breath:

> “Breathe. Just play. She’s watching.”


---

📍 Back in Jaipur — Saara’s Room — 1:12 PM

The match was about to begin.

Everyone was posting.
Everyone was guessing scores.

But Saara?

She just whispered one line to herself, over and over:

> “I hope he felt okay today.”


---

And across screens, crowds, and continents —
somehow…
he did.

---

okk , so I am getting too many ideas on this one now, but I guess I'll stick to the one I planned.

The story is almost halfway through. I guess 30-40 chapters more would be there.

Can you guess the ending???

Whoever guesses the ending perfectly before last 10 chapters, I'll be writing a new story just the way they want.

So do tell me guyssss

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