Oct 5th, 2023
Chennai, India
The team Doctor was called in, after the emergency call made by Shubman. The team of doctors visited, took the temperature and did all the required tests. In the beginning it did occur as if it was just a mere fever because of all the travelling and exertion. But somewhere Shubman knew. It cannot be just that. His gut kept on saying that to him. It's like he had been playing since a really really long time now, his body was prone to all the travel and exertion and stress. He had made it immune to all that. But in that very moment, he only kept praying it to be a normal fever, which shall go away once the medicines are consumed.
But the fever refused to go down. None of the medicines seem to work. Jugnu was not there with Shubman when all this happened. He had gone back to Chandigarh for some work. The moment he got a call saying Shubman hadn't been feeling well, he immediately decided to fly to Chennai along with Seb. That was only fair. Somebody had to, had to be with Shubman.
While the team doctor advised him proper rest and no practice for the next day, they also assured that they would be coming back with the results in maximum of 2-3 hours. However, these results took a TAT of 24-48 hours usually, but everybody understood the situation. They were talking about the health of their Star Opener for the WC 2023 and it was no joke. It had to be taken very seriously. While the doctor was back at it, working on the test reports, Shubman's mind was only praying for it not to be anything serious but a normal flu! He was thinking all this is when Sara's call started coming in:
Sara: "Hey! Did he come ? The Doctor ?"
Shub: "Yeah! He has done tests, he will be back with the reports in few hours, he said."
Sara: "How do you feel ?"
Shub: "Terrible! No energy to even get up and sit."
Sara: "Your face also says the same story. I am flying tonight. Okay ?"
Shub: "Where ?"
Sara: "To Chennai, where else ?"
Shub: "No! It's alright. Why do you bother ?"
Sara: "Ummm! Because I am the girlfriend ??? How can you even ask such a question ?"
Shub: "Be Gentle! I am not well."
Sara: "And still talking nonsense. I am flying tonight! Do whatever you wish to do."
Shub: "I have always loved the Demanding Sara. What can I say ?"
Sara: "Nothing. I am getting the tickets done, don't you worry. I shall co-ordinate with Jugnu on this. I cannot keep waiting for the reports and all to come."
Shub: "Okay! I am a little dizzy, may be because of the meds."
Sara: "Yeah! You sleep, I will manage everything."
Sara kept the call and dialled her team to inform how she urgently needed to be in Chennai. While her team was not in favor of the same, her only brief to them was that she was not asking for a sugggestion, rather a decision she had already made. She only wanted to be by her boyfriend's side, whatsoever. Her only brief to them was to co-ordinate with Shubman's team. He or his game shouldn't be effected in any way, that was all she wanted.
Once she got done with this, she dialled KP:
Jugnu: "Hanjeeeee ??"
Sara: "Where are you ?"
Jugnu: "Just going to board, for Chennai."
Sara: "He is really not well."
Her voice almost shattered as she said this.
Jugnu: "I know Sara, don't you worry, I am on my way. He will be fine."
Sara: "What do you mean by you are on your way and I should not worry ? I am coming tooo."
Jugnu for once wanted to tell her not to do that. It could be chaotic, problematic and might ruin it all. But then, in the very next moment only, he realised, he was talking to a woman in love. Was she going to listen to anyone right now, when the love of her life was not doing well ???
HELLL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Jugnu: "Okay! I will arrange everything."
Sara: "Pakka ?"
Jugnu: "Haan bhai, aap sirf usi ke kuch nahi lagte. Mere bhi bhabhi ho. Sab ho jayega, aa jaao. Seb ko apna schedule mail kar do, I will convince him, sab ho jayega."
Sara: "Jugnu yaaaar! Tu sach me hamare life ka Jugnu hai."
Jugnu: "Sab pata hai mujhe, chadhaaaao mat."
Sara: "No I really mean it. Thank you so much! Say thanks to Seb too, haaan ?"
Jugnu: "Shubman se milne ke liye you don't have to thank us. Honestly I am so proud of you! Not everybody would have dared to do what you just asked me to do. Especially, the kind of personality you are, you know na, Sara, The Tendulkar."
Sara: "Aisa kuch nahi hai. I don't know any other way apart from this. This is what I know, this is what I have been taught, hence this is exactly what I will do. I will be by his side, let it take whatever it takes to do that."
Jugnu: "I always knew Shubman is going to be a lucky Man! I am so proud of you both actually, chalo jaldi milte hain."
Sara: "Okayyy! Thank you KP! Once again, seriously."
While Jugnu & Seb had just landed at Chennai Airport and Sara was still on her way, is when the doctor came back with the reports confirming Shubman had been diagonized with Dengue and needed to undergo all the possible medications and rest for the same.
There is no word ever made in the english dictionary which can describe what Shubman felt after hearing it. As if thousands of honey bees had bitten him, all at once.
The reports were sent to Seb too, as he was Shubman's manager. They almost reached the team hotel and the first thing they decided was, they will be moving Shubman away from the team hotel. They had their own reasons for the same. Seb spoke to the doctor and said, "There are a few reasons because of which we want to take this call. We do not believe he will be able to play the first match, which is just after 2 days. He will keep getting depressed seeing others practicing. Above all, we also do not want team to get bothered because of all this. The show must go on. And lastly, Shubman's family might also wish to be around him in this difficult time, which ofcourse is not possible if he continues to stay in the team hotel, hence, we think it would be a good call to shift him."
The Doctors did agree to it but then, a team doctor along with a nurse was to be with Shubman 24*7 whichever hotel they were going to stay in.
Seb did agreee to it, after all, it was needed too. All this story that he had just narrated was also because Sara was coming. Jugnu knew, she would be uncomfortable around everyone. Hence, very strategically he had asked Seb to convince the Doctors. They knew Shubman would be needing Sara now. They did reach the team hotel and straight went to his room.
Jugnu: "Kya bhai.??"
Shubman didn't say a word.
Seb: "Bhai!! Tu theek hai ?"
Shub: "Hmmmm! Aur option bhi kya hai?"
Jugnu: "Bhaii yaar!! Tujhe pata hai na, ye theek ho jayegaa, ek hafte me, maximum."
Shub: "Haan! You mean, the most crucial one week of this year, right ?"
Seb: "Shubman, I think KP is right. This was beyond you, beyond us. You cannot blame yourself for this."
Shub: "I am not blaming anyone. I am just hurt. It was my first world cup. Do you guys understand ?? All my life, I had dreamt of it??"
Jugnu: "We understand. But also understand that you need to get back to it all, yet again, at the earliest, and that is not going to happen by merely sulking over it."
Shub again didn't say a word. He was hurt and he was unwell.
Oct 6th, 2023
Chennai
Midnight
Sara had just landed, she switched on her phone to co-ordinate with Jugnu on what next is to be done ? Where shall she come from the Airport is when she saw the text from Jugnu.
Jugnu: "His reports are in. It's Dengue and he is really upset with it all. Ping me once you land."
Sara read the message and her heart just got heavier. Shubman's face flashed in front of her, just a week back he was showing all his shots to her saying he will use them all at the WC. She was lost in all these thoughts is when she realised that she needs to calm herself down. It's not a time for her to react rather it's a time she should support and be with Shubman.
She spoke to Jugnu and registered the hotel's address they had shifted Shubman to. She immediately reached there and called Jugnu.
Jugnu: "Haaan ?"
Sara: "Where are you Guys ?"
Jugnu: "Seb and I are in our room. Shub is in his room.",
Sara: "Okay! I will go see him ?"
Jugnu: "Wait, I will come and drop you there. Also, this hotel is of my uncle, so nobody is going to capture you and all, that is all sorted."
Sara: "Jugnu, you are a savior."
Jugnu: "Nahi yaar! Only you can make things fine right now, just go to him and be with him. Dengue se zyada toh vo apne thoughts se pareshan hai, I think."
Sara: "I know! I will try my best."
Jugnu came till the reception to pick Sara. He walked her till Shub's room and said, we are in the next room only. There is a doctor and a nurse also, who have to be with Shubman 24*7. Currently, they are in the opposite room as Shub is resting. They might come and question who are you and all, just give me a call then. I will manage everything."
Sara: "Okay! Thanks KP."
Jugnu: "No Sara, thank you! For doing this."
Sara: "Maine toh kuch kiya hi nahi."
Jugnu: "You will not understand. Chalo you go and see him, okay ?"
Sara: "Yes, I will. Thanks and Good night."
Sara reached Shub's room. She saw him, walked in and hugged him. Shub was unquestionably very upset. He huggged her back. Both of them did not say anything for good 5 mins. They just kept hugging, in between Sara could feel him sobbing but she still did not say a word. She knew no word could comfort him at that very moment. She just made a silent statement with that hug which said, irrespective of whatever and however it turns out to be, she is going to stay by his side, now and forever.
General Trivia:
Shubman's picture when he was under medications for Dengue.