Chapter 2-Reluctance and Reminiscence

Chapter 2-Reluctance and Reminiscence

While sipping his drink, Rana thought about his parents' demanding jobs. His father, Rudra, was often away on official trips, and his mother, Ravita, was equally busy with her financial reports and client meetings. Their careers required long hours and frequent travel, leaving little time for family.

They felt guilty about their absence and always fulfilled his wishes to make up for it. Now, as he reflected on it, he realized he had always wanted to play cricket. He even fought with his parents about playing cricket while his board exams were approaching, desperately wanting their understanding and support.

Sometimes, Rana pondered whether conceding to his parents would have changed his life. But then again, he wondered if he had received proper training instead of playing by himself or with friends, things might have turned out differently. As he grew older, his passion for cricket intensified. At 18, he became fanatical about the sport, which his father disapproved of. To his dismay, Rudra even stopped his allowances, hoping Rana would come to his senses. Instead, this only led to more conflicts between them, culminating in him being kicked out of the house at 24.

The tension between Rana and his father reached its peak during his board exams. Rudra Pratap Singh, who had always emphasized the importance of academic excellence, was furious when he discovered that Rana was spending more time on the cricket field than on his studies. One evening, after a particularly intense practice session, Rana returned home to find his father waiting for him, his face tight with anger.

"You're throwing your future away for a game!" Rudra shouted, his face flushed. "Do you think cricket will put food on the table? Do you think it will secure your future?"

Rana, equally stubborn, shot back, "Cricket is my passion, Dad! I don't want to be stuck in a job I hate for the rest of my life. Why can't you understand that?"

His father's eyes narrowed dangerously. "A job you hate? Do you think your mother and I enjoy being away from home all the time? We work hard to provide for this family, to give you everything you need!"

"That's exactly my point!" Rana countered, his voice rising. "You're never home! You're always working, always stressed. I don't want that life. I don't want to be miserable in a job just to make money. I want to do something I love, something that makes me happy."

Rudra's face darkened further. "You think we're miserable? We're doing what's necessary to ensure you have a future. You're being selfish, thinking only about yourself and your so-called passion. Life isn't about doing what you love; it's about responsibility and duty."

Rana's frustration boiled over. "Responsibility? Duty? What about my dreams? What about my happiness? I don't want to end up like you, working a job I hate, missing out on life. I want to live my life on my own terms!"

"Your own terms?" Rudra scoffed, disbelief etched on his features. "You're still just a child, Rana. You don't grasp the harsh realities of life. Do you really think cricket is the answer to all your problems? It's a fantasy, a pipe dream. You need to grow up and confront reality."

After the argument, Rana stormed into his room, slamming the door behind him. He threw himself onto his bed, tears of frustration and anger streaming down his face. Moments later, he heard a soft knock on the door. It was his mother, Ravita.

"Rana, may I come in?" she asked gently.

Rana didn't respond, but Ravita entered anyway, closing the door quietly behind her. She sat on the edge of his bed and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I know you're upset," she began softly. "Your father can be very strict, but he means well. He just wants what's best for you."

Rana turned to face her, his eyes red and puffy. "He doesn't understand, Mom. He doesn't care about what I want. He just wants me to follow his path, to live his dreams."

Ravita sighed, brushing a strand of hair away from Rana's forehead. "Your father and I have always tried to give you everything you wanted because we felt guilty about not being there for you. But sometimes, we forget that what you need most is our support and understanding."

Rana's voice cracked. "I just want to play cricket, Mom. It's the only thing that makes me happy. Why can't he see that?"

Ravita pulled him into a gentle embrace. "I see it, Rana. And I believe in you. But you have to understand that your father comes from a different generation. He's seen how hard life can be without a stable career. He's just worried about your future."

Rana buried his face in her shoulder, tears soaking her blouse. "I don't want to lose him, Mom. But I can't give up on my dreams either."

Ravita held him tighter. "You won't lose him, Rana. It will take time, but he will come around. Just promise me you'll do your best in your exams. Show him that you can balance both your studies and your passion."

Rana nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. "I promise, Mom."

The next day, Rudra forbade Rana from playing cricket until his exams were over. Feeling betrayed and misunderstood, Rana defied his father's orders and continued to play in secret. When Rudra found out, he was livid, his disappointment cutting deeper than any words could express. From that day on, their relationship was never the same. Rudra stopped talking to him, and the silence grew into a chasm that seemed impossible to bridge.

Despite the ban, Rana couldn't keep himself away from the game. He followed the latest cricket events closely, finding solace in the sport he loved. The 2023-24 cricket season was particularly exciting, with India hosting several high-profile matches. The Indian Premier League (IPL) featured thrilling games, showcasing young talents like Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw. The Indian team was also preparing for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, with hopes high for a strong performance on home soil.

The season saw significant changes in the format and rules of the game. The introduction of new technology for umpiring decisions and player performance analysis added a new dimension to the sport. The use of AI-driven analytics helped teams strategize better and make more informed decisions on the field. Moreover, the emphasis on players' fitness and mental health became more pronounced, with teams investing in specialized coaching and support staff.

The women's cricket scene gained more attention, too, with increased viewership and sponsorships. The Women's IPL was a major highlight, showcasing the incredible talent and competitiveness of female cricketers. This shift towards gender equality in cricket was a welcome change, inspiring many young girls to take up the sport.

These developments made the 2023-24 cricket season one of the most dynamic and transformative periods in recent history, further deepening Rana's love for the game and his longing for what might have been.

As he immersed himself in the world of cricket, Rana couldn't help but dream of what might have been. He imagined himself on the field, playing alongside his heroes, and wondered if he could have made a difference. The thought of restarting his life and pursuing his passion filled him with a mix of hope and regret.

While thinking about this, Rana drank at least seven beers. His mind was now swinging, and his body couldn't control itself. He started resting in the same place, lost in thought, believing that if he could live again or restart his life, maybe he could achieve something remarkable. As these thoughts spiraled deeper, he slipped into a dream-like state, unaware he was entering a different realm. This was reminiscent of a new study released by scientists researching the human psyche, suggesting that dreams serve as doors to another world or parallel worlds, where what we see in dreams is happening in some other reality.

As the clock struck midnight, signaling the start of a new year, Rana's consciousness drifted further into the dream. He witnessed a surreal scene—a sun-like explosion that created a black hole. The black hole seemed to pull at his very soul, drawing him into its depths. He felt a sensation of being transported, his psyche hurtling through time and space.

In the dream, Rana found himself in a vast, otherworldly landscape. The sky was a swirling mix of colors, and he sensed a strange energy in the air. Suddenly, he saw a sun-like explosion in the distance. The explosion was both beautiful and terrifying, radiating an intense light and heat. As it reached its peak, it collapsed in on itself, creating a black hole. The black hole began to pull everything around it into its depths, including Rana. He felt an intense force drawing him in, and despite his fear, he was also filled with a sense of inevitability and acceptance.