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“Guys, I’m in the team for the interschool cricket tournament!” exclaimed Arjun.
“I’m so proud of you,” said his mom.
“What about your studies?” enquired his dad. “This year is crucial. Cricket will take a lot of your time. You have to prepare for the board exams.”
“Don’t worry dad, I’ll pass.”
“Pass?” his dad asked, worried at the reply. “What do you wish to do with your life?”
“I wish to be a cricketer, dad.”
“Oh, come on Arjun, be serious now. All this playing was good while you were in school. Now you’ll be going to college, you better think about a professional course.”
“But dad…” before Arjun could complete, his mom interrupted, “Let it be, you two. Let’s celebrate Arjun’s selection.”
“Do as you both please,” said his dad and walked out of the room.
Arjun’s eyes welled up with tears, “I would be a lot happier if dad was on my side in this journey.”
“He is,” said his mom. “You will see.”
Arjun passed his 10th with 65% marks which did not please his dad. But Arjun’s game kept getting better with time. By the time he cleared his first year of bachelor’s course, he was already playing for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy matches. His talent and hard work won him many accolades in the domestic cricket circles. That’s when he decided that it was time to take the big leap. He put his name up for the Indian Premier League auctions.
On the day of auction, Arjun and his mom sat glued to the TV.
“Next player is the uncapped but explosive young batsman from India, Arjun Prabhakar. We have a starting price of 20 lakhs. Anyone interested in 20 lakhs,” announced the auctioneer.
Arjun’s dad pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Anyone? I see no hands up. Will he go unsold?”
Arjun was nervous. His dad sighed, shook his head in frustration and got up.
“We have a bidder in Mumbai. Anyone wants to up the bid?”
A smile appeared on Arjun’s face; his dad sat down again.
“Chennai, 50 lakhs. Punjab, 1 crore. That’s great. Anyone else?”
Arjun was ecstatic.
“We have a 4 crores bid from Mumbai. At 4 crores going, going and gone! Sold to Mumbai for 4 crores!”
Arjun was ecstatic, he jumped and danced in joy. His father walked up to him, “I’m glad you proved me wrong,” he said, gave him a pat on his back and went to the bedroom. Arjun couldn’t hold back his tears. This was the first time his father had appreciated him or his cricket in any way.
Arjun’s mom went after his dad.
“Thank you,” she said to him.
“For what?”
“Not many will know but the strength in all the shots he plays from now, will actually be coming from a soft pat he got on his back from you today.”
He just smiled and nodded; she went out again to join Arjun in the celebrations.
Zeyd Ladha
