We landed in Mumbai. As we exited the airport, we were greeted by a sea of fans holding boards with negative slogans. The police quickly stepped in to help us navigate through the chaos and escorted us to the safety of the Wankhede Stadium. Despite the initial shock, we were all disheartened by the reception. Mr. Patel took it upon himself to lift our spirits. He gathered us together and delivered a rousing motivational speech, reminding us of all the hard work and dedication that had brought us this far. He emphasized the importance of taking a break and recharging our batteries before embarking on the next leg of our journey. "Guys, you have been working hard for several months now," he said. "Even a machine needs a break at times, so let's take a vacation for a month and come back fresh, ready to start the new season with renewed energy and enthusiasm." Dravid nodded in agreement. "Yes, we need to take care of ourselves both physically and mentally. A break will do us good, and when we return, we can focus on preparing for the upcoming challenges."
As we all packed up our belongings and said our goodbyes, the air was filled with a mix of emotions but also excitement for the new adventures that lay ahead. I reached my home. One fine evening, as I stood by my window, the cool breeze of Mumbai caressed my hair, bringing a refreshing sensation that seemed to awaken my senses. The gentle gust carried with it the whispers of the city, the hum of its never-ending activity, and the faint scent of street food vendors wafting from the nearby alleys. As I closed my eyes, allowing myself to be enveloped by the soothing ambiance, my thoughts drifted towards the recent events that had transpired in our championship trophy journey. Despite my inability to pinpoint the exact cause of our team's sudden slump, I could distinctly feel the shift in the collective mindset of my boys. The usually active chat group we shared had fallen silent, with no new messages or updates exchanged among us for several days. I quickly grabbed my phone from the side table and sent a group message to the boys, hoping to catch up on their adventures. Rachin responded first, his message popping up on my screen just seconds after I hit send. "Didi! I am tripping in Ladakh," he wrote, accompanied by a series of breathtaking photos of the Himalayas. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as I scrolled through the pictures, wishing I could join him on his adventure. Zahiri chimed in next, his reply coming late in the evening. "I am at my parents' place, helping them with farming," he wrote. "It makes me relax." I smiled as I read his message. I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of restlessness. It was already 9:00 p.m., and I had checked my chat group for a reply from Adhi multiple times since dinner. The silence on the other end was deafening.
As I woke up at 6:00 a.m., groggily reaching for my phone to check the time, I noticed that there were no new messages in our chat group. I had been waiting eagerly for Adhi's reply all night, hoping that he would finally respond to my message. But now, as I scrolled through the list of conversations, I realized that there was nothing from him. Though I had been avoiding him for the past few weeks, I couldn't stop worrying about him now. I dialed Zahiri's number, my heart racing as I waited for him to pick up. "Hey, did Adhi contact you?" I asked, cutting straight to the chase. There was a pause on the other end of the line before Zahiri replied, "No, he didn't. He told me he would be traveling to his hometown to spend time with his family, but that was three weeks ago. I haven't been able to reach him since then." "That's...fine," I said finally, trying to sound convincing.
Though I spoke to Zahiri in a calm tone, my heart became restless when I sensed something off about Adhi. I couldn't just sit around and wait for updates. So, without hesitation, I wasted no time, quickly packed my things, and booked a flight to Mohali. The journey was long and tiring, but all I could think about was reaching Mohali and seeing Adhi's smiling face again. Mohali was bathed in bright sunlight as the flight touched down on the runway. The heat hit me like a wall, but I was ready for it. I hired an autorickshaw to Adhi House. As the next day was Diwali, the air was filled with the sweet smell of festive treats, and the sound of laughter and chatter echoed through the air. Families were busy purchasing new clothes, decorations, and fireworks for the upcoming celebration, and children were laughing and playing with joyful abandon. In between all this commotion, the sound of an auto horn interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see the driver gesturing that we had arrived at our destination. I paid him and stepped out of the car, looking around to take in my surroundings. Before me stood a grand villa, its walls adorned with intricate carvings and painted with vibrant colors. It was a true testament to the rich cultural heritage of India.
As I walked towards the house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I pressed the calling bell, and after a few moments, a lady appeared before me. She was tall and statuesque, with long black hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her eyes were dark and piercing, and they seemed to bore into my soul. "Hi aunty!" I said, trying to sound cheerful despite the awkwardness of the situation. "My name is Tara, and I'm an analyst for the Indian cricket team. I've come to check on Adhi." She welcomed me inside, and as I followed her through the living room, I noticed a family photo hanging on the wall to my right. It was a picture of Adhi and his parents, all three of them smiling brightly at the camera. My gaze lingered on the woman standing beside me, and suddenly it hit me—she was Adhi's mother.
I turned towards here, asking, "It's been several weeks and I couldn't contact Adhi. I was worried, as I knew the situation before this break was not good, so I came here to check on him. I hope he is doing good." Her voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes brimming with tears. "Beti, I don't know what to do. Adhi has been locked in his room for two weeks now, ever since he returned from England. He just can't seem to shake off the negative comments and criticism he received during his trip. Even our neighbors have been mocking him, making fun of his poor performance. It's like they're all ganging up on him, and it's breaking my heart. We've tried everything to get him to open up and talk to us, but he won't budge. He just sits there, alone in his room, lost in his own thoughts. It's like he's given up, Beti. And I don't know how much longer I can take this." My heart sank at her words. I quickly went over to her, wrapping my arms around her in a warm embrace. "Don't worry, Auntie," I whispered into her ear. "I'm here now, and everything is going to be okay. Let me go see Adhi; I'll take care of him."