Mak and Raghav were walking through the halls of St. Xavier's, making their way through the crowd of students who flocked the area. They turned to class and noticing the slight bounce in Mak's step, Raghav raised an eyebrow.
"What's with you today?" Raghav glanced and said " you look unusually energetic."
Mak smirked. "Just feeling good, I guess."
Raghav chuckled." You better stay that way, They are announcing the team for the friendly match tomorrow. You think we'll be in?"
Mak regarded him politely, trying to keep it cool. "I guess we'll see today."
It had been a buzzed school day. Everyone in the cricket team knew what tomorrow meant: announcement of the players for Thursday friendly match. The match itself was Thursday but the final list would be out by the end of tomorrow practice as informed. Recently, the players had been watched by the coaches, especially Coach Ranjan. This was a big warm up match for that big tournament that's coming up later, and everyone wanted to make the cut.
Raghav added, "I think we will will make it because we have been playing good lately."
A quiet determination settled in on Mak, and he gave a small nod. There was hope, but he didn't want to get ahead of himself, he just wanted to give good performance during practices, especially today and tomorrow.
---
It was tough for Mak to pay attention in the morning classes. His mind kept drifting back to cricket, and the match on Thursday. After the vivid dream he had, everything seemed heightened, his body and his reflexes. The dream he hadn't told anyone about and deciding to keep it to himself. After all, what mattered was how he performed today.
Absently, he caught himself batting movements under his desk, which Raghav, sitting next to him, nudged playfully. "Save it for the field mate."
Mak chuckled quietly. "Can't help it."
Finally, the bell for the lunch rang, its sharp sound being the only thing breaking the quiet hum of the classroom. As the bout of morning classes faded, Mak stretched his arms and stood up to follow Raghav and Aisha to the cafeteria.
Their footsteps echoing with students' chatter passing through the busy corridors, the trio wove through them. Aisha turned to them, smiled playingly, as they entered the cafeteria.
"Hey you two," she passed her eyes through the sparkle of mischief. "Another exciting afternoon of math?!"
Mak and Raghav exchanged a knowing look. Mak groaned, though he couldn't help but notice the glimmer of amusement in Raghav's eyes.
"Thrilling, huh?" Aisha teased.
Raghav raised an eyebrow and replied. "It doesn't sound thrilling to me to be wrestling with equations."
Mak shook his head and chuckled. "Aisha, I think you and I have different definitions of fun, yeah."
They sat down, Aisha laughed lightly flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Come on, it's not that bad! I'm sure you'll pick up on it soon enough, besides. You've improved a lot Mak."
She encouraged Mak, to whom he smiled a little more reassured. "Thanks. Let's just hope today's lessons don't knock me out before the study session.
Aisha grinned. "I'll keep you awake. Promise."
Mak groaned, but with a playful smile." We'll have to, won't we? And speaking of which, what about the study session this Sunday? Before the test I could use some more help."
She nodded thoughtfully. "Sure. I can go over those problems again and bring some practice worksheets. No slacking this time, okay?
Mak grinned. "Deal."
The conversation then turned to the upcoming match. "Aisha, you're coming to see the game on Thursday?" Raghav asked as he leaned in.
She shrugged, smiling. "Depends, but I'll try to come."
He was a little under the weight of the tension around the team selection, but not to the point he couldn't help but feel ready. His focus was the practice, and it was all starting to pay off. He just had to have the chance to prove it.
---
It was a blur of the second half of the school day. Everything felt like a formality, history class, Maths Class. In the back of his mind, Mak could only think about the upcoming practice session. The final bell rang, he got his things and headed for the cricket ground with Raghav.
When he reached the field, The players were warming up while Coach Ranjan was already on the field. Everyone knew that this practice was going to decide Thursday friendly match lineup and thus the energy was higher than normal. Mak jogged over to get started.
Something strange started to happen as he started practicing. Everything felt… different. Easier.
His hands moved with a fluidity he hadn't felt before. His footwork, better and faster than it had ever been, meant he could adjust easily to each delivery. His body had memorized the motions, the angles, the timing from hours and hours of practice, it was as if his body had already done it.
Raghav noticed immediately. "Whoa, what happened to you?" watching Mak flawlessly execute a pull shot, he asked, with wide eyes.
A casual grin, and Mak just shrugged. "Just in the zone, I guess."
As Mak performed, Coach Ranjan wandered over, arms crossed. "Mak, you are playing quite well today, What have you been doing?"
Mak paused for a second before answering, "I've been focused Coach and Trying to improve."
The coach raised an eyebrow, but nodded approvingly. "It is what it is, just keep it up."
He almost connected with the sweet spot every time and had sharper reflexes behind the stumps than he ever had. The bowlers changed their deliveries, whether that was a fast ball or a tricky spinner, but Mak was able to adapt effortlessly.
They started noticing the rest of the team too. Mak suddenly improved and Raghav and the other first years exchanged glances impressed by it. It felt a little like something special was happening.
Coach Ranjan gave him an approving nod before turning to the rest of the team. "Alright, everyone, I want you all to follow Mak's example today. Stay sharp, stay focused."
---
When practice ended, Coach Ranjan held up his clipboard, and gathered the team. The players gathered around him, the smell of excitement and anticipation in the air as his expression was serious.
His voice was clear, "Alright, listen up.I know you all are anxious for the team announcement for the friendly match coming up this Thursday but We're not there yet, We'll be finalizing the lineup after practice tomorrow. It's important, as its your last chance to prove yourselves before Thursday's Friendly game against Riverdale High."
Mak's heartbeat quickened. Coach Ranjan paused for effect, scanning the group as he could feel the weight of the moment.
Ranjan nodded in agreement, and Coach Neel, standing beside him with his arms crossed, addressed the team. "We'll be watching closely tomorrow. As Coach Ranjan mentioned, this is your last chance to impress us, so make sure to put in more effort." Neel's tone was stern yet encouraging as he added, "We want to see who can step up under pressure."
Raghav flashed Mak a quick grin, just as eager for the coming challenge, both of them looked at each other.
"The team for Thursday's match will be announced tomorrow after practice" said Coach Ranjan. "So make tomorrow count. That's all for today."
Mak felt excited, and anticipation, but mostly determination as the players started to disperse. The final test tomorrow's practice and he wanted to be on that lineup on Thursday's game more than anything.
When Mak and Raghav left the school grounds, after practice, Aisha rounded them up later, with her school bag slung casually on her shoulder.
"How was today's practice?" She looked at both of them and asked.
Tomorrow's practice was weighing on Mak's shoulders, he gave a small smile. "It went well. The real test is tomorrow. that's when they'll announce the team for the Thursday match."
She replied" Don't worry, you've been putting in the work. I'm sure you will make the cut."
Mak nudged Raghav with his elbow, and he chuckled. "Mak has been in some kind of zone lately. And I wouldn't be surprised if the coaches are already thinking about giving him a spot."
He smiled but kept his thoughts on the ground. "We'll see. I just have to stay focused. Tomorrow's important."
Aisha nodded in agreement. There was no pressure—'you've got this.'
It was lighter topics the moved to from what they talked about while going through the neighborhood streets but Mak's head still went back to his practice the following day. He knew how important it was; being on the team, playing in that friendly match, and most importantly, proving himself before Thursday's game with Riverdale.