Raj sat silently at the dinner table.
The food on his plate was not rouched. His bag was packed and placed beside the wall. Early morning, he will leave for Hyderabad.
No one at the table was talking.
Not even Uday, who usually made silly jokes when things got tense.
His mother placed more curry on his plate without saying a word. She didn't ask if he was hungry. She already knew the answer.
His father finally broke the silence and asked."So… this is final?"
Raj answered. "Yes, Nanna."
His father wiped his mouth and asked back."You'll be gone for one month?"
Raj answered -"Yes."
He didn't say anything for a few seconds. Then he said ,"Don't forget where you come from. Don't get carried away with city life and fake praise."
Raj looked up. "I won't."
There was no warmth in his father's voice.
But there was something else.
A kind of pride he didn't know how to show.
His mother touched Raj's hand gently.
"You have food packed?"
"Yes."
"Need Money?"
Raj smiled and said. "Coach gave me a travel card."
She didn't smile back.
She just pulled him close and hugged him tightly.
For a moment, Raj felt like a little boy again.
The next morning, the bus stop was quiet.
Just a few meters in the distance.
Uday and Zayed came to send him off. They didn't talk much either.
"You better come back stronger," Zayed said.
Uday gave him a small box. "Snacks during the trip. Amma made them."
Raj took the box and smiled.
Then looked at his hometown one last time before stepping onto the bus.
As the bus started, he saw something strange.
Near the last tea stall is the girl in yellow.
Not moving,not waving.
Just watching.
And then turning away.
The ride to Hyderabad took hours.
Buses,dust,heat. Then tall buildings and endless traffic.
By late afternoon, Raj stepped into the Trinetra Cricket Academy dorm.
It was nothing like home.
Clean rooms. Polished floors. New nets. Real turf. Smart uniforms.
He placed his bag on the bed and took a deep breath.
This was it.
A new world.A new challenge.
That evening, an orientation was held.
Players from all over Telangana had gathered 20 boys, 10 girls, all handpicked.
The trainer, Mr. Arvind, stood up front and began:
"You're not special just because you're here. Everyone here has talent. What will matter is how you handle pressure, failure, and success."
He looked straight at Raj.
Some of the boys followed his eyes.
Discussions started.
"That's the RajCraft kid."
"Made gloves or something."
"Probably got in for branding, not skills."
Raj stayed quiet.
But the system glowed in his mind.
[System Alert: Criticism Detected]
Internal Response: Controlled
No verbal reaction : +1 Mental Stability
Remember: Your work speaks louder than words.
Later that night, during room assignment, Raj was paired with a boy named Naveen, a tall, talkative, from a well-known Hyderabad school.
"So, you're the glove boy," Naveen asked with a smile.
Raj answered "yes''.
"You actually made that stuff yourself?"
"Yes."
Naveen smiled. "I respect the hardwork, man. But you know… this place is full of sharks. Keep your head up."
Raj replied simply, "Thanks. I will."