Cricket - Abhii's Life Partner

"Sone se pehle cricket, Uthne ke baad Cricket, bas Cricket Cricket Cricket!" , these were the words of Nandini, sister of Abhimanyu who was madly in love with Cricket! Abhimanyu was an office going man, a 25-year-old lad who worked in an MNC in Gurgaon. His elder sister Nandini, 27 years old, was an assistant professor at Delhi University. Abhimanyu loved his sister more than anyone, but cricket the most! You don't give him food and water, he'll be okay! But ask him to survive without playing cricket a single day, and he'll lift the sky on his head! He was this much addicted to the sport. Although Nandini did not like cricket at all, when Abhimanyu played, she used to admire his shots! But still, their parents were never in favor of Abhi playing cricket so much that he could take a sick leave from the office and go for a match! 

"Abhi, you need to focus on your office now! They'll have incremented the next month. I hope you're completing your targets"? asked his dad at the dinner table. 

" As per the stats, I don't think they'll have a match tomorrow Afterall it's raining since morning here! What's your point Nandu"? he asked his sister and ignored his father's words. This made Mr. Singh furious.

"Today because of cricket he's ignoring his office, his father, I'm telling you, a day will come when he'll ignore all of us for that bloody sport!", his father angrily said to his mom and smashed the plates on the dining table and left!

A moment of tension arose in the room, but Abhimanyu was hardly concerned he was still busy checking the stats! 

Soon, the next month everyone in office received a 10% hike in their salaries but Abhimanyu and Bhavesh, his best friend in the office, and equally a cricket lover like him received a 7% increase in salary. Both were upset but since it was India-England the same evening, they did not mind the less hike much! They gradually shifted their focus on arranging popcorns, India team jersey and a bottle of coke. 

The same evening Abhi and Bhavesh were at Abhi's place to watch the match. It was almost 10th over when Abhi's dad asked him about his day and increment, to which he didn't receive any response from the second end. 

"Abhi I've asked you something!", he said in a high tone, but 

 again Abhi didn't reply as he was more busy watching the match.

He picked up the remote, switched off the TV and held Abhimanyu from his arm, " Didn't you hear, I asked you something! Or now in front of these 22 players, you don't remember who am I!", he shouted. 

"My increment is 7% and I've decided to quit my job. Anything else you want to know, I'll inform you in detail after the match!" , Abhimanyu said and left with Bhavesh to his room to watch the match. 

Their heated conversation was overheard by both the ladies and they were not only upset with Abhimanyu's behavior but also surprised over his decision of quitting the job. They had no idea what was cooking in Abhi's mind. 

Once the match got over, Nandini sent Abhi to get some stuff for home while she had a word with Bhavesh. 

"Listen Bhavesh, Abhimanyu spends most of his time with you in the office and Metro, and then before going and after coming, he watches matches remaining he spends eating and sleeping. In 24 hours we hardly get half-hour with him when he's having dinner with us! Whatever we'll say, he'll take wrong. But you can try. You try to convince him to get this cricket fever out of his head and not quite the job! Please, Bhavesh. Please.!'', she pleaded to him.

"I'm sorry Di. This is not just his, it's our mutual decision. We both are quitting the job and we decided this on our way back to your place." Bhavesh said and left. 

Nandini's hopes of convincing his brother had now ended. She had nobody who could convince her brother now. She was upset. 

The next week came. Abhimanyu and Bhavesh were getting ready for the tournament that was supposed to take place in Mumbai. Their flight tickets were booked. 

Abhimanyu was about to enter his parent's room when he heard his dad saying, "Nandu beta, how can Abhi do this? 8 years back when he was 17 he had an addiction for drugs! It took him 3 years to come out of it. And now he has developed the same for this sport! What will he do in life! He cannot earn playing! He has to work somewhere, under someone to earn his living!" 

"Not all addictions are that bad, dad!" , Abhimanyu said as he entered the room touched his parent's feet, hugged his sister and informed them that he's leaving for Mumbai for the tournament. 

His parents were upset but Nandini was happy and sad at the same time. She was confused about whether to support his brother's passion or to be tensed about his quitting the job! 

Soon both the boys reached Mumbai. They went to the academy. Academy where the tournament was. They were excited and nervous at the same time. 

The next morning as Abhimanyu was about to leave, he received a text. "All the best Abhi. I know you'll rock!". Yes, it was Nandini's message. No matter how far they stayed, their brother-sister bond was never affected. "Thankyou didi. Love you!", Abhimanyu replied. Since he was happy he addressed her as didi, one of the few times when he used to call her that! Tournament soon began and both the boys played exceptionally. Anyone watching their match could very well understand how much passion they were about cricket! The whole crowd cheered for these Delhi boys as they left no stones unturned to entertain the audience. For the first time, the academy could witness so much excitement in a game that was not an international match! The staff, the supporters and organizers were extremely proud of the two. The scenario lasted for about 2 weeks and then the results came. 

Abhimanyu and Bhavesh were on cloud nine as their team won the tournament. It was another addition to Abhii's trophies collection. He was elated. 

And something more exciting happened. Abhimanyu and Bhavesh found their place in the capped players of the Indian cricket team. Yes! The organising committee was so impressed that they ensured their place in the team. Now it was a matter of pride for both the boys. They had tears of joy in their eyes and they planned to surprise their families. 

Before joining the team, they once went to Delhi to meet their families. 

On one side where Bhavesh's Family was super proud, Abhimanyu made it a suspense for his family. 

He returned with a sad face and made it appear as if he has lost the match! His fathet came and said, "I told you. I had told you, my son, there's no future here! Khelne se agar paise kamae jaate to aaj koi IAS ki taiyari nai kr raha hota!" he said. While both the ladies cried, Abhi's dad asked him to leave all this and start preparing for interviews he has shortlisted some companies for him. 

"I'll prepare dad, but not for the interview but for joining the Indian cricket team!", he shouted in happiness as he revealed his achievement. For once, all of them had their mouths wide open! They couldn't believe that Abhimanyu had made it to the playing 11! 

His dad was speechless! Abhimanyu with tears in his eyes came and said, ''I had told you na Dad, not all addictions.. ", "Are that bad..", his father completed the statement and hugged him tightly. For the first time, Abhi had made his family this proud. 

It was a dream come true for all of them. Seeing his brother playing in blue jersey for the team on television made Nandini fall in love with Cricket! 

And, this boy proved that sometimes addictions are actually not that bad!