The school grounds were buzzing with energy. While the kabaddi practice matches continued, the chess competition was also heating up. Vikrant was noticeably absent from the kabaddi practice due to his family commitments and studies, which left Arjun and his Blue Team to carry on without him.
Meanwhile, in the chess room, the competition was fierce. Rachna from Commerce B was making waves, defeating three opponents in quick succession and proving to be a formidable player. Yogita, from Commerce A, was also dominating her matches, and soon it became evident that these two were set on a collision course. As the rounds progressed, the final six players emerged: Rachna and Vishakha from Commerce B, Yogita and Vidisha from Commerce A, and Mayur and Utkarsh from Arts A and B, respectively.
As Rachna secured her third victory in the chess selection rounds, a small crowd had gathered around the makeshift chess area. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and a hint of rivalry. Arjun watched from the side, impressed with Rachna's quick moves and sharp mind. Lalit, on the other hand, looked both amazed and confused.
Lalit scratched his head, looking at the chessboard as Rachna collected her pieces. "Man, I don't get this game. You just sit there and stare at little soldiers. How's that fun?"
Rachna raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Little soldiers? These 'soldiers' can take down entire armies if you know how to play right."
Lalit scoffed, folding his arms. "Yeah, but it's not like kabaddi where you charge in, tackle, and win with pure muscle. Chess is just... thinking and sitting."
Rachna gave him a pointed look. "You think kabaddi doesn't require strategy? In chess, you plan your moves to trap your opponent. In kabaddi, you plan your moves to avoid being trapped. You're just as much a strategist on the ground as I am at the board."
Lalit opened his mouth to retort, but Arjun stepped in, grinning. "She's got a point, Lalit. Remember that raid against Yellow where you faked left and tackled from the right? That's strategy."
Lalit scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Huh... never thought about it like that."
Before anyone could continue, Karan appeared, sipping a cold drink, and noticed the tense vibe. "What's going on here? Is Lalit trying to prove chess can be played on the kabaddi ground?"
Rachna snickered. "Pretty much. He's not convinced thinking can be fun."
Lalit pouted. "Hey, I think plenty. Just not while sitting still."
Karan laughed and clapped Lalit's shoulder. "Maybe you just need a chessboard where the pieces tackle each other. Call it 'Kabaddi Chess.'"
The group burst into laughter, and the tension dissolved. Arjun looked at Rachna, noticing her cheeks turn slightly pink when he smiled at her. Lalit gave Arjun a side glance and muttered, "You're lucky. If brains and brawn were a team, you two would be unstoppable."
Rachna shot a quick look at Arjun, who seemed oblivious, but she couldn't help the small smile creeping onto her face. Karan noticed and nudged Lalit. "Hey, I think our little genius just found a rival—and maybe a fan."
Rachna cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. "You guys are impossible. I'm just here to win. Not to make friends."
Arjun raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you still here, smiling with us?"
Rachna's blush deepened, and she quickly looked away. Lalit shrugged. "Because she knows we're too charming to resist. Right, genius?"
Rachna shot him a playful glare. "Dream on. I just like proving you wrong."
As the group relaxed into easy banter, Rachna couldn't help but steal another glance at Arjun. Lalit, catching the look, snorted to himself. Karan just grinned knowingly, sipping his drink. In that moment, the four of them found an unexpected camaraderie, built on jokes, competition, and a shared sense of something new brewing—friendship.
The group continued talking, their banter light and friendly. It didn't take long for Arjun, Rachna, Lalit, and Karan to form a tight-knit group. The friendship was unexpected but welcome, a mix of athleticism and strategy that complemented each other.
October arrived, bringing with it the looming mid-term exams. The rain had finally stopped, but the sky remained overcast, matching the students' mood as they huddled over their books. Despite the pressure, the new group found time to study together, with Rachna helping Lalit and Karan with math problems while Arjun kept everyone motivated.
One evening, after a particularly exhausting kabaddi practice match, Arjun trudged home. He hoped to sneak in unnoticed, but as he opened the gate, he saw his father standing in the yard, having returned from work earlier than usual.
His father glanced at Arjun's dusty clothes and scoffed. "Still playing that useless sport? You think running around like that will take you anywhere?"
Arjun didn't respond, keeping his eyes down and walking past his father. In his mind, the words stung, but he forced himself to push them aside. He had nothing to prove right now — he'd let his actions speak on the field.
Arjun clenched his fists subtly, keeping his face neutral as his father's words echoed in his ears. Inside, his thoughts swirled like a storm.
"Why does he always have to do this? Can't he see that kabaddi means something to me? Just because he thinks sports are a waste of time doesn't mean I should give up. I'm not just playing—I'm leading, I'm fighting for something. One day, I'll prove that being on the ground, sweating, pushing my limits—it's not useless. I'll make him see that I'm not just wasting my time. I just need one chance, one win big enough to silence his doubts. Until then... I'll keep pushing forward, no matter what he says."
Arjun took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He knew that arguing would only make things worse. As Arjun settled in his room, he couldn't shake the feeling of frustration. His father's words lingered, but a quiet determination settled within him. He knew he had to keep pushing forward, both for his friends and himself.
The days leading up to the finals were filled with preparation. Arjun couldn't help but wonder how the match against Vikrant would unfold. The anticipation hung in the air, and with every practice session, the tension grew thicker. Arjun knew one thing for sure — when they finally faced off, it would be a battle worth remembering.