The warm rays of early morning sun poured through the window, dancing on the wooden floor of a neatly kept bedroom. Akin Lara knelt by his bed, lacing up his shoes with a laser-sharp focus. He tied the final knot and stood, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
Today was the day.
From downstairs, the rich, deep voice of his father echoed up the stairs.
"Akin! You ready for school?"
"Yeah! Coming now!" Akin called back, slinging his bag over his shoulder and heading down.
In the kitchen stood his father — none other than Brian Lara, the legendary West Indian cricketer. He leaned casually against the counter, holding a cup of coffee, dressed sharply for a meeting. Akin walked in, still a little starstruck by his own dad, no matter how many times he saw him.
Brian looked up with a smile. "So... today's the day?"
"Yup," Akin said. "Tryouts are after school. I signed up last week."
Brian nodded thoughtfully, setting the cup down. He walked over and placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder.
"Son, listen. Don't try to become me." His tone was steady, calm. "Be you. Find your own style, your own rhythm. Only then will you really love the game."
Akin looked up, eyes wide. "I'll do my best, Dad. I promise."
Brian smiled and ruffled his hair. "I can't take you today. Got a meeting. Charles will drive you, alright?"
"I figured," Akin said with a grin. "I'll see you later!"
Outside, the family's black Lexus waited by the driveway, Charles standing with the rear door open. Akin climbed in and gave a small nod.
"Morning, sir. Ready?" Charles asked.
"Yup. Let's go."
The drive to Bishop High School took just under twenty minutes. As they pulled up in front of the school gates, curious students turned to stare at the luxury car. Akin stepped out, looking up in awe at the massive building towering before him.
"Wow... this school's huge," he muttered.
"Good luck, sir," Charles said with a smile before driving off.
Just as Akin was adjusting the strap on his bag, a cheerful voice called out.
"Yo! You must be Akin Lara, right?"
Akin turned to see a tall, slightly goofy-looking student with a friendly grin.
"I'm Ekon. I'll be your guide today."
"Nice to meet you," Akin said, extending a hand.
"Nice to meet you too! And hey, I already know who you are. Brian Lara's kid, huh? Let's be good friends."
"Sure," Akin replied, chuckling softly.
From a distance, a group of girls had gathered, whispering excitedly.
"He's so handsome... I wonder if he's as good as his dad."
"Maybe we should talk to him."
But not everyone was impressed. Across the courtyard stood a boy with sharp eyes and a deep scowl on his face.
"Tch... This guy's got everyone fawning over him already?" he muttered. "Just because of who his father is... makes me sick."
His name was Garai, and he was not a fan of free rides.
---
Classes passed quickly, and soon enough, it was time for tryouts.
Akin followed Ekon to the cricket field, where the rest of the team was warming up. The coach — a broad-shouldered man with a powerful presence — approached them with a clipboard.
"You must be Akin Lara," he said. "You fill out that application?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Then you're on the team."
Akin blinked. "Just like that?"
Before the coach could answer, Garai stormed over, arms crossed.
"Wait a damn minute. He didn't even try out!" he snapped.
Coach Masaba raised a brow. "You want him to earn it? Fine. Let's see what he's got."
Akin smiled. "It's better this way. I prefer showing my skills."
Coach Masaba nodded. "All you need to do is hit a four or six off Garai's bowling. That's it."
"Simple enough," Akin said, stepping up with a bat.
Garai narrowed his eyes, the ball clenched in his fist. He's too damn confident.
"Let's do this," Akin said.
Garai ran up and launched a blistering pace ball.
Akin swung—missed.
Another—missed again.
A third—straight to the fielders.
"What the hell?" Garai muttered. "This guy can't even bat."
Even the team looked confused.
"Coach..." Akin said sheepishly. "Can I try bowling instead?"
Masaba shrugged. "Go ahead."
Garai rolled his eyes. "Seriously?"
Akin took the ball, hands steady, eyes locked onto Garai.
"You ready?"
"Why bother?" Garai spat. "You're just trying to live off your dad's name. If you really wanted to make him proud, you'd quit."
Akin's smile dropped for a moment—but then he looked up, eyes blazing.
"Why would I give up?" he said. "When I'm on the field, when the crowd is roaring, when the match is down to the last over... that's when I feel alive. Cricket's not about fame—it's about that feeling."
Garai hesitated. "Then bring it on, you idiot."
Akin charged forward and released the ball—fast, but with a subtle dip.
Garai swung—too early.
Thunk.
The ball shattered the stumps.
"What the—?!" Garai blinked. "That was a dip shot... but it delayed at the last second?"
Akin beamed. "Whoa! I actually got him!"
Ekon burst out laughing. "Coach! I want to try too!"
One by one, Akin bowled to Ekon, Sekani, Taba, and Uzoma.
One by one, their stumps flew.
"You're amazing at bowling!" Uzoma said, stunned.
"Thank you!" Akin said with a sheepish grin.
Coach Masaba smiled. "It's decided. Akin's on the team."
"Yes!" Ekon cheered. "With him, we might not even need to train!"
Masaba chuckled. "Don't get too cocky. As it happens, I've arranged a friendly match."
Everyone turned.
"A friend of mine is bringing his team from out of town tomorrow," he continued. "Get ready. You're all going to need to bring your A-game.
The morning sun shimmered over the roofs of Port of Spain, painting the streets in a golden hue. Akin and his teammates piled into a small white bus, led by Coach Masaba. Excitement bubbled through the air as they drove to an undisclosed location.
"I wonder what Coach Masaba's friends are like… if they're anything like him, they must be strong," Akin thought, eyes wide with anticipation. "It's my first match with another team... this is going to be fun."
Beside him, Ekon leaned back, arms folded. "This is your first match?" he asked with curiosity. "But how can you bowl so well already?"
"I practiced with my butler," Akin said with a shy smile, "and by myself."
Garai, sitting ahead, turned around. "That's tough—even I can't imagine playing cricket all by myself."
Uzoma raised his voice from the back. "So, Coach, where are we going to play your friend's team?"
Coach Masaba smiled mysteriously. "It's a secret. But I think Akin is quite familiar with the place."
"Me?" Akin blinked. "I'm not sure where we're going…"
---
Their bus pulled into the parking lot of a grand, world-renowned cricket stadium.
Garai gasped. "Wait… is this the Brian Lara Stadium?!"
Taba's eyes lit up. "Whoa! It's huge!"
Akin's expression softened with nostalgia. "Oh yeah… this stadium was built in my father's image—after all his great innings."
Sekani grinned. "Maybe one day they'll build a stadium for you, Akin."
"Ha! No way," Garai laughed. "Akin can't even bat!"
"Hey!" Akin pouted. "They could build it for my bowling, you know."
Garai snorted. "Still no way."
Laughter echoed across the group until their attention was caught by a man entering the stadium with a group of sharp-looking students. He was tall, tanned, and wore a relaxed but confident expression.
"I'm Coach Ranuga," the man said. "From Sri Lanka. Coach of Yoshida Shokanji High… though we usually just say 'Yoshida High.' Nice to meet you all."
"Nice to meet you, sir," the Bishop High team replied in unison.
But the moment Ranuga turned, the Yoshida High students smirked among themselves.
"These guys look weak…"
"This is just another boring training match…"
Garai clenched his fists. "These guys are getting on my nerves…"
"Then let's crush them," Akin said with a grin. "Let's have fun doing it."
"Yeah," Ekon agreed.
Ranuga began counting his players. "One, two, three, four… wait a minute. Where's Ivaan?"
Jiyaan scratched his head. "Umm… I think he went to the mall?"
Charvik, their captain, blinked. "The mall? South Park?"
"Yes, Captain," Jiyaan replied sheepishly.
"I'll go get him."
---
At South Park Mall, Charvik found Ivaan lounging on a bench, surrounded by two girls, laughing and relaxed.
"Skipping training again, Ivaan?"
Ivaan gave him a lazy smirk. "Those training sessions are so boring. I'm just here… entertaining myself."
"Well, too bad," Charvik said. "Coach is hosting a practice match with Bishop High."
"Bishop High?" Ivaan yawned. "Probably weak. I'll pass. Just come get me when it's time to go home."
Charvik smirked. "Oh, I forgot to mention. That new kid on their team—Akin Lara."
Ivaan paused. "Akin Lara? You mean the Akin Lara? Brian Lara's son?"
He stood up, brushing off his jacket. His eyes gleamed.
"This might be fun after all… ha ha ha."
---
Back at the stadium, Ivaan approached Akin, hand extended.
"You're Akin Lara, right? Big fan of you and your father. I'm Ivaan."
Akin smiled. "Thanks. Let's have fun together."
"Stop trolling my teammate," Garai interrupted.
"Sorry, I didn't catch your name, weakling," Ivaan shot back with a smirk.
"Hey!" Akin snapped. "Don't talk to my teammate like that."
"He came at me first. I'm just speaking the truth."
"Who does this guy think he is…" Garai muttered.
"Enough!" Coach Masaba raised his voice. "Captains, step forward. We'll do a coin toss."
Charvik and Garai approached, the coin flipped—and landed on heads. Charvik chose to bat first.
"Garai, you're our captain?" Akin asked in surprise.
"Yeah," Anish replied. "Even though Coach never lets him make any decisions."
"Shut it," Garai muttered. "So, who's bowling first?"
---
Meanwhile, over on the Yoshida side, the players were lounging.
"Let Ivaan and Charvik bat. We're tired."
"They're not gonna score anything anyway."
Ivaan grinned. "I guess I'll go first. Don't blink."
Charvik nodded. "Let's get this started."
---
Ivaan stepped onto the pitch. Bishop High's Darwin was ready to bowl.
"Let's go, worms," Ivaan sneered. "Time to fly."
"Keep dreaming, Goldilocks," Darwin growled. "You're mine."
"I'm not blonde, idiot. Black and gold. But keep talking."
Darwin charged. The ball soared with insane velocity—then rose sharply.
"A bouncer?" Ivaan recognized instantly. "Nice try."
With a powerful pivot, he smashed it overhead with a helicopter shot.
Thunk!
The ball flew high.
"Someone catch it!" Darwin yelled.
"I got it!" Taba leaped into the air—but the ball grazed his fingers and flew over the boundary.
"Six!" shouted Coach Masaba.
"That guy's a monster," Garai whispered.
Akin's eyes sparkled. "That was amazing…"
"Whose side are you on?!" Ekon snapped.
"Sorry! It was just so cool!"
"You better stay focused," Garai said. "He's not done yet."
---
Taba clenched his fists. I can't keep bowling bouncers… but maybe...
He took a deep breath and ran in again, this time spinning the ball from his fingertips.
Same technique? What a fool, Ivaan thought, swinging for another six.
But the ball dipped—behind him.
"What?!" Ivaan froze.
"You almost had him!" Akin shouted.
Damn it, Taba thought, gritting his teeth.
But he wasn't done yet.
"Time to meet your match," he told Ivaan.
"Then come at me again!"
"I will, Goldilocks."
Running again, Taba spun the ball in a brand-new way. "Spinning bouncer!" he cried.
Ivaan smirked. "It won't work twice. Disappear!"
---
The ball sailed through the air—and was crushed for another six.
Ball after ball, Ivaan smashed them all over the boundary.
Taba dropped to his knees, exhausted. The over was done.