It was a bright Saturday morning at Terna School, and the field looked like a full-on carnival.
Colorful tents, lemonade stands, parents trying to look sporty — it was all happening at once.
Today was Joy of Playing — an event where students brought their parents to school and played games together.
Nick was buzzing with excitement.
He stood next to his dad, Lax, and his younger brother, Dev, who was swinging a mini cricket bat around dangerously close to Nick's knees.
Nick (dodging the bat):
"Dude, watch it! This is not WWE!"
Dev (grinning):
"I'm just warming up!"
Their mom was sitting comfortably under one of the tents with other parents, sipping coconut water and shouting cheerful encouragements every few minutes.
Mom (waving):
"Go, Team Nick!"
Nick's dad, Lax, looked like he had walked straight out of a sports textbook — proper cap, polished bat, and a serious expression.
Lax (checking his bat):
"Alright boys, we're playing by the rules. No shortcuts, no cheating, no nonsense."
Nick (groaning dramatically):
"Even on Joy of Playing day, you want to be Mr. Professional?"
Lax (smirking):
"Especially on Joy of Playing day. Winning is sweeter when you play it right."
Dev nodded eagerly like he understood exactly 50% of that.
The cricket field was a hive of activity.
Parents and kids were everywhere — laughing, dropping catches, missing balls, and generally having the best day ever.
Nick spotted Zaid, K, and a few others gathering near the scoreboard.
Zaid's dad was stretching like he was about to run a marathon. K was already munching on a samosa instead of warming up.
Their match slot was called.
Announcer (over loudspeaker):
"Next up: Nick and Lax versus the Sharma family!"
Nick's heart raced with excitement.
The match started with Nick and his dad batting first.
Dev sat on the sidelines with his own tiny bat, pretending to commentate like a professional.
Dev (dramatic voice):
"And here comes Nick! The legendary batsman! Will he survive the fierce bowling of Sharma Uncle?"
Nick took his stance.
The first ball came — a gentle medium pace delivery — and Nick smacked it through midwicket for a clean four.
Mom (cheering loudly):
"That's my boy!"
Lax nodded approvingly.
Lax:
"Good shot. Keep your eye on the ball, not the snacks tent."
Nick grinned and prepared for the next one.
Every run they made felt like magic.
Lax was smooth and careful, tapping singles, guiding Nick to run smartly between the wickets.
Nick, on the other hand, swung big every now and then, sending the ball flying and earning cheers from classmates and parents alike.
After a solid partnership of 35 runs, it was time for the Sharma family to bat.
Nick and his dad switched to fielding.
Lax, of course, took a classic fielding position at mid-off, standing tall like a wall.
Dev bounced around the sidelines, yelling random advice.
Dev:
"Dad, Nick! Catch it with BOTH hands! Not your face!"
Nick (laughing):
"Noted, coach!"
Sharma Uncle hit the first ball towards Nick.
Nick sprinted, dived dramatically, missed the ball by a mile — but the crowd still clapped because the dive was just that spectacular.
Lax shook his head, smiling.
Lax:
"Good spirit. Bad technique."
As the match continued, Lax got his moment to shine.
The ball was smashed high into the air. It soared up… up…
Everyone stared.
Lax calmly stepped under it, hands positioned perfectly — and caught it like a true pro.
The crowd erupted.
Nick jumped in the air, punching the sky.
Nick:
"YESSS! That's my dad!"
They ended up winning the match by 8 runs.
Nick and Dev rushed to Lax, high-fiving and shouting.
Mom (yelling from the tent):
"Great game, Team Lax!"
Lax just smiled modestly and gave a small bow toward the crowd, making everyone laugh.
They gathered near the refreshment stall afterwards — sipping cold lemonade, wiping sweat off their faces, basking in the warm glow of victory.
Nick (grinning at Lax):
"Admit it. You had fun playing with your insane sons."
Lax (smirking):
"I'll admit it was…acceptable."
Dev (cheering):
"Acceptable means AWESOME!"
Nick laughed so hard he almost dropped his lemonade.
The sun beat down gently on the field, the sound of cricket balls and happy shouts filling the air.
And just like that, the first half of their Joy of Playing day became one of Nick's favorite memories ever.
After cooling off with lemonade and some well-earned rest, Nick thought the day couldn't get better.
But then the announcer's voice boomed across the field:
Announcer:
"Attention! Open cricket match for kids under 17 and their parents! Come sign up!"
Dev's eyes lit up.
Dev:
"Nick! Dad! Let's play again! Please, please, please!"
Nick smiled at his little brother's excitement, but before he could say anything, Lax had already gotten up.
Lax (grinning):
"Let's do it. One more match for Dev."
They hurried over and signed up.
This time, the crowd was bigger. More parents and students had arrived, crowding around the main field.
The teams were mixed — parents, older siblings, little kids all bundled into one chaotic, slightly disorganized, but wildly entertaining cricket match.
Nick found himself opening the batting again, this time with Dev at the non-striker's end.
Lax stood proudly on the sidelines, ready to cheer them on.
The bowler, a man who looked suspiciously like he hadn't played cricket since 1999, bowled a hilarious slow ball.
Nick waited… waited… and gently tapped it, sending it rolling.
Dev ran immediately.
Dev (sprinting wildly):
"RUNNNNNNN!"
Nick chuckled but sprinted too, barely making it to the other end before a casual throw came in.
Mom (cheering from the sidelines):
"Good running, boys!"
The next few overs were pure comedy gold.
Dev, despite his tiny legs, managed a couple of dramatic dives for the crease.
Nick hit a few big shots, and at one point, the ball disappeared under the lemonade stand — causing a five-minute delay.
The best moment came when Dev faced the ball himself.
The bowler bowled slow and easy.
Dev swung his mini bat with all his might…
…and somehow, miraculously, edged the ball over slip for a one-bounce four!
The crowd exploded in cheers.
Dev dropped his bat and flexed like a tiny wrestler.
Dev (yelling):
"I AM INVINCIBLE!"
Nick (laughing):
"Okay, calm down, little Hulk."
The innings ended with a respectable 40 runs between the two brothers.
Now it was time to field.
Nick took a position deep in the outfield, while Dev insisted on standing right near the bowler like some fearless superhero.
At first, things went smoothly.
But then, chaos.
Someone's enthusiastic dad — clearly reliving his glory days — decided to hit big.
The ball flew up, high into the sky, heading toward Dev.
Everyone gasped.
Dev didn't flinch.
He planted his feet, put his hands out — and somehow, by some miracle or beginner's luck, caught it clean.
The field ERUPTED.
Parents, students, even the referee were clapping and cheering.
Lax ran onto the field and lifted Dev up on his shoulders.
Lax (laughing):
"That's my boy!"
Nick (cheering):
"Future MVP right here!"
Mom (shouting from the stands):
"We're framing that ball!"
Dev beamed from ear to ear, waving to the crowd like a tiny champion.
The match ended with Nick's team winning again — by a narrow margin, but a win was a win.
Everyone gathered near the main tent for the closing ceremony.
Nick, Dev, Lax, and their mom stood together, tired but grinning.
One of the school teachers came up to Dev, holding a shiny little medal.
Teacher:
"For the youngest player of the day — Dev!"
Everyone clapped and whistled as Dev took his medal proudly.
Nick ruffled his little brother's hair.
Nick:
"Don't let it go to your head, champ."
Dev (pretending to be serious):
"I'm going to Disneyland now!"
They laughed and took family photos with medals and lemonade cups in hand.
As the sun started to set, Nick looked around.
Families packing up, students running around barefoot, teachers wiping sweat from their foreheads — and above it all, a warm golden sky that made everything feel like a perfect, fuzzy memory.
Nick thought to himself:
"This…this is what school memories are made of."
He glanced at his dad, who was still talking cricket strategy with another parent.
At Dev, who was showing off his medal to random people.
At his mom, who was packing leftover snacks into a colorful tote bag.
Nick smiled.
It had been a day filled with silly moments, small victories, and memories he knew he would treasure forever.
They walked to the parking lot together, tired but happy.
Nick tossed an arm around Dev's shoulders.
Nick:
"Next year, you and me — opening pair again?"
Dev (grinning):
"Only if you promise not to get out first ball!"
Lax (chuckling):
"Deal. But next time, Dad's batting first."
They all laughed, the sound carrying into the warm evening air.
It was a good day.
A really good day.
Nick " so that was a tiresome day each chapter i got so much to do, you guys should be thank full to me for doing so much for you "
Lax " who are you talking to "
Nick "huff…."