The Road leading to the base camp was long and quite, the dense trees on either side cating long shadows in the evening light. The moment they crossed the final stretch, the expansive training ground came into the view, flanked by three identical bunglows, each belonging to a different team.
The first bungalow bore the flag of a fast but amazing rival team-- it's exterior modern, but with a cold, unwelcoming air. The third bungalow, on the farthest side, belonged to another formidable opponent, their logo displayed proudly at their entrance
And right in the middle stood the Phantom Strikers bungalow
It not just bungalow but a multi storey building itself, a mix of old-school elegance and cutting-edge technology. The large, frosted-glass windows have away nothing of the intensity brewing inside. The entrance was marked by the team's iconic emblem-- two phoenix-like wing shaped into a sleek, menacing 'P'.
As they approached...Virat forgetting every pain he has endured to reach here... Just trying to keep this has the start and besides him stands her best pillar, his supporter, his Riya didi...She was also happy but seeing him made her more happy...
As the heavy door swung open, revealing Daksh, the team's manager...
Standing and waiting for someone and yeah, waiting for the new team member!!
As they entered the base camp cum the house future of Virat.. They were greated by a warm big Smile form the Manager of the team Daksh Shekhawat,
Daksh who was in his early 30s a broad-shouldered man with an energy that could fill a stadium. He had smile which tells more about himm...
he coming towards them while saying "Well,well.look who is finally here!" Give a hug to Virat. Then he turns to Riya and said " you must be doctor Riya Sharma!". "Heard a lot about u helping with the esport to Virat!".
Riya while shaking hand with a bright smile," Nice to meet you Sir."
While the base camp was buzzing with energy - keyboard clicking, game controllers tapping. The occasional outburst of frustration and triumph. The air was filled with smtg different. Each of them was different - one has his hoodie up, completely lost in focus; another leaned forward, chewing his lip as he played; the third had a relaxed stance, a smirk on his face as if he knew something others didn't; and the last was completely still, eerily focused, his fingers moving like a machine. These were not casual players. These were professional. The best of the best
Only Two seats were empty one for Virat and other of Arjun.. he was not present there...
And then From upstairs of someone coming down... It was Arjun .
When she saw him, it was not first time she had seen him , but this was different...
Riya's Pov .
A man- about my age- stood there, yet he was unlike anyone I had ever seen before. Dashing. Confident. Absolutely effortless in his presence. His muscles, perfectly sculpted yet not overbearing, tensed subtly beneath his joggers as if he carried an innate power within him. Ofc he was the owner indirectly ( his mom was owing this team! But still) But what truly caught my attention were his eyes. A deep, oceanic blue. Not just blue-- pulsing, intense, as if they held storms within them. Eyes that could drown you if you dare look too long.
His hair was neither too near nor too messy, not completely wavy yet not straight either-- somewhere in between, effortlessly perfect. Much like him. Every movement of his body spoke of strength, a natural- born leader, someone who didn't have to demand authority -- it simply belonged to hum. Even without knowing him as a person, I could tell he was meant to command.
For a moment, I was frozen. It wasn't attraction, not was it admiration neither love at first sight -- it was pure disbelief. I had seen many faces, many people, many patients, but never someone like him. He was magnetic, unreadable, yet there was something deeper-- something I couldn't quite place
As our eyes met -- just for a fraction of second-- it felt like time itself hesitateed. My heart skipped, not out of nervousness, but out of an unfamiliar curiousity. And just as quickly, I forced myself to look away. Because
Arjun was not just a man standing in front of me. He was an enigma-- one I wasn't sure I was ready to understand.
Arjun's POV
I knew that today wild card entry would be coming but I had not Idea that there was someone coming with him.. As I saw I just stood of the staircase.
A girl... No, not just a girl -- something beyond that. Something effortlessly captivating, something that didn't demand attention but commanded it anyway. The baggy jeans she wore seemed casual, yet on her, they held a certain elegance, a certain confidence. Her pink sleeveless kurta, adorned with delicate floral pattern, wasn't extravagant, yet it made her stand out. No make up, no unnecessary adornment...just simplicity that spoke volumes.no deliberate effort to stand out, but she did. God, she did. Her presence wasn't something you could ignore; it was something you felt.
Her eyes. Black, deep, holding secret and stories i wasn't privy to. Big, expressive, framed by thick lashes and well-defined eyebrows, the right one bearing a mole. It wasn't a flaw; it was a signature. A mark of something rare, something unforgettable.
Then came that smile. A dimple on the left cheek that appeared when she spoke with confidence, when she let herself laugh-small, yet enough to shake something inside me. Her lips curved just slightly, nothing exaggerated, but it was enough to make my chest feel tight, enough to make my pulse stutter.
Her voice. Soft, yet firm. Gentle, yet laced with an unshakable strength. It wasn't loud, yet it didn't need to be-because when she spoke, everything else faded. And when she laughed-God, when she laughed-it wasn't just sound; it was something warm, something that left a trace in the air, something that lingered long after she had stopped.
Her long, dark hair wasn't completely black, yet not brown either-it was something in between, catching the light in ways that made it look like silk spun from shadows. Her jawline, sharp yet softened by her expressions, carried an innocence that contrasted beautifully with the quiet confidence she exuded. She looked young, but not naive. She carried herself in a way that told me she knew the world, had seen enough of it to stand strong, to never waver.
And those damn shoes. They made her seem taller, but they couldn't fool me. She wasn't as tall as she looked, but height had nothing to do with presence. Some people tower over others without standing on their toes. She was one of them.
I had met countless girls before, some of them breathtakingly beautiful. But none-none-had ever made my heart stumble the way she did in just one glance.
This was different.
She was different.
And for the first time in my life, I felt something I had never felt before. A pull. A spark. A realization that no matter how many people I had seen, how many names I had forgotten-I would remember hers.
As our eyes met for fraction of second time seemed to stop for me, but soon she looked away....
Author Pov
Then as he came down. He took step toward Virat, so "u are the one, the hyped player! Hope u meet your expectations!". He said while shaking hand and then turned toward Riya lost in her said and she's your bodygard,With a smirk.
Riya chuckled and said "I am Riya his sister, you can call me Re for short."
Then Arjun said with a tugged smile on his face, "should I call u Re, or shorty."
And for a minute the clicking noice of keyboard stopped, everyone looking and him and then at Riya for her reply.
Virat knew that she is not goona tolerate anything said on her height, yet he gave a pleading glance. That not now, not here, but Riya being Riya...
Her eyes flicked up to him, and for a brief moment, something unreadable passed between them. He wasn't taken a back. She wasn't offended. Insted she let out to small chuckle--one of those laugh that may people want to hear it again and said, "surely, you say Shorty and I will make sure you accompany me to the hospital for your treatment."
Virat snotted beside them, clearly enjoying the exchange. Daksh let out a laugh..
Then A sharp firm voice with grinning said "Oh, I like her. She's got bite." It was the coach Vikram Shetty.. the former Esports player.. Who looked disciplined, but was laughing while looking at Arjun..
Arjun tilted his head slightly, studying her. There was something about her-- something sharp, something electric.
"Damn.This is going to be interesting." He whispered only to hear himself.
Then all the team member as they were already distracted came all with a tugged smile on their face and they started to introduce themselves one by one...
Vedant grinned. "Alright , alright, gentlemens and lady! "The next generation of legends."
He pointed at himself. I'm Phoenix. But if u prefer my full name, Vedant Kapoor, you can also call me Ved. I'm the sniper, the strategist, the undisputed MVP-- basically, the heart of this team!" He winked. "Oh, and I also happen to have the one of best aim, but don't tell these guys. It'll hurt their feelings."
Sid let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Ingore him. He thinks he's funny."
Ved gasped dramatically. "I am funny, Sid just because you're a stoic, brooding, long-lost mafia heir doesn't mean I have to be!"
Sid rolled his eyes, turning to Riya and Virat. Deadshot. I am Siddharth Callahan aka Sid . DSP and backup IGL. I don't talk much , but when I do , I make it count. "His voice was smooth, borderline intimidating.
Zayan sighed. Nightmare. You won't see me coming, but when you do -- it's already too late." His tone was borderline arrogant, but he had the skills to back it up
Among all he was the one not enjoying...
But while all these Riya was just starting to one person That was Ishaan Malhotra..
Not out of anything before u people start thinking,
it was just he looked similar to someone, too similar ...yeah and her starring was broken by his voice himself
Ishan smirked, catching her staring.
"What?" he drawled. "I know I look like him, but damn, you're really staring."
Riya blinked, embarrassed. "I-uh-"
Before she could respond, a deep voice interrupted.
"That's because he is Arjun's younger brother."
The entire group turned to see their coach standing at the entrance.
"Meet Ishan Malhotra, the baby of the team ," the coach.
Vedant whooped. "Alright! The Malhotra bloodline continues!"
Sid smirked. "A lot to live up to, kid."
Ishan simply grinned, unfazed. "Good thing I like a challenge."
"Well I am Echo, the kind of all rounder and a substitute....
I do look like Chessman he said while looking towards Arjun. But I assure you, I am the cooler version. I'm also here to keep things fun, keep you guys from turning into Robots, and of course -- steal all your spotlight "
Riya chuckled, shaking her head.
And Virat introduce himself "I'm Virat Sharma, but in this world, I go by 'The Silent.'"
He paused for a moment, letting the name settle in. His demeanor was composed, almost intimidating, but there was a fire in his eyes that couldn't be ignored.
"I believe words are meaningless if actions don't back them up. I don't talk much, I don't brag, I don't make promises I can't keep. But when I enter the battlefield, I let my skills do the talking."
The room was dead silent, the aura of his confidence captivating.
"My role? The defender. The strategist. The one who ensures that no matter how tough the match gets, the team never loses focus. I don't just play for myself-I play for the team, for the championship, for the legacy we're about to create. This year, the national championship trophy is ours. And I will do whatever it takes to make that happen."
A smirk played on Coach's and manager's lips as he observed Virat. The leader of the team, Chessman himself, was clearly impressed.
And then now it was trun of Arjun but for minute of silence...
Daksh he was about to tell Arjun but Virat cut even before the manager could speak a single word and within one breath he said all about Arjun aka Chessman ---
"Chessman. The name isn't just a username. It's a title," he began. "A player who doesn't just play the game-he sees it ten steps ahead."
Vedant whistled lowly, while Ishan, sitting lazily in his chair, smirked with pride.
Virat continued, his eyes locked on Arjun.
"You don't just lead a team, you build it. Every match, every move-it's like you already know what's going to happen. You bait out opponents, control the map, and counter-strategize in real time. Even if we think we've caught up, you're already three moves ahead."
Sid crossed his arms, clearly listening closely now.
Virat's voice held an almost reverent respect.
"You're not just a player. You're the system. The reason our country even made a name in e-sports."
Arjun sat back in his chair, staring at Virat, intrigued.
"You've been watching me," Arjun finally said, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and curiosity.
Virat hesitated. He had let himself get carried away-his admiration had come out too strongly.
"I mean... yeah," he admitted, shrugging slightly. "It's impossible not to. You're the reason most of us even got into this. You're the benchmark."
For a moment, the room was quite. Even Zee (Zayan) who was least interested, looked impressed -- though he masked it well.
Vedant, never one for silence, finally grinned.
"Damn, Virat. If you ever get bored of gaming, you should consider being Chessman's biographer."
Ishan chuckled. "Nah, he's got the fanboy part locked down."
Riya, standing beside Virat, smiled softly, noticing how even Arjun seemed taken aback.
Sid, who had been neutral so far, nodded slightly. "That was... accurate."
Arjun, still watching Virat, tilted his head slightly. "You've studied me."
Virat rubbed the back of his neck, looking slightly off. "I mean, it's just... you're the best. It's stupid not to learn from the best."
Then, just as things were settling, Ishan grinned, nudging Riya. "And now, for our final introduction-Dr. Riya."
Riya, who had been quietly observing the group, raised an eyebrow. "Why am I being introduced like I'm part of the team? I'm not a player."
Ved gasped dramatically. "Not a player? But you're here!"
She sighed but smiled. "I'm Riya. And no, I'm not a gamer, not even for fun. But yeah I do play sometimes....Buta I'm a doctor, and that's where my whole heart and sole of...passion lies. I'm just here for Virat-to support him, to make sure he stays in one piece while chasing this championship."
Siddharth smirked. "Ah, so the team has a personal medic now? That's an advantage."
Riya chuckled. "Call it whatever you want. Just know that I won't be playing, so don't expect me to be some secret weapon."
Ishan leaned back, nodding. "Fair enough. But don't think you'll be just a spectator either. With how things go around here, you'll be dragged into the chaos soon enough."
Riya just laughed, shaking her head. "We'll see."
The moment stretched for a second too long before the coach walked in, clapping his hands together.
"Alright, alright," he said, voice sharp. "You all can stroke Chessman's ego later. Right now, settle in. We've got a schedule to follow."
The spell was broken.
Everyone moved back to their seats, with Arjun finally leaning back, still watching Virat with an unreadable expression.
Even Riya was surprised, not with what Virat said but by the whole team...
She said to herself, these people are not that cold, unwelcoming as they look while playing...
And in meanwhile Manager took both of them to the disscusion Room were it held a table as if board meeting were to be conducted, but no that was the strategy and all disscusion room it held posters of all the members and a big white screen also a white board and there it was written Target - National Championship 🏆
Then after the formalities and singing the aggreement Manager took them both to show Virat's room ...
The room was big spacious, A balcony attached with wind coming in it was already neat and made read with a gaming set up and there was a name write with lights Virat aka The Silent...
He looked proud, Riya without wasting time took pictures of it...
Over the next few hours, Riya helped Virat settle in.
She knew the team would support him, but she still watched over him like a motherly figure.
"Drink water."
"Eat properly."
"Don't skip training."
At one point, Arjun smirked. "Didi mode on?"
Riya smirked back. "24/7."
Even Coach Vikram noticed. "You care about him a lot."
"He's my little brother," she said simply.
And with that, her role in Virat's journey truly began.
And as she bid him bye.. She head to home
As soon as she entered, her father said aagyi ..... "Intna jaldi kyu aayi ,thoda aur late aati"...
But she stood there and Looked at her dadi , her eyes telling her dadi to answer for her and so she did...
Her dadi said firmly," jaise tujhe pata nahi hai usko base camp chonde gayi thi na!"
But her dada shot back with," base camp chodne gayi thi, Jung ke maidan mai nahi."
But he was soon glared by dadi and then he didn't strech it further....
"Well sab settle Ho Gaya udhar didi". Asked Anish handling her a glass of water ..
She smiled and said yes ...
And that night everyone had dinner with some talks....
And as she went to her bed, thinking now everything will go smooth.
Little...little, did she know this was just the Beginning, many things were head to come.....
And with this, Chapter 2 comes to an end!
I know this took a little longer than expected, and I truly appreciate your patience. There were so many ideas swirling in my mind, but since this is my first story, I wanted to make sure everything fit together just right. I promise to bring Chapter 3 to you very soon!
I'd love to hear your thoughts-which part did you enjoy the most? Let me know! Your feedback means the world to me.
Also, you might have noticed that I haven't added any pictures. That's because I want you to imagine every scene, every emotion, every moment. Let's see how far your imagination takes you! I hope you're feeling the story just as much as I am while writing it.
Thank you so much for reading till the end. Your support keeps me going. I can't wait to bring you more twists, emotions, and surprises in Chapter 3-no spoilers, though!
Until then, take care, stay curious, stay healthy.
See you soon! Bye-bye!😁