That night, after hours of brutal solo training, Nikhil sat on the edge of his bed, phone in hand. The room was quiet. Veer lay beside him, untouched. His fingers trembled slightly as he dialed home.
His mother picked up first. Her voice was soft, expectant.
"I wasn't selected," Nikhil said, trying to keep his tone steady.
There was silence. Then a sigh. Then his father's voice came on the line.
"Beta, haar nahi maanne ka," he said gently. "Koshish karne wale ki haar nahi hoti."
Nikhil closed his eyes. The words didn't erase the pain, but they softened it. Just enough.
The Final Week
The next morning, the camp entered its final stretch.
Most players were packing. Luggage carts rolled across the dormitory halls. Laughter returned, but it was hollow—more relief than joy. Training sessions were sparse, half-hearted. The nets were mostly empty.
But not for Nikhil.
He was there before sunrise.
The bowling machine whirred and spat out deliveries until its motor grew warm in the chill of the Uttar Pradesh winter. Nikhil faced each ball like it was the last of his life—driving, sweeping, ducking, pulling.
After every session, he walked to the medic's cabin for checkups. His fingers were raw. His shoulders sore. But he never missed a visit. He knew recovery was part of the grind.
He didn't speak much that week.
He didn't need to.
His bat did the talking.
The Last Goodbye
On the final day of camp, Nikhil packed his kit silently. Room 101 looked emptier than ever. He placed Veer carefully in its cover, zipped up his bag, and walked toward the main gate.
The academy grounds were quiet. The pavilion stood still. The notice board, once crowded, now fluttered in the breeze.
As he reached the gate, a familiar voice called out.
"Champ."
Nikhil turned.
Suresh Raina stood there, hands in his pockets, eyes kind.
"Don't give up," he said. "It's just a small hurdle. Be like Dravid—never give up. Chase with everything you've got."
Nikhil nodded. He didn't trust his voice.
Raina gave him a pat on the shoulder and turned back toward the camp.
Nikhil stood there for a moment, watching the academy fade behind him.
Then he stepped forward.
Toward Chandpur.
Toward the next chapter.