18-07-2025, 12:07 PM
(This post was last modified: 18-07-2025, 12:14 PM by Greenwood. Edited 2 times in total. Edited 2 times in total.)
Update 55
Halftime — Inside the Locker Room
Location: Jodhpur Stadium – 7:00 PM
Background: Coach giving instructions. Players catching their breath. Water bottles. Faint echo of crowd outside. But for Arjun — it’s all tuned out.
[Camera stays close on Arjun’s face — sweaty, eyes unfocused, breathing deep.]
Arjun (inner monologue begins)
Aaj sab kuch yaad aa raha hai…
Wo din jab main practice ke baad bench pe akele baitha rehta tha…
Apni team me jagah banane ke liye kitni baar rotate kiya gaya…
Nikhat ke drills… Taz ka silent confidence…
Zaheer ka cold stare…
Aur… Ammu.
Mere har goal ke peechhe Ammu thi.
[He slowly removes one glove, flexes his fingers, gaze lowers to the floor.]
Mujhe yaad hai… wo ek pal jab main haar maan gaya tha.
Jab laga tha ki bas… sab chhoot gaya.
Par usne ek baar aankhon me dekha tha… aur saaf keh diya tha…
“Don’t give up, Arjun.”
[Flash-cut: Ammu’s black shrug selfie from last night — flickers in his memory. A faint smile breaks through the tension.]
Tu pagal hai Arjun.
Usne tujhe maaf kiya.
Tujhe haarte hue wo phir nahi dekhna chahti.
Yeh match… sirf trophy ke liye nahi hai.
Yeh us pal ke liye hai jab wo mujhe apna kahegi.
Jab main uske liye enough ban jaunga.
Main yeh jeet uske haath me rakhna chahta hoon…
Usi shrugg ke andar… apna naam likhwaana chahta hoon.
[He grabs the towel, wipes his face. Gets up. Looks into the mirror.]
No pressure.
No fear.
Arjun Singh… this is your damn night.
[Coach calls out — "Last 5 minutes, boys! Focus!"]
[Arjun turns, nods to the team, then walks toward the tunnel with fire in his eyes.]
Final Match – Second Half Begins
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Stadium, Jodhpur – Live Telecast at Zaheer’s House
[Commentary fades in over visuals of the packed stadium, night lights blazing, chants rising from the stands. The camera sweeps past excited spectators, banners waving. It cuts to the scoreboard: 1–1. Second half begins.]
Commentator 1
The second half is underway, folks, and it’s razor-tight. Both teams have shown nerves of steel!
Commentator 2
But eyes will remain on number 10 — Arjun Singh — who's had an electric first half. Can he finish what he started?
[Cut to: Zaheer’s house – living room]
Shanu, Ammu, and Azhar sit on the floor cushions. The room is tense. Ammu is holding a cup but hasn’t sipped in minutes. Zaheer stands behind the sofa, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the projector screen.
Commentator
Singh moves forward… slicing through midfield… HE’S GOING FOR IT—OH!
[Stadium – Slo-mo]
Arjun is tackled from the left as he takes the shot. His leg gets swept awkwardly — his body hits the ground with a thud. The ball rolls past the post.
[Crowd gasps. Whistle blows. Arjun winces, holding his thigh. The medic rushes toward him.]
[Cut to: Zaheer’s house]
Ammu (sharp inhale, cup clinks against saucer)
Shanu, usse kuch hua kya?
Shanu (staring at the screen, panic creeping in)
Arjun… uth kyun nahi raha?
Zaheer (stern, but voice low)
Kya yeh zaroori tha us waqt pe us move ke liye?
Azhar (serious tone)
Yeh ladka apna limit nahi jaanta…
[Stadium]
Arjun waves off the medic, nodding to his coach. Breath heavy. He stands. Limping slightly but signalling that he’ll continue.
[Camera zooms on his determined expression — blood on the corner of his sock, but eyes fierce.]
Commentator
Ladies and gentlemen… he’s staying on the pitch! Arjun Singh refuses to go down!
[Zaheer’s house – mixed reactions]
Shanu (softly, clutching her dupatta)
Pagal hai ye…
Ammu (voice almost a whisper)
Bas… ek baar aankh mila le mujhse, Arjun…
[Match continues. Enter: Taz.]
Commentator
And there comes number 11, Taz! Silent all evening, but look at that footwork—he’s weaving through!
[Fast-cut edit: Taz dodges one, fakes another, and slams the ball into the goal.]
GOAAAAAL!!
Commentator
What. A. Goal! Taz has just tilted the scale!
[Cheers erupt. Arjun raises both arms from midfield and smiles at him like a proud older brother.]
[Another few minutes pass – Taz scores again after a brilliant counter.]
Commentator
Two goals in ten minutes from Taz, and this stadium is shaking! But don't forget — the spine behind this play is still number 10, holding the centre, calling the moves.
[Zaheer’s house – celebration breaks out. Azhar finally smiles and claps. Shanu jumps with joy.]
Shanu
Taz!! Chal ve!!
Zaheer (controlled pride)
Yehi chahta tha main… dono milke jeete.
[Only Ammu stays still.]
Her eyes stay fixed on Arjun — still playing, limping slightly, every movement soaked in pain and resolve.
Ammu (softly, to herself)
Kya jeetne ke liye hamesha tutna zaroori hota hai, Arjun?
Match ke last 5 minute
Score: 3–1
Taz ke 2 goal ke baad stadium garam ho chuka hai. Har pass, har move par crowd cheekh raha hai. Arjun ab bhi ground par hai, thoda limp karta hua, lekin aankhon me wohi intensity.
Commentator
Yeh match Arjun ke liye personal lag raha hai… aur Taz ne bhi dikhaya hai ki woh sirf shadow nahi hai… star hai!
Cut to: Zaheer ka ghar
Sab ka mood ab light hai, lekin ek Ammu hi hai jo ab tak chup hai. Uski aankhen screen se chipki hui hain. Arjun ka har kadam, har move jaise uske dil se juda ho.
Shanu (laugh )
Taz ne to aag laga di bhai! Iss baar trophy apni!
Zaheer (smiling)
Team effort tha... Arjun ke bina koi rhythm nahi aata.
Azhar (head nod karta hai)
True captain. Par lagta hai chot zyada hai…
Usi waqt screen pe Arjun ek fast counter ke dauraan dusri team ke player se takra jaata hai, lekin girta nahi.
Commentator
He’s still standing! Singh refuses to fall!
Ammu ka dil ek baar phir se sunk karta hai. Uski ungliyaan tightly cup pakad leti hain.
Ammu (slowly, almost whispering)
Bas ho gaya ab… ab ruk ja Arjun…
Whistle bajta hai.
Commentator
And that’s it! Final whistle! It’s over! The team from Rajasthan has won the championship!!
Zaheer ke ghar me cheer phat jath hai. Shanu uchhal ke Ammu ko hug karti hai.
Shanu
Jeet gaye! Jeet gaye humlog!!
Ammu halki si muskaan ke saath sabko dekh rahi hoti hai, lekin uska nazar ab bhi screen par hai… jaha Arjun ground par baitha hua hai, towel se paseena pochhta hua. Uske pair ka bandage dikh raha hota hai.
Camera Arjun ke face par zoom karta hai — thakawat, pain, aur ek sukoon ki halki si muskaan.
Ammu (dil me)
Tu jeet gaya Arjun… ab bas ek baar mujhe dekh le…
Arjun ki aankhen jaise camera ke us paar kisi ek chehre ko dhoondhti ho. Aur screen pe uska ek faint smile.
Scene fades out.
Late evening — Zaheer ka ghar
Living room ka mahaul ekdum festive hai. TV full volume pe chal raha hai. Coffee table aur sofa ke aaspaas pizza boxes khule padhe hain, garlic bread ke wrappers, burger wrappers, ek side pe pasta ki tray aur ek bowl me hakka noodles. Sabka mood full celebration mode me hai.
Azhar (kitchen se dawai lete hue)
Main chala sone… bacho ne kamaal kar diya… khush ho jao tum log. Kal subah jaldi uthna sab ne
Shanu (teasing)
Ji uncle... lekin abhi to night shift hai match dekhne ki.
Azhar (smiling)
Main TV band nahi kar raha… tumlog chill karo.
Azhar chala jaata hai room se bahar. TV pe award ceremony shuru ho gayi hoti hai. Background me anthem baj raha hota hai.
Commentator
And now, for the most awaited moment... The Man of the Tournament goes to... Arjun Singh!
Sab ke muh se ek saath nikalta hai — "Yayyy!"
Shanu
Arre wahhh Arjun!!
Ammu (smiling, aankhon me chamak ke saath)
Mujhe pata tha…
TV pe Arjun stage par aata hai, uska left ankle abhi bhi thoda bandaged hai. Lekin chal raha hai… confident. Trophy lene ke baad mic pakadta hai.
Arjun (Live Interview, mic pe)
Honestly… ye tournament mere liye sirf game nahi tha. Ye ek promise tha… khud se… ek wajah se.
(halka pause)
Team ke bina kuch nahi ho sakta, especially mere younger brother jaise Taz ne…
(taali bajti hai background me)
…sabki bolti band kar di. Aur main bas khush hoon ki hum sab kuch lekar jaa rahe hain — trophy, yaadein, aur himmat.
Sab clap karte hai. Camera cut karta hai Taz ke taraf jise announce kiya ja raha hai Man of the Match ke roop me.
Commentator
And the Man of the Match… for his two outstanding goals… Taz!
Zaheer (grinning with pride)
Yeh banda ab kisi ke shadow me nahi hai.
Shanu ek pasta ka bite lete hue Ammu ke side me ghutna se touch karti hai, teasing tone me
Shanu
Waise tumhare Arjun ne bhi spotlight chhodna nahi seekha.
Ammu (shy smile ke saath)
Shut up, Shanu…
Camera slow zoom karta hai TV screen pe jaha Arjun trophy leke sab ke taraf wave kar raha hota hai. Aankhon me halka sa exhaustion, lekin chehra proud aur peaceful. Jaise uske sab sawalon ka jawab mil gaya ho.
Background me TV anchor bolta hai —
And for the Golden Boot… 10 goals in the tournament… unmatched, unbroken… Arjun Singh!
Sab fir se clap karte hai. Ammu ka haath apne plate se slide ho jaata hai, aankhon me ek alag sa softness. Uske dil me sirf ek line ghoom rahi hoti hai —
Tu har jagah jeet raha hai Arjun… ab meri taraf kab dekhega?
Scene fade out.
Scene cut to: Late night – Zaheer’s house
Ghar me ab almost har kona khamosh ho chuka hai. Living room me lights off ho chuki hain, sirf kitchen ke paas wali ek dim si light chal rahi hai.
Shanu already apne ghar ja chuki hai. Asma bed pe blanket me so chuki hai. Zaheer bhi apne kamre ka door band kar chuka hai.
Lekin… Ammu abhi bhi jagi hui hai.
Woh balcony ke paas sofa ke ek kone pe lipti hui baithi hoti hai. Uske haathon me ek garam cup hai, chai khatam ho chuki hai lekin woh cup ab bhi uske haath me hai. Aankhon me neend nahi, bass ek alag si tadap. Woh har dus second me apna phone check karti hai… screen on, screen off… phir ek lambi thandi saans.
Jaise woh kisi ka message ya call ka intezar kar rahi ho.
Peeche wall clock 12:45 dikhata hai.
Ammu (apne aap se)
Final to khatam ho gaya… trophy bhi mil gayi… par ek message bhi nahi…
Cut to: Team Bus – On the way to hotel
Bus ke andar mahaul puri tarah se high-energy hai. Loud music, victory chants, sab ek dusre ke shoulders thap thapate hue. Arjun window seat pe baitha hota hai trophy uski lap me rakhi hoti hai.
Taz, aur team ke aur players pizza boxes khol ke maza le rahe hote hain. Kisi ne Arjun ke kandhe pe tap karte hue kaha —
“Bhai, ab to tu official legend ban gaya!”
Lekin Arjun… halka sa smile karta hai… lekin uski aankhon me kuch aur chal raha hota hai.
Woh apna phone nikalta hai… unlock karta hai…
Screen pe Ammu ka chat khula hota hai.
Uska sent message – “Did you watch?”
No reply yet.
Arjun (andar hi andar)
Mujhe jitne ki khushi hai… lekin usse share karne ka moka chhuta toh… jeet adhoori lagti hai.
Bus ke andar celebration chal raha hai… lekin Arjun apna phone pakad ke window ke bahar dekhne lagta hai. Uski aankhon me ek naam ghoom raha hota hai — Ammu.
[b][b][b]Scene soft fade — split screen me ek taraf Arjun ka thoughtful face aur dusri taraf Ammu ka intezaar karta hua chehra.[/b][/b][/b]
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