10 – Sports Period — Scene 1 – Morning Rush The clock struck 7:35 AM.
Dhruv hurried out of House No.
7, adjusting the cuff of his white shirt while carrying his blazer over one shoulder.
His black tie was slightly crooked, and his hair looked like he’d combed it in a hurry.
Urvi stood at the doorway with folded arms.
“You woke up late again.” “I’ll fix my sleep schedule.” “You said that yesterday.” “…I know.” She smiled.
“Have a good day.” “You too, Di.” Outside, Deep was bouncing a tennis ball against the ground.
“There he is!” “The future latecomer.” Dhruv rolled his eyes.
“I’m still on time.” Alya arrived, her silver hair tied into a neat braid today.
She wore her uniform perfectly, as always.
She glanced at Dhruv.
“Your tie.” “I know.” “You don’t.” Before Dhruv could react, she straightened it in a few seconds.
“There.” “Thanks.” At that moment…
Mitsuri stepped out of House No.
11.
Her long pink hair was left open, with a small white hairclip on the right side.
She smiled brightly.
“Sorry for making you wait.” “We just got here,” Dhruv replied.
The four began their usual walk toward Devison High School.
— Scene 2 – Sports Announcement After the second period…
The sports teacher entered XI-A.
“Everyone, listen carefully.” “Today, your last two periods will be sports.” Instant excitement.
“Yes!” “No chemistry!” “Finally!” The teacher continued, “You may choose any activity available.” “Cricket, basketball, volleyball, badminton, athletics…” Dhruv smiled.
“Cricket.” Kabir laughed.
“As if you’d choose anything else.” Across the classroom…
Mitsuri quietly looked toward the sports list.
“Maybe badminton…” — Scene 3 – The Playground The huge playground buzzed with activity.
The basketball court echoed with cheers.
Football players sprinted across the field.
Badminton nets were set up under a covered area.
On the cricket ground…
Dhruv wore the school’s white practice jersey over his uniform trousers.
His sleeves were folded to his elbows.
Aditya tossed him a bat.
“Opening today.” Dhruv nodded.
Yash adjusted his gloves beside him.
“Let’s see if you can outscore me.” Dhruv smiled.
“I’ll try.” “No excuses.” “None.” — Scene 4 – The First Boundary Several students gathered around the ground.
Including…
Mitsuri and Alya.
“I thought you were playing badminton.” “I finished early.” Mitsuri smiled.
“I wanted to watch.” The first ball came.
CRACK!
Dhruv drove it beautifully through extra cover.
Four.
The applause echoed around the field.
Deep shouted from the boundary, “That’s my bro!” Dhruv couldn’t help smiling.
— Scene 5 – A Competitive Match Yash batted aggressively.
Dhruv played patiently.
After six overs…
Both had scored equally.
Aditya blew the whistle.
“Last over.” Yash walked toward Dhruv.
“Loser buys juice.” Dhruv laughed.
“Deal.” The final ball arrived.
Dhruv stepped forward.
CRACK!
The ball sailed over long-on.
Six.
Even Yash laughed while shaking his head.
“Fine.” “I’ll buy.” They shook hands.
Healthy rivalry.
Exactly as it should be.
— Scene 6 – Under the Tree After sports…
Students rested beneath the large neem trees.
Deep happily drank the free juice Yash had bought.
“I support this rivalry.” Yash looked confused.
“Who are you?” “His manager.” “You don’t have a manager.” “I do now.” Alya covered her face.
“I apologize on behalf of society.” Everyone laughed.
Mitsuri quietly handed Dhruv a clean handkerchief.
“You’ve got sweat on your face.” Dhruv looked surprised.
“Oh.” “Thanks.” He accepted it.
“Our captain always says returning borrowed things is mandatory.” She smiled.
“I’ll remember.” — Scene 7 – The Bus Stop School ended.
The four walked toward the main gate together.
A city bus passed quickly.
Its wind scattered papers everywhere.
One sheet flew from Mitsuri’s notebook.
“Oh!” Without thinking…
Dhruv ran after it.
The paper landed near the roadside.
He caught it just before another gust carried it away.
He returned, slightly out of breath.
“I think this is yours.” Mitsuri accepted it carefully.
Her green eyes softened.
“…Thank you.” “It was my Literature Club assignment.” “I know.” She looked at the paper.
Then back at him.
“You always help people.” Dhruv shrugged.
“If I can, why not?” Deep quietly whispered to Alya, “I don’t even need to interfere anymore.” Alya smiled.
“Good.” — Scene 8 – Sunset Practice Instead of going home immediately…
Dhruv stopped near the small cricket ground inside Sunrise Residency.
A few neighborhood children waved.
“Dhruv bhaiya!” “One over!” He looked at his watch.
“…Only one.” Deep immediately grabbed a bat.
“I’ll open.” “You always open.” “Confidence.” “Greed.” Mitsuri and Alya sat on the nearby bench.
The orange evening sunlight covered the ground.
Dhruv bowled.
A little boy hit the ball straight back.
It struck Dhruv lightly on the shoulder.
Instead of getting annoyed…
He laughed.
“Good shot!” The child beamed with pride.
Mitsuri watched quietly.
“He really treats everyone kindly…” Alya nodded.
“That’s why people like him.” — Scene 9 – A Quiet Realization Night.
Dhruv sat at his desk, solving mathematics.
He reached for his water bottle.
Something white lay beside it.
The handkerchief.
He had forgotten to return it.
“…” He smiled to himself.
“I’ll give it back tomorrow.” He carefully folded it instead of tossing it aside.
Then opened his notebook again.
Outside his window, the lights of Sunrise Residency glowed softly.
Tomorrow would be another ordinary school day.
And without either of them realizing it…
They were already becoming an important part of each other’s ordinary days.