Short Story: Around the Corner - 5

     The next day started with full day cricket coaching as the students need to get ready for the match. Though stretching exercise varied for bowlers and batsman, warm up were common for all. Children usually think like "Why this master is very anxious in giving us these exercises while we need more training matches". But the reason behind is that, these exercises adds value in building up the core stability and flexibility to tackle the situation in the ground. After hearing the whistle blow from the senior bowler, the students went to put on their gadgets and started to arrange the net for practice. Girls team on the right side of the school ground and boys chose the left end. 

    Inter-school match is going to take place in Tanjore, Tamilnadu. Sports master was busy in arranging the transportation for the students. Totally 26 students, 13 boys and 13 girls were being trained for the day. Master collected the acceptance letter from parents and asked the children to mention the contact number for emergency situation. This is usually done as a precautionary step towards safety and moreover updating parents about the match and the mobility has become a fashion nowadays. First day will be the match between the districts of Tamilnadu in two grounds. The winning team will lead the match on the next day. In simple words, if Arjun's school loses the game in the first day itself, then they have to pack up and reach home.  

       Arjun was confident enough as the boys team targeted the cup and were consecutive winners. Anita is a trained spin bowler as she is fond of adventurous twists and turns in game and also in her life. Being R Ashwin as her favourite bowler, she had never missed any of his matches. Arjun does not know all her passion , interest and had an entirely different idea about Anita. His curiosity does not stop there. During the absence of his master, he invited his senior Akil to meet Anita.  After asking for a break, Arjun and Atul went to see the girls team in the right side of the ground. 

       " I never knew that Anita learnt to play cricket in her previous school." Akil nodded his head in loathe to Arjun's conversation as he could not digest a girls' team raising and accompanying for Tanjore.  "Do you think that she is going to play really well? Oh God ! I don't understand why this mad master is so bold in making such terrific decisions. " Akil is very much upset with girls' team. Concernly Akil asked Arjun, "Hey yesterday did you meet Anita and spoke?" Arjun heard silently and kept close-mouthed. Sooner they reached the other side of the ground and to their surprise, they could just see three stumps and two bails resting silently. "Where is your friend Anita? " Akil scratched his head looking here and there. "I am also confused. Where have these girls gone? Could not even see anyone?" He questioned back Akil. Both of them thought to wait for a few more seconds. But thinking about the angry master's face, his shouting and scoldings, they changed their plans and returned to their place for practice. 

     "Hey Akil, see that side! ", Arjun shouted as he saw all the girls lined up in the school canteen. "Why they are here? Master will never allow us to sit in that canteen bench." Akil said angrily and continued after a pause, "Let us inform this to our master and be in his good terms." "No need for that" said Arjun. For a moment Akil stopped his walk and looked at Arjuns' fuming eyes. As he saw his eyes, he could also see his right hand pointing towards some thing. Akil followed his finger and gazed carefully. Arjun pointed towards the canteen and Akil could see his master amidst the girls. Arjun and Akil became tight lipped after seeing his master having his tea along with the girls in the canteen. 

Continues . . .