As usual, Arjun arrived at the training dome promptly the following morning. As usual, he started his routine warm-up exercises while wearing his whites.
But he stopped as the routine came to an end.
A voice was absent. No teasing whistle. No sarcastic greeting.
Nothing but quiet.
His eyes flashed with disappointment as he sighed, shook his head, and looked around. He turned to Glenn McGrath's hologram, who was still standing there calmly and patiently, but with a heavy heart.
In his distinctive voice, Glenn stated, "We'll repeat yesterday's drill." "Continue until your accuracy surpasses 70%."
Arjun started throwing balls into the red zone after walking to the bowler's mark. His rhythm was off today, though. His mind was obviously elsewhere, his eyes were far away, and his shoulders were tense.
"Your arm's going wide again," Glenn said in a steady, critical voice that reverberated throughout the dome.
"The head position is low at the point of release."
"Pay attention to the ball."
"Hand-eye coordination is poor."
"You're not paying attention."
Even worse than the previous day, Arjun's success rate had fallen to a pitiful 31% by the end of the morning session.
After swallowing a gulp of water, he muttered, "Sania... I apologize. Please return. I realize my mistake. It won't occur any more.
There was still no answer.
He spoke again, his voice quivering a little. "I swear I won't speak to you in that manner ever again. Just, please, return.
There is still no sound.
He muttered, trying to calm himself, "She'll be back. Calm down. She's just trying to teach me a lesson."
He went back to the dome after lunch. She's still nowhere to be found.
The silence was calmly broken by Glenn's voice. "Let's get back to work."
Arjun returned to the drills with a look of frustration in his eyes. His heart wasn't in it, though.
Glenn reiterated, "You're not focused." "You're just throwing the ball as a way to vent your rage."
Bowling is a mind game. You need clarity. You need presence. You need to be a step ahead of your opponent."
"No. You're not bowling with intent. You're just... bowling."
"Too wide."
The system showed a 22% accuracy rate at the end of the day.
Arjun didn't even glance at it.
He moved to the center of the field, knelt down, and gazed at the empty area.
"Sania," he murmured. "I sincerely apologize. I shouldn't have said that to you. Come back, please.
No voice yet.
"You will always be treated like a queen by me. I will never look north if you tell me to go south.
Simply return.
His eyes filled with tears. In an attempt to control them, he clenched his fists.
Then the air behind him was illuminated by a soft shimmer. Sania emerged, wearing jeans and a pink top that casually accentuated her figure, and her fiery red hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her crystal-blue eyes were slightly wet.
Her heart ached as she looked at him. She muttered to herself, "I went too far." "I should have arrived earlier. I was unaware of... He cared about me this much.
With a flick of her hand, she summoned a bottle of water. Her voice, soft and familiar, cut through just as Arjun opened his mouth to speak.
"Hey, dear. Sip this. You didn't take a sip in the afternoon because you were training all day.
Arjun jumped up as soon as he heard her. At last, the tears he had been trying to contain came out. He hurried over to give her a hug, but he went straight through her hologram.
"You're forgetting, sweetie," she said softly. I'm not in a physical body. I can handle little things like this bottle. However, I am unable to return your hug. even if I so desired.
Arjun fell back to the floor.
Sania gave him a gentle glance. "I apologize as well. I had no idea how much you valued me.
Arjun gave a nod. "To be honest... I didn't know either. Right up until yesterday.
His voice was low as he went on. "I have never had a family in either of my lives. And the person I trusted the most in my previous life killed me. for a place in Ranji. We were brothers. from my early years until I was nearly thirty. And still.
His voice cracked.
"I was a failure. No family. And I was stabbed in the back by the one person I believed to be my family.
With a pained expression, Sania listened.
"For that reason, this life... I made the decision to keep everyone out. I would concentrate on my dream. Remain by myself.
He took a sip from the bottle she tenderly handed him.
Sania said thoughtfully, "So that's why you were cold at first." "You Know... In fact, I actually though my powers were malfunctioning. You were straight, according to the system data, but you ignored me so much that I assumed you were gay.
Coughing, Arjun spat out the water. Sania gave him a handkerchief in a flash.
She smiled. Indeed. I even considered gossiping about a hot guy with you if we found one. Do you recall?
In spite of himself, he laughed.
Arjun remarked, "I was determined not to let anyone in." However, you rushed in. noisy, flirtatious, and obnoxious. Then you said, "Let me take care of everything." You concentrate on your training. You're not by yourself. You melted something inside of me that day.
Sania grinned broadly. "To be honest, I didn't think it was a huge deal to hide one small training ground function."
With a weary smile, Arjun answered, "You understand why it was important."
Sania gave a nod. "Saying what's on your mind is a good thing. It aids in soul healing."
Arjun gave her a contemplative glance. "I've always harbored resentment toward my previous life. that although I was good, I was betrayed and died. I wanted to show that I could succeed on my own this life. I thought I might not be good enough when I had trouble batting. However, after perfecting my bowling motion in a single day, I at last felt valuable. I later discovered that the training ground function was partly that I learned Faster. That's why I lost my temper.
Sania's tone softened. Even with that function, little man, it's not simple. Even in this setting, footwork and bowling rhythm require years of practice. Your understanding of past lives and your willpower allowed you to advance quickly. Yes, your Iron Body was also helpful. But never, ever question your value.
She paused, her tone softening.
"I'll always be with you, Arjun. At least until I help you achieve your dream. I'm not going anywhere."
But Arjun noticed a strange heaviness in her words.
"What do you mean 'until'? You're not going anywhere. I won't allow it. If there's something you need—I'll help you."
For a moment, a trace of sorrow flickered in her eyes. But it was gone in a instant.
"Of course," she said, smiling. "I'm not going anywhere. Not until death parts us."
To lighten the moment, she added with a wink, "And hey, little man—don't you know you're only supposed to kneel in front of God and your parents?"
Arjun smiled back. "I never saw my parents. So… I guess that spot belongs to you."
Sania smirked. "Oh no, I don't want to be mommy to a grown man who cries like a toddler when he can't find his mom."
"Don't mock me," Arjun protested, laughing through tears. "I haven't cried in both my lifetimes—not even when I died. So don't take advantage now. I meant the respect—like the kind people show gods."
Sania winked again. "Call me Mommy, and I'll give you a new skill. Go on—say it: 'Mommy, my queen.'"
Arjun groaned and stood up.
Arjun smiled, shook his head, and stood up.
"Keep dreaming," he said, walking toward the exit.
She burst into laughter as he walked away, her voice echoing behind him.