The sun broke through the morning mist in Kochi, painting the pitch with soft gold. Arjun was already there—earliest to arrive, as always. His boots tapped the turf gently, adjusting to its rhythm.
The silence of the previous night still clung to him, but now it vibrated beneath his skin, coiled like a spring. Something was coming. Not fear. Not pressure. Something deeper. Momentum.
Coach Sameer joined him quietly on the pitch.
"You didn't sleep much, did you?"
Arjun didn't look at him. Just passed the ball slowly from foot to foot. "Enough to know I'm ready."
Sameer nodded. "You've changed."
"I had to."
"Not the talent," the coach clarified. "Your silence. It's different. You used to be quiet because you were unsure. Now you're quiet because you know exactly what you're doing."
Arjun finally looked up.
"That's dangerous, right?"
Sameer chuckled. "For everyone else? Yes."
---
Training Session – Final Sprint Begins
The team filed out onto the pitch, one by one, sleepy but focused. Faizan slapped Arjun on the back as he joined the drill.
"Race you for first touch today."
Arjun smirked. "You'd lose."
"That confidence, bro—"
"Earned."
Even the banter had changed. It wasn't cocky. It was sharp, like steel between old friends.
Sahal joined them, still tying his laces. "AFC draw's today, by the way. Think we'll get Al Duhail again?"
Arjun shrugged. "Don't care. That's April. Goa's now."
Sameer overheard. "Exactly that attitude, boys. One game at a time. One march at a time."
The phrase hung in the air.
"March." It was more than a metaphor now. It was a movement.
---
Scene – The AFC Quarterfinal Draw
Later that afternoon, the squad gathered in the media room. The draw streamed live on a large screen.
"Kerala Blasters FC will face... Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan)!"
A murmur swept through the room. Tough side. Technically gifted. Physically sharp.
Sahal let out a low whistle. "They play like lightning."
Faizan nodded. "Then we show them thunder."
Arjun didn't speak.
But in his chest, he felt something rise. A familiar rumble.
---
Back at the Hotel – A Text From Kalyani
> "I watched the draw. Japan, huh? You'll need all your strength for that one."
He smiled and typed.
> "Strength isn't the problem. Time is."
"What do you mean?"
"I wish there were more of it. For us."
There was a pause.
Then:
> "There will be. I'm not going anywhere."
---
Match Eve – Kerala Blasters vs Goa (Home)
The locker room buzzed with preparation. This was the first of five final matches that would decide the ISL standings. Blasters were one point behind the league leaders. Every game mattered.
Sameer stood before the whiteboard, then turned to the squad.
"No speeches today. You know what this is."
But then, he looked at Arjun. "You say something."
A pause. Everyone turned.
Arjun stood up slowly. Not grand. Not dramatic. Just... grounded.
"You all remember the night we played Ulsan Hyundai?" he said.
Nods.
"You remember that sound? That song?"
Silence.
"I want that again. But not from them. From us."
He pointed at his chest.
"From here."
Another pause. "No one gives us this title. We take it. Match by match. Fight by fight. Moment by moment."
He looked around. "Let's go."
---
Kickoff – Kochi Stadium
The crowd was electric. Chenda drums thundered. Flags rippled like waves. And somewhere in the sea of yellow, a new fan banner appeared:
> "He doesn't run.
He marches."
First half: 0–0. Goa parked the bus.
In the 53rd minute, Faizan was fouled at the edge of the box.
Arjun stepped up.
He didn't look at the wall. Or the keeper.
He listened.
To the silence before the roar.
Then — strike.
Curl. Dip. Net.
1–0.
The crowd exploded.
But Arjun didn't celebrate with a sprint.
He walked calmly to the fans and tapped the Blasters crest on his chest.
The camera zoomed in.
And from the commentary box, the words were spoken:
> "He's no longer just a star. He's a statement."
---
Post-Match — Scout's Desk, Germany
A screen played the match replay.
Rainer Graf scribbled notes.
Name: Arjun Dev
Age: 18
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Club: Kerala Blasters
Status: Watched live, highly recommended.
Next steps: End of season approach – summer window. No early move.
Graf leaned back, tapping his pen.
"There's something about this kid."
---