Chapter- 36

The heat of the sun blazed down mercilessly, the air thick with anticipation and nervous energy. On the sports ground of St. Mary’s Convent School, Radha stood in the middle, dressed in her sportswear, her spine straight, her hands locked behind her back, standing in formation with a group of girls, her seniors, and she being the only one among her section to be selected as the basketball junior team by her coach.

The coach, Samarth Singh, a man in his early thirties who had been training professional players before joining the school, was now their coach for the last three years, and the school had won every year under his guidance.

Samarth spun the ball for effect and glanced at the girls. ”Are you all ready for the upcoming competition?”

Radha’s heart pounded in her chest as the girls answered in unison with a loud yes. She was ready too, but somewhere her own insecurities restrained her, making her doubt herself.

The upcoming event she would be participating in with her Bhaiya was not just about one game, it was about different rounds and activities, and the scores adding up to the finals. The students had to choose something they were confident in, and she chose basketball… but now she didn’t feel as sure anymore.

Samarth glanced at Radha before he looked at the others. ”So let’s test your skills if your confidence is as high as your voices or not. Each one of you will step forward and play one-on-one with me. Show me your control, your speed, and your decision making, also, as we haven’t selected the captain of the team, this will help me decide who deserves that position.”

He glanced at the list in his hand, “Jaanvi Rajput, step forward.” He ordered.

Jaanvi stepped forward, the confidence in her stride crystal clear, her hands firmly gripping the ball as she got into position. Radha looked on as Jaanvi dodged, spun, and shot the ball in the hoop with a motion so fluid.

The girls clapped for her, so did Radha. The girl could become the best captain if she started respecting her teammates instead of thinking she was superior.

Jaanvi smirked as she looked at Samarth, ”I think that answers your question, sir.” She taunted without any shame. Without her, the team wouldn’t stand a chance, the coach needed her.

Samarth didn’t react, his expression unreadable, his tone cool and edged with indifference as he replied, ”Confidence looks good, Ms. Rajput… until it starts sounding like overestimation. Let’s see how long it lasts when someone actually challenges you.”

Casually, he turned to the next player, ”Adya, step out.” He commanded.

Radha bit back her smile that threatened to slip out. Their coach was the most polite one, but he was cold and didn’t take shit from anyone. And she admired him for that.

Adya stepped forward next, her face set with quiet determination. Unlike Jaanvi, she didn’t carry arrogance, just focus. She moved swiftly, her footwork sharp as she tried to break past Samarth.

For a second, Radha thought she might actually make it, but Samarth blocked her cleanly, stealing the ball with effortless ease before scoring without even breaking a sweat.

The girls clapped anyway, and Radha found herself doing the same. At least Adya tried without overthinking, Radha felt something tightening in her chest. She freeze even before she begin…

One by one, the girls stepped in. Mehak relied on speed, darting across the court like a blur, but lacked control.

Sheetal had precision; her passes and aim were almost perfect, but she hesitated at the wrong moments.

Kavya played aggressively, pushing forward with confidence, yet losing her balance under pressure.

Radha watched them all, her mind picking apart every move, not to judge them, but to compare. They all have something… something she doesn’t. The thought lingered, heavy and unshaken.

Her fingers curled behind her back, her heart pounded louder with each passing turn. Every girl had a strength, even if they had flaws. And Radha? She felt like a collection of doubts stitched together. She is not the fastest… not the strongest… not the most confident either. Her throat went dry. What was she even doing there?

“Radhika.”

Her name snapped her out of the spiral. She stiffened, her breath hitching slightly as all eyes turned toward her. The ball spun in Samarth’s hand as he looked straight at her, waiting. And for a moment… all she could hear was the echo of her own heartbeat.

Slowly, Radha took a step forward, her legs feeling heavy under the weight of a hundred eyes. She stumbled back as Samarth abruptly threw the ball at her. She swatted it away, startled, fear flashing across her face before she could mask it.

The girls snickered from behind, ”Isse nahi hoga, sir. (She won’t be able to do it, Sir.) Why even bother getting the scaredy cat on our team?” One of them muttered under her breath.

Samarth’s eyes hardened instantly on the girl, who straightened but didn’t back down completely. ”I am the coach here, Vidhi, not the other way around. If you are so troubled, I think I can replace you right now without a second thought,” He remarked sharply.

Silence fell in the court, thick and immediate, the girls straightening up, fully aware of what Samarth had just implied. He meant what he said. They weren’t dying to land on his hit list and get thrown out of the team. No begging or apologies would make them re-enter, the man never went back on his word.

Samarth looked back at Radha. ”Did you forget how to catch a ball overnight, or what? Do I have to teach you the basics from the start, Radhika?”

Radha shook her head vigorously. ”S–sorry, sir,” She muttered, embarrassed, bending to pick up the ball. She wanted to be in the team, not as the captain or the star player, she wasn’t interested in that, she simply wanted to be in the team and prove to herself that she belonged here.

Samarth circled her like a predator, the ball moving effortlessly under his control while Radha struggled to keep up, lacking by every bit, but never stepping back, never giving up.

“Faster, Radhika!” He barked loudly, his voice cutting through the court, ”This is not a playground. Either you take the ball or you walk out. There is no in between here.”

Samarth had seen her play last year, the way she stood outside the court for hours, observing every move, mimicking the footwork when no one was watching, practicing alone with a broken rhythm but unbreakable focus, everything about that moment had impressed him.

And so this year, he had personally taken her into his team, going against the protocol that the school followed, as only girls from 9th section and above were allowed to participate due to experience, physical training, and inter-school exposure requirements.

But he saw something else in Radha. Determination. She wasn’t always on the ground, he knew the reasons. Her parents. The whispers, the gossips running around the staff room, about the restrictions, and pressure. But that didn’t stop him.

Despite the less practicing and almost negligible court exposure, Radha still had the instinct and a hunger, and a player like that was exactly what he looked for in his team.

“Take it!” He snapped again.

Radha clenched her jaw. Don’t stop… don’t freeze… just move. She repeated like a mantra. She rushed forward, trying to snatch the ball from Samarth’s grip, but failed, her hands missing it by mere inches as he pivoted smoothly, spinning past her like she wasn’t even there. He was faster than her in every possible way, every second stretching her limits, every movement reminding her of the gap between them.

Her confidence started to lower. She can’t… She was too slow… Basketball wasn’t her strength, it never was. It was just a hobby, something she held onto outside of reading novels and painting, things her parents never appreciated, never even acknowledged.

Truth be told, she had never told her mother that she was selected. A moment that was filled with joy, and excitement for her, she couldn’t bring herself to share with her own parents knowing their answer already.

When Samarth had first spotted her, her first instinct was to run away and never come back, thinking he would inform her parents like every other teacher who seemed to take pride in exposing her. But he didn’t. He simply handed her the ball and pointed toward the basket asking her to score. From outside the court.

The distance was long and intimidating, almost impossible for someone untrained, but her determination didn’t let her back off. She had watched countless matches online through Abhi’s phone, taking in their footwork, timing, angles, and control, memorizing every detail. And whenever she got the chance during her free lectures, she applied them silently, away from everyone’s eyes.

So back then she aimed. And the ball went straight into the basket. That was all it took for her to enter the team, chosen without a second thought. But now… Everything felt different.

As Radha played, her parents’ disapproval flashed before her eyes. Her own failures stared back at her, louder than Samarth’s voice.

“You will embarrass us.”
“You can’t win.”
“Stop getting distracted.”
“This is all waste of time?”

Radha’s steps faltered. Her hand reached out but she missed. Again. She tried to take the ball from Samarth’s grip, but her movements lacked confidence, her grip lacked force, and her mind… no longer on the court but trapped in the echoes of her past, holding her back with every step she tried to take forward.

Samarth again scored with an effortless three-pointer, the ball slicing clean through the net without even touching the rim.

Radha stared at the ground as soon as Samarth turned her way. She couldn’t meet his gaze. He was once impressed by her when he took her into his team, but today disappointment clouded that very trust. The scores were clear, hers still on zero, and him leading without breaking a sweat.

She hadn’t just embarrassed herself… she had embarrassed her mentor too, the one who trusted her that she would prove herself worthy of that place.

Samarth threw the ball aside and glanced at the team. ”Dismiss!” He ordered sharply.

“But sir… the captain?” Mehak asked nervously.

“We will have a final match tomorrow between Jaanvi and Radhika,” Samarth declared firmly. ”The one who wins will be the one who will lead the team in the inter-school championship.”

The girls exchanged glances. They already knew the result, what was the need to drag this any further?

“You can simply announce Jaanvi as the captain, sir,” Kavya spoke up hesitantly, ”Why waste time on something so obvious?”

“We will see that tomorrow,” Samarth replied coolly, ”And as I am coach let me decide what is to be done.”

The girls walked away quietly, the finality in his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Wait, Radhika!” Samarth called out firmly.

Radha clenched her eyes shut for a second before opening them and turning to face him. She had hoped to escape, but luck didn’t seem to be on her side. She was still trying to process what he had just said, that he wanted her to compete with Jaanvi.

Radha couldn’t help but scoff at herself. She would lose. And become a laughing stock in front of the entire team once again.

“Sir… I think you should make Jaanvi the captain,” Radha dared to mutter even before Samarth could say anything.

Samarth raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. ”Did you forget I am the coach here, just like them?”

Radha shook her head immediately. ”No sir, I just…”

“Or you think you can give me suggestions that aren’t relevant to me,” Samarth added, ignoring her unfinished explanation.

Radha looked down. She didn’t mean to offend him, it’s just she didn’t wish to disappoint him. The weight of the opportunity she was given was too heavy for her to carry right now. The seniors envied her for being selected by the coach personally.

The interschool competition at St. Mary’s wasn’t something small or insignificant. If the team won, the students got an open opportunity to step into the sports world, to get trained for state and national levels and participate in different professional tournaments. A golden chance… Something she was given but maybe wasn’t worthy of.

“Tomorrow is the last chance I will give you,” Samarth said coldly, ”Prove me right... that I made the correct decision by taking you in my team, Radhika Dhanrajgir. I just said confidence is good, but overconfidence blinds you from your own flaws and leads to failure. But that also goes that one should have a confidence strong enough to stand their ground, something you lack. I hope tomorrow you won’t disappoint me.”

Radha stared at him, stunned. She was expecting a reprimand, expecting him to make her realize that she would never be good enough for this team, but his words sounded like he wanted her to win, not Jaanvi… and that shook her to the core.

“Ten rounds of the ground before you go back,” Samarth declared, turning to leave, ”For losing focus and freezing under pressure while playing.”

He didn’t wait there to see if she would continue or not. A teacher, a mentor, can always see through their students, can tell if they respect them or not, and Radhika Dhanrajgir respected him more than anyone in that court.

She was his best protégé till date, the girl who always absorbed every word he said without letting her ego come in between. Even when he was strict, she didn’t once roll her eyes like the other girls or talk back to him. She was always polite and kind, and that was the foundation in being a good player and a better human being.

Radha stared at his retreating figure before she followed what he ordered. She respected him too much to defy his words and walk away just like that.

As she ran around the empty ground, her shoes thudded rhythmically against the track, her thoughts running miles ahead, each clashing with the other, refusing to settle into one clear direction.

“Radhika.” A voice called out from behind, stopping her.

She turned with a frown, only to find Jaanvi and a few members of the team standing there.

Hesitant, she walked up to them. ”What happened?”

“If possible, can you please tell coach that you don’t want to compete with Jaanvi tomorrow?” Kavya said softly.

Radha frowned, confused. ”Why?”

Sheetal smiled gently. ”See, we don’t have a problem with you competing with Jaanvi... we already know the results. But you see, if you by any chance win, we won’t be able to listen to you as our captain.”

“You are our junior, Radhika,”  Jaanvi added sweetly. ”No offense, girl... it’s not like I am trying to demean you. I am just stating facts. Can you imagine a junior being captain of the senior basketball team? It will look unprofessional. People might question our ability to win, and we don’t want that. So please, can you talk to the coach?”

Radha stepped back, looking at them, confused. “Why don’t you go and talk to him? What makes you think he will listen to me and not you?”

“Because we have seen coach isn’t very strict with you as he is with us,” Kavya said quietly. ”If you tell him yourself that you don’t want to participate, he won’t force you. And that will save us from the upcoming embarrassment on the D-day.”

“We are just being honest, Radhika,” one of them added calmly, ”We don’t want to lose and bring shame to our school, but with you being in the team… the chances become uncertain.”

Radha contemplated.

What was told to her wasn’t loud, wasn’t screamed or spat on her face, it was simply dipped in honey, coated in false concern, and then whispered, wrapped in manipulation.

And a person already fighting their inner battles, their own insecurities, always found themselves leaning toward the easier, safer choice, and that was exactly what the girls did, they played right into her fears without raising their voices even once.

Radha gave in easily. ”Fine… I will talk to sir.”

The girls exchanged a knowing look. They thanked Radha in their sweet, kind, fake voices and walked away. After all... manipulation always works best when it doesn’t sound like one.

✨✨✨

Radha took a deep breath and knocked on the coach’s cabin, her dress soaked in sweat, her hands trembling slightly. She had completed her punishment and then come there to talk, gathering her thoughts.

The girls were right, she wouldn’t be able to win against Jaanvi, and even if she did, it would be unfair to them as she lacked in many areas, and that could become a threat for the team to lose.

And whatever happened, Radha didn’t wish to be the cause of her team’s failure. She was fine being a part of the team, even if it meant staying in the background, at least she wouldn’t bring shame on anyone, especially her mentor.

“Come in,” came the authoritative voice from inside.

Radha pushed the door open and walked in.

Samarth looked up, startled for a brief second before his expression turned composed again. ”Any problem, Radhika? If you completed the rounds, you don’t need to report them. I know you will.”

Radha’s gaze dropped to the floor. She came to say no, but her conscience seemed to stop her, as if telling her to believe in herself, just like Samarth had told her earlier. But still, the lingering doubt and fear of losing pushed her sane thoughts away.

Radha looked at Samarth, uneasy, “Sorry sir… I-I can’t participate with Jaanvi tomorrow.” She dared to speak, her voice barely above a whisper.

According to the team, Samarth had a soft spot for her, she didn’t believe in that myth. Their coach was more strict and demanding with her, always pushing her beyond her limits. She never understood the reason, was it for her best or because he expected more from her than others? Anyways, she had come this far. She couldn’t turn back now.

Samarth’s brows frowned. ”May I know why? Are you unwell? Or is there some other issue?”

Radha looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with a mix of fear and defiance. ”Sir, I-I just can’t.”

Samarth leaned back in his chair. ”You can’t what, Radhika? You can’t follow a simple instruction? Or has the weight of a title suddenly become too much for your delicate shoulders?”

“I don’t want to be the captain,” Radha whispered, her voice cracking. “There are others… I-I think Jaanvi is more experienced than me and even Adya is more stable. I won’t be able to take the responsibility. I will make a mistake, and I will fail you… I will fail the team, sir.”

The silence that followed was worse than the anger she expected.

Samarth stood up slowly, walking around the desk, standing before her, his tall figure towering over her.

“Failure?” He repeated, the word sounding like a curse. ”You came here just to tell me that you will fail me and the team? Is that an excuse to hide, Radhika? Or someone filled your brain with nonsense?”

Radha shook her head instantly. “Sir please… I…”

“Quiet!” Samarth snapped, the sound vibrating through the glass cabinets.

Radha flinched, her heart hammering against her ribs.

“Do you think I chose you because I wanted someone who feels ‘ready’?” He continued with the same intensity. ”I chose you because you have the raw instinct this team lacks. But instead of honoring that, you stand here whimpering about your own inadequacy. You aren’t worried about the team, Radhika. You are worried about your own image. You are terrified of looking weak. As for failing me… I at least trust my players to never disobey and walk away from a challenge.”

His gaze bored into hers. ”Being a leader isn’t about the absence of failure... it’s about the spine to stand up after the crash. The choice is yours, but remember, mediocrity is a choice you make every time you say ‘I can’t’. You want to leave? Fine! No need to enter my court from tomorrow onwards. You are out of the team... permanently! I will find a player who is more suitable and has the guts to face their fears rather than running away.”

Samarth turned away. ”Get lost.”

Radha’s eyes stung with tears as she hurried away, blinking them back furiously. What wrong did she do? She was just trying to prevent a bigger failure before it even happened… more than the sharp words, it was the disappointment laced in his voice that shattered something inside her.

She was just trying to protect everyone from herself… did she do something wrong by stepping back instead of risking everything Why does he have to be so harsh…?

 

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