Chapter- 37

Radha sat in the garden, staring at the flowers that Arjun had planted with so much care and patience, the bloom was vibrant and alive under the golden hues of the setting sun, the fragrance of fresh roses and jasmine drifting through the air, mixing softly with the cool evening breeze.

The whole day she spent focusing on her studies, switching off Samarth’s words and shrugging away the disappointment she had witnessed. Radha knew Samarth expected her to fight back and prove herself, it was clear in his eyes that held both belief and silent challenge.

There were only three teachers in her school she admired and respected, the most first being Vrushali, who always helped and guided her, then the new principal who took her side, taking action against Riya and her gang, and her coach Samarth.

He was strict, colder than ice with his choice of words, even harsh sometimes, always pushing her more than her seniors, and she never understood why. Why he had to choose her above everyone else, why he had to go against the school rules, why help her?

Those questions were the reasons his words pierced her more deeply than they should have.

What was she doing wrong? She just didn’t want to bring her team down when she wasn’t confident in herself. And even if she became confident, what was the guarantee that the girls would listen to her decisions as the captain? They already didn’t like her much.

So wasn’t it better she simply backed off and let someone more capable take the lead instead of risking everything?

Why couldn’t her own teacher understand her fears instead of pushing her to the edge? Why did believing in her feel like pressure instead of support... and why did it scare her more than failure itself?

A mug of hot chocolate placed in her hand startling her. Radha looked up, startled, only to find her Bhaiya. She glanced at the cup and sighed in relief, she had been craving for something warm and comforting to lower her restless thoughts.

“I quit my team,” Radha said quietly. She wanted to pour out her thoughts, and her bhaiya always made it easier to rant.

Mahir leaned back on the bench, listening to her intently.

“My coach didn’t like my idea much, I guess,” Radha averted her gaze, staring at the mug in her hand. ”Par main aur kya hi karti, bhaiya? Team mein har kisi ko apne khilaaf karke toh nahi jeet sakti na game. They don’t like me, they won’t listen to me as their captain, and it will create differences. A team means togetherness... to be balancing each other from all sides. But yahan meri hi team mujhse khush nahi hai. I don’t want to be called selfish or incompetent and be responsible for my team’s failure.”

“It was your decision to quit?” Mahir asked softly.

Radha nodded, unable to meet his gaze. Was it really her decision, or the girls’ words pushed her to step back?

“Then why aren’t you satisfied, Radha?” Mahir probed. He could clearly see it was something else, and that didn’t sit well with him. She should at least be at peace with herself if it was her decision, but she was on the edge.

Radha looked away with a shrug. She was herself yet to understand what exactly was bothering her more, the decision or the way she made it.

“So this is all about your fear?” Mahir guessed calmly, ”Ki team haar gayi toh tujhe blame karegi, (If the team loses, they will blame you) and you don’t want to take responsibility. You want to quit and run away from it. The better option you found... if I say, the best option to avoid everything without confronting it was already served to you.”

“You think like that about me, bhaiya?” Radha’s eyes filled up instantly. She rose to her feet, ”You think that I don’t want to take responsibility so I chose the easiest way out? Even after knowing how badly I want to become the captain? Even after knowing how happy I was when I was selected in the team with no experience, just based on my rough play and coaches instincts...”

“Then what’s stopping you now?” Mahir cut her off. He turned her towards him, wiping away the tears from the corner of her eyes. ”Jab irade majboot ho, toh koi kya kehta hai kya nahi usse fark nahi padna chahiye, Radha. (When your determination is strong, it shouldn’t matter what others say or don’t say, Radha.) The only thing that should matter is what you want.”

“But bhaiya, team...”

“Keep them and thoughts aside.” Mahir cut her off, ”Aaj tujhe kisi ne kuch khe diya aur tu peeche hat rahi hai, kal ko jab tu apni life mein kuch bada karegi, aapni zindagi ka koi bada faisala legi... tab kya? (Today someone said something to you and you’re stepping back, but tomorrow, when you will do something big in your life, when you have to make an important decision for yourself...) What will you do then? Back off so easily? Just because someone wanted you to? Won’t you even fight for yourself, Radha?”

He cradled her face gently. ”Samjhauta tabhi karna cahiye jab apni marzi ho, na ki tab jab koi sahi ko galat ya galat ko sahi sabit karne lage. Chae poori duniya tujhe apni jagah se hatne ke liye kahe, lekin tujhe apni jagah par date rehna hai. Kyunki woh tera farz hai aur teri khud ki iccha. (Compromise should only be made when it is your own choice, not when someone tries to prove what’s right as wrong or what’s wrong as right. Even if the whole world asks you to step away from your place, you must stand your ground. Because that is your duty... and your own will.)”

Radha looked down. ”I am not confident that I will win, bhaiya.”

“That’s your fear speaking,” Mahir said firmly, lifting her chin. ”Okay, how about you compete with your brothers? Me, Abhi, Arjun, we three are not going to hold back even a bit, you know our records. That will help you see your own potential.”

Radha shook her head. “You all will go easy on me...” She trailed off with a gasp as Mahir whacked her shoulder lightly.

“Repeat that?” Mahir’s tone firmed.

Radha sulked, stepping back. Her bhaiya hated that word. No way in the world her brothers would go easy on her just to give her princess treatment. They let her win when she wanted, not when they were testing her limits and pushing her to grow.

“Sorr...” She trailed off as Mahir shot one of his infamous dragon looks her way. Now she couldn’t even apologise.

“I am not saying anything,” She declared, turning away, picking up her hot chocolate. Just a few words from her bhaiya soothed her heart like never before, calming the storm inside her and giving her a sense of safety she didn’t even realize she needed.

Mahir shook his head, walking back inside to call his brothers. More than theories, he believed in motivating his child practically, that could help her see her own strength and capability with her own eyes.

He understood her insecurities were valid; it was the age where self-doubt and fear of judgment came first, but he refused to let his sister hide behind them. He would rather guide her through them, step by step, until she learned to stand strong on her own.

✨✨✨

Within half an hour, a big basketball hoop was secured onto the tree. It wasn’t fixed to a pole like in real matches but tied firmly to a sturdy branch. The Dhanrajgir brothers were champions of basketball in their own time, even Abhi had been captain of the boys’ team thrice before, he quit this year to focus on his boards, so their skills hadn’t rusted one bit, if anything, they had only grown sharper over time.

“So ready to lose, dear sister?” Abhi teased smugly, spinning the ball on his finger.

Radha rolled her eyes, ”We will see that... and if I win, you three will treat me.”

“What kind of treat?” Arjun asked raising an eyebrow, ”Sunset point....?”

“Nope!” Radha refused instantly, she looked at Mahir with mischief sparkling in her eyes, ”Ek new stall khula hai beach ke pas, (A new stall has opened near the beach,) I want to have Chinese there.”

“Not happening!” Mahir protested immediately. God knows what kind of obsession his brothers had with unhealthy stall food, and if they weren’t enough, they passed that on to her too.

“I will make it at home,” Mahir stated firmly, ”Whatever you say! Promise!”

Radha pouted, shaking her head, ”That’s unfair. Winner ko jo chaiye usse woh milna chaiye. Ek baar khane se main bimaar thodi ho jaungi, bhaiya. (The winner should get what they want. I won’t fall sick just by eating it once, bhaiya.) Please.”

Mahir shook his head firmly, ”One time or two times, it’s the same. We don’t know the oil they use, the spices they use, and even water...” He cringed visibly, he was the most particular about hygiene, ”No, never!”

Radha looked down like a sad kitten under pouring rain. If her bhaiya couldn’t listen to her pleading, she knew how to make him dance to her tunes too.

“What is your problem, bhaiya?” Arjun chided, playing his part very well, ”Kyu bechari ka mood kharab kar rahe ho. (Why are you spoiling her mood?) Agree just this once. What’s the big deal?”

Abhi nodded in agreement, ”Haan bhaiya, stop being so mean. See how sad she looks.”

Mahir glanced at his sister and back at his brothers. What did they think, he was a fool or completely blind? That was the most repetitive script he had falls for always. It used to be Abhi, who eventually learned those tricks from Arjun, and now all of that was passed on to his sister like a family heritage.

Even more, he was annoyed at himself that he couldn’t resist saying yes. What a putty he was in his own younger siblings’ hands.

“Fine!” He muttered begrudgingly. He would make sure his sister had kadha later, the safest option so she wouldn’t fall sick after stuffing herself with all that junk.

Radha squealed happily, throwing herself at Mahir. ”But there is one problem,” she said, pulling back, ”Who will be the referee?”

The brothers looked at each other, they didn’t think about that, their sister indeed believed in playing fair and square.

Before any of the three could reply, a soft, feminine voice floated from behind...

“Can I be the referee?”

They all turned towards the voice, and Radha rushed towards Shreya, pulling her into a tight hug.

“Aap kab aayi di?”(When did you ckme di?)”  Radha asked excitedly, ”Obviously you can be the referee. Make sure these three don’t cheat or break the rules, and if they try to cheat or gang up on their cute little sister, just punch them.” She giggled, completely ecstatic, after seeing Shreya.

Shreya smiled softly, a warmth that she exuded attracted Radha towards the woman, a kind of gentleness and comfort where she felt safe without even realizing it.

“Let her breathe first, bacche,” Mahir said softly, shaking his head at his overly excited sister.

That was the version of her they all loved, adored, and missed. And now they were seeing her being herself, the goofball she was, without any hesitations or lingering shadows.

Soon the match started. Just like Mahir said, and Radha knew, there was no easy way out. All three brothers were competitive and relentless on the court. Any other day, they would have tried to loosen up, but today their motive was simple... to make Radha realize that she was capable of more than she believed, something they had seen in her long before she ever did.

The ball hit the ground with a sharp bounce as Abhi dribbled past her in seconds. Radha lunged forward, trying to block him, but he twisted sideways, dodging her with practiced ease before aiming straight for the basket. The ball swished clean through the hoop.

“Focus, Radha!” Arjun called out, already moving into position.

Before she could gather herself, Mahir stepped in front of her, blocking her path completely. His stance was firm, movements calculated, he wasn’t going easy.

“Take it from me,” He said calmly, bouncing the ball once before passing it between his hands.

Radha moved forward, trying to snatch it, but Mahir shifted just an inch, enough to throw her off.

Radha stumbled back, frustration bubbling inside her. Abhi intercepted the pass, dribbling fast, his steps light as he dodged past Arjun, who immediately closed in from the side.

The two brothers moved like they had done this a thousand times.. perfect sync, perfect timing.

But Radha was a step behind. Again. Her confidence wavered. She ran forward again, faster this time, but Arjun blocked her, stretching his arm out just enough to keep her away from the ball.

“You are too slow,” He pointed out.

Radha’s breath hitched. She won’t be able to aim this way. Maybe she really was...

“Your foot position decides your control... don’t just chase the ball, control it before it controls you.” Samarth’s voice echoed in her head, cutting off her spiraling thoughts.

“Never let your opponent read your next move before you make it.”

“Once you hesitate, you have already lost the ball, take it or don’t move at all.”

Radha stilled for a moment. Her fist tightened. Her eyes followed the ball, not her brothers, not their speed, not their tricks... just the ball.

Abhi dribbled again, aiming for another shot, but this time, Radha didn’t rush blindly. She waited. Watched and  Calculated.

The moment he shifted his weight, ready to bounce... She moved with a quick, sharp strike. Her hand darted in, knocking the ball off his control.

“Oye...” Abhi turned, but she was already ahead.

Radha grabbed the ball, her heart hammering against her ribs as she ran forward. Arjun stepped in to block her.

“Don’t fight strength with strength. Use your mind.”

Radha feinted left. Arjun followed her movement, she slipped right. Mahir came into view, stepping in front of her and blocking her completely this time. His eyes locked on her, waiting without any challenge or mocking glint, simply wanting her to push herself, break her barriers, and try.

Radha swallowed hard. Her grip tightened around the ball. She bounced the ball once, and then twice, her movements slower, controlled.

Mahir leaned slightly, anticipating her move. When Radha spun abruptly fast, unexpectedly slipping past him just enough to create a gap. And before anyone could react... she aimed.

The ball went clean through the hoop!

Silence fell in the entire garden, thick and stunned, before the brothers clapped loudly, along with Shreya, a genuine smile of pride spreading on their faces as they looked at her.

Radha stood frozen, taking in the moment that had just passed. If her brothers would have gone easy, she would have caught it from the start, but they didn’t. They played fair, and she defied the ones who were pros at the game. She didn’t fail, she didn’t fall, she didn’t embarrass herself, nor was she overconfident.

She simply followed what Samarth taught her and what her bhaiya told her. And she did it.

Two pair of hands wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her in a warm hug, her hands instinctively rose, wrapping around her bhaiya, burying her face in his chest. A sob escaped her lips without her meaning to, all the pent-up fear, doubt, and pressure finally finding its way out.

“Arey tu ro kyun rahi hai? (Why are you crying?)” Abhi asked worriedly, ”Tujhe kahi lagi kya? (Did you get hurt?)

Arjun quietly pulled his little brother into a side hug. Those weren’t the tears of pain or defeat, they were the tears of relief after self-doubting yourself and drowning in fears with no way out of the ocean.

When someone finds their own strength within, the relief after almost giving up and still choosing to fight feels like freedom, something Radha felt in her bones, in her heart, in her soul for the first time.

What she had been told to believe faded in front of what she witnessed herself today, and that was the most important step towards growing and healing. He was proud of his sister.

Mahir looked down as Radha pulled back gently. He cradled her face and kissed her crown, ”I am proud of you, baache.”

Radha’s eyes misted all over again. The honesty in those words, at a win not of some big competition, but among themselves... completely undid her emotional walls. Her heart warmed.

A flower that starts to bloom in adversity, despite the harsh sunlight or heavy storms, yet growing steadily towards the light no matter what, Radha felt just that kind of growth.

“So now that Radha has won, Mahir, you have to take your sister to the food stall she asked about,” Shreya chimed in gently.

Seeing what the brothers were giving Radha, that kind of emotional security and support was incredible, but she also noticed that Radha never liked being a crybaby. The girl was the most sensitive one, but also the most self-aware; she didn’t wish to overwhelm herself, or she would stay overthinking something that neither she nor any of them wanted. They all wanted her to enjoy her moment, her present.

Radha nodded, blinking at Shreya in silent thanks. She was least interested in breaking down further. It was time to celebrate, if she cried more, she would go down the wrong track again, and there would be no end to her thoughts.

“I want to go now,” She said, displaying the best puppy eyes she could muster.

Mahir gave in without a word. The siblings squealed in joy, Arjun already rushing to get the car keys, and Abhi and Radha running to change, leaving behind the two in the silence of the calm evening.

Mahir glanced at Shreya. He didn’t miss the subtle look exchanged between her and Radha, and that warmed his heart.  Without realizing, there were feelings he once told Arjun didn’t matter or couldn’t come in between, but they were.

He found himself missing Shreya more than he could admit. The small bickering between them, that understanding without words, or even the silence that didn’t need explanations... just presence.

But Mahir suppressed the flames rising in his heart. He couldn’t give Shreya hope of something that would take time, or better yet, years. For now, his priority was his child. He wanted Radha to grow up. He wanted her to heal completely, forget every bad memory, and be herself. He could see the glimpses, but there were still little tweaks in the journey he needed to fix before he processed his own feelings.

All he could hope was, it wouldn’t be too late by then!

 

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