Adriti

The following weeks after the tournament were a whirlwind for me. With the trophy still shining proudly on my shelf, i found myself caught between my studies and my newfound passion for badminton. The thrill of victory had ignited a fire within mine, and now, I was determined to take my training to the next level.

As I entered the AMBA academy for practice one afternoon, I noticed a new face – a tall, athletic young man with a serious expression, practicing footwork drills on the adjacent court. I squinted, trying to catch a glimpse of this newcomer who seemed so focused."That’s Aadarsh," my coach said, nodding towards the young man. "He’s just transferred from another academy. A rising star, they say. You might want to challenge him one day."

I smirked, my competitive spirit flaring up once more. "Challenge accepted," I replied, my eyes glinting with determination.

One evening, as I and Ishaan practiced together, I looked up at Ishaan, my brow furrowing with concern. "Ishaan, with all your responsibilities, how do you manage to find time for me?" I asked, a hint of worry in my voice.

Ishaan chuckled, the sound warm and reassuring. "You bring a kind of joy that makes it worth it,” he said sincerely. “Besides, I’m learning to prioritize my time. You’re worth it.”

Our connection deepened each time we met, but the shadow of Ruthvik loomed over my mind. His mocking words still echoed in my head, and I felt the need to prove myself more than ever.

One afternoon, during a particularly grueling practice session, I decided to put my skills to the test. I challenged Aadarsh to a friendly match, curiosity fueling my desire to gauge where I stood among the best.

As we played, I realized Aadarsh was formidable, his agility and precision pushing me to my limits. Each point was hard-earned, and I could feel the pressure mounting. Ishaan watched from the sidelines, as he cheered for me.

In a pivotal moment, I found myself trailing in the game. Frustration threatened to overwhelm me, but I remembered Ishaan’s encouraging words. With a deep breath, I refocused my energy, channeling my frustration into determination.

With newfound vigor, I fought back, winning the next few points in a spectacular display of skill. The match ended with an exhilarating rally, and to my surprise, I emerged victorious.

As I caught my breath, Aadarsh approached me with a grin. “You’ve got potential,” he complimented. “Let’s train together sometime. I could use a good sparring partner.”

I felt a rush of pride and excitement at the prospect of training with someone like Aadarsh. Just as I was about to respond, Ruthvik appeared, sauntering onto the court with his characteristic swagger.

“Not bad, Adriti. But don’t get too ahead of yourself. You still have a long way to go,” he said, a smirk plastered on his face.

My heart sank momentarily, but I quickly masked my disappointment. "I’m just getting started," I replied confidently, shooting a glance at Ishaan, who stood watching intently, his expression a mix of concern and support.

As the group dispersed, Ishaan caught up with me. “Don’t let him get to you,” he urged. “Your journey is yours alone, and you’re doing phenomenal.”

I felt a surge of gratitude and warmth wash over mine. “Thank you, Ishaan. Your support means everything to me,” she admitted, her voice softening.

As we walked out together, a comfortable silence enveloped us, the echoes of our laughter fading into the evening air. But in the back of my mind, the looming question remained: Would I be able to overcome the doubts that Ruthvik instilled in me? And how would my relationship with Ishaan evolve as we faced challenges both on and off the court?

The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: I was ready to embrace it, with Ishaan by my side and a fierce determination burning in my heart. The game was far from over; new challenges awaited, and I was determined to play my best.