5.1 • The Doctor and The Cricketer

Cricket is not just a sport in India. It's a religion for most Indians and Sachin Tendulkar is the God of cricket. However, for Dr Payali Bhonsle, it was all just rubbish. She hated cricket with her heart and soul. But destiny was a bitch. The bitch who loved to offer her what she never asked for. Like she never asked to be the physiotherapist of the national cricket team of India. But the more she tries to stay away from cricket, the more this sport surrounds her life.

“Dear destiny, you are a bitch.” Payali muttered to her destiny who was laughing at her in Payali's imagination.

With a very frustrated mood she entered the building where the so-called national crushes practiced their game. She was clueless. She just kept walking with a hope to find the coach. As she kept walking she reached the field where the players were practicing. There was no bat or ball. They were simply jogging around the ground.

“They are warming up, I guess.”  She mumbled to herself.

“Excuse me, how did you enter the building?” A guy asked.

He was Kunal Banga. The cricket team's captain. They say he is a brilliant player of cricket as well as love affairs.

“I am the new physiotherapist.” Payali replied, not bothered by his bossy tone, looking straight into his eyes.

“What?” Kunal seemed genuinely surprised as if he wasn't informed about her joining earlier. And he looked angry.

Oh, she could totally understand. His male ego was hurt that a new physiotherapist was appointed but he, the team captain, wasn't even informed about it.

What's the big deal in this, man?

Did they ask you about the last woman you slept with?

Payali tried to distract herself by looking around the field only to get even more uncomfortable as other players were now looking in their direction.

“Bappa, what is happening? This is so uncomfortable.” She mumbled to her Bappa.

She was used to be surrounded by lots of doctors and nurses and patients all the time. But cricketers? They and their sport is too aggressive for her liking.

A furious Kunal went somewhere while making a face that promised a heated argument.

“Why do girls even like him? He is so rude and egoistic and...”

“And he curses a lot.” Someone completed her sentence.

Payali turned around to see a guy. His face looked familiar which isn't a big deal as cricketers are no less than Bollywood celebrities in India.

“Oh, my God, you didn't recognise me. It hurts like hell.” He stated dramatically.

“I am not a fan of cricket.” Payali replied sheepishly.

“I am Adarsh Sharma.” He forwarded his hand for a handshake. Payali gladly accepted it.

“Nice to meet you, Adarsh. I am Dr Payali Bhonsle.” She passed him a friendly smile.

“Don't mind Kunal, by the way. He is a nice guy, just a bit aggressive.” Adarsh defended his friend.

“I saw that.” Payali rolled her eyes, not bothering to hide her dislike towards Kunal.

“There is internal politics going on. You won't understand it just yet.”

“None of my business. Where is the coach, by the way?” She asked, looking at her wristwatch.

“Oh, let me show you the way.” Adrash offered. Payali nodded and they went to the first floor where the coach was sitting in his cabin and having a talk with Kunal who was very angry.

When Payali and Adarsh realised the tension in the room, Payali quickly knocked on the door and Adarsh said a loud Good Morning to their coach Vijay Ghai. Coach and Kunal immediately went silent.

“Oh, Dr Bhonsle, please come inside.” Coach invited her in politely.

“And I, coach?” Adarsh asked dumbfounded because coach didn't invite him in.

Their coach rolled his eyes and said,“You too, Mr Clueless Sharma.”

Payali could hardly control the chuckle that left her mouth. They entered the office. Coach sat on his chair. While Kunal and Payali occupied to other chairs set against his desk.

“Coach, where should I sit?” Adarsh asked innocently.

“On my head, my child.” Coach replied sarcastically.

“Coach...” Adarsh whined like a kid.

“Sit on that coach then.”

Adarsh grumbled something like,“Only Kunal is his favourite.” And went to sit on the couch in the corner of the office.

“So, Kunal, Dr Bhonsle was appointed two days back as our previous physiotherapist Dr Shukla resigned. And you weren't informed because it's out of your expertise. I mean, you are a sportsperson, we will ask for your opinion while buying equipments or planning practice schedules. You can't interfere in everything, child.”

“Is it all, Coach?” Kunal asked, as if he knew there's more to it.

“Yes.” Coach lied because he didn't want Kunal to get into another conflict.

“And, Dr Bhonsle, you will be given all the players' fitness reports in a day or two.”

“Sure, sir. What am I supposed to do today?”

“Well, luckily none of our players have suffered any bone damage so you are free for now.”

“Alright, sir. I'm taking my leave then. I was nice to meet you.” Saying so Payali stood up to leave.

“Sorry for earlier, Miss Bhonsle.” She heard Kunal and was left shocked to hear an apology from him.

“It's Dr Bhonsle, Mr Banga. And apology accepted.”  She told him in her doctor attitude and waved a bye to Adarsh before exiting the office.

“Bro, she has got guts.” Adarsh exclaimed.

“Behave, Adarsh. And what do you mean she has got guts?” Coach asked, not understanding the slang.

“Arrey, Coach, means she has got balls.”

“But she is a woman.” The coach pointed out in confusion.

“Coach, Adarsh wants to say that she is bold.” Kunal told him and Coach nodded with an Oh sound in understanding.

“Adarsh, you could have just said that.”

“Coach, it's not my fault you don't understand Gen Z slangs.” Adarsh made a face and left.

“And, Kunal, don't get into trouble with the President.” Coach told him in concern filled tone.

“Coach, they are entering politics into sports too. Why non-sportspersons are sitting on top level of national cricket institution? And why it has to be that home minister's son. Have you seen how he is getting fat day by day? He has no knowledge about cricket and stays far away from fitness.” Kunal complained.

“Well, it's politics, young man. It's their era going on.” Coach just shrugged.

“But we need to talk about it. It will ruin the cricket of our country.”

“Kunal, we can do nothing about it. We are not that powerful.”

“That's where you are wrong, Coach.” Kunal stood up from his seat and left the office.

Coach just shook his head and prayed that this boy doesn't get into trouble again. Kunal wanted to challenge the system. But the system was controlled by the eagles. The eagles who wanted to paralyze the country entirely.

•••

Question: What's your favourite sport?

Mine is Cricket. And Football too.

•••

So yesterday I had a very long argument ( cat fight, to be exact) with a terrible person on Wattpad. Good thing is that I've blocked her.

But what's more important is that tomorrow there is a fair in my village! And this time they are setting up shops in front of my home!

That's it for now, Bye 👋