The champagne had dried. The confetti had been swept. The chants still echoed — faint, like dreams in the morning after.
Kerala Blasters were champions.
But Arjun Dev knew this wasn't the end.
It was the end of a beginning.
---
✦ The Streets of Thrissur
In Arjun's hometown, the celebrations hadn't stopped. Street artists painted his assist to Faizan on compound walls. Children played barefoot on muddy fields yelling, "Njan Arjun Dev aane!" — I'm Arjun Dev!
In a small tea shop, an old man who once coached local under-12s turned to the television.
"They say it was the boy's through ball," he murmured. "But you could see it in his eyes — it was for someone else."
---
✦ Back in Kochi — Inside the Blasters Camp
Coach Sameer sat with Arjun in the tactical room. The ISL trophy sat behind them on the table. Neither had touched it since the photos.
"Do you feel it?" Sameer asked.
"The void?"
"No. The shift. The world turning its eyes."
Arjun leaned forward.
"I feel eyes. Everywhere. But not all of them belong here."
Sameer smiled. "The AFC quarterfinal draw is out."
Arjun's fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk.
"Who?"
Sameer flipped the iPad around.
Shandong Taishan. China. Away leg first.
---
✦ National Call-Up Confirmed
That evening, a press release arrived in Arjun's inbox. He didn't even need to open it.
Subject: India National Football Team: March International Call-Up
Subheading: Central Midfielder – Arjun Dev (Kerala Blasters FC)
He called his mother.
She didn't answer with words. Just cried.
---
✦ Hyderabad – Film Set
Kalyani stood on a balcony during golden hour, her hair caught in the breeze. Her assistant showed her a sports segment on his phone.
> "Kerala Blasters win title. National team call-up for Arjun Dev. European interest mounting."
She said nothing, but looked away from the screen.
Then softly asked, "Does it say where in Europe?"
Her assistant shook his head. "Just scouts. No club confirmed yet."
Her eyes didn't leave the horizon.
---
✦ The Locker Room – Three Days Later
The team was back in training. Sweat. Intensity. Fire.
But quieter. The ISL trophy stood in a corner — now forgotten.
In the hallway, Faizan caught up with Arjun.
"So what now? Europe?"
Arjun smiled. "Eventually."
"You ever think we'd be here? After that fight last year?"
"Not once," Arjun said. "But now I can't imagine being here without you."
They bumped fists — harder than necessary.
---
✦ Rainer Graf – The Observer
In a luxury hotel suite in Bangalore, Rainer Graf, lead Bundesliga scout for Hannover 96, sat with headphones on, rewatching the Blasters' final match.
He scribbled notes:
Vision under pressure
Creative tempo controller
Strong final third link-up
Mentality: leadership evident
He paused on the assist to Faizan.
Rewound.
Watched again.
Then typed:
> Potential summer move. Suitable for 2. Bundesliga adjustment. Long-term project with Bundesliga upside.
Must secure agent rights before Serie A interest escalates.
---
✦ Endorsements & Noise
The media storm began to swirl.
Nike India sent a pre-contract kit mock-up for a signature boot.
Thums Up wanted a campaign titled: "Strength Isn't Roared. It Marches."
A Netflix documentary pitch landed on Coach Sameer's desk: The March: Rise of Kerala Blasters.
Arjun ignored most of it.
But one email caught his eye:
> From: [[email protected]]
Subject: A conversation, not a contract
Dear Arjun,
I represent a small circle of elite footballers across Europe. I believe your journey is not just skill-based — it's story-based.
Let's talk.
Respectfully,
Meera Seth
FIFA Certified Agent
---
✦ Final Scene — National Anthem
The India National Team stood lined up at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, for a friendly against Uzbekistan.
Arjun wore the number 19 shirt. His first senior cap.
He looked into the crowd.
Saw his mother. Saw a small boy holding a sign:
"The Elephant marches for India now."
The anthem played.
He didn't sing.
He just stood tall.
The elephant had marched through Kerala.
Now, the nation was watching.
---