The anthem faded. The noise roared back.
Salt Lake Stadium. 65,000 voices. All aimed at one thing:
Hope.
For once, it wasn't carried by a name like Sunil Chhetri. Or a long-standing veteran.
It was a teenager from Thrissur, wearing number 19.
And though Arjun Dev was silent, inside his head, it was anything but.
---
✦ Kickoff – The First Test
The match against Uzbekistan was no friendly.
The Uzbeks played fast, compact, physical. From the first minute, they tried to rattle him.
Shoves. Studs-up tackles. Trash talk in broken English.
Arjun responded the only way he knew:
With football.
In the 14th minute, he received the ball on the half-turn, danced between two markers, and threaded a 25-yard through ball to Liston Colaco.
Almost an assist.
Almost.
The crowd gasped.
> 🎙️ Commentator 1:
"The kid's got eyes in the back of his head!"
> 🎙️ Commentator 2:
"That pass was from another league!"
---
✦ The Critics Watch
In the press box, analysts scribbled furiously. Arjun had become the subject of think-pieces, tactical breakdowns, and Twitter threads in three languages.
But not everyone was convinced.
> "Too flashy," murmured a senior journalist.
"Needs structure. Europe's not going to forgive loose moments."
But another countered:
> "He doesn't just see the game. He feels it."
---
✦ Meera Seth – First Contact
In a quiet VIP lounge above the stadium, Meera Seth watched with crossed legs and unreadable eyes.
She wore a clean blazer over dark jeans. AirPods in. Phone silenced.
She wasn't here as a fan.
She was here to verify instinct.
And Arjun was ticking every box.
After the first half, she leaned toward the AI-driven analytics scout sitting beside her.
"Where does he rank in progressive passing among Indian midfielders?"
"First. By a distance."
She smiled — just slightly.
Then she sent a message:
> To: Iconic Talent Group (London HQ)
Subject: Greenlight
"Target confirmed. Schedule Delhi meet post-AFC Quarterfinals. And notify Hannover 96."
---
✦ The Turning Point
In the 68th minute, India were trailing 0–1.
Arjun had been fouled four times, tackled six, dispossessed twice.
But he hadn't lost the ball in his own half. Not once.
And now, he drifted toward the left, taking the Uzbek midfield with him.
Then, a sudden switch — he flicked it with the outside of his boot across the field to Ashique Kuruniyan.
Uzbek defenders scrambled.
Arjun didn't stop.
He sprinted into the final third.
Ashique's low ball came in.
Arjun let it run between his legs — a dummy.
Liston arrived behind him.
GOAL.
Salt Lake shook like it had never before.
> 🎙️ Commentator:
"He didn't touch the ball — but created the goal!"
> 🎙️ Malayalam Voiceover (emotional):
"Kalikkarilla avan… avan nadakkunnu. (He's not just playing… he's walking destiny.)"
---
✦ Post-Match – National Recognition
1–1 was the final score, but the talk of the night was Arjun.
Journalists pushed microphones toward him in the mixed zone.
"How does it feel to debut in front of 65,000?"
"Like home," he said, tired but steady.
"Europe next?"
He looked straight into the camera.
"Kerala first. Asia second. Then, maybe."
---
✦ The Meeting — Meera Seth
Two days later. Delhi.
Arjun was scheduled to meet someone from Iconic Talent Group, his coach had said. Not for negotiation — just a conversation.
He wore jeans, a simple white shirt. Nervous, but calm.
When he entered the café, she was already there. No entourage. Just her phone, a notepad, and an espresso.
She stood and offered her hand.
"Meera Seth," she said. "I know you don't trust agents."
He blinked. "I don't."
"Good," she replied. "That means you're not stupid."
She gestured for him to sit.
"No contracts. No pitch. Just one question."
She looked him in the eye.
"Where do you want this to go?"
Arjun paused. Thought about everything.
His father's voice. His mother's silence. The fans singing "Oru paadam, oru veeran…"
Then: "I want to go as far as I can. Without losing where I started."
She didn't write anything down. Just nodded.
"Then we'll do it right. No shortcuts. No circus. Hannover want a summer move. I can make that real. But only when you're ready."
He met her gaze.
"After the season."
She smiled. "That's why I waited till now."
---
✦ Closing Scene – Kochi, Airport Lounge
As Arjun waited for his flight back to Kochi, he scrolled through headlines:
> "Indian Midfielder Lights Up Salt Lake"
"Bundesliga 2 Club Eyes Kerala Star"
"Elephant Marches into National Spotlight"
He set the phone down.
Pulled out a folded photo of his father — the one he always carried in his wallet.
He whispered, "We're not done."
Outside, a flight to Germany was announced.
But Arjun boarded his flight to Kochi.
There was still a trophy left in Asia.
---