Chapter 54: First Steps in Foreign Soil
The leaves in Hannover had begun to brown and fall. September's chill lingered in the early mornings, and with it came the clarity that this was no longer a dream. Arjun Dev was in Europe — and not just watching from the sidelines.
His move from Kerala to Germany had shaken everything: his rhythm, his sleep, his diet. But what hadn't changed was the ball at his feet. It was still the same language, even in a land that spoke none of his tongues.
"Arjun, du startest heute," Coach Zimmermann had said at the team meeting that morning. You're starting today.
It wasn't the first time he'd been included in the matchday squad. But this would be his first full start in the 2. Bundesliga. The opponent: Jahn Regensburg. Mid-table side, strong in set-pieces, physical.
He'd played thirty minutes the week before — an away game against Erzgebirge Aue — and earned a few claps from the bench. Nothing viral. But enough to plant a seed.
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Pre-Match Warmups — HDI Arena, Hannover
"Warm your left foot more," Devika Rao said from the sidelines, arms folded.
She didn't act like a typical football agent. Devika was sharp, sarcastic, and fluent in both German and Malayalam. She stood beside Coach Zimmermann's assistant, whispering translations to Arjun's mother who had flown in to visit.
Arjun didn't look at her, but he heard her voice over the others. It grounded him. Reminded him of the expectations — but also of the care.
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Kickoff — 1st Half
"Welcome to matchday six here in Hannover," the English commentary buzzed through an international stream.
"And today, all eyes are on a young Indian midfielder: Arjun Dev. Just 19 years old. Signed from Kerala Blasters. A groundbreaker for Indian football."
Shaiju Damodaran, commentating for the Indian stream, said in Malayalam:
> "Namukku ee rajakumarante kaaladi kandaal mathi... ithu oru ithihasam aanu porunnaath!"
(If we witness the footwork of this prince today, it's enough… a legend is rising!)
Arjun started quietly. Short passes. Measured movements.
At the 23rd minute, he intercepted a lazy midfield pass, shielded the ball with his body, and danced past a pressing opponent with a sharp feint. It was subtle, but the stadium stirred.
By halftime, Hannover led 1–0. Arjun had not assisted. He hadn't scored.
But he had belonged.
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Halftime — Locker Room
Zimmermann tapped Arjun on the shoulder. "Gut. Stay alert. They'll press harder in the second."
Faizan had once said, "Europe tests not your legs, but your head." Now Arjun knew what he meant.
He sipped water, glancing at the message Devika had forwarded to him that morning from a Bundesliga analyst:
> "Don't overexpose the kid. But the instinct is elite. Smart transfer."
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2nd Half — Pressure Mounts
Jahn Regensburg came back stronger. Physical. High press.
At 71 minutes, a clattering tackle sent Arjun tumbling near the dugout.
Zimmermann was already yelling at the fourth official. But Arjun got up.
He dusted himself off, jogged back into position, and didn't look at the bench.
"Das ist Fußball," he muttered. This is football.
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80th Minute — Substitution
Arjun was called off. Applause. Sparse, but sincere.
As he came to the bench, Devika handed him a towel and whispered, "That's how you plant a flag, Arjun."
He smiled faintly. "It's only the first step."
"True," she said. "But every march begins with one."
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Post-Match — Local TV Interview
"Incredible to see an Indian talent adjusting so fast," said the interviewer.
Arjun wiped sweat from his neck. "There's no shortcut. I'm learning. Every day."
"What would you say to young Indian players watching this?"
He looked directly at the camera.
"Don't dream of Europe. Prepare for it."
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Later That Night
Arjun sat alone in his rented apartment, watching clips of his performance on his laptop. His phone buzzed.
Kalyani.
> "You looked like you belonged."
He replied after a long pause:
> "One step at a time. I'll make it count."
And as the window fogged up with the chill of Hannover night, Arjun looked out...
A boy from Thrissur.
A jersey in a foreign tongue.
And a future beginning, not in roars — but in echoes that refused to fade.
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