October 2019 – Hannover, Germany
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The air in Lower Saxony carried a chilled whisper — not quite winter, but no longer autumn. Leaves rustled down the cobblestone paths, and the floodlights of the Heinz von Heiden Arena cast long shadows over the training pitch.
Inside the Hannover 96 locker room, Arjun sat quietly, tying his boots with the same care his father once taught him on a muddy pitch in Thrissur. In his locker, folded neatly above his extra jersey, was a yellow scarf — Kerala Blasters. A fragment of home, hidden in a world that still called him foreign.
"Big match today," said Julian Schuster, clapping his hands and swinging his kit bag onto the bench beside him. "St. Pauli's midfield is a maze. Coach says you're the key."
Arjun gave a slight nod. "About time I unlock something."
Julian grinned. "That's the spirit."
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✦ Tactical Briefing – Matchday Eve
Coach Mirko Slomka gathered the squad in the video room. A large touchscreen displayed heat maps and passing patterns.
"St. Pauli's double pivot clogs the central channels," he said, pointing with a stylus. "They'll press hard between the 30th and 60th minute. Arjun — I want you to drop deep, link with Volker, and use that vision. Break their lines before they box us in."
Arjun leaned forward. "Understood."
Slomka met his gaze, the respect evident now. "You're growing fast. But stay grounded. Bundesliga 2 is brutal in October."
"Pressure's nothing new," Arjun replied, calm.
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✦ After Training — Coffee with Devika
Outside the facility, under a silver sky, Devika Rao handed Arjun a cup.
"Espresso. Strong. Like your weak foot's getting."
He smirked. "Still bitter."
Devika sat beside him on the bench. "How's the team dynamic?"
"Better. Julian's tight. Volker's opening up. Coach is... Coach."
"And off the pitch?"
He looked across the complex. "It's cold. But it's clean. I needed clean."
She nodded. "Two scouts in the stands next week. Napoli and Werder. But I told them — you're not for sale yet."
"I'm not ready to leave," he said, firm. "Not until Hannover knows my name."
She smiled. "That's why I signed you. You're not here for a jersey swap. You're here to plant something."
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✦ Flashback — A Father's Echo
That night, Arjun lay awake in his apartment. No city noise. Just his breath, and a photo by the window — his father, arms wrapped around a much younger Arjun, both smiling in Blasters yellow.
In his head, the voice returned. Clear.
> "Elephants don't forget, monu. And you're still marching."
He didn't cry. But something old in him settled again.
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✦ Matchday: Hannover 96 vs St. Pauli
October 20, 2019 – Bundesliga 2, Matchday 10
Hannover 96 (4–2–3–1):
Zieler (GK), Maina, Arrey-Mbi, Volker, Köhn — Arjun Dev, Leopold — Julian, Tresoldi, Beier — Teuchert
St. Pauli (4–1–4–1):
Vasilj (GK), Paqarada, Medic, Irvine, Saad, Hartel, Eggestein, Metcalfe, Daschner, Smith — Aremu
🎙️ Sky Deutschland Commentary:
> "Der indische Neuzugang Arjun Dev — nur 18 Jahre alt — mit unglaublichem Überblick heute. Eine echte Entdeckung."
(India's young signing Arjun Dev — just 18 — showing incredible vision today. A real revelation.)
🎙️ Malayalam (fan-made stream, Shaiju Damodaran):
> "Ini njangal kandirikkunnathu oru lightning strike aanu! Oru Kerala kutti — Berlin poleyanu kalikkunnathu!"
(We are witnessing a lightning strike! A Kerala boy playing like he owns Berlin!)
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✦ The Moment
67th minute. Score: 1–1.
A heavy touch from St. Pauli's Hartel — Arjun pounced.
One glance. A weightless outside-of-the-foot pass, splitting the lines.
Julian Schuster took one perfect touch and slotted it past the keeper.
2–1.
The stadium rose. Cold air, hot lungs. Arjun didn't celebrate.
He pointed to the sky. Quiet. Solid.
> "Not for applause. For memory."
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✦ Post-Match — Sky Sport
Slomka at the press conference, arms crossed.
> "Arjun Dev — does he have a ceiling?"
He chuckled. "He's not climbing ladders. He's building his own."
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✦ Back at the Apartment — Kalyani
A notification blinked. A voice note.
Kalyani:
> [soft hum]
"Oru paadam, oru veeran... Marannilla njangale..."
(One step, one warrior... We won't forget you.)
No message. Just that.
Arjun closed his eyes and played it again.
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✦ Final Scene — Still Marching
Arjun stepped onto his balcony.
No lights. No chants. Just Hannover sleeping beneath him.
But he stood taller.
This city didn't know his name. Not yet.
But it would.
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