You Belong With Me

Vanshika leaned forward, her eyes wide with curiosity as she directed her question to Rahul, who seemed lost in thought, his expression distant as if he was mentally traveling back in time. "What was in 2003?" she inquired, her voice carrying a sense of eager anticipation.

Rahul's eyes lit up with recognition, a nostalgic smile playing at the corners of his lips as he remembered. "World Cup," he replied, his tone laced with excitement. It was as if the mere mention of those words transported him back to a time filled with thrilling matches, roaring crowds, and unforgettable moments etched into the annals of sporting history.

Flashback

The atmosphere in the dressing room was heavy with disappointment. The faces of Team India's players reflected the bitter taste of defeat. They had fought hard, reaching the finals of the World Cup, but in the end, it was Australia, the reigning champions, who claimed victory.

Sourav entered the room, his heart heavy but his spirit unbroken. He could see the disappointment etched on the faces of his teammates. Even Rahul, usually the most optimistic of them all, wore a mask of sadness.

"Why is everyone acting like the world has ended?" Sourav asked, his voice infused with an attempt to uplift the gloomy atmosphere. All eyes turned to their captain.

Harbhajan spoke up, his voice tinged with bitterness, "We worked so hard. We deserved to win."

Sourav shook his head gently, "No, Bhajju! The Aussies were better today. But that doesn't mean we didn't give it our all. Sometimes, things just don't go the way we want them to, and it's better to accept that sooner rather than later. There will be many more World Cups in the future. I promise you, we'll get our chance again, and when we do, we'll seize it."

"Can you promise that we'll win a World Cup someday?" Zaheer asked, his vulnerability evident in his tone.

"Yes, I can guarantee that," Sourav declared, his voice brimming with confidence. "Now come on, get up. We have to leave. Our families will be waiting for us."

They all rose to their feet, still carrying the weight of their disappointment, but feeling a little better after hearing their captain's unwavering belief in them. Making their way to the airport, they took their respective seats on the airplane. Sourav and Rahul sat together.

Rahul glanced at Sourav. "You can tell me anything, you know that," Sourav said, not looking at Rahul but aware of his gaze, understanding the turmoil of the World Cup loss that both of them carried in their hearts.

"You shouldn't have promised our boys would win the cup, Sourav. No one can see the future. What if you've set their hopes too high, only for them to be dashed again?" Rahul's tone was one of genuine concern. He wasn't being negative; he just preferred reality over false hope.

Sourav, however, was resolute. "I know I can't predict the future. But if a captain doesn't believe in his team, how can they believe in themselves? I have faith in their talent and ability. They'll bring a cup home for India one day. High expectations will only make them work harder. We play to win." His words were filled with conviction and confidence.

"We play because we love cricket," Rahul declared passionately. "Winning and losing are just part of the game."