The welcome back to Kochi wasn't quiet.
A sea of yellow flooded Nedumbassery Airport. They waited through the night — children in jerseys half their size, uncles with garlands, aunties waving the Indian flag, and local drummers beating a rhythm that hadn't stopped since the final whistle in Riyadh.
Arjun stepped out last, dragging his duffel bag, cap pulled low.
The chants were already ringing:
> "Oru paadam, oru veeran!"
> "Blastersinte hridayam!"
He smiled and waved, but the truth was — he was exhausted.
---
✦ The Press Room
The next morning, the headlines blared:
"HEROES IN ASIA — BUT ISL TITLE SLIPPING?"
"CAN KERALA HANDLE TWO FRONTS?"
"ARJUN DEV: THE ELEPHANT WITH WINGS?"
Coach Sameer wasn't amused.
"We need to breathe," he muttered to his assistant Rahul. "They're 21-year-old boys, not machines."
---
✦ The Table
Kerala Blasters were third.
Five points behind league leaders Mumbai City FC, who hadn't lost a game in seven.
Next match: vs NorthEast United — a tricky away game in Guwahati.
Faizan groaned when he saw the board. "We just played in the desert. Now the jungle?"
Arjun chuckled. "You prefer the Gulf or the hills?"
"Neither," Faizan muttered. "I just want one match without dying."
---
✦ Training
Coach Sameer rotated half the squad. Arjun was supposed to rest.
But he insisted on playing.
"I'm fine," he said quietly. "The rhythm helps me think."
But in truth, his legs ached. Not from the matches — but the weight of expectation. The fans. The scouts. His father's memory. The quiet things that lived behind his every pass.
---
✦ Pre-Match: Guwahati
The rain in the northeast was relentless.
Water pooled on the training ground. Arjun walked barefoot across the grass, eyes closed. It reminded him of his childhood. The village pitch. The smell of wet earth.
Suddenly, a voice beside him.
"You're carrying too much, bro."
It was Sahal.
Arjun didn't open his eyes. "No more than usual."
Sahal smiled. "Then let someone carry you for once."
---
✦ Game Night
The stands in Guwahati weren't full. But they were loud.
The home fans booed Arjun every time he touched the ball.
"Asia star, but not here!" someone shouted.
He didn't flinch.
NorthEast United played rough. Two-foot tackles. Pressing in packs. They wanted a scalp.
In the 28th minute, Arjun got clipped from behind. He hit the ground hard.
For a second, he saw his father.
Not in a vision. Just… the memory.
"You won't break because of pain, monu. You'll break if you stop."
He stood.
---
✦ Minute 72
Still 0–0.
The Blasters looked tired. Faizan's legs had faded. Sahal had been subbed off.
Coach Sameer signaled. One more push.
Arjun dropped deeper, received the ball, and drew in three defenders.
One flick behind the back.
Straight into Rahul KP's stride.
Cross into the box.
Jeakson header.
Goal.
1–0.
No celebration. Just clenched fists and eyes closed in relief.
---
✦ After the Match
Faizan collapsed on the bench. "One day you'll kill me with these passes, you magician."
Arjun didn't laugh.
Instead, he looked at the stands, where a small pocket of traveling fans were singing — soaked in rain.
"Oru paadam, oru veeran…"
It wasn't loud.
But it was enough.
---
✦ That Night
In the team hotel, Arjun sat on the balcony alone, legs in an ice bucket.
A phone buzzed.
It was Kalyani.
A voice message.
> "You didn't look happy after the win. Tired of being a hero?"
He smiled.
Then texted back:
> "Heroes are easy. It's being human that takes effort."
---
✦ In the Background
Rainer Graf updated his report.
> "Blasters win despite fatigue. Arjun ran 11.7km. Created 5 chances. Still the brain. Still the rhythm."
> Next target: March. Bundesliga II transfer window evaluation.
---