The news broke like a whisper with a megaphone.
"ARJUN DEV'S FATHER: A MYSTERY UNSOLVED"
The headline ran across a late-night segment on an online Malayalam sports channel, then found its way to Twitter, Reddit, and the morning newspapers.
By 7 a.m., WhatsApp forwards had done their damage.
> "Why did his father disappear from the local league in 1999?"
"Was he a failed player living through his son?"
"Is Arjun carrying something more than legacy?"
---
✦ In the Blasters Camp
Coach Sameer walked into the players' lounge and saw the news on mute.
Faizan glanced at Arjun, seated quietly at the far end, earbuds in, watching something on his phone.
"He's seen it," Faizan muttered.
Sameer nodded. "Leave him be for now."
---
✦ The Morning That Followed
Arjun trained as if nothing had happened.
Every pass sharp. Every sprint precise. Every touch robotic.
But there was a deadness in his eyes.
In the locker room, Faizan sat beside him. "You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Doesn't look like it."
Arjun looked up, his voice barely audible. "People always ask me what I play for. They think it's glory, Europe, fame…"
He paused.
"But it was always just… to finish what he couldn't."
---
✦ In Thrissur
Arjun's mother refused to switch on the TV.
She sat by the framed photo of her husband — a man who once captained the Thrissur District team before a mysterious injury and personal scandal cut his career short.
"I knew this day would come," she whispered.
The past, after all, never really forgets. Especially not in Kerala.
---
✦ The Rift
In the evening, Coach Sameer called Arjun into his office.
He didn't raise his voice. He never did.
"Son… do you want to sit out the next match?"
Arjun blinked. "Why?"
"Media's everywhere. You're stretched thin. We can manage against East Bengal—"
"No," Arjun snapped. Then softened. "Please. I need to play."
Sameer leaned back. "I'm not protecting you from the game, Arjun. I'm protecting you from yourself."
Arjun stood. "You're not my father, Coach."
The room went silent.
Sameer said nothing.
And Arjun walked out, the door closing with a quiet finality.
---
✦ That Night
A knock on the apartment door.
Arjun opened it — and froze.
It was Kalyani.
In a hoodie, cap, and mask. Bags under her eyes.
"Hey."
He opened the door wide. No words. Just surprise.
"I had a week off from shooting. Thought I'd see how the 'Elephant' is doing."
He chuckled. "You picked the wrong week."
She stepped in. "Or the right one."
They sat on the floor, cold water bottles in hand. Silence, not awkward, but necessary.
"You ever feel like… you're performing grief?" Arjun asked suddenly.
Kalyani turned. "What do you mean?"
"My dad died before I made it. And now everyone's talking about him — his past, his failure, his name. And I don't know whether I'm sad… or just guilty that I never really knew the full story."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "You're not a shrine, Arjun. You're his son. That's enough."
---
✦ Next Match: Kerala Blasters vs East Bengal – Home Game
The stadium was full, but quieter.
The chants weren't as loud.
There were whispers in the stands.
> "What if he breaks today?"
"Is this too much for him?"
The match kicked off. The grass felt heavier.
Every touch of the ball by Arjun drew murmurs instead of cheers.
In the 36th minute, he miscontrolled a pass — a rarity.
East Bengal capitalized. Goal.
0–1.
Coach Sameer didn't react. But Faizan, from across the pitch, shouted, "Focus, Dev! You don't carry ghosts!"
That snapped him back.
---
✦ The Turning Point
Second half. Arjun pulled deep into his own half. Received a ball. Two defenders closing in.
This time, he didn't pass.
He ran.
Like something was chasing him.
The crowd rose as one.
He skipped past one, then another. Found Faizan wide.
Cross. Header. Goal.
1–1.
No celebration.
Just Arjun walking slowly back, hand pressed to his chest.
---
✦ Post-Match
Draw.
But the headlines read something else the next day:
"THE ELEPHANT WALKS THROUGH THE STORM"
"ARJUN DEV: SILENCE IS HIS STATEMENT"
And beside it, a photo.
Arjun and Kalyani, caught by a fan's camera, walking out of the stadium together.
No smiles. No drama.
Just quiet support.
---