The Cricketers

"Get off me, you cheat. If you hit me once more, I swear I will kill you." Karthik screamed in agony. He was lying flat on the ground, his hands being held by his attacker-Ganesh. Spitting out the dirt that entered his mouth during the fight, Karthik swung his right arm and gave a deft blow to Ganesh, right on this cheek. Ganesh fell down due to the impact, and Karthik jumped up. " I am going to tell Mom about this. If you can't play properly, you should have the attitude to admit it."

Karthik, 13, and Ganesh, 11 were brothers. Both were equally passionate about the game of Cricket. But it was this game that was always the bone of contention between them. Neither of them could stomach a loss. And since they almost always played for opposite teams, most games ended in a fistfight, which needed the resolve of all the other friends to stop. 

"You guys seriously need to grow up. We cannot let this happen every day. Just yesterday Karthik ran towards Ganesh with a stump after he got out. If you guys were not this good at the game, you would not have made any friends here. But just because you play well doesn't mean that you can go around fighting", quipped Wasim. "If both of you fight even once, both of you won't play with us anymore" Wasim sounded serious. But he was used to giving this last and final warning every other day, but the brothers would be back to square one by the next game.

Karthik and Ganesh were students of the Government School for Railway employees. Their father was a Junior Manager at the Railway Divisional Office in Kanpur. They grew up in the Railways colony, and almost all their friends had a similar background. The brothers were as different as they were similar. Karthik, the elder one, was a fast bowler, and played for the school 11 as the fast bowler. He wore his heart on his sleeve. Ganesh, the younger one, was a left-handed batsman. He also played for the school team as an opener.

"Karthik, Ganesh, Kaustubh, and Varun. One of you will have the opportunity to travel to the State level Cricket camp for budding cricketers. Due to fund limitations, our school will be able to give only 50% of the fees for this camp. You will have to arrange the remaining amount yourself. For Rs 5000, this camp is really worth it. The best player will be selected from our intra-school competition." Said Mr. Moses, who was the Physical Education Instructor at the school. He used all his clout as a former Ranji player to get the best exposure that was possible for his wards. 

"I knew Moses sir would get some camp for us. I have already saved 5000 from all my allowances and money for gifts. I am sure I will be selected." Said Ganesh, in a rare moment of camaraderie, as they cycled back to their house from school

"Hold your horses kiddo. The best bowler of the school happens to be the best person to win" replied Karthik to his younger brother.

"Hey you know Gautam, who stays in D block? His cousin has returned from the US. He has promised to buy him a cool racing cycle. It is very costly, it seems. He promised me that he will allow me to ride it once he gets it delivered." Ganesh sounded very happy, as he peddled his ordinary set of wheels. It was a hand down from a cousin of theirs, who was gifted a scooter for scoring well on the board exams.

"Wow, it's so beautiful. Look at the way the handle-bar is aligned. And it has gears on both the wheels " Ganesh told his friend Gautam. They were planning to go to school together on the new bike.

"Can I ride it to school? Please, I will be careful", said Ganesh.

"Ok. But be careful."

Ganesh was over the moon as he glided through the streets on his friend's bike. His friend was riding on Ganesh's bike, thinking why he agreed for such a lopsided arrangement.

"Hey watch out!", shouted Gautam, to Ganesh, as he saw a menacing autorickshaw coming dangerously close to them. Ganesh managed to swerve and avoid getting hit, but both the boys hit each other and fell down on the road in the process.

"Oh my God, the handlebar is bent. I told you to be careful, now see what you have done. My parents are going to kill me.", Gautam was extremely angry with his friend.

"Hey, let us quickly go to the cycle repair shop. I promise I will get it fixed. You won't have to tell your parents anything"

Pushing their bikes, they reached the cycle shop on the way to their school. They left it there for repairs, promising to come back in the evening with money. Ganesh had decided to pull out his savings for this. He was crestfallen, but could do nothing else.

"Why is my star cricketer silent today?", asked Dad, as he saw that Ganesh was rather downcast over the dinner.

"Nothing Dad, was just thinking about the result of the selection. It will be out tomorrow. I was just a bit tense for that"

"Nothing to worry, dear. It will be between you and your brother. And I am sure that whatever one of you will learn, the other will pick it up after the camp is over." Dad tried to cheer Ganesh up, as he helped himself to a second serving of the chapati.

"Ganesh, what happened today? I heard something from your friends" Said Karthik as they sat in their room, finishing the home-work

"Yeah, I guess I have to remove my name from the list of candidates. I have used up my savings to repair this bike. I can't ask Dad for help, he is saving to build our own house. He already had so many expenses this month, with the marriages in the family, and the trips to our hometown."

"Hmm. Well, I have some good news and bad news for you. Moses sir told me who is selected. Unfortunately for me, it is you. He said that while I was the best bowler, your batting and fielding helped your team to win the intra-school tournament." Karthik told Ganesh, glancing over his younger brother, who had stopped solving the value of  'x' for his Maths homework.

"Well, how is it good news. I will not be able to join, did you not hear me?" Ganesh sounded sad and angry, at this turn of events.

"Well, your brother happens to have a heart of gold. He paid your fees for the camp with his savings. And now you will forever be in my debt, kiddo."

"Awesome, Thanks! Best Brother ever" Ganesh jumped up in joy, almost throwing his chair off-balance.