Chapter 5

Consequences

Rahul spent the days following their defeat in a fog of disappointment. The initial exhilaration of the tournament had faded, replaced by a sense of dread. Each time he glanced at his new phone, the guilt tightened its grip on him. He had stolen from his parents for a dream that had vanished in an instant.

He tried to focus on schoolwork, but the pressure of his upcoming exams and the weight of his actions left him distracted. Friends and teammates reached out, asking about the next tournament, but he couldn't bring himself to respond. Each message felt like a reminder of what he had lost—not just the chance at the finals but his integrity as well.

One evening, Rahul sat in his room, staring at the screen as he scrolled through social media. Clips of other teams celebrating their victories filled his feed, each one a reminder of his failure. He pulled out his phone and opened his bank app, checking the balance he had saved. As expected, it was still far from enough to make up for what he had taken.

### Facing the Music

Then came the moment he had been dreading. While Rahul was in the living room, his mother walked in, holding a stack of bills. Her expression was a mix of confusion and concern.

"Rahul, can we talk?" she asked, her voice steady but tinged with worry.

He felt his heart drop. "About what?"

"About this money." She handed him the bills. "I found some cash missing from our emergency fund. Can you explain?"

His throat tightened. He had hoped to return the money before they noticed, but now the truth loomed large. "I... I needed it for a phone," he stammered. "For the tournament."

His mother's eyes widened in shock. "You stole this money? Rahul, how could you do this?"

"I didn't think it was a big deal," he said, desperation creeping into his voice. "I just wanted to compete better. We had a chance to win!"

"Winning is not worth sacrificing our trust," she replied, hurt evident in her tone. "We've always supported your dreams, but this—this is not acceptable."

Rahul felt his chest tighten. He had let them down. "I'm sorry, Ma. I thought I could win and pay it back. I never meant for it to get this far."

"Do you understand how serious this is?" she continued. "We trusted you, and you broke that trust. Your father will be furious when he finds out."

The reality of his actions crashed down on him. He had betrayed not just his parents, but himself.

### Confrontation

That evening, his father returned home, and the tension in the air was palpable. Rahul knew he couldn't avoid the confrontation any longer. As they sat at dinner, his mother finally spoke up.

"Rahul has something to say," she urged gently, her eyes flicking toward him.

His father looked up, a frown creasing his brow. "What is it?"

Taking a deep breath, Rahul recounted the truth—the theft, the phone, the tournament. Each word felt like a weight dropping into the pit of his stomach. When he finished, silence engulfed the room.

"Rahul," his father said slowly, his voice laced with disappointment, "I can't believe you would do this. We've worked hard to provide for you, and you took from us without thinking of the consequences."

"I know, Baba. I messed up," Rahul replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just wanted to prove that I could succeed in esports."

His father's gaze hardened. "Success does not come from deceit. It comes from hard work and honesty. What you did was wrong, and it has consequences."

"I'll pay it back," Rahul promised, his heart racing. "I'll do anything to make it right."

"First, you will return what you took," his father said firmly. "And you will learn the value of trust and responsibility. This is not just about the money; it's about understanding the impact of your actions."

### A Path to Redemption

In the days that followed, Rahul felt the weight of his father's words. He returned the stolen money, and his parents decided that he would do chores around the house to earn back their trust. They also made it clear that he would need to refocus on his studies, especially with exams approaching.

As hard as it was, Rahul accepted their decision. The reality of his situation hit home: he needed to prove he could change. The tournament dream felt distant now, but he was determined to earn back their trust and, in time, find a way back to competitive gaming.

Every evening, after finishing his homework and chores, he would sit in front of his new phone, which now felt like a reminder of his mistakes. Instead of playing, he researched other teams, watched matches, and analyzed strategies. He began to understand the importance of discipline—not just in gaming, but in life.

Weeks passed, and the sting of his actions started to fade, replaced by a newfound determination. He shared his experiences with his friends online, vowing to be more transparent about his struggles. To his surprise, they rallied around him, offering support and advice.

As exam day approached, Rahul focused on his studies, but he also started to regain his passion for gaming. He knew he would have to earn the right to compete again, not just for himself, but for the trust he had nearly lost.

### A New Beginning

One day, after finishing a particularly tough study session, he picked up his phone and opened the PUBG Mobile app. He felt a rush of excitement, but also apprehension. Instead of jumping into a match, he decided to create a practice room, honing his skills alone.

As he played, he felt the familiar thrill of the game, but it was different this time. He was more aware of his decisions, focusing on teamwork and strategy rather than just wins.

When the time came for his exams, he walked into the hall feeling more confident than he had in a long time. He knew he could do well, not just academically, but in life as well.

Days later, as he awaited his results, he received a message from Sunil. "We're thinking about starting a new team. You in?"

Rahul hesitated for a moment but then replied, "Yes. But I need to earn my way back in."

He realized this was a chance for redemption. He would prove to himself, and to his parents, that he could succeed without shortcuts. The journey ahead would be tough, but he was ready to face it, one step at a time. This was just the beginning of a new chapter—one built on trust, hard work, and honesty.