Chaat, Chaos, and Cracks in the Armour

The Call That Started It All

Arjun was still half-asleep, sprawled across his bed like a crime scene outline, when his phone rang — loud enough to scare the pigeons off his window.

Rhea Kapoor – 10:14 AM

"Rise and shine, gully boy. Today's menu: chaos and chaat."

He groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Rhea Kapoor, tu subah subah kyun active hoti hai?"

(Why are you so active in the morning?)

"Because some of us have deadlines. And you promised me a food tour — part three."

"Fine. Par agar aaj stomach infection ho gaya toh hospital ka bill tera."

(Fine. But if I get food poisoning today, the hospital bill's yours.)

Hazratganj – The Heart of the City

By noon, they were in Hazratganj, the slightly more polished face of Lucknow — but even here, Arjun found the hidden gems only locals knew.

They started with basket chaat — a tower of fried potatoes, yoghurt, chutneys, and mystery toppings that no one dared question.

"Eat fast," Arjun warned. "War breaks out if you linger too long near the chaat stall."

Rhea raised a brow. "War?"

Just then, two uncles started arguing about whose turn it was to order next. One had already dipped his spoon into someone else's plate by mistake.

"Welcome to Lucknow's UN Assembly," Arjun grinned.

They grabbed their plates and ran before the uncles dragged them into the fray.

Sania System – Street Food Sensor Activated

🟢 Sania Alert: High Spiciness Detected.

Sania: "Beta, bas yeh dhyan rakh — mirch aur mohabbat dono ko handle karna padta hai."

(Kid, remember — you have to handle both spice and love.)

Trouble in Paradise

Just as they settled on a park bench to eat, Arjun's phone rang again — this time with a name that froze his smile.

Coach Sharma – Incoming Call

"Kaun hai?" (who is it?) Rhea asked between bites.

Arjun hit decline. "Kuch nahi, wrong number." (No one wrong number)

But Rhea had sharp eyes — she saw the name flash before he hid it. "Coach Sharma? That sounds important."

"Not really," Arjun shrugged. "Bas ek purani kahaani hai."

(Just an old story.)

But something about the stiffness in his jaw told her otherwise.

Sania System – Suspense Alert

🟢 Sania Warning: Backstory Bomb Incoming.

Sania: "Beta, yeh toh flashback ka perfect setup lag raha hai."

(Kid, this looks like the perfect flashback setup.)

The Match That Broke Him

Rhea wasn't one to back off. "Arjun, who's Coach Sharma?"

He sighed — long and hard, like a tyre losing air.

"Sharma Sir… was my first proper coach," Arjun started, voice unusually flat. "He saw me play gully cricket when I was twelve and said I had 'natural flair.' Took me under his wing. Paid for my first kit. Even gave me pocket money for match days."

"That's amazing," Rhea said, smiling.

Arjun's smile didn't return. "Until I messed up."

Flashback – The Trial That Changed Everything

Arjun had been called for a district selection trial — his first step into the real cricketing world outside gully matches. All Sharma Sir asked was:

"Stay calm. Play your game."

But twelve-year-old Arjun, wearing shoes two sizes too big and nerves that rattled louder than his bat, ran himself out for a duck in the very first over.

"Ek chance tha, aur tune barbaad kar diya," Sharma Sir's voice echoed in his ears even now.

(You had one chance, and you ruined it.)

The next day, Sharma Sir stopped calling him for practice. Stopped paying attention. Eventually, stopped seeing him at all.

"That's why I never play safe," Arjun said, voice low. "Because playing safe made me invisible."

Rhea's Reaction

Rhea put her half-eaten chaat down. "That's… not fair."

"Life bhi toh nahi hoti."

(Neither is life.)

For once, Arjun wasn't grinning.

Sania System – Vulnerability Alert

🟢 Sania Commentary: Emotional Guard Down by 60%.

Sania: "Beta, tu yeh ladki ke saamne apni poori kahaani likh raha hai. Dangerous move."

(Kid, you're writing your whole story in front of this girl. Dangerous move.)

A Plan Is Born

Rhea stood up suddenly, hands on her hips. "Fine. Let's rewrite that story."

"Kya?" Arjun blinked.

"I want you to call Sharma Sir."

"Pagal hai kya?"

"No, I'm serious. Show him the player you've become."

"Gully cricket champion se Sharma Sir impress nahi honge."

(Sharma Sir won't be impressed by a gully cricket champion.)

"So we give him something to be impressed by."

Arjun frowned. "What's the plan?"

Rhea's smile was wicked. "A proper match. Big ground. Real competition. I'll cover it — and we'll make sure Sharma Sir gets the invite."

Sania System – Drama Queen Mode

🟢 Sania Alert: Match Challenge Accepted.

Sania: "Beta, yeh toh poora Bollywood climax ban raha hai."

(Kid, this is turning into a full Bollywood climax.)

Evening – The Riverbank Pact

They ended the day back at the Gomti River, feet dangling off the edge of the embankment. The sun was softer now, the water rippling gently below.

"You really think this can work?" Arjun asked, voice hesitant for the first time.

Rhea bumped her shoulder into his. "What's the worst that can happen? You lose? Big deal. You're already a legend in Nawabganj. Let the world see what we see."

He looked at her — really looked — and this time, he didn't hide.

"Alright, Reporter Sahiba," he grinned. "Let's make some headlines."

Sania System – Chapter End Commentary

🟢 Sania Summary:

Food Tour: 3/3 Complete.Emotional Depth: 9/10 (Flashback Hit Hard).Plot Twist Introduced: Return of Coach Sharma.Love Story Progress: 53% Complete.

Sania: "Beta, ab sirf cricket nahi… pyaar aur izzat dono ki baazi lagegi."

(Kid, now it's not just about cricket — it's about love and pride too.)