Chapter 1

The scent of antiseptic filled hospital corridor as Dr Riya Sharma Hurried through the emergency ward, her white coat fluttering slightly and stethoscope in one hand. It had been a long day, filled with back to back surgeries and patient consultation, yet her mind wasn't entirely in the hospital. It was on the Arean sport were the selection round of Phantom Strikers was going on,where Virat her brother a rising Esports player was competing..

She checked her watch --- 10:15 Pm. The match would be soon over.She had to leave.

Briskly making her way to the doctor's lounge, she grabbed her bag and called out to the nurse,'I am leaving. Emergency cases, call Dr. Tripathi"

As she reached the hospital parking lot, a familiar voice called out,"Didi,jaldi karo na! Match almost khatam ho gaya hoga!" ("Sister, hurry up! The match must be almost over!")

Riya sighed and turned to se her cousin brother Anish., leaning against the car, impatiently tapping his phone. Anish a young successful business man..had little interest but he new that how much does it means to Virat and so to Riya didi.....

"Bas do minute, let me check if my shift is clear," Riya said, quickly sending a text before unlocking the car. As they drove towards the venue, Anish smirked

"Mujhe to lagta hai app usko zyada support karte ho kyunki appko khud chupke gamer baana tha"

("I think you support him so much because u secretly wanted to become a gamer urself")

Riya rolled her eyes but said nothing..He was not right, but she had no strength to argue or even answer him..

Within few minutes they Reached at Esport Arena

The stadium buzzed with energy on light flash on the final ground of the match was underway. On the large screen the he was shown , Virat playing for local team thunder kings, but tonight , something bigger was at stake..but they were locked in a tensed 4v5 battle. The audience roared every time a player made a critical move..

And when Riya saw Virat on stage, focused,fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard. ..As the final round came the match played out in an intense rush-- Thunder kings secured the win!! Cheers erupted.

But the victory was overshadowed by something bigger.

Breaking News flashed on the stadium screens:

"Businessman Rajeev Sharma's son, Virat Sharma, has been selected for the National E-sports Championship,and a wild card entry to Phantom Strikers!"

The camera zoomed in on Virat's face and then--on Riya and Anish sitting in the crowd...

Anish swore under his breath."Ab ghar jaake hungama hone wala hai." ("Now there's going to be chaos at home.")

They both shared glance , no doubt all three were happy, but Riya was knowing what is going to come..and so did both of themm..

The ride back to home was quite, Anish was driving ,Virat was on his phone..Riya she was strangely quite but her mind was full of flooding thoughts....

They reached home at 1 Pm.. everyone was fast asleep..

Anish said "ajj ke liye bala tali" ( for now the scene has been halted")

Everyone went to there room, as Riya enters her room she just sat down. Hugging her own knees, then she got changed her clothes and heard a knock on the door ,as expected it was Virat.

She let him in and closed the door,

he said to her "didi, neend nahi aa rahi hai"

( "sister, I can't sleep ")

Virat sat at the edge of her bed, running a hand through his hair.

" How do we confront this,didi?" His voice was hoarse " How do I face them when I know they never truly believe in me ?"

Riya sat beside him, pressing her hand softly for assuring him." You don't have to prove anything to them, Virat. You played your heart out. You did this for yourself -- and I am proud of you."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke, but tears filled both of their eyes.

Then. Virat slowly lay down, resting his head on her lap.

Riya stroked his hair, humming softly --- a habit from childhood. Within minutes, he was asleep.

But she wasn't.

She quietly got up, draped a blanket over him, and walked out onto the terrace.

As the cold night hit her as she stepped outside...she went into deep thought

Flash back

When she first saw Virat his small hands curling her, Virat was not his real brother like they share same father but not same mother .. Virat's mother died the moment she brought him into the world. Despite of the betrayal her mother faced she didn't left Riya's father and gave the same love and care to Virat too..and hence she was more respect in the whole family by everyone including Kavita..No body hate Virat in the family but he was not accepted hole heartedly even..

Also she remembered when he was 15 and he came with the spark in his eye.. with the dream of becoming a E sport player. Has his eyes sparkle ✨ when he explained it to her. She despite of into the medical books understood her passion and was happy to see him., and seen them she helped him every time, whether it was financially ,emotionally. Anish and Arav also knew this and they helped to but Rudra despite knowing helped him secretly in way only Riya know.. Remembering all this tears flowed through her eyes.

Back to present

Then suddenly She felt a cold hand on her shoulder, it was Rudra she knew, he saw how much they all means to her..

She always said that ,"no matter how much she has suffered, she won't let any of her brother go through the pain".

Rudra leaning against the wall of the terrace said " Didi, i known u love him more than me , despite of me being ur real brother---

But she cut him in between and said it not like that, " I was also there for u whenever u needed me , Rudra!!" she couldn't hold herself back anymore...

When he realised what he said and reaction of the same on her face. He stopped and wiped her tears and gave her a hug.. which was actually needed, she cried and for while he said

"Didi. Mujhe pata hai app jo bhi karte ho, sahi karte ho. I trust you "

He further added " mujhe nahi pata kyu I am just insecure with him. But I don't hate him"

I know, said Riya

Then he said ,'how will u break it to the family'?

A voice came from behind, "bantne ki zarurat nahi hogi, already trending news per chal raha hai " said Anish...

Bas kal ke liye ready ho jao didi!!!.

She just nooded head...Rudra didn't said much .. they all went to sleep, but sleep was far away in all the threes eyes...

In the morning , Everyone came for breakfast then suddenly Aarv, he hugged Virat tightly and said, " bro you are on the trending search now"!!!

Unaware of that no one in the family accept Riya , Rudra and Anish knows....

And it a dramatic way in was flashed on the T.V...

This was shocking from the entire family..

Rajeev's was unable to think ...Dada ji was already red with anger, Sandeep was quite..

Both chachi and mother were happy but scared for what was now gonna happen..

Dadi ji still processing the news..

And then suddenly Rajeev fist snapped in the table with force making the glasses and plates shake..That shook everyone including Radhika the head of the family

She said " Raj, be clam and then talk". She said calmly but in firm voice...

Then Dada ji said "Esport is not a career!"

"You went against the family for this ?!"

"You kept defending him, but at what cost?!"

The words were daggers, aimed not just at Virat but at her.

Then Rajeev said "yeh kya ho raha hai ?"

"Gaming? Yeh bhi koyi career hai ?"

Then mother she said "per. App samjhne ki koshish to Karo. He's talented."

"Talented?" Rajeev scoffed..and gave a death glare to her which was enough to make her quite...

Rajeev further added.." ek bhai footballer dusra business man, tersa pilot hai ek bhen well known reputed Doctor aur ye a video game"..

Shhh...

" Maine kaunsa bola hai ki apna empire bano, per jo bana hai usmai hi atleast growth karo".... Lekin, nahi..

Anish open his mouth to say but, she made him quite , understanding the tension has increased..

Virat just once looked at Riya , Anish and Rudra..while Arav was holding his hand that no matter what he is always with him... finally Virat said

" Papa, mujhe pata hai app log mera aacha hi chate ho, but trust me just one chance. And I will prove u please papa" he pleaded....

Then from a brief moment there was a grave silence in the room.

Finally chacha ji spoke," He had made it till here, I am sure if given chance , he will not lead us down"...

But everyone was convinced accept papa and dada ji...

That day no one went anywhere no meeting, no airport, no hospital, no boardrooms.. it was all time to convince themm....

As dadi ji saw how All three were struggling for Virat..

Riya said " papa I will take the responsibility take whether it money or anything"

" What even then he fails?" Dadaji grounded...

" Mai hu na iske saath" Anish said...

After hours of arguments

Rudra took Papa chacha and dada ji into the library and talked to them....

When this was taking place only Riya and dadi ji were present ...

Dadi ji said, " Riya dekh kar aacha laga ki tum sab uske sapne ke liye kintna kar rahe ho!""

Aarav said from behind," hai to humara hi khoon na dadi ji "...

Then door of library opened..and so the door of career for Virat....

Rudra has finally convinced themm..

Riya with proud eyes thanked him, but he forbidden anyone to tell about it to Virat...

And so the first huddle was clear, but all of them new this was just the beginning for Virat....

Weeks later he packed his bag , and was ready to leave to the base camp. He have to live there to purse full time esport until the national championships...

He bayed good byee.. Every one was happy but not papa and dada ji...

They have eventually gave him only 1 yr to prove himself.....

As Virat stood in front of the base camp of the Phantom Strikers...

He murmured himself, Didi ye sacch hai na ?" (Sister it's true na ?)

" And now you should be used to it, Virat !" Said Riya....

Dear readers, that's it for Chapter 1! I know this chapter was packed with family drama, emotions, and backstories, but trust me, it was all necessary to set the stage. Every story needs a strong foundation, just like every cake starts with a dark brown base before the layers of sweetness and frosting make it something beautiful.

From the next chapter onward, the real journey begins-esports, rivalries, friendships, and the struggles that come with chasing a dream. If you felt this was a slow start, hold on tight because things are about to get intense.

Stay tuned for Chapter 2! And if you're enjoying the story so far, don't forget to leave comment, and share your thoughts. Let's see if we can hit 10 comments before the next update! Your support keeps the story going. See you soon!