Jai sat up straight, wide awake now.

‘That’s phenomenal, Rusty!’

‘Well. It’s not all good, Jai. You also have a few death threats from some people, who kind of disapprove of you building these bridges with “enemy” countries.’

‘What?’ spluttered Jai as he typed.

‘Yep. But don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll calm down as soon as they discover that you’re just a misguided schoolboy who plans to end the Indo-Pak enmity, one Facebook post at a time.’

‘I don’t know if you’re trying to help or just having a good laugh at my expense.’

‘I’m just telling you that I’m right behind you while you try out these death-defying escapades. Anyway, Ansh and Co. here are also out to get you. You may as well die a martyr by going ahead with your death-by-Facebook plan instead.’

‘You just wait, Rusty. I’ll sort you out when I get back.’

‘Kidding, just kidding! Listen, I’ve come up with some more captions for your campaign and mailed them to you. Now go check your Facebook page—it’s absolutely insane!’

Jai couldn’t believe his eyes when he clicked on his new Facebook page. There were messages from all over the world. Some from people he knew, but most were from complete strangers—writing in from across the globe. They had sent photographs of family and friends they had left behind. Or the homes they had abandoned. Others had sent in photographs for the quiz.

Jai sank into his chair, overwhelmed.

This was turning out to be quite a storm.

However, this one would have to wait. Because a storm was brewing closer to home when he flew back to India tomorrow. And today, he was hoping to meet Nabeel Said, when Inaya’s match was done.

Touching Distance

Having defeated the team from Europe, the Curry Cruisers also managed to cut down the Saharan Superstars team from Africa, which qualified them for the finals of the Tape-ball League. Inaya and her teammates were over the moon—they hadn’t, not even in their wildest dreams, imagined that they would make it so far. But now, they would play their toughest match—against the DownUnder Daredevils from Australasia—comprising players from Australia and New Zealand—who were the favourites and leaders of the league table.

News of the DownUnder Daredevils’ captain Alison Warne’s talent had reached every headline in the tape-ball circles. The coach assigned to the Curry Cruisers team had only one instruction for the girls: Warne was to be seen off early. Else, there was no hope of winning.

The Curry Cruisers lost the toss and were put in to bat first. They got off to quite a good start, but then their middle order collapsed, leading to a rather dismal total of 121 at the end of their innings.

The DownUnder Daredevils came in to bat, and from the outset, things did not go as per the Curry Cruisers’ plan. Their skipper Warne opened the batting and scored a thumping 76, taking the DownUnder Daredevils to within touching distance of their target. But then, Warne’s partner Emily Driver was dismissed, and two more wickets fell cheaply.