The selectors entered Sahwit's private room.
"Sir, Ashwandeep just recorded the highest ever target scored against St Alphonso, despite their captain being a district player." Said one of them.
"What was the previous highest target?" Asked Sahwit.
"143." Said another. "We believe that Ali, Manish, Siddarth and Dalal are state prospects."
"Let it be for now. Let's see if Ashwandeep's bowling attack can stop Aditya." Stated Sahwit. "Also do enquire about Ravichandran and Simran."
"Got it sir." Said one of them.
"Don't forget the main qualification is done for players of teams that qualify for the tournament." Reminded Sahwit.
Zainab and Salim were discussing the match so far.
"Our son did well. I'm proud of him." Said Zainab.
"I don't really watch cricket, my dear. Was it like he scored a hat trick?" Asked Salim.
"No, dear. It's more like he scored 2 goals." Said Zainab, trying to explain cricket to her husband.
"I wish Ali was in a school football team. At least then I would be able to understand how good he plays." Lamented Salim.
Meanwhile, at the dugout, Ali was sitting down, when a person suddenly came to call him.
"Ali, Mr Sahwit wishes to see you." Said the assistant.
"Don't I have a match in 30 minutes?" Asked Ali.
"It won't take long." Said the assistant.
Ali was confused. Why was Sahwit wanting to talk to him?
Ali followed the assistant to Sahwit's private room. The assistant knocked on the door once, before informing Sahwit that he had arrived.
Ali walked into the office. The walls were purely white, contrasting the type of person he was. Dusty trophies lined the walls, their shiny luster long gone. Sahwit sat in the center of the room, in a slightly crooked chair.
"Ali. Have a seat." Sahwit motioned Ali to a seat.
"Got it, sir." Said Ali.
"Have you heard of the type of scandals that go on in schools?" Began Sahwit. "How about.. Ashwandeep's Vice Principal caught in government fund scandal?"
Ali froze.
"Dated 16th December 2017. Daijiworld. Times of India reported it too." Said Sahwit, ready to open the wounds of his past life.
"I don't know what you are talking about, sir." Feigned Ali.
"There must be a reason he realized that I am the guy with the cricket system." Thought Ali. "Think, Ali, Think!"
"Don't lie to me, Ali." Threatened Sahwit. "I know you are mentally older by ten years."
"Wait, I must have changed too much." Ali kept on speculating. "I was too aggressive in removing Ashwandeep's administrative problems!"
Ali had realized his mistake.
He hadn't thought about hiding his plans from Sahwit. He only thought about the best possible way to fix the issues, not hiding his intention to fix those issues!
"Anyways, that's all in another life." Said Sahwit. "I'm willing to make a deal with you."
"What kind of deal?" Asked Ali.
"One which will allow us to get what we both want." Said Sahwit. "One where you get to use your system to get to the national pipeline, and one where I get enough money to live out the rest of my life in peace."
"Explain." Said Ali, wondering what Sahwit was planning.
"I'll personally support you with funds and make sure no bad umpiring calls are made in any of your matches." Offered Sahwit. "In return, you will put a blind eye to any type of bribes or cost changes I do in the shadows."
"What about Imtiyaz?" Asked Ali. "He'll suspect you for suddenly leaving Ashwandeep alone."
"Don't worry." Said Sahwit. "He has more than just Ashwandeep to worry about."
Ali thought about all the people who suffered due to Sahwit. The government employees who lost their job due to his embezzlement. The students of Ashwandeep whose school facilities were slowly taken away from them, one by one. All to fund Sahwit's mansion and cars.
What would his mom say if she found out about the deal? She would definitely be disappointed. His friends would never forgive him. Aditi would never talk to him again. And worst of all, he would be betraying himself.
"I'm sorry, Sahwit." Began Ali. "But I can't accept your deal."
"Why not?" Asked Sahwit.
"Because, not all people fall to the whims of money and power." Said Ali. "Not all people want success, at the cost of other people's futures and dreams."
"So, you're getting philosophical with me now?" Questioned Sahwit. "You know that you and your friends small cricketing careers can just be ended by one phone call?"
"I know that." Said Ali, confidently. "But you can't do that. Not just yet."
"Why is that, Ali?" Asked Sahwit.
"It's because your son won't have a proper team to propel himself into the state team." Stated Ali, his words cutting through Sahwit like a knife.
"Alright, leave. But remember, you will regret not accepting my deal." Threatened Sahwit.
Ali walked out of Sahwit's office.
He returned to the dugout, with five minutes remaining for the match to start.
Suddenly, his system sent a notification.
[You have been marked as an asset.]
"Activate complete asset management on Ali." Said Sahwit.
[Understood.]
Ali felt a piercing headache, and his vision blurred.
"Ali, you okay?" Asked Manish.
Ali suddenly felt like he was losing control of his body.
[Counter Module Active. Board Takeover: 37% ]
"Whycan't I control my body? What's going on?" Ali thought to himself.
Ali suddenly felt like sleeping. A long nap, after enduring thirty years of dealing with the dark underbelly of society.
"No! I must stay awake! I still have a lot of work to do." Thought Ali.
[Counter Module Active. Board Takeover: 23% ]
"Wait. So if I have a strong will, I can resist it?" Thought Ali.
Ali began thinking about how his past life was. Every setback he faced. He pushed himself to stay awake and not fall into Sahwit's control.
Slowly but surely, his system showed the gradual retaking of his mind and soul. From 23% to 15%… from 15% to 1%, and finally to 0%.
He had done it.
He had freed himsel from the asset control.
TO BE CONTINUED
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