Melbourne is one of my favourite cities with its trendy cafes
and fine restaurants, and just happens to be the fashion capital
of Australia. The pang of jealousy I felt in my chest because my
boyfriend lived here temporarily, to train with the Australian
cricket team, stemmed from my own desirousness. The city
streets, heavy with traffic and the ever-sounding car horns,
somehow made me feel even more alive. Ever since turning
sixteen, and developing some sense of style, exempt of
influence of my mother’s strict Catholic upbringing, I’d
daydreamed about shopping here. Taking in every storefront,
admiring quirky boutiques and designer shops, I wish I had
more money to play with, just like other eighteen-year-olds at
the end of their Year 12 schooling. At least it helped take my
mind off the future.
Last night I avoided all conversation with my parents, excusing
myself to bed after dinner because of my early flight. It granted
me time to ponder life choices and the sacrifices that I needed
to make.
From the moment I woke butterflies took residence in my
stomach with every thought of Jardine. The fluttering remained
Caught Out by Leesa Bow 2
even now as I walked toward the Melbourne cricket oval.
The crowd thickened as I approached the gate. I pulled out my
old iPhone and read Jardine’s text again.
Go to the southern gate member’s ticket booth. Your ticket
will be there in an envelope with your name on it. Not sure
of the procedure after the game. I’ll text you when I can.
Hopefully we can meet up for dinner. I love you xx.
I regretted not having my friends here with me. Cleo had
already committed to a social event, and Oliver was working in
his family’s restaurant. He may be my best friend but Oliver
and Jardine do not share the same friendship as me, and I know
Jardine would be opposed to Oliver being my plus one at his
game.
After collecting my ticket, I walked in a robotic state, immersed
in the crowd, toward the stadium seating. The grandstands
filled quickly with the estimated 90,000 fans expected to
attend today. Unlike my previous experience at the
gentleman’s game, I dressed up for the occasion in a black
knee- length skirt, a pale pink blouse, and black heels. It was
the only clothing in my budget that made me look like a lady. I
found my seat among strangers. I smiled at the lady beside me
and a young boy on her other side. I twisted in my seat, taking
in the anonymous faces around me, searching for Jardine’s
parents. Locating the corporate area with seats behind a
glassed window, I let out a sigh of relief knowing Mr Kumble
would be seated in the VIP section. The way my fingers
trembled at being here, I knew I couldn’t face his parents
today.
The crowd roared and I turned to see a line of men dressed in
all white strolling onto the field. I craned my neck, searching
for Jardine. I found him at the back of the line of players, taking in the atmosphere, and the sheer number of spectators. The
sight of him rendered me speechless. His dark hair and skin a
contrast against his white shirt and trousers. He was the
youngest on the team but he oozed confidence with every long
stride, and his expression held no fear. Green and yellow flags
waved madly in front of me, intermittently blocking my view.
Gazing around the grounds Aussie flags dominated the blue of
India but India was still well represented going by the cheers
when two batsmen took to the field.
“You missed the toss, dear,” the lady next to me said.
I gave her a nod, not really wanting to get into a conversation. I
was here to watch Jardine, and only him.
The crowd settled when Australia took their places around the
field. I didn’t know much about the team except my boyfriend
was the rookie. Admittedly, I should have taken more interest
instead of kidding myself into believing that the less I know,
the less involved I would be. The first bowler up was a pace
bowler and he finished the over without a wicket. The second
bowler didn’t have a long run-up, so I knew he was a spin
bowler. Jardine mentioned that spin bowlers were skilful and
smart in the way they delivered the ball to the batsman. The
spin on the ball caused the batter to swing and misjudge the
delivery, leading to being bowled out. Or if they hit the ball it
would often be awkward and help to being caught out. Despite
a few gasps from the crowd he also finished the over without a
wicket. Jardine was next to bowl. I heard a few people around
me making comments about ‘the rookie.’
I held my breath and crossed my fingers, praying silently for
Jardine. He was inexperienced and I hoped the batsman took
pity and not hit a six. I didn’t want him to look bad. I also knew
what it meant for us if he played well. I swept the thought away. Playing against India in his first ever international game
meant a lot to Jardine, considering it was his grandfather’s
home. I loved him and wanted him to embrace his dream as
much as he did. I wanted the world to see the brilliant man I
loved with all my heart.
My stomach leapt to my throat as he walked away from the
pitch marking out his approach. He rubbed the ball along his
groin, spun it in the air and caught it. The same routine I’d
witnessed before. Then he took off, building speed as he
sprinted toward the pitch. He leapt into the air, landed, and
hurled the ball toward the batsman at lightning speed. The
Indian batsman swung and missed. The ball struck the wickets.
I sprung out of my plastic seat.
Holy fuck!
Jardine clean bowled the batter on his first ball! The crowd
roared and cheered. Flags waved high. Players from around the
oval sprinted toward Jardine and jumped on him, ruffling his
hair and patting his back.
I felt a foot taller knowing what was behind his big smile.
Swiping the tear from my cheek, I remained standing like
everyone else and clapped enthusiastically. It was a magical
moment and something I knew I’d remember for as long as my
heart allowed.
I settled back in my seat when the next batsman took the field.
Jardine walked to the same spot, rubbing the ball on his white
pants, and tossing it in the air twice before taking off, building
speed like a cheetah running down its prey—only the prey was
the Indian batsman. Jardine leaped into the air with a little skip
before propelling another ball at the wicket. The batsman
blocked the ball, but it hurled off the bat at a funny angle. Jardine dove, arms reaching out in front to catch the ball.
He landed and raised his arm with the ball in his hand. I shook
my head in disbelief. Jardine had taken his second wicket on
his second ball. Surely this was some kind of record, especially
since he was only eighteen. The crowd applauded, chants
taking over the screams. “Jar-dine, Jar-dine, Jar-dine.”
Joy, and relief rocked through me as the players once again ran
to him. I turned to the big screen in time to see the camera
zooming in on his beautiful face. I stared at him, larger than
life. A smile so wide it made small creases near his eyes. Eyes
the most beautiful colour of caramel that twinkled under the
sunlight, and when close enough you could see darker flecks of
coffee in irises that revealed emotion.
And right now he was sitting on the peak of Kangchenjunga.
In a moment of understanding his thrill, part of my heart
cracked, knowing Jardine had found his destiny. The words his
father had said to me a few months back hit hard.
“I know you two have become close friends...Jardine will be
moving on with his life. I hope he has explained that to you?”
I pushed his meaning out of my head, sat tall in the hard,
orange chair, and watched the love of my life play the game of
his life.
For the remainder of the day, I savoured every moment,
wanting to keep the memory with me forever. When the game
drew to a close, I knew this would be one of the last times I’d
see Jardine. No way would the Australian team drop him from
the squad now. Jardine was unique, and I knew that better than
anyone.
I could feel my heart sinking with every wicket he took, as if burst of wind in his sails was sending him further away from
me.