Scene: Evening – Leaving for the Tournament Camp
Arjun sits with his dad in the car, leaving for the tournament camp in a remote area. Luggage is being loaded.
Dad: Why did they create a camp in such a cut-off area?
Arjun: Only the property owner can answer that.
Dad (chuckling, handing Arjun his suitcase): Good one, though.
Arjun: Okay, so… bye, Dad.
Dad: Bye. Do your best.
Arjun: I will! (He runs inside the camp eagerly.)
Scene: Tournament Camp – Lobby
Arjun enters the camp. Almost every athlete is already there, carrying their luggage. As he steps inside, he senses the mood of competition and professionalism. His friend waves at him, and he runs over to stand beside him in the two foor lobby.
The lobby resembles a hotel: a counter in the center,a dome-shaped ceiling, and four corridors leading to different grounds and rooms. The space is filled with chatter, the screech of sports shoes, and the shuffle of luggage.
Soon, a coach enters from one of the corridors. He claps, and the acoustics of the dome make it sound like an explosion as he walks in front of everyone.
Coach: Silence, athletes!
Five more people appear behind him—two male and three female coaches.
Coach: You all know why you're here. You're the best players from your states. This championship—rules, categories, everything—you already know. And let me make one thing clear: break a leg to win. The rest won't earn a single medal… (he continues)
Arjun (muttering): Every time, the same speech… just different places.
Ahmad (whispering, pointing to one of the female coaches): Hey, what's that lady doing?
Arjun: I don't know.
Sia: It's sign language.
Arjun and Ahmad turn to look at her.
Together: Sign what?
Sia: Sign language—for some impaired people. It's a language without sounds, just actions.
Ahmad: So… we're competing with injured people?
Sia: Not injured—physically challenged.
Arjun: Oh… okay.
Coach: Now, you can all move to your assigned dorms while we complete the enrollment process.
Everyone starts moving toward their dorms. Arjun picks up his luggage and begins walking while talking to Ahmad.
Arjun: Why the hell did you use the word injured? Are you mad or just stupid?
Ahmad: I didn't know there was a difference between injured and impaired! She could've just said disabled.
Arjun: Just shut up. Don't say a word until we're inside.
Arjun turns without looking and accidentally bumps into a girl. She shoots him an angry glare.
Arjun: Sorry! (He bends down to help her pick up her things.) I'm really sorry, I didn't see—
Before he can finish, she snatches her stuff from his hands and walks away without a word.
Ahmad: Was she ignoring you or just being rude?
Arjun stood up, confused, watching the girl hurry away.
Arjun: I don't know…
Ahmad: Hey, what's that on your blazer zip?
He points at a small magnetic bracelet hanging from Arjun's zipper.
Arjun: Oh—maybe it's hers, but…
He looks up, and she's already gone, vanished into the crowd.
…she's gone.
Ahmad: Give it to me. I'll find someone—
He reaches for it, but Arjun quickly puts the bracelet into his pocket.
Arjun: We're not giving it to "someone." We'll return it to that girl.
They start walking again. Behind them, a boy scratches his hand so aggressively it's red.
Boy: So many mosquitoes here!
He keeps scratching as he walks.