I groaned and tossed, turning on the bed. Getting drenched in the rain was clearly not a good idea, and the fact that I had challenged Avantika about scoring a century felt pointless now as I lay there sick, shivering under the covers.

As I cuddled deeper into my blanket, trying to fight off the chills, I heard Di's voice from the doorway. “Bubs, there’s someone here to meet you.”

Sighing, I asked, “Who is it?” Not really in the mood to meet anyone.

Di looked outside and then back at me. “She claims to know you. Someone named Avantika.”

As soon as I heard the name, I quickly yanked my blanket and got up, coughing in the process, which made Di worry.

“What are you even doing?” she said, coming closer and making sure the blanket was still wrapped around me.

“Send her in,” I said, gasping between coughs while she rubbed my back.

“I will, but you need to stop acting weird, or I might think the fever has gotten to your head,” she said, clearly not pleased with my sudden enthusiasm, especially while I was sick.

“Okay, okay, just send her in. I promise I won’t act weird,” I said, giving her my best puppy dog eyes. She scanned me for a moment before pushing me back onto the bed, making sure I was resting before heading out.

A few moments later, Di returned, followed by Avantika. I tried to sit up straighter, but my body protested.

“I’ll leave you two alone and bring you something to eat, okay?” Di said, smiling at Avantika.

“And me too, please?” I chimed in.

Di narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re not getting anything except khichdi and hot water because next time, before getting soaked in the rain, you’ll think a thousand times.”

I groaned, knowing she was right but still wishing for something more exciting.

I pouted, feeling embarrassed for getting scolded. Of course, Mom and Dad weren’t home, and Di had to take care of me. I knew I could be a bit annoying when I was sick.

My gaze turned toward Avantika when Di left for the kitchen. She had her gaze down, biting her lips, unsure how to start the conversation. I decided to break the ice. “How did you know where my home is?”

Avantika looked up, her eyes wide for a moment before she relaxed.

“Well, I went to the stadium when I heard from your teammates that you were sick. They gave me your address without hesitation, thinking I was your potential girlfriend.”

I sighed, banging my head on the pillow, really considering the friends around me and the amount of IQ they had. “I can’t believe they thought that,” I muttered, shaking my head. “They really need to stop playing matchmaker.”

“Mm,” Avantika said, her cheeks flushing, which she tried hard to control.

"Also, weren’t you scared about meeting a potential kidnapper?” I said with a teasing grin. “You still came to my home and went to the stadium.”

“Well, I did my research before doing all this,” Avantika said, fiddling with her fingers. “You truly are the heir of the Throne.”

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Wait, you actually looked me up?”

She nodded, a hint of pride in her voice. “I mean, how could I not? You’re challenged me with so much confidence.”

“Wait,” I chuckled, “I did say something about being the heir, and that was out of impulsiveness. There’s a lot to achieve.”

“Still, I shouldn’t have insulted a talent,” she said, pouting and looking guilty. “And now you’re missing today’s match because of me. I should have considered the rain a little more seriously when it actually got you sick.”

I shook my head, wanting to reassure her. “It’s not your fault. I chose to go out. You didn’t make me sick.”

“But I still feel bad,” Avantika insisted, her eyes sincere. “Today’s match seems important, almost like some sort of selection, and I could be the reason you might not be there.”

“Well, I’m not missing anything, actually,” I said, smiling at her as she took a seat at the edge of my bed.

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh really? What do you mean?”

"You see, the match just got canceled because the rain for continuous two days made the pitch unplayable,” I explained. “Did the match start when you were there?”

Avantika’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, I didn’t know that! I thought it was still happening. So you’re not missing anything after all?”

“Exactly! Just a bunch of muddy grass at this point,” I said, grinning. “I guess the weather did me a favor.”

“Yes, it did,” she said, smiling as she twirled her long plaited hair around her fingers.

I noticed how her expression brightened, and it made me feel even more grateful for her company.

"And also, it did make me meet a wonderful person like you, who, even after meeting just once, came to check on me when I was sick,” I said, smiling genuinely.

Avantika’s cheeks flushed a bit, and she looked down, clearly touched. “You really think so?” she asked softly, a shy smile creeping onto her face.

“Absolutely! It means a lot that you took the time to come here,” I replied. “Not everyone would do that.”

She shrugged, a hint of bashfulness in her demeanor. “Well, I wanted to make sure you were okay. Friends look out for each other, right?”

“So we’re finally friends? You trust me enough not to be a kidnapper?” I asked, laughing.

Avantika rolled her eyes playfully, a smile on her face. “Well, I’m still keeping my guard up just in case,” she teased. “But I think I can take my chances with you.”

As I was about to speak, Di entered with a plate of snacks and tea for Avantika. “Look what I brought!” she announced, setting the items down on the bedside table with a flourish.

Avantika smiled gratefully as Di set the plate down.

“Well, enjoy the snacks and make sure he doesn’t hog them at all!” she said, pointing a finger at me with a playful grin.

“Fine, women, I won’t have it,” I said, pouting and clearly not pleased at the thought of missing out on the snacks.

Di, patting my head, nodded with a teasing smile before leaving the room to give me time with my new friend. Once she was outside, Avantika closed the door, leaving me a bit confused.

She took the snacks and divided them in half, then offered me the hot tea. “Here, enjoy! No one would know,” she said, chuckling.

I couldn’t help but smile at her mischievousness. “You’re really breaking the rules here, aren’t you?”

“Just a little,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “But I couldn’t let you miss out on the good stuff while Di is being all protective.”

I accepted the snacks and tea gratefully. “Thanks! You’re the best.”

“Don’t mention it. Just remember, this is our little secret,” she said, winking.

As we ate the snacks, I looked at her and realized that maybe missing out on something sometimes leads to something more beautiful—and the reason was right in front of me.

Avantika caught my gaze and raised an eyebrow. “What’s with the serious look?” she asked, her mouth full of snack.

I shook my head, smiling as I wiped the sauce from the corner of her mouth where it had smeared while she was eating. She smiled back, continuing to eat. I might not have fallen in love right away, but I was sure that this girl was making her way to my heart slowly and steadily.

Avantika Bagga was surely something special, and that something was what I wanted to explore.

She was the rising sun I met on a cloudy day, ready to create a rainbow in my life.