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Rahul was shocked.

Virat: Why are you shocked Rah?

Rahul (fumbling): Vi Bhai.. woh.. woh.. main.. actually..

Virat: What actually Rah?

Rahul: Woh.. main..

Suddenly Rohit started laughing including the juniors making Harry and Rahul look at each other and then at rest all confusingly.

Virat: Ro yaar.. abhi yeh sach bol deta.. Kyu hasa tu?

Rahul sighed in relief and so as Harry but the relief was short lived.

Virat: So.. Rahuliya..

Rahul: Don't call me that

Virat rolled his eyes..

Virat: Where were you the whole day Rah? Do you even know I was quite restless? Kidhar the tum?

Rahul closed his eyes tightly as he realised Virat would really have felt off and restless as he didn't know where he was throughout the day even though he was in NCA with him.

Mahi came there .

Mahi: Rah.. Amol ne bataya Tia ka samaan Dene Gaye the.. Kuchh reh gaya tha kya? See I know we are being strict lekin yeh series kafi important hai as players and as teams dono teams ke liye iss liye tum logo ko milne nahi de rahe until it's necessary. I know it was necessary but age se dhyan rakhna ki kuchh chhute na.. Yeh to Aaj tumhara off day tha age agar aisa kuchh hua aur tumhara off day nahi hua to?? Takleef hogi na.. Dhyan rakha karo packing ke time pe.. Aur baki sab pe bhi yeh sab lagoo hota hai

All nodded in yes and Mahi went from there.

Virat (teasing): Oooo...to Tia se mil ke aaya ja raha hai..

Rohit (teasing): Samaan to bahana hoga.. Asal me to milna hoga hai na Rah..

Rahul smiled a little at them and went to window.. He was still upset with himself.. Rest all except Harry were surprised seeing him like that. Though Harry too didn't know the real reason

Virat: Kya hua Rah? Upset lag rahe ho.

Rahul didn't reply. Virat looked at Harry.

Harry: Tia miss kar rahi thi uncle ko.. Kuchh dino se bahut zyada aisa ho raha hai

Virat: Yeh to hona hi tha.. It's not easy to get over it just by venting out once.

Virat went to Rahul and put his hand on his shoulder breaking Rahul's thoughts.

Virat: Kya soch rahe ho?

Rahul: I am bad husband bhaiya..

Virat: No Rah.. you are not..

Rahul: No I am..You don't know

Virat: Let your wife decide how you are as a husband. And for now.. calm down Rah.. It's okay Rah for her to miss her father..

Rahul realised about what Virat was talking and he sighed and nodded in yes.

Virat: Achchha you take some rest. Hum log chalte hai..

Virat signed others and they all left from there except Harry.

Harry: Rah..

Rahul: Hmm..

Harry: You okay?

Rahul: I don't know Harry.. It's just.. It's just that I am not having any good feelings..

Harry: Calm down okay.. Talk to Tia.. You will feel better..

Rahul sighed and nodded in yes but before he could call her, her phone came on his mobile. Harry teasingly smiled.

Harry: Waah.. kya telepathy hai..

Rahul blushed a little and Harry went to a side. Rahul picked up the call.

Rahul: Hello..

Athiya: Aap abhi bhi blame kar rahe ho na khud ko?

She talked about the main point directly.

Rahul: I am sorry Tia..

Athiya: Rah.. Isme aapki koi galati nahi hai..

Rahul: Hai Tia.. I should have thought.. I feel soo.. soo.. I don't know..

Athiya: And you don't need to know Rah..

Rahul: Tia..

Athiya: Rah.. listen to me.. You don't have a sister and Maa ki bhi age ho gayi hai.. You have not witnessed it regularly since long. Aise me nikal jata hai dimag se it's.. it's completely fine.. And I am so happy ki aap mere liye kitna sochte ho.. meri itni care karte ho.. Thank you for coming in my life Rah

Rahul smiled widely hearing this

Athiya: Ab aise hi haste raho aap..

Rahul (teasing): Someone is checking me out Haan..

Athiya chuckled but there was a contentment on her face as Rahul was back in his teasing mode.

Athiya: Now you take some rest okay.. Main rakhti hoon..

Rahul: Suno..

Athiya: Hmm..

Rahul (blushing): Umm.. Ab.. Ab woh bhi bol do..

Rahul was blushing.

Athiya (confused): Kya bol doon?

Rahul (blushing): Wahi.. jo tumne bol ke bhi nahi bola..

Athiya (blushing): Jab aap samaj gaye ho to mujhe bolne ki kya zaroorat hai phir se..

There was a silence for a while when none said anything. The feeling of them being near each other was enough..

Rahul: Still..

Athiya: Abhi mood nahi hai.. Baad me.. We have enough time for that.. Bye..

Saying so she disconnected the call. Rahul chuckled but there was a sense of uncertainty too was there on his face.

On the other side, though Athiya was better but there was still some uneasiness which she was not able to shake off and it was scaring her from inside but she focused on what is there ahead for her and it's the series win and she focused on that.

***********************************

From the next day onwards, Rahul and Athiya both were busy with their respective teams and were focusing on their games. Rahul used to talk to Athiya and used to handle all her mood swings. He has also promised her an entire cheat day which they will enjoy once both series are finished.

The women's team were able to win the series decider and they were on cloud 9. They danced, laughed and enjoyed.

Men's team has also won their match and have won the series but one match was still pending for them.

It was night and RahIya were talking over the call..

Athiya: Kal to main ghar jaungi.. Sari Bhabhis se milungi.. I am soo happy

Rahul chuckled

Rahul: And I am happy because you are happy

Athiya: Lekin yeh galat kiya.. hum dono ke matches aise complete hue na ki main ab sirf ek match hai wahi dekhne aa paungi ground me

Rahul: Tia.. ghar se dekh lena match. Waise bhi traffic bahut hoga aur hum log Ghar hi aane wale hai sidha

Athiya: Fine.. achchha abhi mile kya?

Rahul: Abhi..??

Athiya: Haan abhi..

Rahul: Abhi kidhar milenge Tia

Athiya: Are aap apne gate se bahar aao.. Main apne wale se aati hoon.. let's go on a walk

Rahul: Tia yaar.. I am feeling lazy to even get up

Athiya: Rah please na.. please..

Rahul: Okay fine.. coming..

Athiya got really happy and they disconnected the call. Athiya quickly checked herself in the mirror and came out of her room. She tip-toed to the reception and then to gate and came out. Same goes for Rahul.

As soon Athiya saw Rahul, she ran to him and hugged him tightly.

Athiya: I missed you a lot

Rahul: I missed you too baby..

Athiya: Baby??

Rahul: Yes.. my sweet enthu baby..

Rahul kissed on her forehead. As it was late, the roads were less crowded. They walked for a while when Athiya demanded for Ice Cream

Rahul: Tia no.. Sardi lag jayegi

Athiya: Rah please na.. Nahi lagegi.. Pakka..

Rahul: But only one cup

Athiya: Fine..

Rahul: Okay main leke aaya. Tum yaha betho bench pe.. main samne ke Ice Cream stall se leke aaya

Athiya: Lekin kon sa flavour laoge?

Rahul: Chocolate madam..

Athiya (happily): Phir theek hai.. go

Rahul chuckled and bought the Ice Cream for Athiya while she kept admiring him from the other side of the road.. Rahul show her the Ice Cream cup and Athiya's face was having million dollars smile. Rahul was coming towards her when suddenly out of nowhere a truck came and hit Rahul. Athiya was shocked to the core seeing Rahul in pool of blood..

Athiya (screamed): Rahul.....

***********************************

It was the match day today between Ind and NZ's men's teams. Both teams were ready.

Athiya was at the stadium praying to god. She was feeling restless since the time she has seen Rahul's accident in the dream.. Dream?? Yes it was a dream that she saw when they had won the series. She slept while as usual talking with Rahul and  her mind played it's role. She was already missing her father and this dream gave her a scar.

Flashback

Athiya woke up with a jolt. Tears were falling from her eyes and her breathing was uneven. She checked her surrounding and found herself in her room in NCA. She with shivering hands called Rahul who picked up the call after several rings.

Rahul: Hello.. Tia..??

Athiya sobbed..

Athiya: Rah..

Rahul: Tia kya hua? Tum.. tum theek ho na..

Athiya: No Rah.. It was just a dream.. but a bad one.. 

Rahul: Tia.. it's okay.. hota hai.. human hai hum okay..

Athiya: I.. I got scared

Rahul: Tia.. baba I am with you na.. sab theek hai okay..

Athiya: Hmm

Rahul kissed on the phone audibly enough for her. Athiya closed her eyes to compose herself..

Rahul: I am here only Tia.. Sab theek hai okay.. calm down.. So jao chalo.. I am here only on the call.. Sleep okay..

Rahul made her sleep again but from that day onwards, there was a hidden fear behind Athiya's smile which was only known to Rahul.

Flashback ends--

Rahul was playing on 99*. India needed 6 runs to win in one ball. The bowler bowled the ball and Rahul hit straight and it went for 6.. Athiya jumped on her seat and clapped hard for him.. appreciating him.. Rahul acknowledged the appreciation and then looked at her and she gave him a flying kiss to which he too gave the same..

Rahul quickly completed the official handshake and collected his phone. He called Athiya..

Athiya: Congratulations Rah.. I am so.. so. so happy..

Rahul: Thanks a lot Tia.. Thank you for being my constant support

Athiya: I am always with you Rah..

Rahul: Achchha suno..

Athiya: Haan..

Rahul: Ab to series bhi complete ho gayi. Ab to bol do..

Athiya blushed hard..

Athiya (blushing): Okay..

Rahul's smile became wider.

Rahul: I am listening Tia..

Athiya: Yaha nahi.. Ghar pe bataungi.. Apka intezar rahega Mr KL Rahul..

Rahul (whining): What?? Hum sath me ghar nahi jayenge?? Yeh to galat baat hai na Tia

Rahul was somewhere scared for Athiya. She was unusually silent since she had that dream.. but he was maintaining his calm for the sake of her only..

Athiya: There is a surprise for you Rah.. (blushing) Reserved only for you..

Rahul blushed hard hearing this.

Athiya: Abhi main ghar ja rahi.. Will be waiting for you Rah..

Rahul blushed and could just hummed in response. They disconnected the call.

Athiya called Anu who picked up the call in two rings

Athiya: Hello bhabhi..

Anu: Hey Tia..

Athiya: Bhabhi.. kya aap hamara as in Mera aur Rah ka room decorate karwa sakte ho? Unke liye surprise hai

Anu (teasing): Decorate and all Haan.. kya baat hai

Athiya: Aisa kuchh nahi hai bhabhi..
Bas aise hi..

Anu chuckled

Anu: Beta jaha ki tum nau sikhiye ho na.. main waha ki principal hoon

Athiya: Bhabhi sach..

Anu: Achchha baba okay ho jayega

They disconnected the call and Athiya was about to go but stopped and looked at Rahul who was smiling widely at her to which she too smiled widely

Athiya: Aaj aapko best surprise milega Rah..

She left from there. As soon as she left, an uneasiness got settled on Rahul's chest.

Rahul: Ajeeb sa kyu lag raha hai? Jaldi nikalna hoga yaha se..

Soon enough the presentation was over and the men's team too were ready to leave the ground.. Rahul was unusually silent and it was noticed by all..

Mahi: Rah.. kya hua?

Rahul: Kuchh nahi bas man thoda ashant hai..

Mahi gave him a slight nod and went ahead. They boarded the bus.

Rahul was sitting with closed eyes. The uneasiness was overpowering him. ..

Virat: Calm down Rah.. Abhi thodi der me pahunch jayenge Ghar okay..

Rahul was about to nod in yes when he got a call from an unknown number. He picked it with a frown

Rahul: Hello..

---

Rahul (shocked): What??

Rahul almost shouted but controlled.

Virat: Kya hua Rah?

Rahul. Bha...bhaiya.. T.. T.. Tia ko.. main..  mujhe Tia ke paas Jana hai

Virat. Rah.. calm down..

Rahul: I.. I want to go to Tia bhaiya..

Virat: Haan Rah.. Calm down.. hua kya hai bataoge?

Harry: Are lekin hua kya hai?

Tears fell from Rahul's eyes which he quickly wiped out.

Rahul: Tia.. Tia ka acc... Accident ho gaya hai...

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So that's it for this chapter. Hope you guys like it

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