Guys, check out my baby girl, logastellus_x's new book! You'll absolutely LOVE it ❤❤

Hope you all like this chapter. I usually don't have a specific plan before I write but I did for this one, and it didn't turn out exactly that way, but I'm still happy with it.

**

Surbhi walked into the private restaurant of the 5-star hotel apprehensively, instantly realizing she didn't belong here. At least, that's what she thought. Although she never watched cricket, some of the faces present in this lavish dining room were recognizable. There were cricketers, some press, and of course, Preity ma'am who was now chatting animatedly with someone from her team. Surbhi was wondering if she should go and talk to her, since she was one who had invited her in the first place, but then decided against it. She was a big personality and probably had just asked Surbhi to join out of courtesy. Rubbing her forehead with her finger, Surbhi mentally chided herself for showing up before thinking it over. What would she possibly do here? She had literally no one to talk to!

Giving awkward smiles to anyone she made eye-contact with, Surbhi crossed her arms and walked towards the corner of the room, eyeing her surroundings. The restaurant was fully carpeted, with a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room. The lighting was bright and yellow, and the air had a delicious aroma owing to the buffet set out on one side. There were formally dressed waiters moving about, carrying trays and serving drinks to everyone. It seemed that not everyone had arrived yet, since the main squad for both teams were still missing, possibly still freshening up. The thought that Nakuul Mehta would probably be coming here too made Surbhi's heart speed up. Gosh, she had barely just met the guy- what was with this teenager-with-a-crush feeling all of a sudden? Shrugging of all thoughts about him- because it really wouldn't matter if he was here or not, right?- she decided to call her sister to pass the time. She picked up on the very first ring.

"Baby, where are you? Did you reach the airport?"

Surbhi smiled at her sister- Pranavi's- words. Ever the motherly authority, she thought.

"No di, I was actually invited for dinner by Preity Zinta so I'm there only. Will go to the airport from here directly."

"You what?!" Her sister exclaimed, no doubt excited that her baby sister had been invited by THE Preity Zinta, "Oh my God Surbhs, tell me EVERYTHING!"

"Calm down di, I'm sure people around me are being able to hear you too," She replied with a chuckle. "And it's not such a big deal; the two teams were having dinner together, so Preity ma'am invited me along. But now I'm thinking it wasn't such a good idea because I have no one to talk to and I feel like such a loser, standing here alone," Surbhi sulked.

"Oh come on, baby, you'll be fine. Just go and introduce yourself to people, and the rest will go smoothly because whoever you meet loves you instantly. Oh, and speaking of 'love', has any cricketer caught your eye?" Pranavi asked, a teasing tone to her voice. Surbhi's cheeks turned pink at that. Well, yes, a certain man had caught her eye, and even though she shared everything with her sister, it was too soon to say anything. It was just a celebrity crush, after all. Nothing major. He probably had forgotten all about her existence already. That is, if he had acknowledged it in the first place.

"Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai, di," Surbhi finally said, with a roll of her eyes. "And you know what, I'm gonna take you up on your advice and talk to someone. I'll call you later, okay? Love you!"

Hanging up, Surbhi took a deep breath. Easier said than done, wasn't it? How was she going to strike up a conversation with anyone here if A) She didn't belong to this world and B) She didn't even watch cricket? Preity ma'am was too busy in her own circle so it seemed like Surbhi would just have to stay on her own. Maybe she would stay for a few more minutes, and then just go to the airport, not before saying bye to Preity ma'am of course...

It was while she was pondering over this plan that there was a chaos at the door. The press members had hurried over and made a crowd there, clicking away with their cameras and thrusting forward their microphones.

After all, the star of the day, Nakuul Mehta had arrived.

**

Nakuul internally groaned as soon as he saw the media approaching him. He understood that being a cricketer meant he would attract a lot of media attention, but it got on his nerves at times. Now, for example. After the tiring, albeit satisfying, match, he just wanted to get over with this dinner party and go to bed. They had an early morning practice tomorrow, and he would also need to look at everyone's mistakes from the match in detail and make the team work hard on them. So right now, he really wasn't in the mood to give any sort of interview to the media. Thankfully, the team's manager came to the rescue and escorted him in, asking the media to not create a ruckus since this was a private party, and they had only been let in out of courtesy.

Passing a grateful smile to the manager, Nakuul walked towards where Preity Zinta was, with her husband and a few others who worked for their team.

"Nakuul, my boy!" Preity exclaimed excitedly, giving him a side hug. "You were amazing today. So glad you're in our team!"

"Don't you regret not taking me all these years?" Nakuul asked with a wink, to which she laughed and replied "Definitely."

Grinning, Nakuul looked around the room. He was feeling much better than he had before entering the room, for some reason. Rejuvenated, like he was suddenly getting positive vibes. His plan initially had been to stay for a while, chat a bit, and leave, ordering dinner from the room itself. He wasn't unsocial, of course, just that the day had been hectic and he would give anything to be in bed as soon as possible.

But, glancing around, as his eyes landed on a particular woman standing in one corner of the room, his heart started beating faster, and he realized- there would definitely be no leaving the party any time soon.

**

It had been almost 10 minutes since Nakuul had spotted her, and till now, he hadn't been able to muster up the courage to go talk to her. But he had to talk to her. Why did he have to, though, he didn't know. She was beautiful, of course, but Nakuul really wasn't someone who just went around flirting. It was just something about her, particularly, that was attracting him, and he had this strange feeling that he needed to talk to her. To get to know her. But so far, all he had managed to do was go around talking to his friends, keeping an eye on her with his peripheral vision to make sure she didn't leave. She had left her earlier spot and was now talking to some woman he had seen Preity introduce her to. She had caught him staring at her once, and Nakuul could have sworn her cheeks had turned slightly pink as their eyes had met, before she had quickly looked away.

"Nakuul, hi!"

Hearing a female voice, Nakuul turned around, and was engulfed in a hug by none other than Anushka Sharma, the beautiful actress. Being best friends with Virat, Nakuul shared a good bond with his wife, too.

"You were great out there," She said with a smile as she pulled back. "Virat is sulking, but I've told him that you were much better."

Nakuul laughed at that, before the man being discussed joined them himself.

"Backbiting about me, guys?" Virat asked as he snaked an arm around his newly-wedded wife's waist. "And please, it was just luck that you won. Next time, you won't be so lucky!"

"We'll see about that," Nakuul said in a challenging voice, before they burst into laughter. The three got chatting amongst themselves, before they were interrupted by a melodious voice that had Nakuul's heart skip a beat.

"Excuse me, Anushka ma'am?"

The mysterious woman who had been messing with Nakuul's heart and mind since he had seen her had approached them, and was now looking at Anushka with admiration in her eyes.

"Sorry to disturb you, but, I'm a huge fan of yours!" She said with childlike enthusiasm, making Nakuul smile. Anushka too smiled at her warmly.

"Thankyou, darling. What's your name?"

Ah, yes, finally he would know her name, Nakuul thought, excitedly.

"I'm Surbhi, Surbhi Chandna. I'm, uh, an actress in this Starplus Show."

"Beautiful name," Nakuul murmured to himself, thankfully inaudibly.

"Oh, my mother is crazy about Starplus shows, and I'm sure she's a big fan of yours, too!" Anushka said, making Surbhi smile brightly. Nakuul was left swooning seeing that smile.

"By the way," Anushka continued, "This is my husband- Virat Kohli," Virat forwarded his hand to her, which she took readily. Of course she knew Virat Kolhi, and all her friends would be so jealous to hear she had met him!

"And this," Said Anushka, pointing towards Nakuul, "Is Nakuul Mehta, the star of today's match."

As Virat muttered away jealously how Nakuul was really getting too much attention, Surbhi turned to look at him for the first time since she had joined them. It had taken all the courage in her to come and talk to Anushka Sharma, who she practically worshiped, even after knowing that the man who was sending her heart into a frenzy with every look was there, too.

"Hi," He said after they stared at each other a few moments, in a voice so manly it made her feel weak in the knees.

"Hi," She replied back, before they receded into an awkward silence. Anushka and Virat had gone to meet the others, so the two were left alone.

"You were great today," Surbhi offered, making him smile.

"Thanks," He replied. "Do you watch cricket often?"

Surbhi smiled sheepishly before replying.

"Unfortunately, no. This is the first time I've watched a match with interest, to be honest. But I loved it so I've made a mental note to get more into the game."

Nakuul appreciated her honesty. He knew that a lot of people would lie about being his 'greatest fan' or being a 'huge cricket-lover', but here this girl was as genuine as one could be.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but what show do you act in? I'm sorry but I don't watch tv shows so..."

"Hey, it's completely alright! I wouldn't really expect you to watch. As for your question, my shows' name is Ishqbaaaz."

Nakuul nodded, glad she hadn't gotten offended. They fell into some light conversation after that, talking about random things. Silence would ensue at times but thankfully, they were both reluctant to let the conversation end and would bring up a new topic to keep talking. They were both loving each others' company, and realized that this attraction they had felt at the first meet wasn't just because they liked how the other looked. The way they connected, there was a certain feel to it that made the both think that something might result out of it. Be it friendship, or something more.

"No but really, next time you come to watch a match, I'll show you inside the changing rooms. You'll never be able to look at cricketers the same way, again!"

They were currently talking about the conditions post-match amongst the teams, and Nakuul was telling Surbhi how things were 'behind the scenes'.

"You know, I think I'll pass," Surbhi said, scrunching up her nose, making Nakuul laugh.

Gosh, he has such a gorgeous face, Surbhi thought as she observed him. Up close, he was even better looking that she had thought. His facial features were nothing less than a Greek God's, and that tall and muscular, but not bulky, physique was drool-worthy. And then of course, his eyes. Surbhi had no clue what colour they were, because they seemed to be changing shades every other minute.

"How is it like being an actress?" Nakuul asked, genuinely interested in knowing. She started talking animatedly about her career, then, showing how passionate she was about what she did. He observed her closely as she talked, in awe of her already. There was just something about the way she spoke, the way her mouth flawlessly let out every word. Her full lips puckered up whenever she talked, making them look extremely kissable.

Oh God, what is wrong with me? Nakuul asked himself, chiding himself to keep control because this was SO unlike him. All his life, he had practically run away from girls and relationships because he had been so focused on his career, and also because no one had caught his eyes.

But Surbhi Chandna had caught his eyes, and that too how.

She was extremely pretty, for sure, and he knew the others thought so too because he had seen quite a few men eyeing her tonight (making him feel a strange sort of jealousy, and also pride because he was the one talking to her). There was no makeup on her face and yet she seemed to be glowing, especially when she smiled that pure and radiant smile of hers. And then of course was her figure, curves enhanced by a simple yet fitted yellow kurti she was wearing. It was taking everything in Nakuul to not eye her up and down and observe this figure at leisure.

This. Is. So. Unlike. Me! He reminded himself, fisting his hands to regain some control. Shifting his attenting back to what she was saying, he smiled as she finished, appearing a little out of breath at having spoken so much.

"Sorry, I was probably blabbering," Surbhi said, embarrassed, but Nakuul shook his head.

"You weren't. And anyway, I don't mind."

As he said that, he looked deep into her eyes, and they had just gotten into this intense eye-lock when someone announced that dinner was served. Smiling at each other awkwardly, they moved towards the buffet.

"Hey man, who is this pretty lady? You didn't introduce me to her!"

This was Chris Gayle, the big man, talking in his Caribbean accent, a customary huge smile on his face. Surbhi smiled up at the man, while Nakuul introduced them.

"Chris, this is Surbhi, and Surbhi, this is Chris Gayle."

"Is she your girlfriend?" Gayle asked as he wriggled his eyebrows, while Nakuul and Surbhi caught each others' eye and blushed.

"Um, no, it's nothing like that. Anyway, I'll catch you later." Saying so, he and Surbhi made their way towards where the food was served out. They started lading their plates, him behind her on the queue.

"Only veg?" Surbhi asked him as she saw what he was taking, and Nakuul shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah, I'm a vegetarian."

Surbhi raised her eyebrows, impressed.

"Oh wow, I thought being a sportsman, you would need a lot of protein and all that."

"Well, my trainer relentlessly keeps advising me to start eating meat, but to no avail."

Surbhi giggled at that.

"Honestly, I couldn't live without non-veg. I just love sea food."

Shaking his head because he didn't understand this 'meat craze', Nakuul led Surbhi to one of the round tables set out in the room. A few of his teammates were already seated there, and he introduced her to them. Those who knew him well were seeing him with a girl, that too such a beautiful one, for the first time. They gave him appreciative nods which he royally ignored. Friends could really be quite embarrassing.

"Do you plans on coming to any other match of IPL?" Nakuul asked her as they started eating, desperately hoping she'd say yes.

"I don't know, it all depends on Star Plus. They have to send actors from all shows, I think, so chances are quite low."

"Well, why don't you come yourself, then? As in, not from Star Plus but privately." Nakuul hoped he was appearing casual and not like he was trying too hard. Which he was.

Surbhi shrugged her shoulders.

"I have a really hectic schedule, and if I want even a day off I have to convince my director for days on end for it," She chuckled. "But you know what, I'll try. Now that I'm so into cricket."

Nakuul grinned at that, hoping that he had something to do with her budding interest in the game. Too soon, they were done with their dinner, and Surbhi declared with a heavy heart that she had to go to the airport. Her flight was in an hour.

"Oh, um, alright then," Nakuul said, disappointed that their time together had flew so quickly. He didn't remember feeling so at ease and at the same time, nervous, with anyone before, let alone a girl.

"I should go say goodbye to Preity ma'am," Surbhi said, and walked away to where the actress sat. After saying goodbye with a quick hug, Surbhi came back to where Nakuul stood, waving towards VirUshka on her way. She really didn't feel like leaving, but had to. The car appointed by Star Plus for her was waiting for her and the driver had reminded her a while back that they had to leave, soon.

"I'll walk you out," Nakuul offered, and she smiled in return. They walked slowly, as if wanting to prolong her leave for as long as possible. Finally, they reached her car, and he opened the door for her.

"I had a lovely time, Surbhi," Nakuul told her before she got in. Surbhi's heart fluttered at his words.

"Me too," She said, voice soft and yet audible in the night air. She had almost gotten in, when Nakuul, who was still holding her car door, gathered up the the courage to finally ask her something.

"Hey, um, in the case that you do come to watch our match again, can I have your number? We could maybe, meet up afterwards or something..." He trailed off, heart thumping wildly against his chest. He sighed in relief when she smiled and said "Sure", reciting her number which he quickly saved on his phone.

"Goodbye, then," Nakuul said, finally closing the car door after making sure she was comfortably seated.

"Goodbye, Nakuul."

Nakuul kept staring after the car long after it had disappeared from his vision, before finally ruffling his hair and going inside, the dorky grin never leaving his face.

In the car, Surbhi had to rest against the seat with her eyes closed for long, taking deep breaths to calm down her erratically beating heart, all the way to the airport.

**

Pheww, finally done with this! It took me practically the whole day to write this but I'm so glad I finally finished 💕