some day, some month, in 2022.

5:24 pm.

after a long day of practice and team meetings, kasturie, ishan, and shubman found themselves back in kasturie's hotel room. the atmosphere was relaxed, filled with light-hearted banter and laughter.

"yaar, practice was intense today. kal ka match bhi tough hoga," ishan said, stretching out on the bed.

"bilkul. we need to stay focused," shubman agreed, leaning back in his chair.

kasturie headed to the bathroom to freshen up. as she looked around, she spotted a spherical-shaped soap bar that looked remarkably like a cricket ball. an idea struck her, and she couldn't resist the urge to have some fun. "guys, yeh deko merko kya mila! yeh ek ball jaisa nhi dikhta?"

ishan and shubman turned to see kasturie holding the soap bar, curiosity piqued. "hmm, it does. thoda shiny ball jaisa lag raha hai," ishan noted, eyeing the soap.

her eyes lit up with mischief, and she got an idea. "let's play cricket with this! ishan, you bowl, and batting meri. come on, it'll be fun!" she jumped.

"seriously? yeh sabun hai, ball nahi," shubman replied, skeptical but amused.

"arre, thoda masti karne mein kya problem hai? come on, ishan, you in?" she urged, grinning.

ishan grinned back, always up for some fun. "main tayaar hoon. shubi, tu umpire ban ja."

shubman shook his head, laughing at their antics, but agreed to be the umpire. "fine, but agar kuch toot gaya toh tum dono responsible ho."

kasturie quickly set up a makeshift wicket using her shampoo bottle and other toiletries. she handed the soap bar to ishan, who took his position, and she picked up her bat. "ready, kasturie?" ishan called out.

"always ready!" she responded, brimming with excitement.

ishan ran up and bowled the soap bar with a playful overarm action. kasturie swung the bat with surprising accuracy, connecting with the soap bar perfectly. the soap bar shot off, heading straight for the glass window.

"oh fuck, kastuu!" shubman laughed, realizing what was about to happen.

before they could react, the soap bar crashed into the window, shattering the glass into pieces. they all froze, staring at the broken window in shock. "fuck fuck fuck... merko laga nhi tha yeh tut jayega!" kasturie exclaimed, her eyes wide.

ishan burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "yeh toh epic tha! but ab kya hoga?"

shubman shook his head, trying to suppress his laughter. "bhai tutega nhi toh kya phool banke barsega? well, looks like we're in trouble. tumhe cleaning staff ko bulana padega."

kasturie sighed, but couldn't help but join in the laughter. "i guess i'll call the front desk. but merko mazaa aya!"

they quickly cleaned up the mess as best as they could before kasturie called the front desk to report the broken window. "hello, how can i assist you?" the receptionist answered.

"hi, um, there's been a small accident. the window in my room is broken," kasturie said, trying to sound casual.

"oh, i see. we'll send someone up right away to take care of it," the receptionist replied.

as they waited for the maintenance team, rohit sharma walked into the room, his eyes widening at the sight of the broken window. "yeh kya hua? tum logo ne kya kar diya?"

"um, hum log thoda cricket khel rahe the... and the soap bar hit the window," kasturie explained sheepishly.

rohit sighed, rubbing his temples. "seriously? tum logon ko itna bhi akkal nahi hai? what if someone got hurt? kya baccho jaisi harkate karte rehte ho."

"bacche hi toh hai hum." kasturie said quietly looking at the ground.

ishan and kasturie tried to stifle their laughter, but rohit's stern look made them stop. "23, 24 saal ke bacche? agar next time aise masti karni hai, do it outside. this is unacceptable."

"sorry, rohit. hum samajh gaye," shubman said, looking genuinely apologetic.

"sorry sorry. aage se dhyaan rakhenge," kasturie added.

rohit nodded, still looking annoyed but understanding their intent. "thik hai, just don't repeat it. now, go get some rest. kal important match hai."

the maintenance team arrived and fixed the window quickly. kasturie apologized profusely, explaining it was an accident. once the room was back in order, they all settled down, the adrenaline from their mini-game still pumping.

"okay, maybe we should stick to playing on the field. no more indoor cricket," kasturie said, chuckling.

"agreed. but yeh masti zaroori hai kabhi kabhi," ishan admitted.

"true. just... let's avoid breaking more windows," shubman added, laughing.

they all laughed, the incident bringing them closer together as they shared in the fun and the minor chaos of the moment.

🕸️

6th June, 2024.

7:23 am.

the team's morale was high after their victory last day, but kasturie's mood was far from celebratory. the image of shubman and sara chatting and laughing together was etched in her mind, and it gnawed at her relentlessly.

after the team's breakfast, sara approached shubman with a determined glint in her eye. she had noticed the growing closeness between shubman and kasturie and decided it was time to act.

"shubman, can we talk for a moment?" sara pulled him away from others.

shubman, taken by surprise, nodded. they moved to a quieter corner of the hotel lobby.

"sure, sara. kya baat hai?" he asked her.

"mujhe tumhare aur kasturie ke baare mein baat karni hai. tum dono kaafi close lag rahe ho." she started.

"haan, we're good friends. aur tumhe toh pata hai, we are in a fake relationship."

sara smirked, sensing an opportunity.

"shubman, fake ya real, but relationships can get complicated. tumhe pata hai kasturie ne kya kaha tha?"

shubman frowned, confused. "kya kaha tha?"

"woh keh rahi thi ki yeh sab sirf mazak ke liye hai. tumhare saath kuch serious nahi hai. shayad tum yeh soch rahe ho ki kuch aur hai, par uske liye yeh sab ek game hai."

shubman felt a pang of doubt. he knew kasturie had said something similar before, but hearing it from sara made it sting.

"mujhe nahi lagta kastu aisa sochti hai. woh... woh kuch aur hai."

"mujhe bas yeh kehna tha ki tum apne dil ko sambhalo. tumhe hurt hone se bachana chahti hoon aur kuch nhi." she put her hand on shubman's shoulder.

sara left shubman alone with his thoughts, a satisfied smile on her face. she hoped that her words would drive a wedge between him and kasturie.

🕸️

8:36 am.

after having breakfast, the team gathered for practice. kasturie noticed that shubman seemed distant, avoiding eye contact with her. confused and hurt, she tried to focus on her training.

"shubman kyun mujhe ignore kar rha hai? ha pata hai ki main hi usko avoid kar rhi hai but aisa woh kabhi behave nhi karta. kya ho gya isko ab?" she thought to herself.

as they practiced, shubman found himself paired with other teammates, avoiding any interaction with kasturie. the normally smooth coordination between them seemed strained.

during the practice session, the tension between kasturie and shubman was palpable. their teammates noticed the change but didn't comment, respecting their privacy.

"lagta hai apne laila majnu ke beech kuch toh gadbad hai." virat quietly whispered to rohit.

"lagta toh hai. shayad woh khud hi solve kar lein. after all bacche hai, hota rehta hai yeh sab." rohit whispered back.

kasturie tried to approach shubman several times, but he always found a way to avoid her. this avoidance hurt her deeply, and she started to withdraw as well, focusing solely on her training.

after practice, kasturie saw shubman and sara chatting again. she clenched her fists, jealousy bubbling inside her. she decided to talk to someone, needing someone to confide in, again. first she thought of ishan but then he would say something funny instead of consoling her. she needed someone mature to talk to, then she thought of a person who would help her perfectly in that situation.

she found hardik in the hotel gym, lifting weights. he looked up as she approached, immediately sensing her distress.

"all okay, kuku? tum itni pareshan kyun lag rahi ho?" he asked.

"bhai, mujhe tumse baat karni hai. main shubman ke baare mein phir se soch rahi hoon. he's acting very weird. ha pata hai main bhi usko avoid kar rhi hu but ab woh merko avoid kar rha hai. and i know, chahe kuch bhi ho jaye woh aisa kabhi behave nhi karega mere saath. mera dimaag chalna band ho gya hai. actually woh fatt rha hai itna sab soch soch ke. woh.. woh sara, usko itna chipak rhi hai na, i swear kabhi kabhi aisa mann karta hai na... jaane do kisi ke baare mein aisi buri baate nhi karte. i don't know why but merko aisi feeling aa rhi hai ki usi ne shubman ko kuch ulta seedha bola hai mere baare mein." she said all of this in one go.

hardik put down his weights and gave her a reassuring hug. he sighed and motioned for her to sit down. he had lost count of how many times they had this conversation, but he knew his sister needed his support.

"phir se? tum dono kab baat karoge iske baare mein? tumhe directly shubman se baat karni chahiye, kuku. to be honest, mujhe bhi sara se ek buri vibe aa rhi hai."

"merko dar lagta hai. kya pata humari dosti kharab ho jaaye? aur waise bhi, woh merko ignore kar raha hai."

hardik leaned forward, his expression serious.

"dekho kasturie, main samajh sakta hoon tumhare darr ko. par agar tum dono baat nahi karoge, toh yeh misunderstandings aur badh jayengi. tum dono ko apne dil ki baat samajhni chahiye. tum dono ke beech jo tension chal rahi hai, uska kuch karna padega. mujhe lagta hai tumhe apne dil ki baat samajhni padegi. sach mein kya feel karti ho shubman ke liye?"

kasturie looked down, her thoughts a tangled mess.

"main confused hoon, bhai. ek taraf, merko lagta hai ki main usse bohot pasand karti hoon. doosri taraf, I'm also scared ki agar maine apne feelings express kiye aur sab kuch bigad gya toh?"

hardik leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "dekho, kasturie. pyaar aur dosti dono important hote hain, par kabhi kabhi risk lena padta hai. agar tumne apne feelings chhupaye rakhe, toh tum dono ko aur zyada hurt hoga. tumhe apne dil ki baat sunni padegi."

kasturie bit her lip, considering his words. "par agar usne mujhe reject kar diya toh?"

hardik smiled gently. "koi bhi guarantee nahi hoti, kasturie. par agar tumne kabhi apne feelings express nahi kiye, toh tumhe hamesha regret hoga. tumhe apne mann ki baat karni chahiye, bina kisi darr ke."

kasturie nodded slowly, feeling a bit more resolved but still hesitant. "par main kaise baat karoon? woh bhi toh avoid kar raha hai mujhe."

hardik placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "tumhe ek chance lena padega. shayad woh bhi tumhare jaise hi soch raha ho. tum dono ko ek doosre se baat karni hi padegi, warna yeh misunderstandings kabhi khatam nahi hongi."

kasturie took a deep breath, trying to muster the courage. "theek hai, bhai. main koshish karungi. shayad ek honest conversation sab clear kar de."

hardik nodded approvingly. "that's the spirit, kasturie. aur yaad rakho, main hamesha tumhare saath hoon. jo bhi ho, main tumhe support karunga."

she sighed and got up from there, gave a soft smile to hardik and left.

🕸️

6:34 pm.

that evening, kasturie went to the rooftop for some fresh air. she stared at the city lights, trying to make sense of her feelings.

the evening sky was painted with hues of orange and purple as the sun began to set, casting a serene glow over the hotel rooftop. kasturie stood by the railing, her thoughts a tumultuous mix of emotions. she had taken hardik's advice to heart and decided it was time to talk to shubman. she just didn't know how to start.

the sound of footsteps behind her made her turn. shubman approached, his expression a blend of determination and apprehension.

"oye sun, tere se baat karni thi." he said.

she nodded, her heart racing. they moved to a quieter corner of the rooftop, the city lights twinkling below them.

"haan, merko bhi."

there was a brief silence, both gathering their thoughts.

"dekh, sara ne kuch bola tere baare mein. keh rahi thi ki tum yeh sab, apni dosti, apna yeh fake relationship jo i don't think abhi fake hai, mazak ke taur pe le rahi ho." he said looking into her eyes.

kasturie's eyes widened in surprise and hurt.

"kya? maine kabhi aisa nahi kaha. jo bhi time humne saath bitaya hai, woh sab mere liye bohot special hai. main kabhi usse mazak nahi samajhti. aur rahi baat fake relationship ki, we never confirmed it publically just sirf aise hints daalte rhe kyuki i thought it'd be fun because yeh media wale hamesha apne maze lete hai toh kyu na thoda unke bhi maze lelete hai. mera tumhe hurt karneka intention kabhi nhi tha. and it i have hurted you, I'm really sorry."

shubman sighed in relief, the tension in his shoulders easing a bit.

"sorry mat bol bro, teri galti nhi hai. mujhe bhi aisa hi lagta tha, par jab sara ne bola, toh ek moment ke liye confuse ho gaya tha. mujhe bas yeh samajh nahi aa raha tha ki tum kya feel karti ho."

"i can understand. shayad mujhe tumse pehle hi baat karni chahiye thi. par sach bolun toh, main bhi apne feelings ko le kar confuse thi."

they shared a glance, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

"dekh, yaar. main yeh nahi chahta ki humare beech kuch misunderstandings aayein. tu mere liye bohot important hai."

"tu bhi mere liye bohot important hai, shubu. par right now, at this moment hum dono ka focus match pe hona chahiye. humare desh ke liye khelna sabse pehle hai."

shubman nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting the same resolve.

"right. we know ki abhi humare liye sabse pehle priority kya honi chahiye. par main yeh bhi chahta hoon ki hum ek doosre se honest rahein."

"haan, mujhe bhi yeh hi lagta hai. jo bhi feelings hain, unhe kabhi na kabhi kehne ka waqt aayega. par abhi, humara focus sirf game pe hona chahiye."

they stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation settling in.

"ek baat aur, kasturie. jab bhi tujhe lage ki baat karna zaroori hai, please mujhe batana. main hamesha tere saath hoon."

"I'd say the same, shubi. were like a team, and will always be."

the evening breeze ruffled their hair as they stood side by side, the city below unaware of the quiet resolve forming on that rooftop. they hadn't confessed their feelings, but they had taken a significant step towards understanding each other better.

"toh, kya hum yeh promise kar sakte hain ki humare feelings humein match se distract nahi karenge?" shubman said breaking the silence.

"promise. apna pehla pyaar will always be our country, aur hum usse disappoint nahi karenge."

they sealed their promise with a warm smile, the unspoken feelings creating a bond stronger than ever. as they walked back inside, they knew that while their hearts were intertwined, their dedication to their nation would always come first.

🕸️

a/n : why do i think ke yeh plot abhi dheere dheere cringe hota jaa rha hai?

anyways, kal ke match sahi thi. mahino ke baad acchi wali neend lagi. best thing was aaj na mera coaching class tha na college tha so pura din i was sleeping. baadme mumma ki thodi gaali khayi but it was worth it. aaj ke liye itna hi. baadme milte hai.

peace out.
~k.