Previously on Wicket:

"I think we should just be friends."

****

Aditi's POV:

"W...Wha-" Shubman stuttered, obviously shocked. My heart shattered once more when I saw his broken expression.

"Aditi..." He took my hand in his, pressing a kiss on it.

"I would prefer if we just ignore each other," I looked away from him, his eyes widened.

"Aditi." His voice had deteriorated. "I can't pretend that I don't love you... Nor can I pretend that I don't need you."

"I don't need you, nor do I love you." I lashed out, my hurt feelings pouring themselves out on those words.

"Look, it's either that or friends." I bit my tongue to stop myself from crying. I stood up to leave, Shubman's hand reached out and grabbed my wrist quickly.

"Wait." He pleaded, I was a step away from my breaking point.

"Aditi... I need you" He choked out, the words were heavy with emotion. I was tempted to throw my arms around him and kiss him. I pushed the temptation away, he'd hurt me.

He hurt me.

It's for the better if I stay away... Besides, His batting's been weak since we started dating. I'm a distraction.

I snatched my wrist away and speed-walked toward the exit. I made sure that he couldn't see my face. Because tears were free-flowing down my cheeks. The moment I rounded the corner, I collapsed into a tight ball.

I felt like someone had shot a hole in my heart. I knew it would be for the better that I stayed away. Vikram Rathour, the Indian Team's batting coach, had confided with me that Shubman's batting has been becoming weak. He told me that his batting started to weaken, around a month ago. Which was when we'd started dating, I knew it in my heart that I was a distraction. I wanted Shubman to be happy, I knew that cricket was his life. It hurt for me to let go, but I knew it was the right thing to do.

I cried my heart out in my room. I couldn't believe my rotten luck. I was happy for a week before misfortune befell on me.

"Hey." Anushka didi appeared in the doorway, I turned away.

"Aditi..." Didi rushed to my side and comforted me.

"I... I told... him... to be... friends." I hiccuped between sobs.

"Oh sweety, I know how hard it is." She stroked my cheek.

"It's for the better, I know that." I sniffled, Anushka didi hugged me.

Shubman's POV

I stood there, broken and helpless.

"Friends?" I snorted to no-one in particular.

"I need her!" I continued to wallow.

"Hey man," A male voice greeted, I looked up from my misery and saw Aryan.

"What do you want?" I gritted my teeth.

"Really? You want to know?" He sat down next to me, I ignored him.

"I want Aditi."

***

Yeah, no. Aryan's evil.