Hellooo everyoneeeeeee

So here I am here with the Third Update of this Week, for HW2.0.

It's a Super Long Update Guys – of about 15.5K Words. Does include the 3.5k word Sneak peek in the beginning as well..so even if you minus that word count..the rest of the fresh part in this update is about 12k words Plus.

Okkkk, and I am so eager to hear from you all, as you finish reading this Update. Please let me know what you all think off it – surely.Thike?

Thank you so much for your amazing feedback uptill now Guys. Please know I love to hear from you all.So thank you so so so much * Infinity – indeed, for investing your precious time into my work. I am truly – Grateful* Infinity as well(wink wink). I hope you all are enjoying the reading experience, as much as I am enjoying penning it down.

Also, yes this is the First Draft. Please definitely ignore editing/common repition of words errors etc – since I have not proofread.

Also Guyssss all the Cricket Fans - it would be great if we all Tune into the mini Women Crickets League ( 4 matches) - being conducted by the BCCI THIS YEAR IN Dubai..starting first week November. This is Hopefully a Beginning of New PHASE FOR Women Cricketers in India.🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗 I really hope for good Viewership for them...about time Na❣

In the picture below are some of our ace Indian cricketers - Smriti Mandhana,( opener for India) Mithali Raj( who is like Sachin of Womens Cricket in india + ODI captain) and Harmanpreet Kaur( she is amazing in her batting strength and Captains T20).These three Amazing Indian women Cricketrs will be Captaining the three Teams in the Mini IPL - this year. BCCI is running this as a trial..hopefully next year a bigger league for Them as well.🙏🙏🙏🙏

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CHAPTER 29.2 – EMOTIONS...SEE-SAWs...&...YO-YOs

IN THE CAB TO MANCHESTER – 235AM

KHUSHI'S POV

STUPID.

DUPID.

STUPID.

DUPID.

STUPID.

DUPID.

STUPID DUPID – WHO?

Meeeee – Ofcourseee!!!

Guys.

I just can't get over my very own Stupidity, in the moment.

I groan to my Mind as I say. Yup. Note that Please – dear Mind. This Error is totally going down as a Major One – to be listed out in your books, alright.And I am obviously pissed at you, for This. Royally Pissed – Period.

My Mind immediately jumps to it's defence. Oh Helloo, K, but you gotta hear me out alright.As in, this wasn't my fault at all. Like ok, maybe just about a Little. But I was so Clouded with Worry for Arnav and so many overwhelming emotions, and that is obviously dear Heart's doing in the first place – right?? I am not that great at Surfing anyway, and the Heart just sent out this Sudden Rush off Emotional High Tides to just freaking Process.

I tighten my arms around myself, scoffing at My Mind. Oh No – dear mind. Let's not go into Blame Games – Alright? You know I am NOT a believer in them.

My heart chips in now smiling, calmly. Well well well, dear Mind – I would like you to explain this bit out to me though. As in, how is it that you are all set out to blame me for this Error which totally comes under your jurisdiction.Reminder – You are the one,who forgot to Spot when there was time – the fact that the Battery in K's phone was running Low. I mean Duh – you even forgot to notice the fact that – during the afternoon as the game began for India, when K put the phone on charge, thinking it was going to get charged – it didn't.Why? Because in your absent mindedness – you forgot to Turn on the Switch!!! Also please note – You are the One who also forgot to Carry K's Powerbank – in a Rush to just get into the Cab to go see Arnav. So How is this any of my Doing? From where I see it – It's totally an Error that's got to go down in Your Books.

Exactly Dear Heart, thank You for That. I scowl at my Mind Imaginarily. Now look, what situation has your carelessness got us into, Dear Mind. I haven't even able to Text Arnav at all, since 11:43 freaking PM. Because just as I sent out that last text to him, sitting in the Cab and spotted my battery running out, because of the Ohone alerting me with the Noticfication – it already was too late, because before I could send out my next half written text to him saying – that – Oh No Arnav..my battery's running out – Dear Phone decided to Die Down on Me. And we were obviously not going to ask the Cab Driver to turn around to take us back to the Accomodation, because he anyway agreed with so much difficulty to drive down to Manchester at this time of the Night, and secondly, even a ten minute delay in going around back to get the power bank would – shorten my time in seeing Arnav by ten whole freaking Minutes!! So yup...now here we are on our way To Manchester – but I haven't been able to get in touch with Arnav at all, specially in a moment that he maybe needed me the Most.What must he be thinking off me right now guys?? That I am unavailable and unreachable at the most crucial time? Ohh Godaamit. I hate this. Dear Mind – I do have to say this again. I am Royally Pissed at You – Indeed. Or know what – Lets make that – Royal Pissed * Infinity* Infinity.

Dear Mind sighs and says now. Ok K and dear Heart...fine...I do accept that I made a Major Slip Out here. But hey K, don't scowl that way, look at the plus point, the Cab driver did tell us about five minutes ago that we will be reaching Manchester about ten minutes before 3am, because the transit time didn't get delayed due to traffic. Because Duh – we got the Night Time – Bonus.Which means that we are going to see Arnav soon. Just Imagine the Shock + Surprise on His Face. Also, it was good that you did get some Sleep as well – K. It was totally refreshing to just restart my software.

Dear Heart chuckles. Haaa K, look at dear mind trying to divert from the topic. Cheeky aren't you Organ Walnut Look Alike?

My Mind grins. Ohkk, how did you even come up with that?

My heart. Well if you can tag me Organ Know it all – I can tag you with the name – Organ Walnut Look Alike, surely. I mean they do say that the brain resembles how a Walnut looks.Right K?

I nod. Yup Dear Heart, you are totally right about that. well , yes though it is a good thing that we shall be arriving at Hilton Grand in the next Five Minutes or So. Sigh...but still a lot of hours gone, without being in touch with Arnav. What must he be doing? Has he slept? I am sure Akash, Anjali, bhai – must have been with him for a bit. Did he go off to sleep, looking at his phone..wondering where I am???? Ughhhhh – I hate this. If only I could borrow Danny's Dragons and fly here faster. You know she keeps flying across from Winterfell to the Wall, or to Kings Landing on the back of her Dragon at a speed much faster than these, Man made Wheels?

My Mind and Heart chuckle now as they say in unsion. If Only, we could. But anyway – we are so excited about seeing Arnav in minutes from nowwww. Don't even ask about the collective party the rest of the organs are indulging in K – you tell us – are you excited to tell him, how you feel?Just reconfirming – you are going to tell him you love him tonight surely right?? As in – now that the two of us have submitted our final perception report to you a couple of days ago – about how we surely think, there are high chances that he feels the same way.

I smile a little now. Oh Yes, I do want to tell him how I feel obviously. That confession from me to him is totally priority as well, but first ill have to soothe down his anger no – he's totally going to scowl knowing I got into a Cab on impulse in the middle of the Night.And that too with My Phone being all Off.

My Mind sighs. Oh yes, I am totally expecting him to start on a Banter on the Same, with raking his hand through his head in frustration with that scowl up his face. You just can't be so Careless about this, Sparkle. What if something went wrong?? What if something happened to you – Dammit.

My lips chip in smiling. Oh, K – you better just silence him with a Kiss then ok? as in I am all out for these adorable banters between the two of you, because of the way he just kisses us after. Ohhh we Swoonnnn – obviously.

I chuckle to my Insides collectively.

And it is right then that I hear the Cab drivers voice come through now, distracting me out of my inner thought rant – " maam, we are pulling into Hilton grand in about three minutes or so.."

I say now – " thank you so muchhhh..."

Right then I hear My Mind say. Hey K, how are you going to meet Arnav as in, yes you know his room no and everything but You cant just go past the reception to his room or something, without raising much suspicion. Also I suggest now that you'v made it this far, don't tell him yet as in I think it's good that your phone is off anyway

Did you just have to remind me off that Dear Mind? Maybe I just need to sentence this Phone into Banishment guys? And get myself a new One? As in its been more than a couple of years anyway – I think the Battery's anyway facing some Health issues off late, for it does deplete a lot faster.

Dear Heart chuckles. Oh no- K. do not punish the phone for no fault of it, just like you banished the shoes last time. The battery depletes faster – because of all your overusage off it in staying connected to Arnav, My Love.Also,I think what dear mind, means to say is that ,if your phone would be On , I think you totally would have let this information slip, and we would have missed that Epic reaction on his face, that we are now going to see.

Hmmm. Ok Dear Heart. I agree with you on that – maybe its not the phone's fault.And good point made there dear Mind.

Dear mind grins. Ok and before you remind me that it's my Fault – K. I have an idea to propose. Look If you do not want to raise too much suspicion and if at the reception they ask you which room no and everything as in, are you a guest at the hotel - just say that you are, stating Akash's name. He is there at the Hotel only. You know his room no as well.

Dear heart says now smiling. Oh yes, K. Take Akash's help on this.He will help you maintain the secrecy cover as well in the Hotel to make sure you aren't spotted around as well.

Yes guys, but for that I will have to tell him who I am, as in that why do I need to see Arnav at this time in the night. He will surely wonder na.

As the car now pulls into the driveway of Hilton Grand – I hear My Mind and Heart say with a grin. We know, K. But you gotta do, what you gotta Do.Anything, for Arnav, My Love.

I pay the Cab driver now, and thank him a zillion times for the trip and I take deep Breathes as I set my foot into the Hotel.

Yup.

Guys.

You Gotta do - What you Gotta Do.

I needed to see Arnav – that is what I am here for, and for that if I need to take Akash's help right now.

Then So Be It.

Anything – for Arnav, My Love.

.................................................

250 AM – Akash's ROOM

Akash, stirs in his sleep as the blaring rings from the intercom landline, from the sidetable next to the bed – falls in his ears. He stretches out his one hand sleepily, leaning up on his other elbow as he switches on the night lamp, opening his one eye to look at the time on small digital clock on the sidetable. It was 2:50 AM. He wondered who could be calling him at this time in the night. Was it Payal?

But why would she ring up on the Hotel's extension and not his phone?

Inquisitiveness got the better of him as he picked up the landline sleepily, and he says into the Phone – " Helloo.."

And he is surprised to hear a voice come through, which he assumed is the voice off the Hotel's staff member on duty at the reception desk at this time – " hello Mr Akash, I am very sorry to disturb you at this time of the night, but I am afraid the matter is of utmost urgency...atleast that's what she says it is..."

Akash asks, puzzled fighting his yawn – " she?? Who she??"

The Staff's voice – " someone's here to see you..she's insisting its urgent..she's now gesturing me to hand her the phone..so that she could speak to you herself..."

Akash says, puzzlement taking over him – "yes...ok....hand her the phone..."

And now he is more shocked to hear a familiar voice, which he instantly recognises, come through the receiver of the landline – " Akash...I am so sorry for this ya...like sorry pakkka se wala for this , but I wouldn't have troubled you this way, if it wasn't very urgent..."

He asks, sitting up in bed now – " khushi, is that you?? it's you isn't it??"

He hears her reply – " yes, its me only Akash...acha listen na...I need to see you..thike..it's really urgent.."

Akash says, pressing the master button next to the bed to switch on the rest of the lights in his room – " ok..but how are you here at this time? As in weren't you supposed to be in Taunton?"

He hears her say in a rush – " areee baba...I will tell you everything...but first I need your help..as in to take the elevator up to the rooms, I need the guest key card..if you can just tell the gentleman at the reception to help me with that.."

Akash says now, his head being clouded with puzzlement and amusement – " ok...Khushi...give him the phone..."

He hears her say all relaxed – " ohh great..thank you so much Akash , for this, I owe you like big time..i am handing him the phone now..ill see you up in two minutes..then.."

Akash – " ok Khushi..."and he talks to the Hotel staff and instructs him to help Khushi with the needful.

Once he is done with that – he quickly gets off his bed and drinks up some water to just wake up his sleep, wondering deep in thought as to what could Khushi be doing here in the middle of the night? And that too, why Here? At the Hilton Grand? She obviously knows that Rahul and Anjali are staying at another Hotel nearby.

Also, what did she want to Speak to Him About?

He shrugs in puzzlement as he is totally unable to wrap his head around this bit, and waits for the knock on his door, because only once he saw Khushi would he have the answer to this – he thought.

About two minutes later, he hears the knock on his door now and he walks over immediately and opens it up to see, Khushi standing there all smiling at him nervously, and she says sheepishly – " okkk...sorry, sorry , sorry like superbig time for this...for I hate to disturb your sleep at this time...but what to do ya..i had like no other freaking option, thike? You aren't mad at me right?"

Akash chuckles, biting back his grin. He did look at Khushi as his little sister too. And over all this while, he'd grown really fond of her as an extended family member and he'd also often started calling her Junior, fondly at times,just like Rahul does.He says – " thike Junior..no worries..i am not mad at you..i am sure this is very important...come on in..how's the training going on in Taunton...Rahul did tell us all about it, that you are loving it..but now that you are here...It's better to ask you about this, in person..."

Khushi nods and makes her way in and just as she enters the room, she starts to pace around nervously as she asks – " ok training is going good..yes definitely...I am loving it...but I can't talk much about that bit now, since I am running short on time...so first thing out...you need to help me with your phone charger...my battery freaking died out on me, just when I needed it the most...oh wait..but you use the Iphone..and mine is Samsung, the plug in, in the usb is different for both these gadgets...uff ya...just why can't apple make more compatible data cables...you know the one's that kind off can help out all the other co-brands in the time of dire need..."

Akash chuckles now – " yup...true that...our phone's battery dying down totally does equal into a situation off a dire time for sure, Junior.."

Khushi rolls her eyes as she continues to pace nervously, and says to herself now – " ok Khushi...stop thinking about your phone right now..we will figure this out later..."

Akash asks now, inquisitive and amused – " and does Rahul know that you are here Junior??"

Khushi stops pacing nervously as she looks at him, shaking her head and gesturing a No- No- No – " oh no no no Akash...bhai obviously doesn't know...like he can't know...not right now atleast thike? Also if I wanted him to know I would have gone to the hotel where is na, and not come here...also please you can't tell anyone about this..pakka se...not even Anjali...not even Payal...like this totally has to remain like a top shot secret in between of us..."

Akash asks puzzled – " what can't I tell them Junior??and what do you mean, top shot secret???"

Khushi sighs as she leans against the mantle in his room – " that I came here...and that too this way in the middle of the night, obviously...but it's like I just had to na..." She resumes pacing nervously.

Akash asks now – " ok Junior I get it, I wont tell anyone you came here, provided you tell me whats up with you, as in...what are you so nervous about? You are totally reminding me of bhai right now with all this crazy at the speed of light pacing...he was pacing this way a while ago as well..before he crashed to sleep..."

Khushi pauses in her track now as she asks – " he was??"

Akash nods now, puzzled – " yup, totally...and now that I think off it, his nervousness seems to be strangely similar to yours.."

Khushi says now, immediately concerned – " Is he ok though? as in was he very disturbed before he slept off kya? Surely the loss obviously is hurting him too, he's surely being so hard about that catch out in his head, like...personally... oh godammit...im just going to say it outright now...Akash...I am here because I need to see Arnav...and you are obviously going to help me with that...I obviously had to seek you out for help..because I do not want to raise too much suspicion on this right now.."

Akash asks, in a state off confused daze – " wait what? you are here because you want to see bhai?? Why do you want to see bhai at this time in the middle of the night??also, why is there so much overwhelming concern in your tone, as you voiced what you just did in that prior bit..."

Khushi sighs as she says now, knowing that she cannot delay in telling Akash this, because she anyway had limited time - " because I am obviously concerned to bits ya Akash...as in it totally felt like I had to come here, in the middle of the night, the minute I spotted him walking off the pitch with so much angst dripping in his eyes, after he lost his wicket, like I just had to be here for him...."and she pauses as she spots Akash still looking at her in a gobsmacked daze as he is trying to connect the dots and she says now – " ok...im cutting the long story short...I am her...Akash.."

Akash looks at her bewildered – " her who??"

Khushi says now, nervously, knowing this is what Arnav refers her as to Akash in conversations – " Arnav's secretive someone...its Me..."

That from Khushi, immediately makes Akash's eyes widen to the size of cups and saucers as he asks in a surprised and shocked daze, with his one hand to his waist and the other by his head in bewilderment, as he starts to pace around in the room, now – " did I hear you right Junior?? Did you just say that you are bhai's secretive someone?? You and bhai are dating? You and bhai, are together...as like a couple????"

Khushi nods now, smiling sheepishly as she says – " yes Akash...it's me...I am Miss. Secretive Someone...yes, me and Arnav are dating, yes ,we are together.....and please you just have to keep this a secret also thike, like you cannot tell anyone...please especially not Anjali, because if she knows that Bhai will know too...and he's just not in the frame of mind yet to accept the fact that his little junior can date too...."

Akash continues to pace around in the room now as his mind works at a fast speed connecting the dots and he asks amused – " I can't freaking believe this, the two of you have been so sneaky and cheeky about this, right under all of our noses..."and he pauses now and looks at Khushi – " oh god..the brilliant pretence act the two of you have been putting up ,at all our family gatherings..."

Khushi smiles sheepishly as she says – " acha Akash pakka se, we will fill you in on the details later, first please just take me to him na...as in help me maintain the secret bit also, since I do not want to be spotted as well...its already 3:05 AM now and I do have to leave back for Manchester by 6am or 615am at the max...because I have an intense training session with the team, beginning at 10am..."

Akash asks, smiling – " you came all the way here, to just see him for a couple of Hours,Junior?"

Khushi nods her head – " yes Akash...ofcourse...I just had to be there with him, right now, even if it was for a while..i know he is low...and I promised him, that I'd always be there with him in his lows surely...as in its ok if I miss out the high's..but never the low's and I was just hours away na...so just had to make it here..no matter what...acha now jaldi na...can we go to his room...im sure he slept wondering where I was...this stupid phone ya....ditched me last freaking minute, as I got into the Cab..."

Akash bites back his smile now, and nods at Khushi and gestures her to join him to make the way to Arnav's room. All his worry about his brother's secretive someone's identity – washing away in a split of a second, as he feels a happy calm take over his insides on the thought of Khushi and Arnav - being together. Not only was he extremely fond of her, himself – Khushi was Family, anyway.

He looks at Khushi, walking up in nervous anticipation next to him now, adjusting her sling bag across her shoulder and he says now, pulling Khushi's leg – " so turns out that both my siblings are officially crazy about, the Gupta siblings..."

Khushi chuckles as she says, smiling happily – " oh yes...it's likewise too you know Akash...turns out both bhai and me, are crazy about your siblings too..."

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ARNAV'S ROOM – 3:08 AM

ARNAV'S POV

I stir up in my sleep, which anyway did not come easily to me, because of all the worry and concern I was consumed with, because of not being able to connect to my Sparkle.

And why do I stir up in my sleep?

Because I am disturbed by the knocks on my door + the sound of the chime of the doorbell on my Room's door.( First thing out, I am not a big fan of these little doorbells being placed on our rooms in the Hotel's, but well that's not for me to look into , that is the job of the people within the Hospitality industry.My job is to Just go back to Sleep, Just Now – and just Ignore these Knocks + Doorbell chimes)

Why?

Because I need my Sleep.The only thing that's going to help me feel sane until the Morning comes, and I wake up to see a text message, from My Sparkle.

I groan, ignoring the sounds coming from the door, burying my head back in my pillows – as I instruct my head to just focus on going back to Sleep.

BUT.

Apparently, whoever it is at the door right now, is adamant on ruining my sleep – because the doorbell, now starts to shrill through often.

Godammit.

I groan as I yank my duvet aside, and switch on the side lamp. It's freaking 3:09 AM. Who on Earth, wants to see my scowling face at this time of the Night?( Why Scowling? Three Reasons. Obviously. First – Personally, I am still amidst processing the loss of my wicket at the most crucial moment of the match and how we lost out in the World Cup Race. Second – for the first time ever, ever since I have known Khushi -I actually had no option but to sleep, without talking to her, and I hate it – obviously. On that note,it's been 5 Months 2 days since she stepped into my personal space on the night of Feb 16, and changed everything about it, eventually). Third – My anyway distracted sleep slumber has just been disturbed in the middle of the Night)

I get off my bed now, leaving just the night side lamp on and walk to the door and yank it open in frustration and just as I see the sight of my brother standing there with this amusing grin up his face, with his arms folded across his front, I ask, groaning – " Akash...its you? why would you wake me up this way? Do you have any idea what the time is 3:09 am? Weren't you the one who asked me to just focus my energies on getting some rest? And here you are, banging on my door as if god knows what happened....but hey..wait...Is everything alright???"

I switch on the light that's right next to the door, that falls as a spotlight on the entry passage now.

Akash nods and grins and says – "yes everything's okay bhai, and if I am not wrong, it's going to be more than just okay in just about a second..."

I sigh – "well the smile on your face tells me, everything is okay...which means that I just need to go back to bed.."

Akash chuckles – " won't you ask me, why am I here at this time bhai??"

I shrug my shoulders – " you did say that everything is alright Akash, so let's talk in the morning...you know my mood's anyway on the verge of being defined as Rotten..."

Akash asks sincerely – "why so bhai? Were you still not able to get in touch with your secretive someone...before sleeping?? As in did she not text or call at all??"

I sigh as I say – " yup...that's exactly why Akash, anyways...I am sure she's just dozed off as well, since she had a physically draining day too, like I said, I think I will just have to wait till the morning to speak to her...."

And right then I hear a familiar voice fall in my ears – " areeee....why?? do you actually think, that you'd have to wait till the morning Arnav??but I toh can't wait until the morning na...like the wait till the morning will drive me crazy *infinity.."

My Insides Freeze.

Wait.

What?

Did I just freaking hear the Voice that I did?

This Voice is my Sparkles.

Wait.

Did I just Hallucinate her Voice?

Surely, so.

Because I can only see Akash standing in front off me with the sincere expression on his face. There is no one next to him.

What's up with you – Raizada.

You've officially lost your Marbles in Love.

I just shrug the hallucination of the voice aside as I say to Akash – " goodnight then...ok?? I will see you in the morning.."

Akash smiles a little now as he asks – " bhai...are you just going to pretend as if you didn't hear this voice at all??"

Ok.

That from Him – Obviously Jolts me from the rest of my Sleep as I ask in a shocked Daze – " wait what?????? did you just hear this voice too??? Like did you just a hear a voice that's familiar to..." and I pause. Because obviously how do I ask my brother – did you just hear a voice familiar to Khushi's. He will obviously wonder why I am hallucinating her voice.

Akash nods – "oh yes, I did, and I totally think this voice is similar to Junior's...as in you know Rahul's little sister, Anjali's future sister in law...Khushi...."

I ask in a confused daze – " waittttt whattttt???? Are you saying that you just heard Khushi's voice too????"

Akash nods.

And I ask in a daze to reconfirm – " So you mean... I did not just hallucinate that??"

WHAT THE FREAKING HELL IS HAPPENEING?

Akash – " oh yes I think I just heard Khushi's voice too, bhai...and no you did not just hallucinate that..."and he bites back his grin now as he says – " or wait bhai...you mean you feel like you just hallucinated Khushi's voice...because that's also the voice of your secretive someone....isn't it??????????????"

OK.

WHAT???????????????????????????

WHAT DID AKASH JUST SAY??

ONE THING'S FOR SURE.

ALL MY SLEEP'S VANISHED STRAIGHT OUT OF THE WINDOW.

I ask him in a shocked daze now – " wait...what??????????????? what did you just say????????? How did you even..."and before I can complete my sentence, the words are snatched away from my mouth in a shocking revelation as I see Khushi, jump out from the side straight next to Akash as she says now, biting back her smile – " sorry ya...Arnav....i just like had to take Akash's help on this na...as in, imagine if at the reception desk I mentioned...I am here to see Arnav Singh Raizada...it would be like taking a risk na as in,the staff would have just leaked it out in some way maybe – A mysterious girl came to see, the Captain of the Indian Cricket Team in the middle of the night, so now because the situation demanded it, I obviously had to let Akash in on our secret...and yes...I made him promise like a pakka se wala promise that it's going to remain a secret in between the three of us...but yes...after I leave, he's totally going to grill you..ache se...I just requested him to postpone that grilling session with you though...because I am running short on time na...."

WHATTTT AM I SEEING?

Ok this is Not Happening.

Raizada - Clear Your Head.

Akash didn't just say what he did.

I step back in a Confused Daze – as I ignore Khushi's VISION because ,it's surely just another one of my hallucinations, and this time around I am actually seeing a Vision of My Sparkle, when I know that she's probably just sleeping all snugly back in her room, in Taunton and I say now – " ok...I think I am still being clouded by the remains of sleep...i am seeing and hearing things that aren't real Akash...you just didn't say what you did...and I am going back to sleep.."

I look next to Akash, though for a second. The Hallucinating vision of My Sparkle is still there, standing grinning mischievously next to him. Also this Vision of her is looking way to adorable to my eyes, because – she's in her Denims and the replica of my playing Jersey, for India. Just look at the way my Vision is playing with me Guys. As in just because I am aware that My Sparkle, has been watching most of our World Cup matches, in this get up and I love the look of my Jersey on her – that's exactly what my Hallucinations are imagining.

I look at Akash, whose biting back his grin now and he says – " are you sure you want to go back to sleep bhai?? As in please don't tell me you still think you are imagining this..and it isn't real.."

And just like that I watch rooted at my spot in astounded daze –as both Akash and the hallucinated vision of my Sparkle burst into a little laughter and Akash says seconds later – "just look at bhai's face, he's still thinking this isn't real...know what..just go on in, Junior...you be with bhai right now...I will talk to him in the morning..." and he looks at me and he says shaking his head – " still can't believe how excellent the two of you have been with your pretence mode, right under all our noses bhai...I am going to grill you tomorrow..just you wait...also don't worry you two...your secret's safe with me...also junior just ring me up on extension when you want to make your way down back ok? I'll help you get through – unspotted..." and I am still rooted to my spot in that astounded clouded daze, trying to process the scene in front off me as I now see the vision off My Sparkle, nod at Akash and I hear her thank him once again, and she steps into my room now and just closes the door shut.

WAIT.WAIT.WAIT.

IS THIS REAL?

IS MY SPARKLE REALLY HERE?

OR MAYBE I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF A DREAM..PERHAPS?

I close my eyes, as I step back in my footsteps a little.

My Movement feels real though. Doesn't really feel like a Dream.

It is right very then, I feel My Sparkle flinging herself into my arms as she hugs me tight holding onto me hard and I hear her say softly – " just look at the expression of daze on your face..skipper blue..i love it...totallyyyy...and no...this isn't a dream...Arnav...it's me....i am here...for Real...for real * infinity...right here in front of you, with you...I had to come to you...I just had to...I couldn't stay away, after seeing you mask the hidden angst and pain in your eyes, from the world, after you lost your wicket tonight, or during the post- match presentation..."and she hugs me even tighter as she says – " I just had to see you tonight...even it was for a couple of hour's...I just had too...I promised you didn't i? that I'd always hold your hand tighter in your Low's and I obviously understand exactly what you must be feeling , after what happened in the game tonight...so how could I not come????how are you Arnav? Are you ok????"

HOLY HELL.

REALIZATION STRIKES.

GUYS.

IT'S HER.

KHUSHI.

MY KHUSHI.

My Sparkle is Here, right here in my arms.

She Came!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She came to be with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tides of overwhelming emotions of Love, consume my being immediately as I hug her back tighter now, engulfing her into my frame, holding onto her – Tight in my arms in a stunned silence.

I feel her hug me back all tighter as she says, softly – " just hold me tighter, will you please??i just want to hold onto you this way for a couple of minutes......"

I do.

I obviously Do.

I hug her as tight as I could, basking in the warmth of the Moment of having here – with me, for Real.

I can't Freaking believe she Cameeee!!!

She actually Camme!

I am hugging onto her hard as I kiss her head now, lovingly – "you came dammit?? You are here with me, right now, I can't freaking believe this...still feels like a dream, Sparkle."

Khushi hugs me tighter as she places a soft kiss on my heart and whispers snuggling into my arms, happily – " yes, I am here...right here with you...my stranger..you aren't the only one who can do crazy stuff like climbing the hostel gates and rusty staircases to just come sneak up moments with me...I can do my fair share of bit too...how could I not come to you??"

I chuckle at that, as I just engulf her into me tighter now remembering the fond memory she just mentioned and just like that – as I am hugging onto the love of my Life tight, I feel a thought come into my Head.

How is she here?

As in how did she come here??

Taunton is freaking three hours 30 minutes away by Drive and a little about two hours over by Train. No direct train runs over at this time of the night, which could only mean that she probably came here by Road?????

DID SHE JUST TAKE THE ROAD ALONE, ALL BY HERSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?

It's right then I hear her say softly, holding onto me tight still – "I am so sorry that we couldn't connect post 1143pm, I had just gotten into the cab about like five minutes prior when I wrote you those last two texts.. Arnav...the battery on my phone died out on me, and before I could send out the text to you saying that my battery is dying, my phone tanked...and I obviously didn't want to ask the cab driver to take a u turn, back to the accommodation to get hold on my powerbank since that would delay me by ten minutes or so which meant that it would shorten my time with you, also he anyway agreed with such great difficulty to drive all the way here in the first place..so I didn't want to risk losing my ride...I am sorry...so so sorry for being unavailable on phone...i am sure you must be wondering where I was...now you know don't you? I was on my way to see you. so that I could be with you in real time...." and she pulls back from my hug now and kisses on my hand happily and she says – " acha first thing out, help me with your charger na...please? I really really need to put my phone on charge...like nai toh this phone will tank on me again, on the way back..."

I nod at her and I walk to my sidetable, to hand her my Charger, plugging my phone out off it, but MY MIND'S FROZEN AT THE FIRST BIT – she said.

I see her put her phone on charge immediately and as I am taking in and processing the sight of her actually being in front of me right now, I just re-process everything she just said, about how she got here, and why we couldn't be in touch after her last text to me.

DID SHE JUST SAY THAT SHE TOOK A RANDOM CITY CAB FROM TAUNTON TO MANCHESTER AND WAS ENROUTE ON THE ROAD FOR THE LAST THREE HOURS THIRTY MINUTES, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT – ALL ALONE BY HERSELF – WITH HER PHONE OFF??????????

WHAT THE?

IS SHE INSANE OR WHAT??

HOW COULD SHE BE SO CARELESS ABOUT HER SAFETY?

WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HER? WE ARE IN A FOREIGN FREAKING LAND. SHE CAN'T JUST HOP INTO RANDOM CITY CABS AT THIS HOUR IN THE NIGHT. DID THE CABBY KNOW? THAT HER PHONE WAS OFF?

I hear her say to herself now – " ok I am sure the minute I switch on the phone, I am going to see your texts and missed calls...but know what Arnav? I will check that bit out later...as in when I am on my way back,let the phone be on off only whilst its getting charged...that way no disturbance also whatsoever just you and me...and I am obviously just going to put an alarm on this digital alarm clock right here...for about 555 am and then another one for 605 am...you know because it will take us about ten minutes to just say bye and everything and if I leave by 615 also it will be ok..."

Godaammit.

While,she is caught up in all of that – in my Head, all my Thoughts are going all Haywire, with the thoughts off what could have gone wrong with Her tonight.

YUP.

Now.

I AM MAD.

ROYALLY MAD.

She turns around now, to see me rooted to my spot still and she hugs me instantly again as she says , chuckling– " ohooo...ok the daze on your face tells me that you still think me being here, isn't happening for real,Arnav...areee I am here for Real...like I am not a hallucination thike...its me, see I am going to hug you even tighter now...."

I hug her onto myself possessively for a couple of minutes, glad that she is all safe and sound within the circle of my arms right now, as I kiss her head about five times over but I do need to talk this out with her, so I pull back instantly now, as I try to keep a check on my angry tone as I ask her, holding her by her shoulders – " Sparkle, did I just freaking hear you right? you took a random city cab here, in the middle of the night, with your phone off??"

Khushi shoots me a nervous look now as she says softly, keeping her nervous eyes now locked with my angry ones.She surely can see the anger in my eyes. And I am sure she also understands where it's coming from – " yes Arnav...I did...look I know...you are mad at me for this bit...as in...I was anticipating that you would be mad...but...you please understand na...i just had to come to you...I couldn't stay away...not when I was just hours away from you.."

I step back in my angry daze as I rake my hand through my hair in sheer frustration – " Sparkle, I love the fact that you are here, yes..i love that...but yes dammit you are also right about what you already anticipated, I am so freaking mad at you for this...how could you be so careless dammit?? How could you????? what if something went wrong? What if something happened to you?????? what would I do then??? What If that cabby turned out to be some freak...what if he sensed your phone was off, and you were in the vulnerable situation, with no one to reach out too... you do know there are a zillion freaking things that could have freaking gone wrong in this stunt of yours tonight...didn't you think of any of this, through at all???and not only that..you literally didn't even tell Jess about this..."

And to my Surprise, I see Khushi bite back her grin now as she continues to gaze at me nervously, keeping her eyes locked with mine – as the expression on her face turns adorably innocent as she says – " I know you are wondering, why I am biting back my grin Arnav...its totally because my dear mind and heart literally had imagined this very scene at the back of my head...as in...everything that you just said...I anticipated it all...in my head, as in just as the cab was about to pull in here, at the hotel...also I couldn't even tell Jess na..as in I thought in my head I will tell her all about it from the cab thike? But then you know my phone tanked..."and she looks at me with widened innocent eyes, a look she knows melts my heart and she says – " literally I am telling you, Arnav..i imagined this exact scowl on your face, with the exact same brush through your hair as well...the one you just did stepping back..."

I say now in frustration, sure that she could read and understand every bit off it – " and yet you are biting back your grin?? you think it's funny? Don't you?? you obviously think it's funny?? Godammit you...Sparkle...it's not freaking funny...alright...you have no idea, what I am going through in my head right now...dammit...and no...don't you look at me with that look right now...you know that lookof yours melts me..you know it does...."

I turn around in my step around as I walk over to, yank the master switch open to bring the rest of the lights on, and I bang my hand on the nearest wall in frustration because of the anger my mind was feeling, right now amidst my Happiness in the Heart.

I obviously turned around, because the look on her face, was starting to have its impact on me, and I did need to get my point across to her, that she could never ever be so careless about her security ever. She could have at least gone around and had her power bank on her to have that life up her phone, so that she could have been in touch with either of us on the way.

Also.

I am conflicted in my emotions because I don't want to be Angry at her right now, as I know she came here just for Me. But seems like, I just can't help it.I just cannot stop the visions of a zillion things that could have gone wrong with My Sparkle, on the road in the middle of the night. Tonight.

And she had no way of reaching out to any of US as well.

I feel her hug me from behind now as she clutches on the front of my shoulders tight, pressing her cheek into my back snugly – " I know Arnav...I know...I know your head's consumed with thinking everything that could have gone wrong maybe...but hey nothing wrong happened, see I am here with you all safe and sound, like totally...my cab driver turned out to be so genuine as well, please don't think about the what If na...in your heart you are happy no?? please tell me that you are?? I just wanted to be with you, Arnav...I didn't care about anything else...like what do I do ya...as in I was so overwhelmed with all these emotions within me...I just could not get myself to stay away from you tonight...."

I feel my anger get a tad bit overshadowed by my emotions for her. I stay put in my spot with my back to her as she continues to hug me from behind and I say, honestly and curtly– " Sparkle, no dammit...no...you just cannot be this careless about your security ever..alright? you just freaking cannot do this to me dammit...do you have any idea what I went through at first because I couldn't get connected to you?? and now that I know you were on the road all by yourself, with your phone off, on your way to me...as much as it makes me happy in my heart...in my head I am just beyond pissed, obviously.."

Khushi hugs me tighter now from behind as she says, softly – " in my promissory summon, I listed this out so very clearly my stranger, that...I'd do all I could ,to just be with you in low's....then how could I not come???? You at least understand that bit off it don't you??You remember our promissory summons na?? please don't be mad na...acha see..we anyway have limited time...as in...I do have to leave back maximum 615 am in the morning, to make it back in time for training with everyone which starts at 10am as you already know....My Stranger...pleaseeee..pretty pleaseeee...... acha tell me what can I do to just soothen your mad at me mood right now? and please know I understand where it's coming from as well...thike? But like I said...nothing happened...then why think off it??"

Ofcourse I remember our Promissory Summons – Sparkle.

Guys. I know she is right about this – Why Think off what didn't happen, and now I am back to being consumed with intense emotions for Her as my heart asks me to just waste no more time and just bask in the happiness that she actually came all the way here, to be with me for a couple of hours. And so,I just stay silent, closing my eyes, with both my hands still up on the wall, trying to wade my head through the frustration and compose it through by deleting all the crazy visions surrounding it, about what could have gone all wrong with my Sparkle tonight - so that I can just focus on the Happiness in my Heart – now.

....................................

Khushi's POV

HOLY HELL.

HE IS REALLY MAD AT ME.

I anticipated him being mad at me, but not like This Mad.

I THOUGHT I COULD TAKE IT.

HANDLE IT.

BUT APPARENTLY NOT.

I can't take it.

I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT.

I CAN'T HANDLE IT.

I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO CRY.

I hear my eyes, tell me for they have been welled up with emotions and a mix of tears for the last ten seconds as well, as I am seeing the sight of Arnav being this mad at me with his hands all up on the wall, with his back to me, as I am hugging him from behind. Yup, you are right about this, K. We do feel that the tears may fall out any second. I can't take the fact, He's not even Looking at me, right now. He hasn't even turned around – yet.

My heart and Mind say in a nervous unison. Yup..You are right about that, K. He is really mad.As in, REALLY MAD. ROYALLY MAD.Know what K? just give him some minutes by himself maybe? Maybe use the washroom as an excuse? We know you don't want to Use it though, but it's the perfect excuse to just wash your face maybe. We think dear eyes, need their moments as well. It's better if you just let those tears flow.

I take a deep breathe now as I step away from Arnav , as I say, sure that he could sense the vulnerability in my voice though– " ok...ok...I get it...you are so mad that you don't want to look at me right now..and just need some moments by yourself perhaps? Acha I am sorry na...sorry* infinity...ok hear me out...I will definitely have the powerbank with me at like all times from here on...like pakka se...so that I am able to stay connected to you, nonetheless..ohho.. You know I can't take it when you are like this mad at me Arnav...as in you've never been this mad at me...hmmm...ok...you still aren't turning around...ok..so.. acha listen I'll just use the washroom and just freshen up quickly and be back out in a jiffy...it was a long ride na..i obviously didn't have the car stop at any services station enroute as well...because that would just delay me here..and I obviously didn't want to get delayed by even a couple of minu.."and before I can finish my sentence, Arnav turns around in a jiffy, pulls me by the hand closer into him, pins me against the wall and cages me in his frame and closes his lips over mine immediately, as he begins to kiss me, bad, hard and deep.

It's almost like he is kissing me, pouring in the remains of his anger and frustration. And yet, there's something so gentle, intense and emotionally moving about the way his lips are moving over mine, in these intense urgent almost- still a little bit angry- moves.

He's never actually kissed me with remains of anger+frustration,ever before.

This is the First Time. And deep within I do know, it's totally driven by his emotions for me too, because that's how concerned he is about my Safety, which could also possibly mean that I mean the World to Him * Infinity indeed, and just the thought of anything going wrong with me has messed up his Head big time.

Guys.

In My Heart, I feel totally ascertained in my perception now.

My heart and mind, bask in a feeling of warmth as they say in unison. Bingo, K. This intense moment with Arnav just now – affirms that to us too. He Loves You – Madly. Just like you do!! We reckon an Overwhelming confession, coming up, K. Just brace yourself. We are all braced for the emotional impact.

And just this very thought that I might just hear him tell me he loves me, and be able to confess my feelings to him too, makes me feel like I am drowning into a pool of vulnerability, in a way I never have been before.My hands go around his neck on their own accord now pulling him closer into me, as I start to kiss him back pouring all my intense emotions for him in our Scorching deep prolonged french kiss. A couple of welled up tears do make their way down my eyes, now as well on its own accord, and Arnav immediately picks me up by the waist which makes me, wrap my legs around his waist snugly now, and he pulls his lips away from mine, pausing on our ravaging heated duel as he kisses the trail of my tears away on both my cheeks now tenderly, as he whispers – " open your eyes...please...Sparkle..."

I do.

I am sure, he's going to spot them Welled Up and that's going to make him send out a curse on himself.

And just as I anticipated, the minute Arnav looks into my eyes, he cups my face with one hand, with his one hand snug around my waist holding me intimately in support as my legs stay wrapped around his waist and he says, now sending out a curse at himself – " f*** me dammit...I made you cry...I am sorry Sparkle...I am so sorry..i didn't mean to Sparkle...I know you came here just for me, and I obviously love that...but I was silent for those last couple of minutes, not because I was getting angrier but because I was fighting all those visions in my head..of what could have gone wrong with you tonight... I had these haunting visions...they freaking messed me up...I am sorry...I didn't mean to hurt you, or to make you feel like you want to cry..."

I close my eyes as he keeps his forehead on mine and I caress his cheek, lovingly – " I know...I figured...and these tears aren't because I am hurt or something Arnav, it's because I am just overwhelmed with so many emotions right now, as in In my head I just thought I could handle you being mad at me, but I couldn't handle the fact that I wasn't going to be with you tonight and when I actually saw how mad you were, I just felt like, I couldn't take it, or handle it...I am sorry..i truly am....but see na this isn't my fault ok..as in I just had no option but to take the road, now only if Daenerys Targaryen would lend me her dragons...I'd fly here quick and all easy peasy just like how she whoosh's her way around from Kings Landing to Winterfell, the Wall, on that note she totally did fly it all around the seven kingdoms..na...??"

My mind winks at me. Good one K. that's going to totally make him chuckle. He loves GOT.

My heart. JACKPOT ALERT. I SENSE HIS ANGER IS MELITING. YUP. MELTING AS QUICK AS BUTTER.

MISSION ACCOMPALISHED.

Arnav caress my cheek now tenderly as he says – " godaamit you...you just didn't bring up this game of thrones reference in my face,right now Sparkle..."

I hold onto his collar in my fist now as I tighten my legs around his waist as I ask, basking in the emotion of feeling all his anger melt away in the vibe in between of us now for real and I ask now – " why?? Because it makes you want to chuckle?"

He caresses my cheek ,intensely in a possesive touch and chuckles – " you know it does...godaamit you...only you can make me feel like I am on a see- saw of emotions dammit...one minute I am consumed with worry and frustrations..and next minute with...." And he pauses and I ask, opening my eyes to him – " with what????"

My heart Winks at me. DUH.WITH Love.Obviously.

I bite back my grin now, looking into his eyes and I say now – " hey you...Mr Stranger, get your phrases right though...as in by see-saw of emotions – you surely mean the Yo-Yo of emotions you mean...you know like that YO-YO...that goes up all high to the SKY..."

Arnav says now, his eyes turning darker with intense emotions – "yes, that's exactly what I mean...a freaking- high Yo-Yo is in the works here, surely...you understand where all that mad bit was coming from don't you??? nothing can happen to you dammit...just about nothing can ever happen to you...Sparkle...you have no clue as to what you are to me dammit...you have no freaking clu..."and before he can complete that bit, I close my lips over his urgently , silencing him and I start to kiss him deeply and I pause in between our kisses as I say into his lips – " shh...sh....i understand...I do...I know...Arnav..i know.."and I resume to kiss him all deeply.

He's obviously not going to let me dominate our heated embrace as his lips take over mine, as he continues to probe his way in deeper, turning up the intensity of our already super intense deep prolonged french kiss. He tugs my hair open, urgently out of the band they were tied up in, fisting his hair into my loose hair , and I feel him carry me to the bed now, and he places me on it gently, and gets on top of me urgently as he resumes to kiss me deeply by cupping my face gently with his one hand and the other going around my waist again, encouraging me to wrap my legs around his waist again, and I happily oblige.

I love the feel of Being Embraced this Close into Him.

It feels Insanely Intimate. And I am not shy about admitting that out.

I am obviously also drowning in the pools of the Intense chemistry of our electric Passion and our vulnerable intense emotions for one another, at the same time.

He begins to caress my waist in an uber possessive touch as he lifts me a little up , so that we are now even more closely wrapped into one another and his hands now come to caress the side of my waist and they find their way to one of my backcurves as he caresses me possessively and intimately and he whispers into my lips, in between tender kisses – " noo...you don't know Sparkle...you don't know...as to why I feel like I won't be able to breathe...if anything ever happened to you...god forbid, what if your cabby was reckless with the speed because of less traffic at night and there was an accident...godammit...what if..." and I close my lips over his urgently again as I caress his back, pulling him closer into me, as I whisper into his lips in between tender kisses now – " shhhh...I am okay...I am okay..nothing will happen to me...I know...I know..what you mean Arnav..."

He Pauses in our Kiss now and looks at me intently in the eyes.

I caress his cheek tenderly as I keep my Gaze locked with his Emotional Ones, that are shining with love for me.

I LOVE YOU ARNAV.

AND I AM GOING TO CONFESS THIS OUT TO YOU – TONIGHT.

Right Here.

Right Now.

Staying embraced Intimately to You – this Way.

My heart and Mind sigh in a Collective Happiness. Finally, K. Finally.About time – K. About time, Indeed.

.........................................

ARNAV'S POV

She's saying she knows.

But Does she for Real?

I don't think so.

She surely has no clue as to how madly I love her.

Maybe this is the exact moment I voice it out to her.

I Cup her face tenderly with both my hands now, keeping my forehead on hers, loving the way we were embraced so closely into one another and she asks, me now, clutching onto my collar in a fist with her eyes closed – " you aren't mad at me anymore right?? I do feel like all of your angers melted away...but I obviously want to know from you.."

I consume her lips with mine, almost instantly again, emotionally and minutes later, I pull away from her lips as I ask – " what did that kiss tell you Sparkle??"

Khushi kisses my cheek instantly – " it tells me that you aren't angry anymore..."and she says now – " open your eyes, will you please??"

I do.

She says now, looking into mine sincerely – " I promiseee, I will take care in the future, Arnav..like pakka se wala promise..i hereby take an oath right here, right now that my phone shall always be fully charged henceforth...I won't let it tank out on me, so that I can always stay connected to you, the next time I want to pull through something like this on the basis of my impulsive emotions, in the middle of the night...ok?"

I caress her cheek with the back of my hand now, looking into her eyes intently – " yes...ok... also I will make sure of that Sparkle, for I am handing you over...all three of my powerbanks, straight out today...I will buy new ones for myself tomorrow...you are freaking taking all three of mine, put one in your cricketing kit, put one in this sling bag of yours that you always carry, and the other in your other big bag, and wait wait... I have this mini usb powerbank as well..which is going to go into your wallet as well surely..."

Khushi nods happily as she says – " uff ya....look at you...acha thike...if it makes you feel better...give me all your powerbanks thike??" and I grin now happily and immediately kiss her again, intently, cupping both her backcurves in my hands, caressing them deeply, loving the way she's moaning my name in my arms, in between our scorching kiss, right now and because I just had to tell her how I feel for her, I pull away my lips away from her's about ten minutes later – "just what did this kiss of mine tell you, Sparkle??"

Khushi looks at me in an affected daze as she says, cupping my face – " it tells me that you want to tell me something maybe??"

I chuckle as I say – " Bingo that, Sparkle..."

And she asks now, softly – " but hey..are you ok? Arnav as in?? I know you must be feeling so low, after...I obviously want to hear you out.."

I kiss her forehead as I say sincerely, now– " you are here with me dammit...I am obviously more than just okay Sparkle...and I do want to talk to you about that bit off it, but just feels like I want to talk about us first, before we get to talking about the rest..is that ok??"

Khushi nods, happily and she says now – " you know what?? I love the feel of being embraced this closely too you...Arnav.."

I grin to that as I ask – " ahaan? really do you now? guess what so do I, Sparkle, so do i..."and I immediately lean forward and trail a line of kisses down the sides of her neckline and I say, hoarsely – " I have something to say, that I can't push out longer, Sparkle..."and she says, softly as she moves her head aside to give me all the access I needed, as I continue to kiss her on the other side of her neckline as well – " I want to tell you something too Arnav...its important...can I go...first...remember I told you to remind me about this when we were together???"

I pause on my intense kisses down her neckline now and I cup her face to make her look into my eyes again and I say, sincerely – " yes I remember Sparkle...but how about if I go first, instead...for I have been obviously dying to just say this to you as well.."

Khushi says now, caressing my cheek – " how about if we say what we want to say together?? Ok??"

I nod at her with a grin, loving the emotions that I see for myself in her eyes right now. I know she is in love with me too. I just know it by the emotion I see in her eyes right now.And my gut tells me that, that is exactly what she is going to say as well and she say's now – " okay then.. on the count of one two three...okay?? I mean the supreme courts of the hearts + the high courts of mind suggest that its only fair...you know so that none of jumps over the count"

I nod – grinning.

Khushi says, now caressing my cheek just like I am caressing hers – " One..."

I say – " two.."

She says – " three..."

The very next second, with our eyes locked intently with one another, just like we were embraced into one another intimately as well, we both say in Unsion, now –

" I am in love with You...Sparkle..."

"I am in love with you...My Stranger.."

We both bite back our grins as our eyes continued to stay locked with one another's in an emotional gaze, that continues to turn intenser.

Finally.

Dammit.

Did I just freaking hear, My Sparkle say that she is in Love with me Too????

Did I just hear it with my very own ears for Real. I ask now, to reconfirm – " you did just say what you did right, Sparkle? as in please affirm that I heard you right?

Khushi says now, smiling , caressing my cheek– " yes...you did hear me right...also before My Supreme Courts of the Heart declare an official holiday to my insides on account of Massive Celebrations, just reconfirming my love...did I just hear you tell me, that you are in love with me too???

My Love.

Did she just Freaking Call me That?

That's it.

Not going to let her Breathe.

I nod at her – Intently in an affirmative answer and just like that we both lean into Kiss each other again, madly and I say into her lips, hoarsely, minutes later – " I love you so much, so godaamit much, Sparkle..."

Khushi continues to move her lips over mine intently as she says, into my lips, hoarsely – " I love you too ...so much so so so godammit much too..."

I kiss her harder as I whisper in between our haggered breathes – " just say that again, will you please?? tell me that you love me, dammit...keep saying it...also while you are at it...call me, my love...again will you please??"

She whispers in soft whimpers now as she continues to kiss me too – "Arnav, my love.... I love you...I love you so damm much...dear heart felt like it would burst with emotion, if I didn't tell you what I felt tonight...gosh...arnav..you have no clue how much I love you...you mean the world to me...now you know why I just had to be with you...right??"

I continue kissing her harder as I say into her lips – " I understand that bit..Sparkle..i do...godammit you...I love you too...so freaking much..you'v driven me nuts...officially nuts...a goner in your love..you are mine dammit...all mine...the love of my life.."

She whispers trying to dominate over her lips – " I love the sound of that, my Stranger..will you tell me that you love me again...Arnav..please...just say that again...that's all I want to hear, for at least the next couple of minutes...and voice the same to you as well..."

Ofcourse Sparkle.

I want to do the Exact same bit as well.

So that's what we Do.

We keep kissing each other madly and in between our Intense Precious Moments – we keep telling each other – that we love one another.

Over and Over again.

I know – on the Professional Front – our team has been knocked out of the World Cup – tonight.

But in these intense emotional moments with my Sparkle right now, I can happily say that on the Personal Front – My Heart's freaking Won the World CUP.

..................

A WHILE LATER

Arnav's POV Continues

My eyes fall on the Clock.

It's 5AM.

Already Dammit.

Why does time have to Fly as if it were the avatar of the supersonic jet, (The Concorde), that once used to be a part of British Airways fleet - when I am with My Sparkle?

We anyway met after 43 Freaking Days.And it's surely going to be a long time, until I see her next, now that BCCI is arranging us to leave for India, on Friday itself.

Couldn't Time just be Kinder? And Pause in it's Ticking.

Also She's going to leave in just about 75 minutes – from now.

Dammit.

I stopped kissing and caressing her madly at around 420 AM, when she finally paused in between our intense moments, stating that she really needed to catch up on her breathe, have some water and also freshen up.

And while she was freshening up, I obviously made her some coffee and ordered a multigrain egg sandwich as a snack, because I obviously figured that she must be a little hungry as well, since she did say that she did not have the car stop at all at the services station as well for any kind off stoppage, enroute. And in that moment,my heart was only drowning in intense emotion, (now that all my worry, and frustration about her safety had faded away) – as it all emotionally cemented in my Being, that My Sparkle had truly come all the way here to just be with me in my Low's. Also that she chose one of My Low's moment – to actually confess her love out to me. That obviously brought a zillion non-existent emotional strings to life as well, because at the back of my head, I had never imagined our confession to come around this way, as in when I was wading my way through the after effects of going through a Professional low.(well you know because obviously I am aware that I am being Bashed, left right and centre up online in the public forums and there are a zillion out there, questioning my Captaincy.The World Cup – loss always hurts longer).She truly did grip my Hand Tighter, as she had once said, she would which only cements my belief in my being – that I truly am the luckiest on the planet to have her as my partner in my Life. She is the only one – I am going to spend the rest of my Life with.

I am going to make it Happen.

Period.

On the Personal front - SHE SURELY WAS THE ONLY WORLD CUP – THAT MATTERED.

So,once she was out from freshening up, she found me waiting for her, with the cup of coffee in my hand, which she instantly took, kissing my cheek all happily and lacing her hand with mine as she stated – " ohhh my god..Arnav, I was just thinking to make myself some coffee, anyway..and also order something to eat, since dear stomach is in need for some food..."and once I told her that I had already ordered in for, she as usual made me promise that I'd share the meal with her – as we talked about my gaming disappointment now, since she obviously wanted to hear me out on that face to face.

And I cannot even begin to express the magnitude of emotions that continued to engulf me, as she held my hand, as we walked back to the bed and she sat up straight first and asked me to place my head in her lap,lying down, looking up at her face and she began to brush her hand through my hair tenderly, as she just asked me to begin talking on that aspect. I obviously asked her to atleast have her coffee, while she heard me out – which she thankfully did.

I spent the next twenty minutes or so, just pouring all my vulnerable disappointing thoughts to her, and she just heard me out patiently while, her soothing touch in my hair, obviously made me feel all better about the shreds of my gaming disappointment as well. And guys know what?? the Understanding smile on her face as she heard me out, told me that she knew, even before I could voice it out to her...that what must exactly I be feeling within.

Just like I almost know exactly what she's feeling within through her gaming disappointments.

This Unsaid Understanding in between of us – was Priceless.

She knew I was beating myself for that Catch Out – even though I had Masked it all out to everyone else, shrugging that it was a risk I had to take. But deep within, I was obviously questioning myself, that, maybe I could have just done better if I had stayed to my strength on playing out a Drive.She surely knew this in her head, as I was saying this bit out to her. Her eyes, told me that she knew.

She knew, that even though I was trying to be all practical and logical about the storm up Online, there was a vulnerable part within me that's so emotional about my game – all affected emotionally. (Even though I had not gone up online to check things out – I was aware that it was all blowing out of proportion and there surely were meme's going around with the phrase written – Useless Captain in Cap's with my face being blown up on it. Also,maybe first thing tomorrow in the morning in India– we'd all have our Poster's being burnt in front of the BCCI headoffice.And no matter how much we mentally condition ourselves as players to be ready to face our way through the low side, momentarily as and when it happens – its natural to obviously feel a tad bit shaken within, until we get to that point of just focusing on being able to embrace it with open arms.)

She just freaking Knew it all.

She freaking Understood it all.

Heard me out and Didn't for once say – that I shouldn't be feeling any of this, despite having so many years of gaming experience out there in the field...or the experience of experiencing the Media's High's and Lows.

And once I finished pouring my heart, she just held my hand, kissed it a zillion times over , and looked deep and intently into my eyes and empowered me with her encouraging, positive and supportive words, and helped me see the passage out of my disappointment, much clearly.She was there, with me in that Moment – as My Wall.

I think it will be fair enough to say – that I have fallen in Love – with my Sparkle, all over freaking again – truly,madly and deeply, tonight.

I'd never be able to forget the way she laced her hand with mine, tighter as she empowered me with her encouraging words. To be honest, trust me guys, in that moment it totally felt like – all I needed was her hand in mine- and I could freaking Conquer the World.

I could face anything – the Worst of the Low's – as long as she was there, holding my Hand – this Tight.

How Rare was it to be Blessed with a Love – as Pure and Precious as this, which is cemented with a promise that when the going gets tough for anyone of us or Us collectively, we just gotta hold onto Each other's hand tighter and not let go?

WHICH IS WHY I FEEL LIKE – I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BEYOND.And expressing Gratitude with regards to the same, shall never be Enough.

So anyway, to give you all a further context – whilst we were in the middle of kissing each other way to emotionally and poignantly after we finished talking, Room Service arrived. And I had obviously walked to the door, to just help us get that bit in, because I did not want anyone to spot the fact that I was not alone. And then, Khushi and me, shared the meal - happily, as I also confessed to her then, that I had realised that I love her, even before I first kissed her and we had gotten together officially. That obviously made her eyes get all widened adorably as she went on with her uber adorable – "Dear Supreme Courts of the Heart + high Courts of the mind, will you please take note on that, before you go back into a State of Euphoric Trans, and I think its only fair, if we let in Arnav, my love on the way I actually realised I am in love with him too"

And so that was we went on to talk and share with each other Happily as we continued to share the rest of the meal, and as I heard her bit off it out – I was obviously all off Bedazzled* Infinity, for sure.

So yup – we finished our meal about 5 minutes ago, and here I am right now, waiting for My Sparkle, to come back out from the washroom.

My eyes fall on the Clock again.

5:05 AM.

On that note – a thought's just striked me. And I quickly get to the extension by the bed side, and call up my brother. I obviously am guilty to bother him with this, right now. But Can't help it. I gotta do, what I Gotta do.

It's right then when I am in finishing talking to Akash, I also see Khushi walk over to me now grinning and beaming up at me in happiness, and I put the receiver down now, as I lean forward and pull her by the hand closer into me, so that she's now standing within the circle of my frame, with my arms snug around her waist possessively and she asks now, kissing my forehead gently, looking into my eyes – " Arnav, was the akash you were talking to just now???"

I nod as I say – " yes, Sparkle.."

Khushi rolls her eyes at me adorably – " but I told him I'd wake him up when It was nearing about 6am...then why did you wake him up abhi se only...see now I am feeling a tad bit guilty about disturbing him so much.."

I chuckle at that as I say kissing her hand – " ok I am going to tell you exactly why I called him...iv asked him to speak to the reception desk so that he can have the Hotel arrange a chauffeur driven car for you, Sparkle ...back to Taunton.."

Khushi gapes at me in surprise as her eyes widen adorably – " what??? no yaaa...I can totally just take like a normal city cab na it's like the morning now..which is like totally super safe thike..arnav...why go through so much...acha see na...i think if I check the morning train timings maybe..."and she reaches out to pick up her switched off phone, which was on charge.

And I stop her hand mid way as I stand up now, and loom over her, as I cup her face, making her look into my eyes – " no..please...you will not take the train or a city cab...for starters I did check the train timings the earliest one leaving to Taunton is at 8am..which means you won't make it back in time for training alright, and secondly – nope, no city cab again please dammit,do you want me to stay consumed with worry again? normal city cab drivers aren't that concerned about their speeding stuff and meters , so I don't care if its morning...I just want you take the hotel's chaueffeur driven car back on the road...because I just feel that the hotel's chauffeur's are going to be in line with their speed...ok?"

Khushi asks now, biting back her grin – " aha...so you mean, you already told Akash, to request the hotel staff to arrange their safest chaueffeur, for my trip back..."

I bite back my grin now as I caress her cheek – " well I did think, you'd catch onto that...Sparkle..i know..this is me being uber possesive about your safety...but..i can't help it Sparkle..you are my whole wide world...you don't mind this uber possessive streak of mine, do you?as in does it annoy you??"

She chuckles now as she hugs me tight – " no yaaaa...it does not annoy me...not at all...on the contrary..i love it, you know why?because I know exactly where its coming from.."and she snuggles into my arms now and she says, clutching onto my tee near my heart – " oh godammit, weekend be here already...I was thinking,Arnav..how about if we plan to meet in a smaller town which is like mid-way from Taunton and Manchester..maybe..."

Oh wait.

I totally forgot to talk to her about that bit of BCCI arranging for us to fly back on Friday and I pull back now from our hug and gesture for her to sit next to me on the bed and once she does, I just lace my hand through her's as I say, looking at her apologetically – " Sparkle...I am so sorry...I forgot to tell you about this but, amidst our moments...the BCCI is arranging for us to fly back on Friday, now that we are knocked out the tournament...so that we can just all take the weekend off to recoup and get set ready by Monday to just prep for the West Indies Tour..."

Khushi's eyes widen in an obvious disappointment now as she asks – " what???sachi mein??? Oh god....no.....yaa.."and she hugs me tight now from the side as we both know exactly what this means and I say softly – " I think its safe to freaking say that the BCCI is my big time enemy right now...Sparkle...for this just means, we won't be able to see each other for months in real time...because of the way our cricketing schedules clash..as in after Kia Super league..when you will be in India for a while, I will be in WI...and when I come back to India, you would have left for South Africa with the team...and even after that our tours are all clashed..when I am playing for India at home...you are playing abroad...godammit, I hate that I might have to leave early...I am sorry Sparkle..."

Khushi hugs me tighter as she says now – " hey...no...why are you sorry...its not like this is any of your fault thike??"

I sigh now and she instantly stands up and cups my face and says, looking sincerely into my eyes – " and before you go on beating about yourself over that catch out thinking..about the loss once again, let me remind of one thing Stranger...remember what I once told you?? the longer the distance..the higher the magnitude of the magnet in between of us...so please don't worry at all..k? we will figure something out thike? We always do...right??"

I nod as I kiss her cheek – " yes we will.."

She says now, biting back her grin –" and know what?? now that I know this, I am even more glad that I acted on impulse to come see you tonight..as in think na, otherwise id have to wait for so many months more to tell you how madly I love you, because I obviously wanted to do it like face to face...nai baba nai..my heart toh would have burst only...tell me again..how did you harbour it within your heart secretly for so long haan??"and she keeps her forehead on mine, lovingly.

I chuckle at that now as I push her back into the bed now, and get on top of her instantly now as I say, caging both her arms above in a gentle grip in my hands... – "because like I told you before, Sparkle...I couldn't risk losing my wicket here, by making you feel like I was putting some kind of unnecessary emotional pressure on you...I could sense it in my heart that you were heading there, just at a different speed from mine...that's all.. you see Sparkle..even though professionally we have been knocked out of the world cup race...on the personal front, you make me feel like I won the World Cup anyway...which means that you are the World CUP that matters the most..i love you dammit..."

Khushi bites back her grin now as she wraps her legs around me snugly – " ahaa...I love the sound of that.."and her eyes get overhwhelmed with emotion too as she says – " I love you too...so much...so so so much...I don't think I'd ever be ever to express how much, which sounds crazy though because...duh...look at how much I talk...but nope...I guess words won't be able to do justi..."

I kiss her, madly and intensely – immediately obviously.

About fifteen minutes into our heated duel, I whisper into her lips – " I agree with you on that Sparkle, words won't ever be able to do justice to express what I feel for you too...and yes, even though I did get mad at the mode of transportation you chose to come all the way here...but know what, now that I think off it, I am so freaking glad that you did Sparkle...thank you so muchhhh for coming, dammit...thank you so so much.."

She whispers back into my lips, in between the haggered pause in between our kiss – " I am so glad I came too...I am so freaking glad..glad* infinity surely...and you are most welcome..obviously..my love.."

My Love.

That Drives me Insane.

Again.

I resume kissing her, and caressing her like a mad man possessed as I ask in between – " you don't mind if I just focus on redeeming...all those kisses...you know the ones that come along with our banter clause...until that bloody alarm goes out on us, telling me that it's time for you to leave??"

Khushi moans my name into my lips because of the way I had just deeply caressed her gorgeous upper curves – "I'd be crazy to mind dammit...Arnav..also please note, I get some extra bits to redeem too, let's think off that bit as collective banter na...so let's do a collective redemption maybe.."

I whisper into her lips – " love the sound of that, Sparkle...collective redemption it is..."and just as I am about to consume her lips with mine again, I feel her caress my cheek now as she opens her eyes to me and says, with overwhelmed emotions swimming in her eyes – " I just felt something, that I want to say...can i??"

I nod obviously, kissing her forehead – " ofcourse Sparkle, go on please..."

To my Surprise, Khushi wedges up a little on her elbow under me now and she says caressing my cheek – " I loved the way..you just caressed me..you know the bit that made me moan your name into your lips...just now...I want to feel you caress me without this jersey on...just like I feel like caressing you the same way..."

That obviously makes me feel Intense Desire, go through my being for her, and I am sure my eyes have darkened with it as well, as I am looking at her intently to just ask her silently if she was sure, and she bites her lower lip now nervously as she says fanning her cheeks, adorably – " goddammit...see I am on Heinz mode already thike...I am blushing so freaking much...yes...I am sure my Stranger...this is what I want...I was just about a tad bit shy about admitting to you though...as in...just like thoda thoda shy though..not too much...because you know me na...once I'm pretty clear in my head and heart about what I want, I tend to follow it through..."

Oh Yes.

I know that Sparkle.

That bit from her makes me instantly pull my Tee Out and I throw it aside in a fraction of a nano second.Obviously

I look into Khushi's eyes, as I ask her once again – " are you sure, Sparkle?? I am afraid I am giving you ten seconds to rethink your decision...yup...ten seconds is all you freaking have.."

Khushi looks into my eyes and nods, caressing my cheek – " yes..i am sure...I want this Arnav, do want to know what it's going to feel like to have you touch me, bare...but Is it okay if it's just our upper-bodies for now??"

I am sure my eyes have turned into even darker pools swimming with both intense, love and desire as I say hoarsely – " more than just okay Sparkle...more than just okay...youv surprised me with another bonus dammit...a bonus that I am now ready to claim..freak..just let me help you with that dammit...I'v been fantasizing about yacking my jersey off you, for freaking ages...you know ever since you told me that's the get up you'v watched our world cup matches in.."

Khushi chuckles, as she rolls down the Jersey, that she's picked up a little after tucking it out her denims – " really? have you now???"

I nod and she raises her hands up winking at me mischeviously – " ohk...go ahead then.. I would hate to deprive my Stranger of his fantasy..."

And I grin as yank the Jersey off her, pulling it up straight out in a second as I throw it aside of the floor and one look at her cladded in her navy blue brassaire, drives me insaner as I whisper, pushing her back into the pillows, helping her readjust her legs around my waist intimately as I trace my hand down her neck to her curves and she closes her eyes, and heaves and moans in my arms, and ends up pushing her intimate self more into my already raging desire for her as I whisper, continuing to caress her gorgeous neckline front – " godaammit..Sparkle...so freaking gorgeous...I am afraid...I'd never be able to forget this sight of you in front off me...the contrast of this colour against your skin...I love blue dammit..."

Khushi opens her eyes to me as she says now, cupping my cheek, smiling mischevously – " that is the point...Skipper Blue...you aren't supposed to forget..also on that note..you know I love blue too....."

I grin as I hold her hands up above her head in the cage of my one hand's grip gently as I say smacking her lips briefly – " tell me again...you are ok with this? Right?? I am afraid I can't wait longer, my lips need to have their ways with you, before that my hands ofcourse..."

Khushi wraps her legs around me even more tightly as she whispers , biting back her smile- " I wouldn't mind helping you in yanking my blue brassiasre off me Skipper Blue...but as much as I can read your eyes..i think it's something that you want to do for yourself..."

I grin as I say – "you read me well Sparkle..."

She whispers softly, biting back a smile – "always..."

That's.It.

All my patience has run out as I bend forward and kiss her all hard and deep at first and still holding her hands all caged up above her head in my gentle grip and I am loving the way she is writhing under me, as I now start to trail a line of hard kisses down the sides of her neck and then her gorgeous frontal neckline as she continues to heave in my arms, and still clutching both her hands up in my gentle grip with one hand, I gently caress her frontal neckline now, making its way all down to her precious curve and just as I close my hand around her curve in a deep caress, she moans my name into my lips and I obviously don't have it in me to wait longer to feel her bare curve come alive in my hand now, and I instantly yank down her straps and pull down her brasserie upfront to see her bare, first before yanking it out from behind and throwing it aside.

Godaamit.

She's gorgeous.

My Imaginations have not done her justice at all.

I see Khushi close her eyes instantly and both her hands come up to mask her bare front in a cross now, as she whispers – " ohk...now I am a little more shy...why do you have to look at me like that Arnav..like with so much intensity..."

I instantly pull her hands apart pinning them to either of her sides and I say – " don't you freaking dare, deprive me of my gorgeous sight right now Sparkle..my imaginations didn't freaking do you justice at all...I don't think they ever can..."

Khushi opens her one eye to me nervously and adorably as she asks – " you like??"

I grin as I caress her curves, not so gently and she heaves my name in desire closing her eyes, a gesture which tells me that she loves the notch up of the intensity off my caress on her and I say now – " I love...I freaking love...I am afraid...I don't have it in me to be gentle..allow me to ravage you dammit..bad and hard.."

Khushi leans up on her elbows now instantly as she hugs me tight and whispers into my ears gently – " permission granted My stranger...you can ravage me all you want...until that first alarm buzzes out on us....it's a bummer we are running short on time though..."

Without wasting another second – I do just that.

I pin my Sparkle, back into the pillows under me, as I begin to Ravage her in the ways, I have obviously dreamed about. With my Hands at first and then my Lips follow.And her every moan and whimper as she's tugging onto my hair tight, giving me all the access I needed, writhing under me, pushes me over the edge and I notch up the intensity with which my lips continue to have their intense way's with her gorgeous curves and pebbled peaks.

I don't think I'd ever be able to love them enough.

Period.

Also.

There's absolutely nothing Gentle – about My Intense Ravage Mode on Her.And I love the fact that she's loving it. I know she is. Her continuous whimpers and moans, are talking to me in a language of their own.

Godammit Her.

She's already made me go Through an Emotional See-Saw Tonight, and now she's doing the same bit to me with insane passion turning me blind with Desire, and yet I have to keep reminding myself to keep my mind on alert for Control, for as much as I want Her, in my heart ,I am absolutely content with the progression in our relationship on every angle. Be it Emotional/Physical.

Or maybe just like my Sparkle say's – the word YO-YO- IS just the better word to depict the swing of our emotions and moments– Perhaps?

....................................

TADAAAAA!!!!!

How was the Update Guysssss?? (wink winkkkkk.....)

What did you all think of the Confession??????? And their meeting and Moments.

Next Update : Shall now be on Monday Evening.

Have a Great & Safe Weekend - Everyone

Also guys – Please do check out this wonderful Initiative – The Arshi Community – which has been started with the aim of getting all of us to connect/bond/ with one another – as most of us share the common love for Arnav/Khushi. The community is really gearing up, and is a very positive, supportive and collaborative space for us all Arshi lovers, be it readers or writers. Do take a minute to check it out on the following link.

Thanks, guys, for all the Love and Support.

Much Love Guys.

Always.

......................