warning: anxiety attacks.

13:42

samira

aaradhya:
my brother said
meera 'was the prettiest'
in our friend group

samira:
i have 0 idea
of what ur
talking about
hahah

meera IS
the prettiest tho

aaradhya:
i know theyre
dating samira

samira:
WHATTT FYCK

HOW ???

aaradhya:
HAH I FUCKING
KNEW IT

samira:
aaradhya kannan
did u just trick me? 😐

aaradhya:
noooo i just wanted
to cross check it

my brother was extremely
bad at hiding it 🙄🙄

samira:
yeah yeah whatever
but don't tell meera
that i said, that, okay?

aaradhya:
no promises 😁

Time flied fast, faster than Aaradhya expected it. She still remembers the day where her eyes were flooded with tears, but still scribbled on paper whatever came in her mind.

Now, the Anti-Valentine album finally got released, and she could still  not believe that it had been a success. It had ended up in Top 50 Billboard, for goodness sake.

Appreciation continued worldwide,
so did her fake relationship with Shubman Gill. Apparently, everyone started loving the idea of those two together, so their relationship is now to be continued for now a longer time.

They were publically seen together, but however, no one seemed to recognise that those pictures were edited. But, in reality, Shubman and Aaradhya, only talked in text messages. They even hadn't video chatted!

However, the IPL season was getting closer, meaning she can actually see Shubman Gill. Oh, she was going to see him.

Her delicate heart would not handle it if she somehow messed it up, Aaradjya tried her best to be the perfect woman everyone believes she was.

Anxiety took her over, as she keeps thinking of her future. What if she messes it all? What if she makes someone upset? What if everyone secretly hates her? Oh, what if Shubman Gill does not like her at all?

The dark thoughts flooded her brain, as she unknowingly starts biting her nails. Suddenly, she heard a phone ring. Aaradhya did not want to answer the phone, she does not want anyone to see in her such miserable state. They would think she's stupid, and should be happy for what she has.

But, Aaradhya feared that it might be some important call, carrying some emergency news as it was already almost midnight.

She answered the call, not noticing who was the one calling her. “H—Hello,” she questioned, trying to sound normal.

“Hi, Aaradhya—” the voice started, But it was neither any of her friends' or family's, “It's me, Shubman. Sorry for distributing you at this ungodly hour—”

“No, no, it's okay, Shubman.” She assures, “I was doing pretty much nothing, anyways.”

“Oh, thank god,” He sighs, “Aren't you asleep yet? Are you alright, Aaradhya?”

“I am completely fine,” She automatically responded and immediately regretted for lying.  “What about you?”

“I am fine, here as well.” His sweet voice echoed, “I actually called for, you know, to ask if you were coming for the match tomorrow? You know, you don't really have to come if you don't want to, Aaradhya, I don't want to force yo—”

“I don't want to miss watching my favourite player play,” Aaradhya interrupts, “Which is obviously MS Dhoni,”

“You wound me, my dear,” He joked. “I thought it would be me, you know, being your fake boyfriend and all,”

Aaradhya's lips curved into an smile involuntarily at his words, with her cheeks heating up. Their conversation continued, as Shubman unknowingly healed Aaradhya through his words, as if he was her cure to all her anxieties, self doubts.

“Well, I've gotta go, now,” She finally heard him say, “It's getting too late,”

“Well, bye, see you tomorrow, Shub! Good luck!” she replied, as their call ended. Aaradhya decided to check the time, 12:30 am.

They had been talking for an hour? Honestly, it felt like only seconds. Aaradhya finally decides to sleep, but not the way she expected it to be, instead, she fell asleep with a smile lingering in her face, as she awaited for a dream.

Aaradhya felt her heart in a rollercoaster, as she entered the stadium. Unfortunately, any of her friends couldn't join, busy with their own jobs.

She herself was in a not so recognisable cloth, with a simple black hoodie and jeans and cooling glass covering her eyes.

She followed her secretary, Brindha's steps, as Brindha leaded her into the place Aaradhya was supposed to be seated.

The crowd slowly started entering the stadium, seats filling up with excitement to watch their favourite players. All though it was Ahemabad, the stadium roared with yellow.

Aaradhya quickly picked her phone, clicked a picture for her Instagram story, captioning #AavaDe in it.

Once everyone were settled, the opening ceremony began. Arijit Singh's songs and other performances caught everyone's attention, leaving them awestruck with the lighting show as well.

Within a blink, the two captains, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya came for the toss. GT won the toss, choosing to chase.

First over of the match went well with Gaikwad's catching everyone's attention and raising cheers from the CSK fans. However, Aaradhya's entire attention was spent half on anxiety, other on searching Shubman. Finally, she sighed as she saw an glimpse of him smiling in the screen when the first wicket fell.

The match went on as Aaradhya's eyes lingered on Shubman as he caught the ball. She was enthralled by his performances and his determination on the game.

Nevertheless, the anxiety stayed in her. She folded her arms, hugging herself, as if in a search of comfort. She involuntarily started tapping her right leg. Stop doing that, an strange voice in her head echoed.

“Watching your loved one play for the first time creates anxieties,” Aaradhya turned to see the owner of the voice— oh my god, it was Sakshi Dhoni.

“But, I promise it gets better, Aaradhya.” Sakshi gave her a kind smile, in a way of comfort.

“Thank you for assuring me, It mea— means alot, mam,” Aaradhya said, returning the smile, still stunned how Sakshi Dhoni knew her name.

“No need to be so formal, Aaradhya,” She said  enthusiastically, “Just call me Sakshi, it's what everyone else does!”

“Thank you, Sakshi,” Aaradhya corrects herself. “Is it okay, now?”

“Very!” Both the women chuckled. Suddenly, a small girl ran towards Sakshi.

“Ma! Papa told that you had Bee!” Ziva asked for her little toy.

Sakshi whispered to Aaradhya,“It was supposed to be a secret, yet Mahi told it! Here you go, your Bee.” She then said to her daughter, handing out a plushie.

However, Ziva's attention shifted towards Aaradhya. “Ma, who's this pretty didi?”

“I am Aaradhya and you're Ziva, right?” Aaradhya smiled at the little child.

“How do you know me?” Ziva questioned her.

“A fairy came into my dream and said I would meet a pretty princess called Ziva tonight,” Ziva gasped in wonder.

“Really??”

“Yes!” As the conversation between Aaradhya and Ziva continued, Aaradhya forgot about all the anxieties in her and grew fond of Ziva's enthusiasm instead.

“Ma, shall we take this didi home? I love Aaradhya didi already!” Ziva asked her mother.

“Well, ask that to your precious did instead.” Sakshi and Ziva looked upto Aaradhya.

“Well, not today, but for sure, one day I will spend an entire day with you, Ziva,” Aaradhya replied, Ziva smiled excitedly in return.

“What is your number, Aaradhya?” Sakshi suddenly asked. “There were news flying around about you and Shubman— and we have a group filled with wives and girlfriends of ICT, so if only you're comfortable, you can join u—”

“Yes, ofcourse!” Aaradhya immediately replied, with a feeling of an flower blooming inside her, she felt an utmost joy in her.

Sakshi chuckled as the two exchanged their respective numbers. “Done! I will add you, after this match, Aaradhya!”

“Thank you, Sakshi.” Aaradhya felt a sense of gratitude grow in her, a feeling of belonging in her.

The match ended soon after with GT winning the game. After his interview, Shubman's eyes wandered in search of a certain woman, who already claimed a spot in his heart without even meeting him.

Finally, he found her. God, she looks much prettier in person, he thought. Aaradhya spotted Shubman as well.

Time seemed to travel awfully slow and everything else except Shubman and Aaradhya stood as statue, as if in a movie, when the two walked towards eachother.

“Hey,” Shubman finally said to Aaradhya. “Did you enjoy the game?”

“Hi to you too and I loved the game! You played so well, Shubman, I couldn't keep eyes off you, infact!” Aaradhya replied enthusiastically.

Both Aaradhya and Shubman exploded internally after Aaradhya's response.

Shubman's cheeks flushed, “Glad you did, Aaradhya. Don't you think I deserve a reward for playing well?” He playfully asked her.

Aaradhya felt butterflies flood her stomach as she responded, “What shall I give you, Gill?”

“A kiss, obviously.” He then immediately added, “On my cheek!”

Aaradhya flushed, as she went on tip-toes and pecked Shubman's right cheek, right where his dimple was currently in.

“Also— I wanted to ask you one thing, Aaradhya.” Aaradhya looked up to Shubman in curiousity, what could that might be?

“What is it?” she asked in curiousity.

“I— I am free on upcoming weekend, and I will be on Mumbai as well, So— if only you were free, Can we maybe go out somewhere? As friends between us and as couple in front of the cameras.”

Aaradhya agreed to the request in the speed of light. Oh lord, she thought to herself, I am going on a date with Shubman Gill!

She already could not wait for the upcoming weekend and the events that awaits for both of them.

ABHI SPEAKS!

THEY FINALLY METTT AND THEYRE GOING ON A DATEEEE

and sakshi & ziva dhoni <3 theyre so cute!!!

i gave our aaradhya a trait i have, that is anxiety and overthinking. so sorry, if u guys dont like this topics!

did u guys enjoy this chapter?

yet again, this was hurriedly written. i didn't even check it omg, please correct me if there are some mistakes!

are we excited for the next chapter? can't for the angst— i meant fluff about to come 😊❤️

till then,
yours truly,
abhi 💌