KKR faced MI in the next match, against whom we hadn't won since the first match of 2015, Neeti said. We went to watch the match in Eden once again. Now it didn't even seem strange that I'm watching cricket in a stadium.

Shubman scored a beautiful and brilliant 70. Neeti was not pleased, because apparently KKR's loss would benefit RCB.

I, however, enjoyed it immensely. The crowd shouted "Shubman...Shubman!" with the dj egging them on.

I knew about 80% of the girls of my age in India are crushing on Shubman and guess what, HE'S MINE. I want to tell each one of them that it's no use staring at him on the TV because he's mine.

That sounds so nice, he's mine.

------------------

Our end semester exams had ended the day before. As KKR's next two matches were away anyway, Neeti and I had booked train tickets for the day after the KKR MI match.

Abhi had also booked along with us. He had matched the time with Neeti, though half a year ago he would have most definitely consulted me.

The reason was obvious... Abhi and I are nowhere as close as we used to be.

Thankfully he didn't know about Shubman, but I couldn't help feeling guilty every time I spoke to him. Also, I was too caught up in Shubman to reply properly to his texts or answer his calls.

Gradually, our texts died down from a blow by blow account of each day last semester to a 'hi, how're you' and 'fine' once a week by the end of this semester.

I know it's my fault. I just don't know how I could make up for it.

-----------------

The train journey back home was not a one I'd like to remember.

When Neeti had gone to the washroom in the first half-hour, Abhi looked straight at me and asked, "What are you not telling me, Alisha?"

Look, it's Alisha now. Not Allie.

I faltered under his piercing gaze.

"It's a guy, isn't it?" he asked quietly.

I couldn't lie to him directly. I nodded.

"I thought so," he muttered. When Neeti came back, he said, "Neeti, how come you didn't tell me about Allie's new boyfriend?"

Abhi was clever enough to disguise his voice into a cheerful, teasing tone. Neeti looked relieved to see that he was not disturbed by the news, so she grinned and started to tell him things I would rather Abhi never knew.

I shook my head at her, trying to warn her, but she didn't see me.

Abhi and Neeti continued talking like best friends.

I stared out of the window, suddenly feeling dreadfully lonely.

I want Shubman. I want to hear his teasing voice. I want to feel his arms around me.

I need him. I need him so badly.

KKR's league stage ended next Sunday, after matches in Punjab and Mumbai. Shubman had promised to visit Baroda next Monday if KKR didn't make it to the playoffs (which, he assured me, they wouldn't, given that they're 6th in the table).

But how the hell am I going to live a week without him?

Then it struck me.

Punjab.

Their next match is in Punjab.

Punjab and Baroda are like hours away on train.

I smiled to myself as a plan formed in my head.