Chapter :14

Ananya's POV

I'm so stupid.

I'm so stupid.

I'm SO stupid!

Okay, I guess we all get it. Saying it a thousand times over would also mean the same. Saqib, or whatever the name of the guy was, ran over the grassy field, towards me, with that red cricket ball in his possession.

The guys had all insisted that I wear a helmet for protection so I agreed and I guess I am lucky for that. On the first ball that he threw, it flew right across my face, I barely missed it by a few inches probably.

Rishav was on the other side of the pitch, being the other batsman. I staggered a step back when the ball missed me. A few of the players snickered and smirked. Then, my eyes met Rishav's green ones. I was sort of surprised to find that he didn't have an amusing glint in his eyes like the rest of the guys, instead, he had a softness lacing his gaze. He gestured for me to concentrate on the ball.

Nodding, I got my sight back on that bowler who took the same run and threw the ball the same way. This time, I swung the bat and looked around but was left disappointed. The ball didn't make contact with the bat at all.

"You're doing just fine. A few balls and you will hit. Just concentrate." Rishav's voice encouraged me from the other side of the pitch.

I framed an expression of disbelief just like the rest of the players. I guess no one was used to Rishav encourage anyone ever.

The game continued with my rusty swings and the boys making my misses an amusing act with their chortles of laugh. But on the sixth ball, I swung the bat hard and the next thing I heard was a hard knock. I hit the ball!

I smiled wide as I watched the ball roll away towards the boundary. I turned my gaze to the pitch and looked wide eyed at Rishav who was running towards me.

"Take a run, Ananya!" he yelled at me, but I guess my feet got glued to the ground.

I shook my head and made a dash for the other end of the pitch. If I didn't make it, then I would be run-out and the team would lose a wicket. Lucky me made it though.

I couldn't help but take notice of the new expressions dawning upon the opposite team's players. There was a sudden nervousness evident in the bowlers' stance now that Rishav was batting.

That explains the overconfidence in Rishav. Everyone here treats him like a King. And the worst part is, he enjoys it dearly.

Saqib threw the ball which was followed by a loud bam, and the next thing I saw was the ball flying out of the ground; it was a six. A massive one.

Rishav went on and on to score 89 runs out of 51 balls. Okay, so he's actually good in it.

The overs went on and I was bowled out around the third over but Rishav defended his wicket with ease and ended the innings with a score of 109 out of 78 balls. The total score of our team was 187 and I was really happy. Okay, I would have been happier if I had scored some more than just a 14 run but come on! In my defence, It was my first match.

"You wanna try and beat that score?" Rishav asked the opposite team members.

The guys exchanged a glance and shook their heads in defeat. Rishav grinned at the guys. It was the first time I saw him smile. His teeth were the perfect white and the corner of his green eyes crinkled slightly when he smiled. There was a cute dimple at his right cheek. Wait...Did I say cute? What's wrong with me!? Ugh.

"Rishav, there's a call for you." One of the guys yelled from the shade at the corner of the field.

"Yeah, coming," Rishav responded as he left to take the call.

"You can't hit the ball well, but you sure run like a cheetah on that pitch," a guy spoke, approaching me.

"Um... Thanks, I guess?" I replied with a shurg because his remark had both, complement and insult.

The guy had hazel eyes and a distinct jawline. His brownish black curls framed his face, bouncing with the breeze. I recognized him as the captain of the rival team which had admitted it's defeat to us.

"You're Ravi's sister, right?" he asked.

"That too, but I prefer being called Ananya. Not 'Ravi's sister'," I said and smiled back at him.

"I'm Gaurav. It's a pretty name that you've got, Ananya," he said. tilting his head as he shuffled over his feet.

Talking to Gaurav, I realized he studied at DC High School which was one of the most prestigious high schools in Delhi. He too had been selected for the Interschool Cricket Championship and was the captain of his team: Delhi Conquerors.

"So, I won't go beating around the bush, can I have your number?" he asked, smiling that lopsided smile.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Sure." I said and dictated Ravi's number to him. I felt a bit of guilt at the sight of the bright smile on Gaurav's face who was thinking of it to be my number.

But it's my brother's number. So it's kinda my number too. Lame reason? I know.

Once I finished, Gaurav thanked me with a wink and walked over to the other guys. I turned to find Rishav walking over towards me.

"Come, I have to drop you off at your place," Rishav said as he reached me.

"Why? Where's Ravi? He was supposed to come back before the practice session ended," I asked and crossed my arms, my brows knitting with confusion.

"He called me to the campus. Something about the selection, and he asked me to drop you off on my way," he explained in his usual, balanced voice.

"Ughh... Fine," I grumbled, pouting at the grounds furiously.

Did I have to be stuck with him? Why does everyone think I am a kid who can't walk back home alone?

It seemed like Rishav was amused by my reaction because the corner of his lips turned upwards and he shook his head as if to clear his mind. Nevertheless, I followed him out of the stadium.