Author's POV:

One of Alex's friend who's in the US cricket team gave him tickets for the first match of the series. He thought of asking Shivina to accompany him as Reverie would get bored and he doesn't wanted to attend the match alone. He went to Shivina's cabin to ask her if she's free and could attend the match along with him.

Hearing a knock on the door, Shivina instantly asked the person standing out to get inside and it turned out be none other than Alex. He got shutting the door behind him, walking towards the chair in front Shivina.

Alex: good morning Shivi

Shivina: good morning Alex

Alex: well there's this friend of mine, he gave me the tickets for tomorrow's Ind VS USA match! It would be great if you could attend it with me coz I don't really want to put him down!

Shivina: but Alex~

Alex: Ik your country is playing too and u can cheer for them but let's just attend it!

Giving it a thought and the huge cricket enthusiast she is! She accepted the offer but still was in dilemma as in Shubman would also be present there. Shrugging off the unnecessary thoughts Shivina went back to work while Alex was gone long back.

Shivina's POV:

Alex asked me to accompany him for tomorrow's match between Ind and USA. Firstly I was in a dilemma because Shubman would be playing too and I won't be able to stop myself from cheering for him and it might rise some other rumors. Later I shrugged of the thought and decided on accompanying him for the match.

The next day at 7 am I got ready in a black crop top and off white pants pairing it up with a black leather jacket.

" Ma'am! Sir has arrived! " one of the househelps said, acknowledging me about Alex's arrival. Coming downstairs to the main hall I saw Alex sitting on the couch waiting for me. He was wearing a similar off white pant with black t-shirt tucked in it and a black blazer. Coincidentally we were twinning today and Idk how.

He drove us to the stadium where the match was about to take place. Soon after getting in the stadium started to get filled with peoples. We had a balcony seat with a great view over the stadium.

In no time both the skippers were on the ground for the toss. Shubman winning the toss elected to bowl first. The whole of playing 11 was on the field all set for their first innings.

Nitish Kumar along with Steven Taylor came to open while Bishnoi was all set to bowl his first ball. For the next 3 overs the match was stable with both players with a strike rate of 130. That's when Mukesh Kumar bowl the first ball of his first over directly hitting the middle stump earning Nitish Kumar's wicket.

That's where the fall of wickets started, stopping the USA team at a target of 124 getting them all out till the end of the 14th over. The players went back to the dressing room for their break as we too came to the lounge to get ourselves some refreshments. Through out the first inning I didn't reacted much and only I knew how I kept myself calm and silent.

In no time, the second innings started as Shubman and Abhishek came to open. Their strike rate fluctuated between 180 - 200 from the start. In no time both Shubman and Abhishek hit a half century, driving India towards the win.

My face shone up as Shubman lifted hi bat to celebrate his half century and coincidentally he pointed his bat towards the same balcony where we were sitting. I could see his eyes linger on me and then on Alex.

I clapped for him with a smile on my face and soon he was back on his position. Abhishek finished the match hitting a boundary towards the off side. The best friends duo hugged each other celebrating their win as India won by 10 wickets ( 64 balls remaining ).

While leaving I could see a staff coming towards us. " Are you ms. Shivina Roy? " She asked me, while I just nodded at the lady who somewhat seemed Indian.

Lady: you are called at the ICT dressing room.

I once again nodded before following her. Alex left to meet his friend. I just texted him about my presence so he could find me before he leaves for home.

Upon reaching outside the dressing room, my heart thumped profusely against my chest. Gathering all the courage I knocked at the door and got in, rotating the know once I heard a come in!

Stepping in I could see the players either on their phone or just messing around. I directly went towards Hardik bhai who stood with Rishab, Ishan and Shubman. I went near bhai and gave him a side hug.

Hardik: tune bataya nhi tha kal call pe ki tu match k liye aa rahi hai!

Shivina: woh Alex k friend ne use tickets di thi aur usne mujhe pucha if we could come for the match so aa gayi main!

Hardik: acha kiya aa gayi!

Ishan: oye Shivi kahin ghumne chale kal?

Shivina: kal?

Ishan: haan!

Shivi: kal subah meri meeting hai Ishu! but haan shaam mein free hun main!

Ishan: toh chalte hain kal!

Shivi: okay done! mereko time message krdiyo!

Ishan: phone number toh de pehle!

The duo exchanged phone numbers, while Hardik left to talk to Natasa over call. After few minutes Ishan also left after giving Shivina Nivisha's number. Now, Shubman and Shivina were standing alone. He gathering all the courage he had left after the past incidents, broke the awkward silence lingering between them.

Shubman: coffee?

He knew no matter what Shivina would never say no to coffee but guess what he didn't knew was Alex changed her, her preferences changed her priorities shuffled and her attitude her perspective everything was new. She isn't the old Shivina anymore who used to take all the stuffs positively and not practically enough. But things changed now she is more practical then a people pleaser.

Shivina: black coffee!

Shubman: let's go then!

The duo came to a café after Shubman informed his teammates and Shivina informed Alex over a video call. Firstly Alex sulked a bit but gradually understood the matter as he knew Shivina's past. The video call thing irked Shubman and he didn't like the idea of video call which sparked a hint of insecurity in him.

The came to a garden café which had tables in the garden to as per the customer's preference. Shivina and Shubman decided to sit in the garden area rather than inside. The waitress came to do her job which was of getting their order.

 Shubman: a black coffee and a cappuccino!

Shivina: so!... I mean why are we here!?

Shubman: How are you?

Shivina: It's the third time you have asked this

Shubman: just tell me already!

Shivina: I'm good and totally devoted to my work!

Shubman: well!.. umh are you dating Alex!?

Shivina: U didn't even change a bit!

Shubman: yaar atleast answer me!

Shivina: it has nothing to do with you even if I'm dating him

Shubman: obviously

He murmured but loud enough to be audible.

Shivina: So!.... When are you planning on getting married? 

Shubman: I'm not dating anyone!

Shivina: Oh! I thought the most eligible bachelor must be dating someone already!

Shubman: meri chor tell me about you! Who was that little kid with you?

Shivina: oh she's Alex's daughter Reverie!

Shubman: cute name!

Shubman: so, you accepted Alex knowing he has a kid with someone else?

Shivina: how do you know it's someone else's kid?

Shubman: I mean she looks like 5 or 6 and you just left India 3 years back

Shivina: I never knew you became so intelligent

Shubman: I was always intelligent it was you who was a bit more intelligent

Shivina: finally you accented that I'm more intelligent

Shubman: stop teasing me already

Shivina giggled seeing a sulky Shubman, while a smile instantly appeared on Shubman's face seeing a giggling Shivina. He saw her giggling after years, even from the day he met her in nyc he never saw her smile except for Hardik or Reverie.

While having their cup of coffee the duo discussed their past, sorting things out.

Shubman: Shivi!

Shivina froze hearing Shivi from him after so long, it brought thousands of memories they build during their texting period and while the world cup was going on.

Shivina: hmm!?

Shubman: I'm sorry for whatever I said that day!

Shivina: Shubman~

Shubman: please let me clear out everything today

Shivina: go on!

Shubman: Shivi I know main us din bohot si aisi baatein bol gaya jo mujhe nhi bol ni chahiye thi but I couldn't see Sara that time like that! I know I don't deserve your forgiveness after what I did and say to you but I beg your forgiveness Shivi!

Shivina: do you even know Shubman what I went through? Your made me doubt friendships, because of you I had trust issues, you made me insecure, you made me a villain in my own eyes!  Wasn't I anything to you Shubman? Didn't even once you think about the bond we share? It's not that easy to forget everything and forgive you! Your words made me doubt friendships! 

Shubman: you matter much more to me that you think and I know I was a jerk to you but please forgive me Shivi I'm so sorry I know a sorry can't fix back everything but please I beg your forgiveness!

Shivina: Shubman it's not that easy but I'll try! Till then let's be normal!

Shubman: yeah sure! coffee thandi ho rahi hai tumhari!

They continues to sip over the coffee enjoying the silence and serene vibe, but this time the silence wasn't awkward but peaceful.

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written on: 15-07-24
posted on: 23-07-24