3 years ago...

Dear Tanvi,

I don't think writing letters is cliche at all.
In fact I love the very thought of writing to someone.
Unfortunately, you don't get the right person to always write to, and now that I have, I think I'm going to pester you with my letters.

Also, you should smile and laugh often. Have you seen how pretty your smile is?
Or how musical your laughter is?
Anyone would fall in love with it.
Like Bunny had said, flirting sehat keliye accha hota hai, I'd say, hasna aur muskurana sehat keliye accha hota hai.

Keep smiling often, and if I'm a reason why you'll be smiling, I cannot be happier to brag about it.
In fact, for me that's a bigger achievement than any century, half-century and wicket.

Love,
Abhay

P.S. I look forward to a letter in reply!

Abhishek could hear Shubman's voice in his head as he'd written the first letter.

Almost like his own conscience was speaking.

Tu letter likh raha hai? TU? YOU HATE WRITING LETTERS?

ABHAY ARE YOU OKAY? DO YOU NEED A CHECKUP?

He rolled his eyes, sighing.

What's even a best-friend if you cannot hear his voice in your head when you do something which you usually prefer not to.

" Mamuuuu!" He flinched hearing Amayra's voice and immediately hid the letter as she rushed in and almost fell.

" Careful!" He stepped forward, his eyes enlarging in panic.

" Me fine!" She gave him a thumbs up and she grinned widely at him and he chuckled, planting a kiss on her cheek.

" Yes you are! Where's your Mumma?"

" Nani ke saath!"

" Accha ji, toh aap yaha kya kar rahi hai?" Abhishek arched a brow at her.

She gave him a toothy grin as she sat down on his lap.

" Shoklet!" She stretched her hand and opened her small closed fist, revealing two eclairs, elicting a happy gasp from him.

" For me?"

" One for Amayra, One for Mamu!"

Chuckling, he gladly took it, unwrapped both of them, tossed one into his mouth and handed her one toffee which she immediately took.

She got off his lap and began walking around, looking for something to play with.

And to her sheer delight and to her dearest Mamu's sheer horror, she found a piece of folded paper.

" Mayra, I'll give you a ball to play with! Or..you can play with Leo! Please put that away."

Amayra's eyes gleamed with delight and mischief and she shook her head, her little ponytail going to and fro.

" Amayra....please..."

But the little girl scurried out of the room and Abhishek's eyes widened in horror as he ran after her.

" Amayra! Amayra give that back please! Amayra!"

Abhishek ran after her as if he were running during a match and was about to get run out if he didn't run it time.

And he immediately scooped her into his arms, pulled the letter out of her hands and playfully flicked her nose.

" Badmaash!" He said playfully and she giggled.

Slipping the letter back into his pocket, he whistled and the golden retriever came scurrying towards them.

" LEO!" Amayra screamed like she was polishing her vocal chords as she wriggled out of Abhishek's hold and scurried towards the dog as fast as she could with her little feet.

Amayra adored Leo, and so did he.

Letting a sigh of relief, he walked back into the room with his niece and dog following.

He had to send the letter before anyone found out.

Or else, he'd be done for.