Am so sorry for being this much late!

For my favorite Lovesofsm

(You guys should check out her book!!! )

The bgm above is for *dramatic effects* while reading.

warning - fluff,  very littl eangst and a wannabe dramatic writer's muse.

Ya'll plscomment and vote pls! Would mean a lot!

ps - not proofread.

Also Ruturaj got married omg! So happy for him! <3

Exhaling a deep breath, Saakshi entered her college premises, sending a silent prayer above for an unproblematic day. But as always, she wasn't that lucky. Just on the other side, few meters away, he was sitting on the bike. Her classmate, the popular guy of the college, a wannabe bad boy and her nightmare.  Why her Nightmare? Because he's the worst bully she has ever faced and she's his favorite target.

'Look, who's here. Good morning, Saakshi.' Shubman said, sickeningly sweet.

Here we go.

'What, Gill? Up for another nasty thing to ruin other's day?' Saakshi didn't knew from where she got the courage, but she did snap at him.

Abhishek, Shubman's best friend, and surprisingly a non problematic guy, chuckled. The seemingly shocked look on Shub's face was indeed a treat to watch.

'Whoa whoa. New found courage. We'll see how long it lasts.' Shub got up and leapt in front of her. Her breath hitched in her throat due to the closeness..

Just then, the bell rang and getting the chance, Saakshi literally ran in.

Fate never smiled at her. Her best friend decided to be absent today all of a sudden and Shub had to pop in out of nowhere and sit beside her only. How is she going to bear him for the whole 40 mins class? Or worst, whole day?

'Give me a pen, shortcake.' Shub nudged her with his elbow.

'Am not short, Dumbass. Go and bully someone else.' she replied and placed her notes on the desk, trying to ignore the jealous look some girls sent her way.

Jealous? Because she's sitting with the possible future star of Indian cricket.

Shubman and Abhishek both have been selected for the U-19 in the national trials, adding to the first one's attitude and pumping his ego.

'Annoying you is my birthright.' Shub whispered in her ears, his hot breath on her neck, making her shiver and mutter a curse.

'Am pretty sure the whole class wants to hear what you both are talking about, Shubman and Saakshi. Can we know too?'

The professor's voice boomed in the hall.

'No.' Shub deadpanned, without letting Saakshi a chance of saving herself.

'Then out of my class. Both of you.'

Screw it.

As soon as they were out of class, Shub started whistling. Saakshi was furious. Mad as hell but didn't say him anything knowing it will be of no use.

Stomping her foot, she walked towards the college cafeteria. Food can fix anything. Mood kya cheez hai?

Shub has an idea cooking in his brain. He followed behind her.

'Tum mera peeche kyu kar rahe ho? And yahaaan kyu baith gaye? Aaj itna satane ke baad bhi chain nahi hua?' Saakshi scowled

'Oh come one, sweetness...You know right I love annoying you?'

She huffed in annoyance and went to get her lunch.

'That's my sandwich!' Saakshi yelled. 

'Tumhara naam likha hai? Agar hai toh dikhao kahaan pe/' Shub smirked and took another from the plate.

'Oye bhukkad, I bought it! Tumhara peit black hole hai toh buy youself something!' Saakshi snapped.

Shub shrugged and continued eating.

Sighing Saakshi finished her food and was about to go away when her stole got stuck in his watch, earing oohs from the people around and his smirk.

She tried to take it off from the watch but couldn't and Shubman took his own sweet time to free the stole.

'See ya in class, Saakshi!' he yelled at her retreating figure.

The boys were walking through the corridors when a sweet melodious voice from the music room reached their ears. As if under a spell, Shubman was walking towards it, followed by a confused Abhay.

Shub felt his breath hitch. At her angelic voice or serene face or maybe both.

Tu Jheel Khamoshiyon Ki
Lafzon Ki Main Toh Lehar Hu
Ehsaas Ki Tu Hai Duniya
Chota Sa Main Ek Shehar Hu

Yeh Aaina Hai Ya Tu Hai
Jo Roz Mujhko Saware

Khud Se Hai Agar
Tu Bekhabar Bekhabar
Rakh Lu Main Tera Khayal Kya

Without any care in the world, Saakshi was singing in the music room, in sync to the tunes of the instruments playing.

He's getting ready to drown in the ocean of love.

Abhishek thought to himself, noticing his best friend's face.

'Shut up. Kyun pachtaunga main?' Shub yelled at his best friend.

Shubman couldn't pinpoint when he fell in love with her. Maybe when he saw her singing carefree, or when she gave irritated looks to him, or argued with him like a child, or showed him the reality.

---

'Get on the bike. It's going to rain. I'll drop you home.' Shubman said, getting out of his car.

He had noticed her sitting all alone in the bus stop, waiting for the usual bus to take her hom.

Saakshi stood up from the seat on the bus stop and replied, 'I can wait for the late bus.'

'Buses won't run now. At least till tomorrow. There's some chaos in the city. No other public transport too.'

'How will I go home?' Saakshi's face was filled with terror.

'I'll drop you off.'

'I don't trust you. And don't ask why. You have given enough reasons.' Saashi replied, instantaneously.

Three sentences. Strong enough to break Shub's heart.

He is so low in her eyes?

Shrugging off the feeling, he tried to reason with her, 'I have just annoyed and bullied you Saakshi. I have an elder sister and I know how it's unsafe for you to be alone here...'

Without replying, Saakshi had run back into the premises of the college, straight into the basketball court. Very unlikely of her.

Shub somehow parked his car and ran inside.

Rain started drizzling.

'Saakshi! Don't be unreasonable!' Shub puller her by her arm softly and turned her around, and held her shoulders tightly, Literally screaming, 'Am trying to help, just!'

He was too loud.

A thunder was heard and rain started pouring heavily, drenching them.

'You're hurting me now too.'  Saakshi mumbled. 

Shub realised and released his hold, stepping back a feet.

The tension between them was evident.

Shub's eyes went to her lips and he resisted the urge to kiss, with all his might while drowing in her brown orbs.

He's really a jerk and a big idiot!

Just then, Saakshi's phone rang.

She picked up and after few seconds of talk, started walking away, saying, 'My brother is here to pick me up.'

Her voice was cold.

Well that's the last interaction of them.

It has been weeks both of them started avoiding each other.

Shub had stopped bullying people and had went calm, surprising everyone.

Shub was so in remorse and she had left such an impact that it started affecting his game.

Shubman was currently walking to bat for the college team. And he got out on a duck.

Saakshi was at the bleachers. She couldn't refuse her best friend when she asked her to accompany and watch the match.

She could sense Shub's uneasiness, sadness and what not.

Their college won with much difficulty.

Shub sat on a bench, with his head on his hands, trying to hide his tears and mask his sadness.

'Can I have an autograph? The first one to receive from Shubman Gill?' Saakshi was standing in front.

He looked at her with his blurred vision.

'Are you here to pity me and mock me?' He asked, and as much he hated it, in a broken, vulnerable voice.

'I have got many reasons to hate you and dislike you, Shubman. But not today. I didn't ask you for an autograph to mock you, but because I see a real star in you. Whatever be it, you have a true passion and love for cricket. And the best thing about you is the sport. A bad game or two doesn't decide you future. Get up.'

Saakshi didn't know why her legs carried her to him, and why she was so much concerned for him. And why she was being so sympathetic!

Shub silently listened on, gaining composure bit by bit.

'And am sorry for being too rude that--'

He hushed her, 'It was me who was at fault and have always been. And am sorry. I hope one day you'll forgive me.'

Saakshi just sighed. But her eyes gave him hope.

Shub had a lot to say, lot to make up for, but he didn't get that much time, as he had to leave for NCA training, SMAT and the U-19 World Cup later on.

But he had made up in his mind, to earn her forgiveness anyhow. Love isn't everything. e'll be on the top ofthe wolrd if she atleast forgives him.

Many years later...

'Describe your wife in one word, pls.' the host asked.

Shubman Gill, the current Captain of the Indian Cricket team smiled and answered, 'Anchor. She's my anchor. Keeps me grounded. I am what I am because of her. In my early days, I had made tons of mistakes. I do, even now, but very less. She has been the one since forever, to mold me, help me rectify my mistakes...'

A tear of happiness rolled down Saakshi's eye and she felt warm. All these years still feel as a dream to her.

She has been the sole witness to the almost perfect man, a true lover, an amazing husband and a doting father to the symbol of their love, their twins.

After Shubman had come won  the U-19 trophy, Saakshi thought he won't come to college anymore, but he did, for her. Just once, asking her forgiveness and thanking her.

And guess who became his rock, went on dates together after a year pf being friends? 

10 years of bonding got a new innings with a proposal and marriage just like she had wanted. 

And only after getting married he had revealed he had fallen in love with her way before they started dating, leaving her utterly shocked. 

Saakshi smiled to herself and pulled the blanket properly on the kids after turning the television off.

Who would have imagined she's fall in love with her bully?