Supraja was sprawled on the couch in her flat. The living room is cluttered with various art supplies, notebooks, and electronic devices. Her laptop had died and one leg dangled off the side. It's early morning, and the first rays of sunlight are filtering through the curtains.

She was in a deep sleep, her hair a mess, and her glasses were on the table. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the distant sounds of traffic fill the room.

Her phone, buried under a pile of papers, starts ringing loudly, shattering the calm. Supraja groans, shifting slightly but not waking up. "Ugh, not now... five more minutes..." she mumbles, pulling the blanket closer.

The phone continues to ring. Supraja's hand flails around, knocking a few papers to the floor before she finally finds the phone and drags it up to her ear, still half-asleep.

"Hello? Who is this?"

"Good morning, Ms. Reddy! This is Rajiv from the BCCI. I'm calling to officially inform you that you've been appointed for the visuals and ad campaigns for the upcoming World Cup season."

Supraja sits up abruptly, her eyes wide. "Wait, what? BCCI? World Cup? What time is it?"

She fumbles to check the time on her phone, seeing it's past 8 AM.

"Oh no, I overslept! Of all days! Why didn't I charge the laptop? Why didn't I set an alarm? " 

"Uh, Rajiv, right? Can you say that again? I'm still processing." She speaks, her heart racing.

"Of course. Congratulations, Supraja! You've been chosen to handle the visuals and ad campaigns for the BCCI during the World Cup season. We are very excited to have you on board." Rajiv answers patiently.

Supraja finally grasps the situation before standing up and starts pacing. "Oh my god, this is huge. Thank you so much! I mean, I'm thrilled, really! But... " She trails off, as she looks around the messy living room. "Oh, dear, I need to get my life together first."

"Understandable. We'll send over all the details via email. Just wanted to give you the good news personally. We're counting on you to bring your creative magic to the campaign." Rajiv chuckles.

"Yes, yes, absolutely. I'll... I'll bring magic. Totally. Thank you, Rajiv. I won't let you down."

 "Great to hear. We'll be in touch. Have a wonderful day, Supraja!"

The call ends, and Supraja stares at her phone for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. She looks around the room, muttering to herself.

 "Okay, Supraja, focus. World Cup. BCCI. This is massive. First things first, charge the laptop," she mutters to herself before plugging it in for charging. 

"Second, coffee. Lots of coffee."

She heads to the kitchen after brushing her teeth, talking to herself as she goes.

"What am I going to do about the sketches? And the shoot schedule? And I need to find a new place for all these swatches. How did my life get so chaotic? " she rambles to herself before pausing. 

"Right, because you're living your dream. No time to panic."

As the coffee brews, she takes a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She grabs her planner, flipping through the pages.

"Okay, Supraja. You've got this. You've handled crazy deadlines before. No pressure, just the whole country watching. No big deal at all."

The coffee maker beeps, and she pours herself a cup, taking a deep sip. The caffeine begins to kick in, and she feels a bit more awake and focused.

 "Right. Step one, get organized. Step two, plan the most epic ad campaign ever. Step three, don't forget to breathe."

After having the coffee, she first tidies up the room. She places the blanket back in the bedroom, before placing all the colour swatches and papers in their respective files and then into the bag. 

"Okay, things packed, now time to go get ready."

She then plugged in her mobile for charging, before going to her room to shower. She grabs a towel before stepping inside and opening the hot water faucet. 

"Oh yes, much better."

"Wait there will be hot guys, okay focus soup, focus !! You're going to work, not to stare at your idols"

She rummaged through her closet, pulling out a pair of comfortable jeans and a snug tank top. 

"Jeans and a tank top, perfect for a day of creativity and chaos," she muttered, slipping them on quickly. She grabbed a flannel shirt, tying it around her waist. 

"Practical and stylish, right?" she asked her reflection with a small grin.

With her outfit sorted, she brushed her hair and quickly twisted it into a messy bun. 

"Not too shabby, Supraja," she told herself. She put on her glasses, grabbed her phone, and headed to the kitchen for a quick breakfast.

As she poured herself a bowl of cereal, she opened Rajiv's email on her phone. "Let's see what the BCCI has in store for me," she said, taking a bite of cereal.

The email was detailed:

Dear Ms. Reddy,

Congratulations once again! We are thrilled to have you on board for the World Cup ad campaign. Below are the initial details and timeline for the project:

Kickoff Meeting: Tomorrow, 9 AM at the BCCI headquarters.

Creative Brief: Enclosed as an attachment. Please review before the meeting.

Team Introduction: You'll be introduced to the team of photographers, designers, and marketers you'll be working with.

Training Grounds Visit: Today, 11 AM. Meet the players and get a feel for the environment.

Looking forward to your creative input!

Best regards, Rajiv Kapoor

"Wow, they really don't waste time," she murmured, scrolling through the attached creative brief. 

"Okay, Supraja, you've got a lot to do."

She quickly finished her cereal, gulping down the last bit of milk. She stood up, washed her bowl, and started gathering her things. 

"Laptop, check. Sketchbooks, check. Chargers, check. Planner, definitely check," she listed, stuffing everything into her bag.

Grabbing her car keys from the hook by the door, she did a mental checklist. 

"Okay, Supraja, you're ready. Let's make this happen."

As she locked her apartment and headed to her car, she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. 

"You've got this," she whispered to herself.

She got into her car, placed her bag on the passenger seat, and started the engine. 

During the drive, her mind buzzed with ideas for the campaign. 

"Epic visuals, engaging narratives... something that captures the spirit of the World Cup," she brainstormed aloud, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel.

After a short drive, she arrived at the training grounds. The entrance was bustling with activity, and Supraja felt a surge of adrenaline. 

"Alright, Supraja, showtime," she said, grabbing her bag and stepping out of the car.

Walking through the gates, she saw players practising and a few other staff members setting up for the day. 

She spotted Rajiv near the entrance, waving at her. Oh, thank god he's just my age. I thought it would be an old dude.

"Supraja! Over here!" he called out.

She waved back, hurrying over. "Hi, Rajiv! It's great to meet you in person finally," she said, extending her hand.

"Likewise, Supraja. We're thrilled to have you. Ready to meet the team?" he asked, shaking her hand firmly.

"Absolutely. Let's get started," she replied, a confident smile spreading across her face.

As they walked towards the practice area, Rajiv introduced her to the team she would be working with. Rajiv filled her in on the day's agenda as they continued walking.

"We'll start with a tour of the grounds, then you'll have time to observe and get inspired. The players are very cooperative, so feel free to interact with them."

"Perfect. I'm already buzzing with ideas," Supraja said, her creative mind racing.

As they approached the practice area, Rajiv signalled towards a group of players engaged in drills. "And here are the stars of our campaign," he announced proudly.

Supraja's heart skipped a beat as she recognized Rahul Dravid, the legendary cricketer and current coach of the team. She tried to compose herself, taking in the surreal moment. "Rahul Dravid," she whispered to herself in awe.

Rajiv led her closer, and Rahul Dravid noticed their approach. He smiled warmly, extending a hand towards Supraja. 

"Good morning, Supraja. Welcome to our training session," he greeted her in his trademark calm voice.

Supraja shook his hand, trying to hide her excitement. 

"Good morning, Mr. Dravid. It's an honour to meet you," she replied, her voice tinged with reverence.

Rahul Dravid gestured towards the players around them. 

"Let me introduce you to the team. These are the men who will be the faces of our campaign," he said proudly.

Supraja nodded eagerly, her eyes scanning the group of focused athletes. Rajiv stepped forward, facilitating the introductions.

"This is Rohit Sharma, our captain," Rajiv began, pointing towards a tall, composed figure. "And here we have Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, and the rest of the squad," he continued, naming each player in turn.

Supraja greeted each player warmly, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. She was struck by their dedication and the camaraderie among them. 

"It's amazing to see you all in action. I can't wait to capture your spirit in our campaign," she expressed sincerely.

Rahul Dravid nodded approvingly. "We're looking forward to seeing your creativity at work, Supraja. Feel free to observe and get a feel for how we operate," he encouraged.

Supraja nodded eagerly, her mind already racing with ideas. 

"Thank you, Mr. Dravid. I'm ready to dive in," she said with determination.

Rajiv smiled, impressed by her enthusiasm. 

"Let's give Supraja some space to work her magic, gentlemen," he suggested to the players.

The team members nodded, returning to their drills with renewed focus. Supraja watched them intently, her camera already clicking away to capture candid moments and gestures.

As the morning progressed, she found herself fully immersed in the atmosphere of the training grounds. 

The energy and passion of the players fueled her creativity, and she began mentally sketching out potential scenes and compositions for the campaign.

Rajiv approached her after some time, checking in on her progress. 

"How are you feeling, Supraja? Getting inspired?" he asked with a smile.

"Absolutely, Rajiv. This is incredible. The players, the energy... it's all coming together," she replied, a spark of excitement in her eyes.

Rajiv nodded approvingly. "Good to hear. We have a lot to cover today, but take your time to absorb everything," he advised.

Supraja nodded gratefully, feeling a surge of confidence. "I won't disappoint," she assured him, already mentally planning the next steps for the campaign.

As Supraja focused on capturing Shreyas Iyer's fluid batting technique, adjusting her camera for the perfect shot, she suddenly felt a cold splash of water on her shoulder. 

Startled, she looked up to see Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan standing nearby, holding water bottles and looking sheepish.

"Oops! Sorry about that," Shubman Gill apologized with a grin, his boyish charm evident even in his embarrassment.

Ishan Kishan chuckled, nudging Shubman gently. "Yeah, sorry Supraja. We were just trying to stay hydrated," he added, offering her a towel.

Supraja couldn't help but laugh, wiping the water off her shoulder with the towel. 

"No worries, guys. It's all part of the game," she replied, smiling at their innocent mischief.

Shubman Gill looked around curiously. "Are you getting some good shots?" he asked, genuinely interested.

Supraja nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! Your batting form is incredible. It's great to capture these moments," she said, her passion for photography evident in her voice.

Ishan Kishan grinned, glancing at Shreyas Iyer who was still at the crease. "Wait till you see him hit a six. That's when you get the money shot," he teased lightly.

Supraja laughed, feeling more relaxed in their company. "I'll keep my camera ready for that," she promised.

As she continued to photograph the players, Shubman and Ishan stayed nearby, occasionally chatting with her and offering insights into their training routines. 

Supraja found their camaraderie infectious, their anecdotes adding depth to her understanding of the team dynamics.

As the sun began to fade and the floodlights turned on, signalling the end of the training session, Supraja thanked Shubman and Ishan for their company. 

"You guys have been great. Thanks for letting me capture these moments," she said sincerely.

Shubman smiled warmly. "Anytime, Supraja. We're looking forward to seeing your photos," he said, shaking her hand before heading off with Ishan towards the dressing room.

After the training session wrapped up, Supraja gathered her camera equipment and personal belongings. She glanced around the now quieter training grounds, the energy of the players and the day's activities still lingering in the air. With a satisfied smile, she knew she had captured some incredible shots that would soon find their place in the campaign.

As she packed up, she noticed Rahul Dravid walking towards her, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Supraja, how did everything go today?" he asked, his voice calm yet interested.

"It went really well, Mr. Dravid," she replied eagerly. "I managed to capture some great moments during the practice. The players were fantastic to work with."

Rahul nodded, his gaze scanning the grounds. "I'm glad to hear that. The team values your creative input. How soon do you think we can start with the ad shoots?" he inquired, his tone business-like yet approachable.

Supraja considered the question, mentally reviewing her schedule and the shots she had taken. "I think we can start in about a day or two," she suggested confidently. "I'll need some time tonight to go through the photos and finalize the concepts. We can discuss the details tomorrow."

Rahul Dravid nodded approvingly. "That sounds reasonable. We'll arrange for the necessary permissions and logistics. Your insights today have been valuable, Supraja. I look forward to seeing your vision come to life," he said with a reassuring smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Dravid. I'm honoured to be a part of this," Supraja replied sincerely, feeling a rush of excitement for the upcoming shoots.

As Rahul Dravid walked away to attend to other matters, Supraja finished packing her gear. She sent a quick message to Rajiv, updating him on their conversation and confirming her availability for the shoot schedule discussions tomorrow.

As Supraja drove home, her mind replayed the day's events, excitement still coursing through her veins. She couldn't wait to dive into editing the photos and finalizing the creative concepts for the upcoming ad shoots. 

The sun had set, casting a warm glow over the city as she navigated through traffic, her thoughts consumed by the task ahead.

Meanwhile, back at the training grounds, Ishan Kishan couldn't resist teasing Shubman Gill mercilessly about his apparent interest in Supraja. 

They were in the dressing room, changing out of their training gear when Ishan brought it up with a mischievous grin.

"So, Shubman, I noticed you were stealing quite a few glances at Supraja today," Ishan said teasingly, his tone lighthearted but pointed.

Shubman looked up from tying his shoelaces, his cheeks colouring slightly. 

"What are you talking about, Ishan?" he replied defensively, trying to play it cool.

Ishan chuckled, leaning against the locker next to him. "Come on, man. I saw you checking her out during the drills. Don't tell me you weren't impressed," he teased, nudging Shubman playfully.

Shubman rolled his eyes, attempting to brush off Ishan's teasing. 

"I was just making sure she was getting good shots, that's all," he muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Ishan raised an eyebrow knowingly. "Sure, sure. Just making sure," he teased, enjoying Shubman's mild discomfort.

Rohit Sharma, who was nearby, joined in with a chuckle. "I think someone has a crush," he teased, adding to the banter.

Shubman shook his head, laughing along despite himself. 

"Alright, alright, enough of this. Let's focus on the upcoming matches," he deflected, trying to steer the conversation away from his unintentional admiration.

Ishan and Rohit exchanged amused glances before nodding in agreement. 

"Fine, fine. Back to cricket then," Ishan conceded, but not without a mischievous grin.

"Did you get her number at least?" Rohit teased making his eyes go wide as he looked up at them. 

"Shit no!" he whisper - yelled making the other 2 men laugh.

As they continued getting ready, the playful banter faded into discussions about strategy and upcoming games. 

Shubman couldn't help but smile to himself, grateful for the friendship and lighthearted moments that made their time together as a team memorable both on and off the field.

Meanwhile, Supraja arrived home, greeted by the familiar comfort of her apartment. She wasted no time in setting up her laptop and camera gear on her dining table, eager to begin sorting through the day's photos. 

With a cup of coffee by her side, she immersed herself in her work, each image sparking new ideas and possibilities for the campaign.

As she edited and curated the shots, her excitement grew. Tomorrow would bring discussions about the ad shoot logistics and further planning with the team. 

She couldn't wait to see how her vision would align with theirs, confident that together, they would create something truly remarkable for the World Cup campaign.

og supraja speaks!

- And here we have the first chapter of The Prophecy!

- she's a mess, like me

- and anyway, Shubman's awestruck by her. [ just for the book. that's never gonna happen irl ]

- anyway do comment on how the chapter was.

- love, soup.