Author's POV:

It's been three days since the shopping dayout, and today Eva and all others have their flight for New Zealand. The past days had been heavily packed for Eva to even take out time for herself. Wrapping all the pending meetings, photoshoots and packing for the trip. 

After bidding her parents a good bye she got in the car while the chauffer drove her to the Chhatrapati Shivaji airport. She wore a casual black camisole top and a baggy black trouser, accessorizing herself with a gold snake chain, a rolex watch and slipping on her nude pumps from jimmy choo.

 She met Ananya, Suhana and Aryan at the business class lounge. Since it was a midnight flight all of them enjoyed their hot cup of coffee to not get sleepy while boarding. It was going to be a pretty long flight of 17hrs. After getting their boarding passes and boarding the flight, Aryan and Evara got their seats adjacent to each other. 

While on the flight either she was sleeping or working on some specific designs for the upcoming spring collections. After 17hrs of constant flying, the flight landed at Auckland airport at 2 in the night. Boarding the car that they rented while their stay in New Zealand, the driver drove them to Tauranga, where the matches were to be held. It was going to be the same hotel as that of the U19 team. 

Collecting the room keys from the reception, all four of them departed to their respective rooms which was on the same floor as that of ICT. Today is the very first match of India against Australia at Tauranga which is 3hrs away from Auckland if travelled by car.

After taking an hour nap, Eva got in the washroom to get ready for the match. She took a shower to restrain herself from dozing off and the drowsy feeling. She got ready in an elegant white pleated midi dress with a v neckline adding charms to her youthfulness. She slipped on a pair of transparent heels and taking her dior clutch she came out of the room once locking it.

She met the others near the elevator and together they came to the lobby to board their car for Tauranga. They soon reached the Bay Oval stadium where today's match was to be hosted. Getting in the stadium, they were shown their seats by the staff. Reaching over to the viewing area they met Sara and Arjun.

Sara: Hi guys!

Suhana: Hi Sara! Well this is Evara!

Evara: Hi Sara! Nice to meet you!

Sara: Hi Evara! Nice meeting you too!

Arjun: guys lets go grab the seats!

They walked over to the seats that were placed under the parasol. They settled down as the match was about to take place. The toss happened and was won by India as they chose to bat first.

Manjot and captain Prithvi came over to open for the team. They had a great partnership of 180 runs. Next came Shubman to bat, Manjot who was in his 80s got out too. Shubman was unstoppable with hitting constant sixes and fours for the team but he too got out at 63 and the team set a target of 329 to be chassed in 50 overs. 

After the break, the second innings started and the very first wicket fell in the 14th over. For the next 16 overs the match was a stable one with only one wicket down. The falling of the wickets started from 30th over, and soon the team got all out in 43 overs and India won with 100 runs.

Shubman's POV:

I was sitting in the dugout all padded up, when my eyes fell towards my left where the seats were placed for the viewers. I saw a group of peoples along with Sara and Arjun, it didn't took me much time to realize that one of them was my celebrity crush Evara Malhotra. Well yes I've been crushing over Evara for months now. She has always been special to me, I've felt a different connection towards her, an undeniable feeling that ignites in me.

I walked to the pitch as Manjot got out while playing, my conscience asked me to hit a six in her direction and I did. I could see a small smile playing on her face while her hands applauded for me. The elegance she has, even her simple white attire looked so elegant that I couldn't take my eyes of her, but I did and continued to play for my country.

Evara's POV:

As the first wicket was down, another player S Gill, jersey no. 77 came to the pitch taking over the strike. He looked different from all other, an undeniable passion igniting in his orbs, collars up and a sporty attitude playing on his face. While playing he hit the ball in our direction and it went up in the air going for a six. An unknown smile covered my face and my hands could not stop itself from applauding for him.

After performing great in the second innings as well. India won the match by 100 runs. Sara suggested if we could go meet the team and personally congratulate them on the win. We headed to the team dressing room, and as the door opened we met with an enthusiastic team celebrating their win while dancing.

My eyes fell on the same guy who hit six in our direction. He walked to us hugging Arjun and greeting Sara.

Sara: Shubman this is Aryan, Suhana, Ananya and Evara and guys this is our vice captain Shubman

Shubman: hey guys! Hi Evara!

Ananya: separate hi for Eva! Not bat anyways hi Shubman!

Evara: stop it Ana! Hi Shubman! You were great today!

Shubman: thank you!

Author's POV:

Before Shubman could say anything further Manjot, Prithvi and Abhishek came towards them.

Manjot: oye Shubi yaar tune bataya nhi guests aaye huye hain! Anyways hi guys myself Manjot Kalra!

All of them: Hi!

Sara: guys this is Prithvi our captain and this is Abhishek our amazing all rounder.

Prithvi: Hi guys! Hope you enjoyed today's match!

Aryan: it was a great match Prithvi!

Manjot: Hi Evara!

He greeted forwarding his hand for a handshake. While Shubman eyed Manjot's hand which soon had Eva's hand in it.

Evara: Hi Manjot!

After the little introductory session and chit chatting for a while they headed back to the hotel. It was noon and all four of them decided to head to the lounge to have their lunch. Reaching over to the lounge, they found Sara and Arjun along with the ICT having their lunch.

Arjun: Hi guys! Come on join us for the lunch!

Aryan: Sure!

Two consecutive seats beside Shubman were vacant, Aryan and Evara headed over to fill the seats while Ananya and Suhana moved to the seats beside Abhishek. While having the lunch an air filled with laughter and gossips erupt, amidst this Evara ended up having a piece of peanut muffin. After a pause of few minutes she suddenly chocked on her breath, Shubman was about to pass her the glass of water but Aryan was fast enough to make her have some water, slowly rubbing her back to sooth her.

Aryan: bub! you okay?

Evara: yeah I'm okay now!

Aryan: what did you have?

Evara: I just had this muffin

Aryan: Is the muffin made up of peanuts?

Arjun: yeah! They're peanut muffins we ordered it because Sara loves them!

Aryan: where's the medicine bub?

Evara: it's in the room!

Aryan: let's go and get you the medicine first

The duo left while a dumbfounded Shubman kept looking at their fading figures. Abhishek's voice bring him back as he asked Ananya about Evara's connection with peanuts.

Abhishek: Is Evara allergic to peanuts?

Ananya: yeah and the last time she had peanut we had to got her admitted in the hospital.

Sara: That sounds severe!

After all of them were done with lunch and headed back to their room. Shubman decided to visit the garden. As he came to the garden a female silhouette caught his attention amidst those pinkish purple hue casting over the garden. Upon getting closer to the silhouette, he realized it's none other than Evara, his celeb crush. He gathered all the courage he had before speaking to her.

Shubman: Hi! How are you now?

Evara: oh hey! Shubman right? I'm good now!

Shubman: u like gardens?

Evara: I like to stroll in the gardens

Shubman: well then let's walk together.

They walked with equal pace. The atmosphere filled with an unknown peace and a serene vibe. This time Evara was curious, curious to know more about him, wanting to explore him.

Evara: You were great at the field today

Shubman: thank you but you could have found something else to start the conversation

Evara who knew that he undoubtedly understood her feelings just turned her face to the side, slightly biting her inner cheeks.

Shubman: you will hurt your cheeks! Stop biting them!

Evara: seems you know so much about me!

Shubman: I do? Well even if I don't, I want to, I want to know you!

He said in his not so usual husky voice looking straight in those dark brown orbs of her. A hint of fondness igniting in his orbs, carrying an unexplainable feeling in his heart. She just looked away with her cheeks burning under his sharp gaze and chills running down her spine.

Evara: I'm way too mysterious to be known!

It was her last words before she walked towards the hotel entrance.

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written on: 04-08-24
posted on: 12-04-24