TAKE 3 - Doodle

3 years ago

mysticaltales11111

@mysticltales111

Hellooooo Guysssssssss....

Hope you and your family all are Safe and Sound amidst the rising Covid Tsunami in India. Stay in and Stay Safe - Guysss!!🙏🙏🙏🙏

Word Count - Short-Medium- 5K Words.(Have split the otherwise long chapter as by the time I finished writing this - I wanted it to stand alone.)

Taking some hours off to just Write this Out finally has truly been my Respite in taking my Mind Off - Everything Covid! And I truly hope - that you are able to experience some distraction and entertainment through the Story Too.❤

Will be Eager to know your feedback on the Same!

Also, yes this is the First Draft. Please definitely ignore editing/common repition of words errors etc - since I have not proofread.

And I shall now let you all dive in without Further Delay.

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TAKE 3 - Doodle

Two Days Later - On the night of 18th Feb,2019

10:00 PM

Khushi's Home

Khushi's Home

Khushi's POV

Khushi's POV

I continue to pace around in front of my bed nervously with Maya and Sarah shooting me ridiculous looks all curled up in my bed on either sides.The girls are sleeping over - tonight.And I kind off called them over - because now that it's finally taken me all this while - (53 hours to be precise) - to process and digest the crazy joke - my Life pulled on me - two days ago - I do want to talk to them - about it.

Maya narrows her eyes at me first - " K - stop this crazy pacing now will you?? you'v been at it for the last ten minutes - silently which is the signal that you are prepping yourself to get ready to talk to us...and your dinner's surely digested by now too..plus this better be about that strange weird thing in a good way from the Thorpe Park moment..."

(We finished dinner with Mum - a while ago - and she went into her Study to finish up on some Work/Reading. And we came to my room.)

Sarah nods as she sips on some water from the bottle - " yeah babe...and it better be about that..or else be ready to get squashed and beaten in our pillow fight.I shall spare you no respite with the tickles in the middle...tonight..even if Maya say's so.."

I can't help but bite back on my chuckle on the reference of that. Pillow fight is just our Fun Thing and when I am winning - Sarah likes to attack me with my weak point which is that I tickle so freaking easily and end up laughing into giggles until I can't breathe and she only let's me catch up on a breath when Maya comes to my rescue or if I admit defeat. I say now pausing for just a second - " two minutes girls...just give me that - I just need to process the fact again that whatever I am about to tell you actually ended up happening for real and was not a figment of my crazy imagination..."

They nod at me in silent unison - as I begin pacing nervously again.

So.

They'v been asking about that strange weird thing in a good way moment since that day - but I'v just been pushing talking to them about it - because just saying all of it loud was going to make it seem more Real and Crazy . And like I hinted prior I'v just been in the middle of absorbing the crazy shocking surprise off it all + the fact that all of it really did Happen in Reality.I still feel comfortable when I think about the elements of our encounter but the Reality of The MaskCap's Dude - identity was something that's just been pushing me off the hook and I'v just been pushing it out of my Head - until this point.

I mean - guys - you all understand where I am coming from - right?

I mean - just when I made that resolution - of Staying at An Arm's Distance away from Cricketer's - I bump into a super famous cricketing celebrity in the craziest unsual of ways and spend some super fun+ strangely comforting time with him. I swear to Gods - I was literally feeling all light as a feather(all thanks to his subtle/warm support prior) while binging into My Candy Floss - until the very second he took his Mask+ Cap Off.

For the second he did that - it was like as if - all of my Switches Flipped at Once and Red Alert Alarms went Blazing in my Head - which is why I just Freaking Ran away from Him.

I know it was Rude of me to abruptly do that for he'd been only been so cool/supportive/friendly/warm - towards me in all the time prior + he was lot of fun to chill with.

But.

I just Had Too.

Ugh.

As all of it finally sinks in again - I can't help but think in my head.

Why?

Just Why?

Just Why couldn't he just be - The MaskCap Dude? Why couldn't he be any other chilled out bloke from around the block? Like - just why did he even take his Mask Off? Just Why did he have to be a Godamm Freaking - Cricketer?

Why did he have to be Arnav Singh Raizada?(On that note - even though I have been refering to him as the MaskCap Dude. I do think - just his name - Arnav (now that I know it)has got a really nice warm ring to it. Kind off suits him more than ASR too(That's what everyone else usually calls him in the cricketing world)

I pause on my thought as I Spot Maya and Sarah exchange a mischevious look picking up on some pillows and I say gesturing to them - " hold on girls - I am sure you are going to forget all about the pillow fight once you finally hear the crazy freaking joke Life pulled on me - two days ago at the Thorpe Park.."

Maya and Sarah shoot me a look in unison as they ask getting off the bed and walking up to me together gesturing me to sit in between of them on the carpet on the floor and they ask in unison - " what do you mean??a crazy freaking joke?"

Sarah insists wrapping her arm around my shoulder - " babe - you gotta start right from the beginning with the context..please??

I sigh and nod as I look to and fro in between the two of them and Maya shoots me a comfortable supportive smile and I begin to fill them in - starting right from the top - from the minute I first bumped into him in the Fast-Track Lane.

.......................

Twenty Minutes Later

Khushi's POV Continues

The minute I finish telling - them - about who The MaskCap Dude actually turned out to be - I see Maya's jaw drop in shock + Sarah's eyes widen in sheer /disbelief as they exclaim in unison - " wait..........what??????????????? who did you say he turned out to be???"

I exclaim shrugging my shoulders in part disbelief yet again - " yeah - you heard me right the very first time...it's him...Arnav.As in Arnav Singh Raizada from the Indian Cricket team..."

Sarah gapes at me still ridiculously surprised - "hold on...hold on... just to reconfirm - you mean this dude - whom we were edging towards having a little soft corner for because of the ways he supported you and actually got you to talk out of your shell (even if it was in partially ambigious ways)- for the very first time - is ASR - India's ace premier bowling all-rounder - the man with the golden arm - or as they say..."

I nod and Maya chips in a tone that mirrors her partial shock still - "correction Sarah.They call him the Man with a Platinum arm now that he's catching up on some medium pace in his already ridiculously deceptive spin bowling...okay..yes as this kind off sinks in...I gotta admit... this really is crazy..."

I nod - " yeahhhh...now you guys know what I mean - what a crazy joke this is -don't you?"

They nod and Sarah asks - " so wait - what happened after? When you found out who he was - I'm sorry we just had to pause because of the shock+ surprise..."

I admit with a casual shrug - " I ran away from him at the speed of light - ofcourse..."

Maya asks - " what? wait? You just ran away? Just like that??"

I nod - silently. I know Maya's going to not shy away from letting me know that - it was abrupt of me to do so. Its what I love about both my girls the most. They support me unconditionally always - but they also never hesitate from speaking their mind out to me.

Maya says holding my hand - " I know why you did what you did- K. But - that was surely abrupt of you plus..to his credit - he seemed like a nice bloke...you know what I mean??"

Bingo! See - I know her through and through.

I nod - " I know..it was abrupt and super rude of me to do that maybe - but - I couldn't help it guys - I mean - he did turn out to be a godamm freaking cricketer.."

Maya nods in an instant understanding and she shoots me a look - " but that doesn't change the fact that you'v been feeling a tad bit guilty surely for jetting away that way? Now does it? c'mon admit it - we know that look..."

I groan picking up my cushion and cuddling on it in my arms. " Ofcourse..I am feeling a tad bit guilty guys...I mean - as much as I do not want to accept it. I gotta admit - that there was something about him that was like super comfortable. It was like as if he could just see through me in the way you guys do. Like I told you didn't I ? he literally even called - my way of masking up my eyes from giving away too much of what I feel - as my thing of flipping the switch - like how is it just even possible that he could see through me that way??,"and I add with another groan - "ughhhhh...just whyyyyy can he not be a Cricketer?"

Sarah chips in picking up her phone shooting me a look - " well...just like you can't deny everything you just said...there's also no denying the fact that no matter how much you wish - the bit of him being who he is - is not going to change... for...he surely is a cricketer and a super duper famous one at that. I mean he's always been on the list of top 5 cricketers from India ever since his debut I guess..plus he's been backing the TOP 5 All-Rounders in the ICC World Rankings for years at a stretch too...."

Maya and me both Nod.

Sarah continues scrolling into her phone - " plus and given that he's their top all-rounder - he's crazily popular otherwise too back in India...given the numerous brand endorsements/advertisements/other social media engagements - yup - see...this is what I mean - I thought I spotted this while scrolling up on facebook yesterday because my feed is filled with news of cricket given my love for the game anyway - apparently his fan clubs on social media/specially Instagram - have been pretty pepped up since yesterday given that - he hit 17 million follower's on Instagram and they'v been celebrating because the number to the million finally matches his Jersey Number..."

Sarah shoves her phone in her hand to show us the article from one of India's sports entertainment online handle.

As Maya and me - look through it - I can't help but gulp down my partial disbelief as I admit another one of my thoughts handing the phone to Sarah - " guys - know what? seriously this still feels unreal though...I mean - just how could the MaskCap Dude be him??? And how could I not get a huff of this. I mean -as in it isn't like I haven't seen his frame on the ground... in live matches we'v all gone too here in our country in between off England and India in the last couple of years...so now I just feel like even though I couldn't see his face - how could I not connect in the familiarity of his frame at the least??"

Maya pulls me into a sidehug - " hey..don't be so hard on yourself...you'v never seen him up close plus it was obvious to not link his frame to him - because - it was at such a totally unexpected spot perhaps? I mean - who knew you'd bump into him at the Thorpe park of all places"

I nod - " yeah...maybe you are right about that..."

Sarah says now - pulling her phone back from Maya's hand giving me a mischevious smile- " okay..yes...this did turn out to be crazy... but just for the record on a lighter note - I gotta a good bloke soft corner for him already nonetheless for two reasons. The first being the way he was all grounded/friendly/warm/supportive nonetheless no matter how big a shot he is in the cricketing world or the fact he is kind off a sports figure that is worshipped back in India..."

Maya nods and says shrugging - " well I gotta agree with Sarah on that..."

I sigh as I admit - " well there's nothing wrong in that. He surely was super grounded.He's surely got no hoity celebrity air about him..,"and I admit because I need to be fair - " Rob was always super grounded around me and us too though - he didn't flaunt any crazy celebrity airs too..."

Sarah scowls - " yeah. I hate that I have to fair to him on this though no matter how angry I am at him. He was always cool - given his crazy popularity here in the UK and now that I say this out loud I do have to admit that it was cool of him to always just respect the bit off you wanting to keep your dating a secret from the public eye...because you were always so sceptical about the potential drama it could add to your life...Rob surely was keen on talking about it more openly - remember how he was super bummed when you did not attend the national cricketing awards of the year with him in public..."

Well. Sarah is right about that. I was kind of coming around to that bit off coming out in the public about our dating in my head - only because Rob was so upset that I didn't go the cricketing awards(prior to the WI tour) with him- as his date. It was right after this - that I just felt like I wanted to talk to him about my vulnerable secret - because it was so important for me to know his reaction to the same before everyone in public knew about us. And given the way things turned out - I am so glad that - just everyone in his inner circle of friends and couple of his team-mates and his parents - knew about us.(Just like it was at my End.)

Maya nods - " well yes to that - just to be fair to Rob too. He was always super friendly otherwise. But I do need to add in a point - here - even though I know a comparison doesn't necessarily make sense but Rob could never see through your mask - emotionally so easily - as in he just always went with gauging your actual words...he surely was wanting too break in more to you emotionally and he was trying - only you were so cautitious with your emotions because you wanted to know his reaction...first..."

I nod as I admit - " exactly -and now after what happened... am glad that I was cautitious. And guys even though as Maya says that a comparison doesn't make any sense whatsoever but given the encounter at the Thorpe Park - everything about Arnav is now red alert - beep - godammit - beep. I am so freaking afraid of the ways - he can see through my curtain - a reason why I am also counting on never running into him again..."

Maya shoots me a knowing look - " ahaan...you are afraid that he can make you talk by reading through?? I mean its obvious that its difficult to keep your curtain on in front of someone - who knows thats exactly what you are trying to pull.."

I nod - nervously as I admit - " yeah - I am so afraid off that ...given that the comfortable vibe from his supportive/warm support in our conversation continues to haunt me.."

Maya nods - " I understand..."

Sarah chips in misceheviously next diverting the topic- " hmmm I get all of that..but...okay...back to what I was saying...for a second please..coz... hey..none of you asked me the second reason...for my good bloke soft corner for ASR already?"

We both shoot her a look - " what's the second reason Sarah?"

She winks - "and the second reason obviously is that he's just the one whose freaking got Rob's wicket every single time - in the last six years. Haaaa...given that I am anti-Rob now - that truly is like the icing on the freaking cake..."

Yup.

This just continues to get Crazier.

I groan at the reminder of that - " I know right....I mean - I know how Rob's just always courteous to him because of the customary sporting routines because of his respect to the game -but Arnav is like his arch nemesis on the field - and Rob's always preppeing up on how to play him in the nets every time he is set to face India/or his team in the IPL and I just can't believe I rattled out about my break-up with Rob to him too - ughhhh...just why couldn't I have kept my mouth shut and just been my usual guarded self..??,"and I punch my cushion - " ughhh...I totally gotta blame that super warm/comfortable vibe of his over the same..."

Maya pats my shoulder - " okay..before you freak out more - just a reminder - you didn't mention Rob actually. He doesn't know any names. He doesn't even know your name..."

I sidehug Maya - " thank you for that bestie - exactly the reminder I needed to hear....,"and as I spot Sarah smiling to herself with mischievousness written all over her face looking into her phone - I ask narrowing my eyes at her - " Sarah...what are you upto??"

Sarah looks up and shoots me a knowing look - " checking his handle out on Instagram - obviously. Plus- I just followed him..."

I groan as my eyes widen at that as I gulp down a thought - " Sarah...no...why would you do that??"

Sarah chuckles - " oh please - he's got 17 million followers already..one more isn't going harm - plus it's not like I am commenting on anything - like even if he manages his social media by himself - he's got crazy volumes of fan engagements happening on every post/story of his anyway - I don't really think he'd be reading it all or even checking out whose viewing his stories...,"and she keeps her phone aside and hugs me - "look all I am saying is - he seems like a nice dude and he was kind to you okay? So let's just give him the due credit for that - even if he is a cricketer...and just in case you run into him ever again - and he strikes up a conversation about the same...you can just tell him that you were momentarily intimidated by his celebrity identity - which is kind off true anyway - because even though cricketers here in England our significantly a celebrity popular figure - no one can beat the Indian fan wave around Indian cricketers - for cricket is an unofficial religion in India..."

Maya nods as she picks up her phone and looks into it and taps her screen and smiles - " well...that point does seem like a fair enough explanation so..I think you could say that..."

I sigh - " maybe you guys are right.But let's just hope I never run into him again in the first place?"

Maya and Sarah nod and Maya adds grinning - " okay..lets hope that for you K ...nonetheless...but I just followed him too...,"and she picks up my phone from my bed and hands it to me - "come on - K -why don't you look him up on Instagram too? it's not going to harm just scrolling through his Instagram - he's got a public profile anyway - so you don't have to follow him to check it out......"

I shoot them a look that I know they will catch up on.

Guilty as Charged.

Ofcourse - I'v already checked up on his Instagram.I'v been doing it for the last two nights - and every time I'v seen his posts/ pictures on his grid - I'v just been reprimanding myself over and over for not catching up on his frame prior. Plus just looking at those pictures - has been my way to reconfirm the fact - that it really was Him that I saw with my very own eyes. (He did post up a couple of pictures chilling out with his squad after Nets Time etc - yesterday too.)

But I just looked him up.

I didn't follow him.

Maya and Sarah take in the look on my face and they state with their eyes widening - " whoaaa - no way - we know that look on your face - you'v already looked up his Insta... haven't you??"

I nod embarrassed - burying my face into the cushion admitting my reasons on the same to them and once I am done with that - Sarah states - " it's okay K - we get it..,"and it is right then my phone beeps with a reminder notification.

The reminder notification with the schedule off Mum's - Routine Mammography checkup at 3:30 Pm with the Doc tomorrow. I show it to Sarah and Maya and they nod in an instant understanding and we all get up on reflex and head to Mum's study to remind her off the same.

So.

Mum's Okay- Health wise.

But.

Ever since she turned 45 - I just kind off nudged her into getting her routine follow up's/check up's done - just to be extra cautious with regards to Breast Cancer as her grandmother - (my great-grandmother) - passed because of the same and ever since I once read - that genetics could have a role to play in the same (and Mum did say it was just a theory under research with no significantly conclusive evidence) - I kind off went into an over protective-paranoid mode for Mum.She's my whole wide world. Just about nothing can happen to her.I would never let it.

Once we near her study I say to the girls - " ok girls - I haven't talked about meeting Arnav in the ways I did alright? she doesn't need to know -chances are that I anyway might never see him again so...I don't want to worry her with the bit of just bumping to a cricketer - again...she's been worried for me after the break up with Rob - already.."

They nod at me and grin in an understanding and we knock on the door.

Out comes Mum's relaxed chirpy voice - "and since when do my girls need to knock on my door before coming in huh?? Come on in darlings..."

We share a happy grin and step.

I say as we walk up to her desk - " I know Mum

I say as we walk up to her desk - " I know Mum...but you know I hate to disturb you when you are busy up with reading...,"and I walk up to stand behind her hugging her by the shoulders from behind as I say - " also...you'v had along day Mum...why not rest now??"

Mum kisses on my hand lovingly as she says - " yup I will baby..just need to finish reading this last article...you know I got this medical conference coming up after India's tour...".She constantly keeps up reading up on medical articles/attending conferences in the field of sports physiotherapy to keep herself upto date with everything.

Maya insists catching my look - " yes aunty...but..there's still a long time to go for that...look you gotta retire for the day already.."

Sarah chips on next - " yup...and that's coz - we'v just come here to remind you about your routine check up with the doc's tomorrow.."

Mum sighs taking out her specs and placing it on her desk lovingly as she kisses on my hand again turning to look up at me- " is it time for that already??"

I nod as I kiss her head - " and I just knew you won't keep up with the reminder so I did. Yup my dear Alice in Wonderland - its time for that already and just like I do every single time - I am coming with you..."

She chuckles - " yes...Maam..,"and she pulls me up her lap and hugs me from behind by the waist. Even though I am 24 now - I love when she cradles me this way and I admit tucking her article back in her file carefully - " sometimes I wonder if I should start calling you Alice in Physio or Medical land given that you are always so busy with your work in the nights Mum..."( And the minute I say that out loud- I regret it too. Because I know better than anyone else - that Mum keeps her self so busy because otherwise the loneliness of the Heart - can really catch up on you - right?)

Mum kisses my cheek lovingly - " alrightyyy..complaint noted my darling...how about this? I push back on my work for now - and maybe we all indulge in some hot chocolate and marshmallows and get talking by continuing our conversation from dinner? Exactly what I need before I hit the bed all relaxed...."

Yayiee.

I love that.

I kiss her cheek lovingly and we both get up - " that's perfect Mum...,"and she adds gesturing towards Maya and Sarah playfully - " plus now that we spent the dinner time talking my work and what you girls have been upto on that front too - I now want the deets on the personal stuff... ...Sarah can fill us in over how great it's been going with Brian and Maya - you better give me a valid reason as to why you aren't dating Jack already.."

We all chuckle at that and Maya says as we begin to head down to our kitchen - " Oh Mrs.J(They sometimes calls Mum that too) - you know already know how it is. I am so scared of messing up and losing him as a dear friend. Plus I just feel like - he's always been more of one of my best buds. Now if we date and we mess up - the entire dynamic will change. I don't want anything to change - that's all...."

Mum nods - " well yes...that's a valid point you make my darling"

Sarah insists - " oh no Mrs.J - you gotta be the one to convince her otherwise..."

And I pause for a second on a stair behind them to just soak in the happy sight of Mum/Sarah/Maya talking - thanking God for them again.

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Two Hours Later

Khushi's POV Continues

I walk out the bath( I'd just walked in fifteen minutes prior to shower for the night) and I can't help but smile as I spot Maya and Sarah all dozed off to sleep already curled up in bed. Well - they'v both had a long day hectic day otherwise - and even though we did plan to chatter for a bit more after our pillow fight and catching up on the fun video call with Brian+ Jack on our usual chatter - I am glad that they are resting too - for I am the one on the work break and can wake up on leisure while I am at it.

I'v got the morning free anyway.

Mum's appointment is only at 3:30PM.

I walk upto my side-drawer in hushed steps now and take out my sketchbook - in which I like to randomly Doodle - and pick out a set of my brush sketch pens and tiptoe my way into my little cozy tunnel in the room.

Once I am tucked into it cozily - I begin to Just Doodle my way around the blank sheet of my book in quick strokes.

So.

I love to Doodle/Colour not just because I am so passionate about animation. I love to do the same also because the scene of colours filling up a white sheet or a little picture of art always tends to have a super calming affect on my Mind. You know like on nights I am having difficulty falling to sleep - I just indulge in pouring out my silent thoughts through doodles+colours on a white sheet - and I begin to feel a lot calmer and sleep comes easily then.

Hnmm.

Let's do this.

A part of my mind is obviously worked up - because of Mum's scheduled appointment with the Doc.It won't be at peace until her Mammography comes completely clear as its been coming always!

Plus - five minutes into Doodling - as the picture I was drawing comes to life and I come face to face with a Graphic of my hand-drawn- Candy Floss - and a mini Merry-Go-Round on my sheet of paper- I feel like I can't Lie to myself about the fact that - Arnav's strangely just been lurking around at some corners at the back of my mind - no matter how much I am trying to push his thought Out.

I pause on the Doodling for a bit and pick up my phone.And I head to Instagram and open up his handle. And the second I do - I spot a fresh post come up on his feed grid - with a happy group picture at dinner - with his teammates( probably from tonight). I recognise them all - obviously. They are all superstar cricketers.

Ughhh.

What am I doing?

Why am I hanging around his Insta - again?

I freshen up my feed and in comes in a fresh post on Rob's handle(ofcourse I follow him and couple of his close mates from the team who knew about us.And I did not unfollow him after our breakup because I just felt it would probably be immature of me to do so given that all I wanted to give him was Silence and no reaction.) I look at his pic from the Nets/Practice session at their end today too. I know its earlier from today - because I can see Mum chatting up in the background with Brad(who opens alongside Rob).

Ugh.

I just shut my screen and keep my phone aside and begin doodling again as another question enters my worked - up mind.No matter what happened with Rob and how he ended things and I am still in the middle of the process of getting past the grudge. Wouldn't it be like unfair or disrespectful to him - if I ever went around talking/chatting with his arch nemesis on the cricketing field - after knowing who he was?

It's also Strange that I do not have a Clear - Yes/No - answer to this within the walls of my Head - yet.

Ugh.

I just gotta push out the memory of ever meeting Arnav in the ways I did for now - I guess. Yup.That would be the best way to go about it.

Why?

Because I cannot deal with the memory of his comforting deep gaze boring into mine in those moments off our talk before we got onto the Merry-Go-Round.

Why?

Because it returns with the feeling of guilt coming back to claw me (for Just Running Away from him in the rude abrupt ways that I did) + shades of crazy nervousness over a gut feeling that if I ever ran into him again - My Flip The Switch Curtain Over My Eyes - might just be at a risk off malfunctioning around him - for Real.

..........................

TADAAAAAA!!

How was That Guys??

I just really wanted to give a peek-abo into things at Khushi's end before the Next Meet too.And since I did split up my plan of the portion I wanted to finish writing this week - it also means that I shall give one more update by the end of the week.

Next Update (will come on Monday) : Take 4 - First Name Basis.

Until Then - Please take care and Stay Indoors and Safe guys!!!!🙏🙏🙏

Thanks Guys for all the Support and your Precious Time to my Work!

Much Love

Always

Prachi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysticaltales11111/

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