TAKE 19 - Smashed

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!!🙏🙏🙏🙏

So Yup here I am with the next update off HW3.0...and the first update off the week😉😉😉🤗🤗❤❤

Word Count – Medium–Length - 6.3K Words.✍✍👩‍💻👩‍💻

And yes – once again – I want to dedicate this Update to my Love for the Sport. 🏏🏏🏏🏏🏏It's Hit Wicket guys – I obviously am going to write our some intense gaming moments in between.So - I welcome you all to witness the final T20 decider match of the Tour – through my Words!! I hope you all able to feel the gaming thrill through. I really enjoyed penning out my imagination of this particular match. Also tried my best to capture the thrill in my words by going back forth in between commentary and live game on pitch – this time around.So I hope you all enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!

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🤗❤🙏

‍💻

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.

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

Copyright Disclaimer :

The Moral Right of the Author has been asserted. All Rights Reserved. This Story is published subject to the condition that it shall not be reproduced or transmitted/distributed in whole or in part, in any manner, whether in electronic or in hard copy, without the written consent of the author, and any infringement of this is a violation of Copyright Law.

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

** If you are reading this work/story on any other platform other than Wattpad/India Forums, especially TRUYEN4U.net then you are very likely to be at a risk of a Malware Attack for these sites are Mirror sites – who are reflecting our work through a malware lens. If you wish to read this Story in its Orignal, Safe, form, please go to Wattpad/ India Forums.**

Please bring it to my Notice by Messaging me on Wattpad, where in my username is – mysticaltales11111 - if you read this Story on any other platform, apart from Wattpad/ India Forums.

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

TAKE 19 – Smashed

Two More Days Later

Two More Days Later

5th April, 2019

8:30 PM – At the Oval, London

The Final T20 Match, which is also the Decider and the last game of India in its long tour of England is currently underway at the Oval – London.The Stadium is jamm packed with cricketing fans not only in support of England but also India. It could be aptly said – that the percentage of India Vs England fans in the crowd was – 50:50. Every cricket fan in England who was not present in the stadium was glued to their respective screens otherwise – just like every Indian cricket fan and enthusiast along with the players friends and families was still wide awake in India even though it was nearing 1:00 AM in the night for them(due to the time difference) – watching the game upon screen for the conclusive result of the Series with just one thing on their Mind. Which off the two teams was going to walk away with winning – Two Series Out of the Three – on this Bilateral International Tour – in between of India and England??

Precontext : Today - England had won the Toss and chose to Bat first. And they had managed to put up a daunting score off 224/8 wickets in their 20 overs. India's bowlers had taken regular wickets in intervals but then England had answered back competitively with the bat in the form of pivotal partnerships. India's ace pacer (Daksh) had clinched – 3 wickets. Another one of India's Vintage pacer – Sherma had clinched – 2 wickets. And India's premier bowling all-rounder – ASR- with his lethal mix of spin+ pace – had managed to clinch 3 wickets too. But these were just the wicket figures. Given the merciless hitting T20 format of the game – each of these bowlers along with the rest of the bowlers in the unit had been hit away for runs too. The England unit had swung their bats hard today – given that they were fighting for more than just the Win – at their home ground. They wanted to clinch the T20 series - Bad. It would be a good way for them to finish the Tour with 2 Series Win in the Limited overs format – both ODI's and T20's.

But – that's what makes the gaming contest more fun – isn't it? When Two Teams – want that Win – as Bad – totally driven by their passion and commitment to their game. And this undying passionate spirit of cricket once again – was the factor that was the driving force behind the thrilling game spectacle that was underway right now on the field.

For Even though the score had been daunting on the score-board to chase down in the decider game – India had come padded to the crease with the positive conviction that they could chase the 225 runs to victory – Indeed. For it was always that belief that mattered. That belief that the game was never over until it's actually over until that last very ball - as guided by their Coaches, and Skipper in the Pep talk before the second innings began. This was It – for India too. They had won the Test Series to start with but they had lost out in nail biting thrilling games in the ODI series. For them as a unit – it was also about giving it their very best and very all on the field today.

And that was the very mission – they had been/have been in the middle of executing off in the field as a unit. They had started well in the Powerplay with both their openers Sameer and Raunak taking turns on either ends to power and fire India to the exact start they needed. India's score to start with was 40 runs in 4 overs. However, the first setback for them came immediately then as Sameer fell to a brilliant stumping by the England wicket keeper in the very next ball. India's score then was – 40/1 – in 4.1 overs.

Raunak had scored – 20 runs too till that point.Sameer had just lost his wicket after scoring 20 runs too. In came in – India's deputy(Vice -Captain) – Ved next. His determined, focussed and positively aggressively approach along with Raunak in steering the innings through – kind off steered and cemented the Innings positively for India – as they built a partnership together that was starting to worry England on the other end.

Raunak and Ved batted brilliantly for a partnership stand off about 100 runs in which Raunak had contributed about 40 more runs from his end and Ved had contributed about 60 runs. India was looking pretty much in control of the innings at that point as they were 140/1 – in 12 overs.

Runboard until that Point was –

Sameer – 20 runs – Out

Raunak – 60 runs - Batting

Ved – 60 runs- Batting

However, the setback for the Indian unit in the game came in the very next over as England's ace pacer clinched wickets of both Raunak, Yuvaan and Ved in the next three balls in some killer reverse swings delivery's. Raunak lost his wicket first after which Yuvaan went in to Bat.Yuvaan got clean bowled in the very first delivery. In went in Captain Dev next and he took a successful single to start with and just when everyone in the stands was in the hope of seeing Skipper and his Deputy play in tandem – Ved lost his wicket in a catch out at Long Off.So as India lost three wickets back-to-back in that over - all of a sudden – all of India's fans in the stadium – went all silent and Hush in their Momentum for they could obviously sense by England's thrill and happiness in the moment that – they had managed to steer themselves back in the game.

Scoreboard for India then – 142/4 in 13 Overs.They were still 83 runs away from victory with 42 balls remaining.The required run rate – almost double. Which also meant that India could not afford to risk picking their foot up from the run accelerator mode too.They had to keep scoring steadily yet aggressively.

Which was exactly what Captain Dev and their young new promising batsmen – Rishi did in the next two overs. Cap anchored Rishi on the other end and kept on rotating in the strike – just edging on Rishi to play fearlessly and freely with his natural game – a strategy which worked for Rishi immense in his mind because of the way his Skipper had shown faith in him game in such a crucial point of the match. Off fired – Rishi's bat – in the next two overs – along with a couple of singles and boundaries with his Skipper. Rishi had already fired 3 fours and 2 sixes – in the mere 8 balls he had faced – and had scored 26 runs in just 8 balls. Cap was steadying in through slowly by rotating the strike and had fired a boundary for 4 through too. He was on 8 runs. Rishi on 26 runs – by the end off the 15th over – pushing India's total too – 176/4 – 15 overs.

India still needed – 49 runs to win in 30 balls– which is why it could be aptly said that the situation in the Gaming Scene on the 22 Yards at the Oval London – once again – was completely taut and tense – for either of the sides, given that it could still be anybody's game – still. India still had some fire hitting power to come in the form of their bowling all-rounder ASR next – but England's consistency in death bowling had also been commendable throughout.

The gaming tension and nerves had consumed not only the England players on field at the moment or their support team and fans in the pavilion – but also the playing squad of the Indian team in the Dug Outs plus their support units/fans.

Either way – for the Sport of Cricket – it could be rightly said that – The NailBiting Thriller Game was On and How!!!For Everyone at the Oval(who was off the ground) was on the edge of their seats in sheer gaming anticipation – Indeed.

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

Few Minutes Later

In The Dug Out

Arnav's POV

"Dropppp It...Droppppppppppppppp...it...,"are the words that leave each off our's mouth instantly in our dug out as we eye the ball flying towards – Long On – off Rishi's bat as he fired out a potential Sixer.

We are all – also on our feet – all consumed in immense gaming momentum.

Only obvious.

It's a freaking important moment in the game for us. Rishi has been playing with such great momentum. We just finished the strategic timeout. Cap had called for it in the middle as in at the point of 15.3 Overs – after two singles and another Four of Rishi's bat taking his score upto 31 in just the 10 balls he had faced.

Our score then was – 182/4 – still 43 runs away from victory. We obviously wanted Rishi to keep going. It was what we all discussed in the time-out too. But unfortunately – the fact that the bowler on the other end took his pace off the delivery ended up taking Rishi by surprise for he seems to have mistimed that hit – straight into the hands of the fielder at Long On.

We all groan in disappointment as the Umpire signals Out – Now - after checking up on the screen for a Clean Catch. I rotate my bat in my hand and adjust my helmet on my Head – snug – and get my gloves all fixed in snug too. I go in Next to join Cap – and I was obviously waiting in the dugout – all padded Up. But given that Cap is on the non-striker's end – I will have to head to the batter's crease.

We are now – 182/5 in 15.4 overs. (43 runs to win in 26 balls)

Ved pats my arm now as he says nodding determined and positive – "go on then..brother..it's on you and Cap now...you noticed what their pacer did out there didn't you? He took his pace off from fast to medium – to surprise Rishi trapping him into mistiming it...it's a good thing you can think from the bowlers head too...you know exactly what to do...let's do this..brother...we can do this...all the best..I am counting on you to smash those balls off...."

I nod at him determined – "yes...we can do it..Ved...thanks brother for the belief...I will give it my all...,"and I pat his arm and I spot Daksh padding up next now in the side-line and he nods at me determined too.

And I begin to walk my way across and I cross Rishi whose walking back dejected and disappointed with himself with his head bent down and I pause on reflex in my stride ahead and I pat his arm and hug him as I say – " Chin up..brother...you did yourself and us - proud with that fire..power...31 runs...in 10 balls ...it was exactly what we needed...."

He's one of the youngest in our squads and I obviously know what moments like these can do to one's morale when one's just starting out. He pats my arm and pulls back and gives me a little smile – "see it through for us ASR...mere bhai...please...along with Skip..or else...I won't get any sleep tonight...that shot was my bad..I mistimed it...his sudden change in pace got the better off me..."

I nod at him and pat his arm – "you did your best Rishi...that's what matters...don't worry...I will give it my all."

Rishi pats my arm and we share a determined smile and I walk ahead to join Cap – determined – rotating my bat in my hand and hopping on my feet in the process.

Once I near the pitch – Cap comes up to me adjusting his helmet snug and he says deep in thought – "the bowler knows you bowl medium pace..brother...and probably know how to tackle it too with the bat...he won't be shooting that out at you next..for sure..."

I nod at Cap adjusting my helmet snug as I study the bowlers body language from across as he is in conversation with his Skipper and I say to Cap now after a couple of seconds backing my gut – " my thoughts exactly..Skip...he won't bowl me the cutter..I think...he's going to go in for the paced bouncers or swingers at the fast pace for the next couple of deliveries...Skip...my gut tells me that...I think I am going to just block and defend him for the next two balls..he's been dangerous for us...given that he got all three of our wickets in that over ...prior.... it's his last over..let's just bowl him out...I know it will be a waste of 1 or 2 balls...but I would not want to risk mistiming/mishitting the bouncer leading to a catch out..again...not at this point...what say Skip? Either I block or defend this first delivery. Or I do a single...but I do need atleast one delivery to see and gauge the pace with which he's going to bowl at me..."

Skip nods determined and we punch our gloves – " yes...let's bowl him out...defend...this next one for sure then see how you wana go about the next...either ways...keep your wicket..intact...and just focus on your task at hand..brother...they might sledge you from around..don't fall for it...k?we just gotta go hard at them...nonetheless...no other choice at the moment...we still have those 43 runs to chase..we have to keep smashing those balls towards the boundaries..on and off...just take these two balls..if you need...to get yourself ready..to grab the bulls by its horns – after...you can do this...we can do this...we will do this..."

I nod at him and grin all positive and determined – "thank you Skip..we can do this...indeed..let's do this..together..," and we share a fist pump again and I get back to the Crease at Strikers End and take my Stance and get set to face the first ball my way channelising my Focus – Determined.

Yup.

Cap is right. We gotta go hard back – at them – nonetheless. For we have no other choice/option – at the moment – Indeed.

I just gotta block this one delivery to just acclimatize myself on the pitch and get set to Smash and Swing my Bat after.

Was I ready to Grab the Gaming Bull by its Horns?

Hell Yeah.

I was.

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

A Couple of Minutes Later

Commentator 1 – "It'ssss a Sixxxx! Oh Yes – It Is! There's no doubt on that one.A gutsy shot to fire up on the very second ball to be faced for the day and that too off the pacer whose got 4 wickets out of the five India's lost tonight – until this point.A Cheeky Bold Shot – Indeed. Blimey...Goodness Me...I told you mate..it can never be over for India..until the man with the platinum arm ASR is out on the crease with his Skipper."

Commentator 2 - "That was a mind-boggling Sixer indeed. The beauty of successful uppercuts never fails to amaze me mate. Anyways – ladies and gentleman – there we go ASR has just fired his first Six on the second ball he faced today...India is now 188/5 in 16 overs. 37 runs away from Victory. The bowlers absolutely gutted himself though.He can't believe the end of his amazingly controlled spell – landed with a Sixer for India. He should have known that ASR read the trick of the pace and line through his bouncer in the previous delivery which is why he defended it – first resulting in a Dot. Why try the same fast pace with the swinger again? He should have gone in for the good old yorker – aiming for his Stumps instead – in my opinion. Either way what's done is done – the equation is not going to change. India needs 37 runs in 24 balls.Possible for them??"

Commentator 1 – "Well anything is possible to my head for India - until those two are there on the crease right now – in my opinion.How often have we seen ASR partner with his Skipper to take India home to victory through troubled waters – a reason why these two are so strong in that middle/lower order for India. England's worried. They know what these two can do. They absolutely need to take one of these wickets if they want any chance at Victory tonight.."

Commentator 2 – "Yes...indeed...wait..the bowlers getting set to ball...Last four overs and we still don't know whose going to win...I bloody love the thrill of this game.."

Commentator 1 – "And I couldn't agree more..."

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

On Pitch – Towards the End of the Next Over

Arnav's POV

I walk up to Cap a tad bit worried as I ask – "what do you think Cap? were you safe??"

Cap shakes his head in a No disappointed – "no brother...I think my foot was just a nano inch away from the crease...he's stumped me...successfully..."

I take a deep breath and I pat his arm in support – " and this is one of those rare occasions I hope – you are wrong Skip..let's wait for them to roll and check on screen.."

So as the over changed – Cap had to face the next bowler from the other end. We'd taken a successful double in the first ball after which Cap had just fired up two killer drives back-to-back in 4's. In the first three balls of the over we had managed to score 10 runs for the team. But the fourth ball the bowler bowled – caught Cap by surprise as he stepped out of the crease with the aim of timing his shot prior. But the ball went to the hands of the England Wicket Keeper and he just leaped in with his Stumping – even though Cap was uber fast with his reflexes to get his foot back in.

I really Hope – he's got his Foot In.

Nope.

He hasn't though.

The Umpire's just signalled - OUT. Caps out on his 20 runs.

The Crowd in the stadium with the England Fans erupts. I just Mute – Mode the Sound off from around in my head – as usual. It's what we all do – either way – in the middle of the game in a vital moment always so that it does not play with our focus.

Skip sighs now as he takes off his helmet – "can't believe I fell to a Stumping..I love it when I pull off a Stumping..and I simply hate it when I fall for it myself.."

198/6 in 16.4 Overs. (We still need 27 runs to win in 20 balls)

I pat his arm in support as I say – " Skip..c'mon...don't...be harsh on yourself..."

He nods and pats my arm – " yeah...I gotta credit him for pulling it off in a jiffy...anyways...you got to take this through brother...Daksh will come in next to join you – ask him to take that single if possible..and then you take another single before the over ends so that you face the first ball of the next over..."

I nod at Skip – " yes..Skip...will give it my best..."

He nods and walks away and I take a second to readjust my Helmet on my Head. I have just faced two balls until this point. Thank God – one of them landed in the stands in a Six.

I readjust my gloves on hand and walk upto Daksh as he's headed to the other side and he nods at me determined – "either defend..or a single.."

I nod at him and I study the body language of the bowler again.It's a really good thing on moments like these that bowling's the first love of my Life for it lets me dive into and perceive the game from the other side(bowler's) point of view. I whisper backing my gut again – "he is changing his run up.. I think he wants to trap you LBW Daksh...do not fall for it...manipulate your footwork..k?"

He nods and we pump fist our gloves and head back to our respective creases.

As anticipated – the bowler bowls the next ball in with the aim to trap Daksh in an LBW but given that he was ready in his head to tackle the position he quickly manages his footwork accordingly and fires a quick shot nearby too mid -off and calls for a single.

I run as fast as I can – Obviously.

Once I make it back to the Crease at the Strikers end successfully – I gesture a Thumbs Up back to Daksh – keeping my eye on the Task up Ahead.

26 runs away from Victory. In 19 balls.

Yeah.

We could do this.

We will do This.

It's time to grab the Gaming Bulls – by its Horns.

Oh Yes it – Is. And I'd be dammed if I let this opportunity go.

But we need to see our way around it Strategically. I will only go for the boundaries when I am comfortable with our position in the game.

Which is why I just hit the next ball in a comfortable single and cross my way across to the Crease – Determined and Positive.

200/6 – in 17 Overs

25 runs needed to win in 18 Balls.

Daksh walks up to me now in the little pause in between as the over changes and he says patting my arm – "it's still going to be express pace from the other end..Arnav..just knew it their Skip is going to send him in right now...it's his last over too...he's been commendable in the death for England..as always..."

I nod at him as I observe the England Skipper hand in the ball to their other vintage pacer for this third last over. I whisper – " I know...we need to score..still Daksh...no dots..let's aim for doubles... let's not hit boundaries...either ways we just need to keep that scoreboard ticking...lets just run hard – hit the ball enough to get us those cheeky runs in between....even if we get Eight runs this over it will be good...we can pull off 17 in the last Two Overs.."

Daksh nods at me and we punch our gloves again and I get set to Play – On Crease.

Bring It ON.

I want to play this Over steadily with singles and doubles so that the opposition thinks that's exactly how I aim to see the game through in the penultimate over after!They will probably also bring a couple off fielders in from the boundaries after picking on this tactic in the hope for quick run outs or catch outs in the 30-yards circle of mid off's.

Which would be Good.Very Good.

Why? Because that's exactly what I want.

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

A Couple of Minutes Later – By the End of the Over

Commentator 1 – "What a brilliant move by the India bowlers. They knew they couldn't risk boundaries this over which is why they aimed for those doubles and singles to keep the Scoreboard running for them. There you go ladies and gentleman – gaming tactics and strategy on full display on field right now. Gotta appreciate both the sides for holding onto their calm - nonetheless. India's scored 3 doubles and 2 singles this over. And one was a Dot. They are 208/6 in 18 overs.They need 17 runs in the next 12 balls. ASR is batting on 13 out of the 6 balls he's faced and Daksh is on 3..."

Commentator 2 – " Everyone in the Indian dug out is hopeful because they have the exact situation they wanted. They wanted ASR to cross over on the last ball so that he would face the first ball of the penultimate over. England's worried. All they want desperately is – ASR's wicket. Are they going to get it tonight? Or is ASR going to smash those balls through to victory for his team tonight? Let's see...the bowlers is getting in to ball the next ball."

Commentator 1 – " Blimeyyyyyyyyy!! Did ASR just pull off the most adacious switch hit sixer straight into the Stands??? Oh yes – he did. The Umpire signals a Six!The Indian fans in the crowds have gone beserk in celebration.Whats just happened? Just like that in the matter of a ball – India is now 11 runs away from victory.For that victory is needed in 11 balls.A very very comfortable equation. Is it slipping out of England's hand? Oh, I think it is..."

The commentator chatter for the next couple of minute continues until the next ball gets bowled in.ASR hits it again

Commentator 2 – "Ohhhh – there he goes again – the very same – audacious switch-hit sixer again – at the very same spot in the Stands. The Indian fans are on their feet in glee and they should be for given the way this man just hit those two back to back sixes – it could very well be over in the next ball for all they need is 5 runs in 10 balls.His mate – Daksh is having the time of his life on the other end smiling to himself. He has the best seat in the house. I reckon that's what he's telling ASR in the mid pitch talk right now. ASR is on 26 runs outta the 8 balls he's faced...Is he going to wait? Or is he going to Hit it through again?? and finish it off it Style??"

And just as they see the next ball get rolled In.

Commentator 1 – " Looks like its going to be the latter. For yes ladies and gentleman – ASR finishes things off for India in Style with that Sixer - Yes...Oh Yes. He Does.The Umpire signals 6! That was an audacious helicopter shot which is the signature of his Skipper.Bloody Brilliant. ASR's ecstatic.Absolutely thrilled with himself for pulling this off for his side tonight. He rightly should be.He finishes 32 runs not Out in 9 balls. 4 sixes.3 Doubles and Just Two singles.How commendable was the fire-power? Celebrations begin for India on the field as the players run out in sheer glee.I think ASR might just get toppled Over.Oh yes he is! Most of his team is on top of him – I wonder how he is breathing though?"

Commentator 2 – "A well-deserved celebration for the Indian unit indeed. Well but one's gotta feel gutted for England at the same time too.Mid Innings - They surely felt that 224 was enough. But it wasn't meant to be! India's ASR has sneaked a victory for his side out of the blue.In one moment – England thought he was going to keep aiming for doubles and singles to see the penultimate over through strategically again.The very second the England Skipper called in the fielders in and around the 30 yards to stop those in the hope of a run out or catch out at Mid Off's – ASR surprised them by smashing the ball in the Air straight into the stands – three times Over! Yeah.Smashed would be the right word.ASR's got the Indian fans/his team/ all pumped up and going beserk in celebrations cheering for that Smashing Victory! India clinches the T20 series with that. They go back home – with the Test and the T20 Series Win from this Long Tour of England that has been a thrilling spectacle off Nailbiting – Cricket...Indeed...."

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

Twenty Minutes after the Game is Over

9:30 PM in the Stands

Khushi's POV

I fight back my Happy Tears with great difficulty yet again as I take in the sight off Arnav finishing off his little byte at the post match/series presentation in his usual grounded jovial mode.He's been awarded the – Game Changer of the Match Award – for his performance tonight! Given that he also took 3 wickets prior in the first innings and a couple of catch outs too! The post-match/series presentation continues.Arnav's just walked back to join the rest of his Team.The Happiness on his face right now is my Bliss.

Sheer Bliss.

Oops.

Again.

Everyone in our Unit – is absolutely Gutted. Though.

Only Obvious.

But Guys – do not even ask me – how my Heart was pumping in gaming tension – all throughout the last bits of the game ever since the very second Arnav went in to bat tonight. It was like my heart was contesting for High Jump – Olympics within my being in nerve-wrecking anticipation. And of course, given that everyone around me(except for Mum) was just hoping for him to get OUT otherwise – was what was adding more to my jitters!! I mean - You all saw – right? The game was such a thriller. Arnav totally surprised everyone with those back to back – three massive – Sixes.Everyone in the unit around me wouldn't stop groaning in disappointment – saying things like - Damm.Not ASR again.Why is he such a Game Changer etc etc.

Ofcourse it was crazy difficult for me to hold onto my Grin within then. I mean – if only I could tell them – that he isn't just a Game Changer. He's like a Super Catalyst that works as Life Changer too! Haha!

Anyways – So – do not even ask me – what's it taken off me – to cover up all that adrenaline rush within me after he smashed the winning Sixer though – for I surely have no words to relate the same.

But - guys know what? Ever since Arnav actually hit that winning sixer – I think – I'v totally spotted Mum biting back on her smile a couple of times too. Like she's totally pretending to be in that sombre gaming disappointed mood too! I think – deep down within - she is really happy for Arnav! Her casual conversation with Arnav the other day in the elevator seems to have totally put her on ASR's fan bus – for sure.

I bite back my chuckle now with great difficulty as I spot her giving me the look that says.Hun – I am trying to bite my smile here. Do not look at me like that – from across – right now.

I look away from her instantly.

Oh My God – Guyssssssssss- If Only – I could break into a Happy Dance standing amidst my support unit – like the rest of the Indian fans in the stadium right now!! Or wait – how about I get into it – nonetheless within the privacy of the washroom?

Yeah - that would be the Perfect Cover! I think there's still a couple of minutes until the post-series presentation finishes. India's victory lap around the stadium will only start after. I totally will be able to get back by then.

I gesture to Stace that I will be heading to the washroom and she nods.

On my way out – I bump into Mike as he's got his head dipped into the Work Phone and Tablet. (He returned this evening – prior to the game – in time for the Final Decider Match– and obviously I handed over everything back to him in these last couple of hours – which is why today – I actually had no work to focus on during the Game. I just enjoyed it as a spectator from the support unit dug out – because both Dawson Sir and Mike insisted that I still be here – tonight with the unit – given that I had filled in for Mike all this while.)

He looks up instantly and says patting my arm in gratitude – "once again Khushi – I owe you big time for this. If it hadn't been for you..."

I nod at him politely as the realisation immediately returns again – that this Tour was Now Over. It had been haunting me all throughout ever since the game began tonight – of course but I just forgot all about it in the Gaming Thrill and Happiness for Arnav over his amazing performance and India's victory.Now the realisation is back to clutch me tight. I pull up my best composed face and I answer politely – "Mike...please...don't thank me...ok? infact I should thank you – because I really did learn a lot work wise in the process – K?ill just see you in five? I need to freshen up??"

He nods at me and I rush to the washroom holding onto composure within.

Once I am in the privacy of my Stall – I do break into a little dance – but my twirl could only last about thirty seconds for this time around – I did have bittersweet tears consuming my eyes too which kind off blurred my vision and made me pause in my moment - momentarily.

Why?

Because as happy as I am for the love off my life professionally for ending this tour with a Bang for himself - Smashing his team to victory tonight – I can't help but feel my Insides feel this vulnerable – personally as it all just sinks in again.

The Date.

The Time.

The situation.

And every inch of me within personally just – begins to feel SMASHED on a different tangent altogether

This Tour is Over.

Finally - Over.

I wipe my line of tears that have now rolled down my cheeks on their own accord as I pick out my phone from my pocket.

Its 9:30 PM.

He leaves the Hotel tomorrow at 10 AM.

All I have – is a little over 12 Hours. Technically.

I dump my phone back in my pocket. Vulnerable emotions overtake and engulf me again and I bury my head in my hands as I lean back against the bathroom stall - fighting back my bittersweet sobs with great difficulty. I do wana be as discreet about my personal - meltdown.

Yeah. A personal – meltdown is exactly what I am in the middle off right now. For I can't seem to stop crying.I am crying. Hard. And not just lines of Tears. Fountains off It.

Or wait – make that Waterfalls Off it.

Or wait - maybe Niagara Falls would be a better aspect of analogy?

Either way - I think I just wana let the vulnerability flow. I'd rather cry about this in private than pull Arnav down with my Niagra Falls of Tears. I am going to try to be as Composed as I can about this in front off him. For I know seeing me vulnerable is going to make it worse for Him.

Yup– It's better to just Cry it Out here for a little while after which I'd just have to wash my face hard and head back in back into the Stands – acting like a Coconut.

Why back into the Stands?

Because even though everything within me personally feels–Smashed – right now – I do not want to miss the happy sight off the love of my Life – engaging in his Victory Laps with the Indian Flag and the trophy celebrations with his unit – tonight.

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

Twenty-Five Minutes Later

On the Ground

ARNAV's POV

I bite back my happy chuckle as I finally stand up on my feet as we all finish the crazy in victory glee – posing with the Trophy photoshoot. I had lounged around the front on the ground with half the boys.

Raunak stands up at the same time as me too and we pull each other into a happy hug again and he says – " we won...we did it...we won...we..won..."

I chuckle at that as I say – " Raunak we are done with the victory lap and all the celebrations and we also just finished posing with the Trophy – you also got the player of the series award...given that you got the maximum runs this T20 series...has it not sunk in still??"

Raunak winks at me happily at that and he says – " ofcourse its sunk in mere bhai– I just can't stop stating it in glee over and over..."

We share a happy laugh at that and it is right then I feel Rishi jump at me from behind to my left side as he says in glee – "ASR...mere..bhai...thank you ...thank you...bacha liya aaj aapne...nai toh..mujhe...neend..hi...nai..aati...."( ASR...my bhai...you saved it for us...or else I wouldn't have been able to sleep tonight for sure...)

I grin – " bhai..ko thank you bolta hai??"( did you just thank your brother??)

He chuckles at that happily and says – " kya bataun...bhai..kya...achi neend aane wali hai aaj toh mujhe...aur wait...let's not sleep at all...full on party karenge...aur phir kal flight mein so jaayenge...waise bhi subah 10 baje toh nikalna hi haina airport ke liye"( what should I tell you brother? I am going to get some amazing sleep tonight. Or wait..lets not sleep at all..lets party all night and just catch up on sleep on the flight back – tomorrow. Anyways we have to leave the hotel at 10:00 am tomorrow morning to head to the airport.)

That from Him – freezes everything within Me – now that the tides off gaming excitement have settled to its Shore.

Yup.

It does.

It Totally Does.

I want to grin back and smile. I wana share a warm chuckle with Raunak and Rishi. But I Can't. Because it Hits. It finally hits that the moment I have been dumping at the back of my head personally- pushing it to the last very minute – is finally almost here at my Door to Face.

I am Leaving.

Tomorrow.

I probably just got about 12 hours with Khushi.

Dammit.

I think I might have Paled. Into a White Sheet that's just been washed fresh with the Popular Detergent – Tide!

Rishi asks puzzled – " bhai...aapko kya hua?ekdum se??chehre ka rang kyun utar gaya?"(bhai..what happened to you?? why have you paled??)

There you Go.

I have Paled.

Raunak shoots me a supportive smile. He knows what's it about obviously. I cover up with great difficulty now as I say to Rishi – " nothing...Rishi...ill just head back to the dressing room to freshen up first ??"

Rishi nods at me puzzled and I exchange a look with Raunak and he nods back in support and I gesture them both to get back to posing for a couple of informal pictures with the rest of the boys in smaller groups as they were still celebrating and once they nod at me and get to that - I finally begin to make my walk back to the dressing room picking up my – Game Changer of the Match Award in my hand from the side – feeling extremely vulnerable within.

Professionally – I had probably just ended this gaming tour of England with the exact Bang – I wanted to. But personally – now – as the realisation returns to engulf me that this tour was officially over - everything within me – was just starting to feel – SMASHED.

Yeah.That would be the Apt Word.

Everything within me personally– was - JUST - ROYALLY - FREAKING – SMASHED!!

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

TADAAAAAA!!

How was That Guysssssssss??

Next Update: Monday Night.

I'll see you soon guys.

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

❤