Chapter 5

mysticaltales11111

@mysticltales111

Note – Ok Guys,Since this update is coming after four days.

Please embrace yourself for a super long one.

Almost a Maha Update.

Let me know what you guys think.

And now ill just let you all dive straight into it.

……………..

Chapter 4 – Hoodie Guy & Uber Girl

Arnav’s POV

My eyes were on the ball as I smashed it through the nets, it would have probably gone for a four in the field, if this was a match and I couldn’t help but smile to myself as Ravi grinned at me from across the pitch – “ damm you ASR,that was a good delivery…”

I grinned back at my friend,and team-mate – “ yes that was…”

Ravi rolled his eyes at me , flexing his arm and rotating it – “you smashed it, it would have gone for a four, surely…”

I nodded at him from across and picked my bat in my hand and rotated it, and then walked to him and gave him a wink – “ I thought so too…”,and I paused as I spoke – “ lets wrap up for the day ,its 3.45pm already, and you need to rest your shoulder before the game tomorrow..”

Ravi nodded – “ another gruelling practice session, and I don’t know why you leave to practice your shots with me for the end…”,and he gave me a  wink as he flung his hand over my shoulder – “not fair ASR, I am going to bowl first next time in the nets..i have to get you out this year, I haven’t clean bowled you this year yet…”” I nodded at him and smiled – “ ok, we can do that…” and I winked at him – “ill hit it your first bowl for a six then..”

Ravi laughed – “ you love a challenge now don’t you..”

I winked at him – “always..”

We walked into the locker room, and right then Cap D spoke – “ ASR, Ravi cmon we were waiting for you to come back, boys I need to give you a little heads up, me and coach have decided that ill be taking a rest off tomorrows game…the physio has advised a two days rest for my back ,and I want to be fit for the final match..”

God.No.

I knew what was coming up next.

I was going to have to Captain the team, now that Cap was taking a rest, and I knew it was important for his back.

But, I didn’t like to Captain the side.

It added too much pressure to my mind, and it made me share and shift the focus from my game.

But again, I couldn’t help it.

I had to step in and shoulder the responsibility.

Cap went on – “ ok, so ASR leads the side tomm, then..”

I nodded – “ yes, Cap..”

Coach AD stepped in – “and a little change in the batting line up at Cap’s position obviously..”Our coachs name was Anatheshwar Das, and we all called him Coach AD.

I sat on the bench in front of my locker and listened to the brief, and we all started to discuss about the strategy for the game tomorrow.

….

Fifteen minutes later

We got into the team bus that was now taking us back to the hotel, and I put on my earphones, and put on the playlist, and just as the music flowed into my ears, her thoughts finally came back in my head.

I had heard this same playlist in her presence yesterday, when she had driven me back to the hotel.

I had never experienced a more comfortable silence, like the one I had felt on the way back as she drove silently, and I looked out the window, and we smiled at each other in between, a couple of times, and I totally had her on my mind then as I was recapping the conversation we had, had.

I couldn’t believe the pain this girl had gone through, it was heartbreaking, it was a loss that was irrepairable, and I could not even begin to phanthom the grief she must have gone through, coping up with it all.

But she was a brave one, a fighter, she was bouncing back, facing it all head on, and I was amazed by that courage of hers.

It had no idea, from where did she channelise the strength to summon the immense courage, to make her way out of those tragic times.

And then she says, that there’s nothing extraordinary and special about her.

Funny girl – she had no idea how extraordinarily special she was.

And I had obviously wanted to know what was on her mind, but her focus was on the road and it seemed like she was just enjoying the silence and my music too, so I’d kept quiet too.

I smiled as another memory flashed through my head.

She had stopped the car and let me out at the bend of the road , right before the hotel and she’d said – “in case you don’t get a hold off my number by tomm 5pm, then you are going to make me maggi tomorrow, im sure you know how to make one, now don’t you hoodie guy??”

I had grinned as I had accepted the challenge – “yes, I do, and incase I do get a hold on it then what??”

Shed patted her fingers on her wheel so adorably, with a innocent expression in her eyes that it amused me , and she had spoken her eyes gleaming , a second later – “ then I treat you for a dinner, hoodie guy..”.

“That sounds good Khushi…”,and she gave me a smile and drove off.

I looked at my phone now, and open up my contact list and looked at her number. I had gotten hold of her number already, in the lunch break.

It was her surely, because once I added her number to my whtsapp,I had spotted a adorable picture of a close up off her, drinking from a coffee cup , that it half covered her face and her eyes twinkled in the picture.

I looked at the picture, and I couldn’t help but smile, and wonder if she was drinking a cup of the same flavour of the black coffee that we both liked?

I had stuck to the plan my brain had conjured up yesterday, and called up the café, and asked for Khushi’s number on the pretext of faking to be one of the vendors.

I grinned to myself, it was good that she had already told me that she was handling the accounts.

It was easy to get hold of her number without raising suspicions.

I looked at my phone. It was 430PM, and we were going to reach the hotel in 5 minutes.

I knew she would be in Chai and Coffee by now, for the afternoon shift.

I was going to use the hotel landline, and play a little prank here, and then inform Khushi that I had won the challenge.

…..

Khushi’s POV

I sat on the chair opposite Verma uncle in his little back office and was studying some invoices and my eyes fell on my phone.

It was 430 PM.

And I was obviously winning the challenege from Arnav, because my phone hadn’t beeped until now, with any unknown number either for a call or a text.

But wait.

Who was I kidding?

Was he really going to be looking out for my number?

I mean, what the hell??? This was surely just a prank right, a funny game.

I couldn’t really comprehend the reason why he would want my number anyway.

The fact that we met the way we met for the last two nights was strange already.

I mean, maybe there is something really true to the fact – that sometimes its just so much easier to confide and talk to a total stranger.

He had been that – a total stranger to me two days ago.

But he wasn’t just any normal stranger right??

He was the vice captain of the Indian cricket team, and one of the biggest celebrities of the cricketing world.

And I was…well, just Khushi, from the other side of his world, in every way.

But yes it did feel like that we would make great friends.

It had felt good to know him, even if it was for a shortwhile.

I shrugged it all aside, as I returned my attention to the invoices, but not before I actually chuckled to myself at my stupidity from last night – did I actually challenge the vice captain of the Indian Cricket team to make maggi for me incase he lost?

Bravo Khushi – Bravo !

I can be really random and stupid and dumb sometimes.

But – That was me.

And I was obviously never going to hear from him or see him again.

Right then Rahul walked in to the cabin and I immediately got up from my chair and he pulled me in for a hug as he asked with a smile – “ you ok right??”

I gave him a huge grin – “yes..indeed..”,and I turned to look at Verma uncle as , Rahul went on and hugged his father and uncle winked at me – “oh look who has decided to stop by to see us here today, Khushi??”

Rahul rolled his eyes at his father as he spoke with a grin – “ as if papa, and you cant complain ok,its you who has gotten me all consumed and busy in handling all the other three branches of Chai and Coffee..and you have khushi here to help you with everything, that’s why I m so relaxed about it..”

Uncle grinned – “ yes I cant deny that..i have nothing to worry about, because I have khushi backing me up at every step, but im getting old ok, I am telling you Rahul, six more months and then im just off from all this work , im just going to sit at home and enjoy life…”

Rahul – “ papa, im here ok, don’t worry, you do what you want to do..im going to support you..only mom might just divorce you because you are surely going to drive her nuts if you are going to stay at home, all the time..”, he finished with a wink at me, and we all laughed at that and uncle looked at me as he asked – “ khushi, cmon, not you too, making fun off me with this idiot of a son of mine, whose side are you on now, mine or his??”

I chuckled – “ both of yours actually..”,and I paused as I gave him a smile – “but I think you should spend more time with aunty too..youv been working so hard forever, you never know with life right uncle, one second its all going according to the plan, and then it might just crash down in the other,I think you need to also focus on your health…”

They both gave me a smile, they knew where I was coming from and Rahul immediately pulled me in for a side hug as he spoke – “ that’s what na, papa..tell this girl, shes so uptight all the time..dia keeps telling me the same thing..”

Dia was another good friend off mine, and she was almost family too, now that she and Rahul were engaged and were going to get married by the end of the year.Dia and Rahul were like childhood sweethearts, they’d been dating since they were 16,and they were both two years older to me too.

And I asked on reflex – “did dia enjoy the game too??”

He winked at me – “ didn’t she message you??”

I grinned – “ ofcourse she did, it bores her, because she doesn’t get it, but she accompanies you no every time because you love it, so sweet she is..i still don’t know what she sees in you though, you are such a monkey Rahul..”, I joked.

Uncle laughed.He was used to our banter.

Rahul kept his arm around my shoulder as he spoke – “Well, but I know exactly what armaan sees in you, cmon khushi, hes still not over you, why don’t you date him again..you know he likes you..”

I groaned as I looked at Uncle – “there he goes again uncle, save me from your son…”and I ducked under his arm as I spoke – “ ok now im going to help out in the front..uncle ill come back for those invoices later..no uber schedule today no, ill work on it at night..”,and he gave me a big smile and a nod and I walked out the office, and through the front and I spotted Tanya, Varuns girlfriend stand in front of the till as she spoke to him and she smiled at me as she spoke – “ khushi, thank you so much,you let Varun off the other day for my party..”

I looked at Varun and he gave me a grin and I smiled at Tanya as I saw Varun prep up her order and I spoke – “cmon, go sit with her for a couple of minutes, ill manage it out..”

Varun – “ really??”

I nodded – “cmon, its going to be time for your little ten minute break anyway, might as well take it now and spend those minutes with Tanya..”, and I nudged him to go on, and he did.

I stood by the till and handled a couple of customers, and my eyes fell on the time on the screen of the system in front off me.

It was 455Pm already.

 I mentally laughed at my stupidity again.

Right then the landline rang and I called out to Jack as I spoke – “ Jack take that please, I think it might be an online order…”,and I returned to attending the next customer, and I heard Jack say – “ oh it’s the same vendor who called in the afternoon too, he wants to speak to you Khushi..”

I looked at the cutomser in front of me , as I gave him a polite smile – “ just a second..”, and he nodded at me and I turned to jack – “what vendor?? No one calls on the landline, they all have my email and no already..”

Jack – “ yeah I know, well this one didn’t , he called earlier in the afternoon too..”

I looked at Stacey as I asked her to step in at the till and excused myself and then went over and took the phone from Jack, confused, and I watched him step at the front as he and Stacey started to take care of the customers lining up and I spoke into the phone – “ hello??”

And I heard the curt, strange voice on the other end – “hello, im calling to check why our invoices haven’t been cleared for the supply of the provisions yet, we expedited the delivery too, and its been five days already…”

I answered, politely – “Hi Sir,im sorry about that,we have a internal procedure, and your invoice is probably under process already…”

The curt tone was back – “ no, I don’t think so maam, we have no updates on it…”

I took a deep breathe,did I miss out on anything? I raked my brains.No I had processed it all,except for one, that I was just reading a while ago and I spoke politely – “ sir,I apologize for the delay.id like to thank you for you patience, and I will surely look into this, you are calling on behalf of Espresso Concepts I pressume, because I remember that ,that is the only invoice pending from our side as of today…”

And right then, to my shock and surprise, I heard a burst of laugh on the other end as if this person had just burst into giggles and I asked – “ excuse me sir, whats so funny??”

And the person finally stopped laughing minutes later and I was almost about to hang up , right when I heard – “ god khushi…this was so much fun…”

And I was pleasantly surprised as I heard and recognised that voice.

It was Arnav.

And I put a hand over the receiver of the landline so that my voice was hushed and not loud as I asked – “ hoodie guy, is that you??”

“yes, khushi, its me – hoodie guy..and i am calling to tell you that I won..you didn’t even recognise my voice in the first go right?? That’s because id covered up the receiver with a towel..but anyways, I won..”, he spoke, into the phone.

I could almost imagine the rakish grin on his face as he said that, and I couldnt help but smile to myself as I answered – “ excuse me you didn’t hoodie guy, it was about getting a hold on my personal no, not the cafes landline no, this was too easy to look up, its online…”

And right then my phone beeped,and I heard his voice on the landline – “ its 4:59 PM Khushi.Check your phone”

And I did, and I saw a message on my whats app from an Indian number which read : I might have lost the toss khushi, but I don’t loose a challenge easily.

And I spotted the display picture in the icon.

It was him.

It was a display picture of him and the Cap, and it looked like it was a scene after a game, because they both were in their jerseys and they looked like they had just finished playing a match they had won, because of the grin on their faces.

I couldn’t help but smile, but I had to get back to work now and I spoke – “ ok baba, fine, you win..but I need to hang up now  ok, im in a rush..too many customers, its evening, totally chai and coffee time for almost everyone around the block..”

And I was just about to hang up when I heard him say – “ no worries khushi,but you remember your promise right? You have to treat me for dinner tonight”

And I asked surprised – “ you are serious about that??”

“What makes you think I wasn’t?? ofcourse I was..”

Im sure the smile was evident in my voice as I spoke – “ ok, then, ill just text you in sometime ok? Really gotta rush now..”

“ok bye khushi…”

“bye hoodie guy…”

And I hung up, and I walked back to the till with a smile on my face and right then Rahul walked into into the front and he spotted me and he started to help me prepare the orders, alongside Jack as Stacey handled the till, and he asked – “ the evenings are fun right?? Its so busy all the time…I love it…I haven’t been out in the front for so long..”

I grinned at him – “ I know what you mean..”

He smiled – “a normal coffe shop, but the hustle bustle off it everyday, as it becomes a place where people bond over the stories of their life.. its amazing ya..”

I nodded as I watched him heat up a sandwich and I worked the coffee machine and prepped for a Assam tea order, simultaneously, and Jack worked on those bhel puri orders – “ yes I agree..”

And he asked , his voice softening – “ btw I didn’t ask in front of papa incase hed worry, what the hell were you doing at the table mountain viewpoint so late in the night?all by yourself??not safe Khushi..pls don’t do that again ok? Call me ok, me and dia would have happily accompanied you..”

I gave him a small smile – “ ok baba, sorry…ill take you and Dia next time..”.

ofcourse I couldn’t tell him that I wasn’t alone.

He grinned – “ good…so about Armaan..”

I rolled my eyes at him, and I spoke – “ you bring him up again, and I will splash this coffee, on you..”

He rolled his eyes – “ fine..ok then what about Jacks friend who has a crush on you??”

I gaped at him – “stop ya..Rahul..”

He nodded and he ruffled my hair as he shook his head – “ you are mad..i hope you know that..”

I nodded – “ yes I did..now come on..lets hurry up these orders..”

And he nodded at me and we rushed up the orders.

………….

6.30 PM

I finally took a sip of my black coffee, as I sat in our little relaxation corner at the backend next to the office and I took out my phone from my pocket, and opened my whtsapp.

To my surprise, there was another message from him – from fifteen minutes ago.

It read : Where are we meeting khushi??

I smiled as I quickly saved his number in my phone as – Hoodie Guy and then I replied.

I wrote : Hey, im so sorry , the evenings are so busy, I just got free.Taking a ten minute break now.I thought of messaging you – if its ok for you to come around this side of the town by 8pm?

And my phone beeped within a second.He was online.

Him : Yes Khushi, don’t worry about me.I got my hoodie right.so 8pm then?Where exactly?

I quickly wrote : just meet me at the back enterance.i will see you there.works?

His reply came in ten seconds : Works.See you then.

I quickly wrote : See you hoodie guy

And I put my phone back in my pocket.

Right then Rahul stepped into the doorway as he asked – “no uber schedule tonight right??”

I nodded – “ not tonight..just going to stay in and work,and maybe catch up on Netflix..i haven’t seen a movie in forever..”, I lied.I hated to lie to him.But It wasn’t a complete lie, I was planning to watch a movie later in the night.

And we continued for our usual chatter for a while until we both resumed work.

……………..

8.00 PM

Arnav’s POV

I tapped my feet on the floor as I covered a side of my face and had my head dipped down as I looked into my phone, the backstreet was a little busy, but not too much too, but just in case.

I had taken a cab until 500 meters away and then walked my way down.

I quickly messaged Khushi : I am here, khushi.

And a minute later, the door opened and she stepped out,and I looked up and I couldn’t help but smile.

She was looking adorable in that oversized peach colour medium length flairy top and black jeggings,flat black pumps and a small crossbody black, slinged along her and she had her tied loosely in a messy bun and her face was not completely bare but minimal make up – it was as good as no make up and she had a subtle nude lip colour on her lips.

Basic, natural, so simple yet captivating.

It was a very fresh and an alluring vision for my eyes.

And she smiled at me as she spoke, looking up from her phone – “ sorry..to keep you waiting..”

I smiled back – “ it was only a minute Khushi..dont worry…now tell me where are you taking me??”

She looked at me as she gestured me to start walking and I started to walk next to her and she spoke – “ok, so you gotta keep the hoodie on for a while..theres this amazing place, it’s a street food joint, I hope that works for you?? And we are going to be taking a bus…”

I grinned at that and I spoke, walking next to her – “sure..i haven’t taken a bus in forver..”

I was liking the way our pace was matching as we walked and I heard her ask – “ really?? Don’t you take your team bus all the time??”

I nodded – “ yes, but as in not like public transport..”

She paused in her tracks as she asked – “ we can cab it , if you want??”

“no, khushi, I don’t want to..”

“are you sure??”

“yes, I am sure, Khushi”

She paused – “ actually better no, even if any one glimpses from the side, no one will ever believe its you on a bus anyway, so no one will look close , and that’s why im taking you to the street food lane, because im sure, no one will ever expect bumping into you there..people often look twice as close when they think they see what their mind has been expecting..”

I nodded at her, totally intrigued by her words, and I asked on reflex – “ how old are you again?third year college,hmmm 22 maybe??”

She nodded as we continued the walk – “ yup I turned 22 three months ago..”

“I asked, because you are like five years younger to me and you sound way too wise for your age, definetly wiser than what I was at your age..”, I spoke on reflex and right then we had reached the bus stop and she spoke softly – “ life as they say, is the best teacher…”

I clutched her hand softly as I spoke – “sorry..i didn’t mean to..”

And she spoke in an instant – “ofcourse, I know..chill na..”,and right then a double decker bus pulled in front of us and it was open from the top and I asked on reflex – “are we going to get on that??”

She asked doubtful – “it isn’t ok??”

I grinned as I held her hand on reflex and got on and I spoke, leaning in to whisper in her ears – “are you crazy?? This is more than ok, trust me, I have never sat on one of these, and its always fascinated me..”,and she grinned as she tapped the bus card on the sensor and she made her way up and I followed her up and luckily there were only four more people there and she made her way to the further end and she sat on the corner seat and I sat next to her and she spoke on reflex – “ I always take the last row..”,and I couldn’t help but grin like a idiot as I turned to her so that she could now see my face clearly and she asked – “ what??”

God, it had just been 5 minutes and I was already enjoying myself like I hadn’t enjoyed myself in the longest time.

I grinned – “ I always take the last row too, in the team bus..”

She chuckled – “really??”

I nodded sincerely – “ really?”and the bus started to move and I asked – “ how many minutes until we reach??”

She spoke – “20 minute ride and then we get off at the bus stop and then 7 minutes walk…is that ok??”

I nodded and right then she said – “ oh wait….”,and I saw her open her bag and she took out two tourist brochures one of table mountain and one of the big bus tours  and I asked on reflex – “ this???”

And she looked at me and she opened it up, and put it front of her face, amusing me – “see it unfolds into a huge thing ok, so keep these with you, in that middle pocket of your hoodie, just incase you know anyone comes up close and recognises you, you can use it up to cover your face…”

I chuckled at that as I asked grinning – “and look like a random weirdo tourist finding his way around in the busy streets of Cape town..”

She grinned as she folded it back and handed it to me and I placed it in the middle pocket of my hoodie and she spoke – “not just random weirdo tourist, like some random weirdo hoodie guy tourist…”

And we both laughed at that, and our eyes locked, and I was awestruck by the way , I felt so good around her, and to my disappointed she immediately looked away as she turned her attention to the view and she asked – “ beautiful no???”

I nodded – “yes very beautiful..”,but I wasn’t just talking about the view.I was referring to her too she didn’t seem to catch on the hint, and she started to point to a couple of things as the bus drove away and she started telling me about them as she spoke her eyes twinkling – “ you know these tourist companies can never show you around like us locals…they are good obviously, but I just feel theres something so formal about it…you know when im going to travel, im so going to explore it differently..”

And I asked on reflex – “ so whats the first stop on your list??”

She tapped her finger on her cheek , pretending to think for a second making me grin at her funny antics as she spoke – “ ok not a spot like, like a vacation on something, im surely going to go to Italy for a barista course for a shortwhile once iv saved up for it, and then im going to backpack around the country as a solo traveller..”

Ok – so she also wanted to study the art of coffee making.

I was interested and I asked – “ really?? That already sounds interesting, just  because of the way you are talking about it..”

She laughed as she spoke – “thanks..anyway can I resume being my citys travel guide now??”

And I nodded and she started to talk and tell me things and I listened carefully but I was also completely awed by the way the wind was playing with the loose strands of her hair, around her face.

….

I walked up behind her and the minute I saw the sight I couldn’t help but smile.The energy and vibe of this place was amazing.

We were at this street which had all different types of food trucks on both the sides of the lane and it was buzzing and she looked at me – “ we are here…”

And I asked on reflex – “ ok, so what are we eating??”

She turned to look at me as she asked – “ whatever you want, we have everything here but then again I know, I cant only offer you junk all the time, how about some nice barbeque food?? I mean whatever you choose, vegetable, chicken, etc..it all there..”

I nodded – “ sounds good…is there any joint you think will also give me taste of the local flavours?? I was actually kind of craving for some good street food actually the day I ended up walking into chai and coffee..”

“really????”,and she paused as she turned to look around as she spotted a food truck at the further end – “yes, cmon, then, ill get you exactly what you want then…”

And I held her hand on reflex before we started to walk – “ thank you khushi…”

She smiled as she said – “ oho…stop it..now come on..”and she dragged me by my hand on reflex and I followed with a huge grin on my face.

…………..

2 Hours Later

I swear to God, I was having the best time of my life.

We had had a wonderful meal, and then walked around the streets randomly, and Khushi had also shoved up the full sized tourist brochures in my face a couple of times , one as she had eaten the soft serve at this super crowded food truck and second when we were at the bus stop getting on the bus on the way back.

And now that we walked back towards the back enterance of her home, I looked at my phone, it was 10.00PM.But I didn’t want to leave just yet.

I wanted to spend more time with her.

And as she halted near the backdoor , she turned to me and before she could say anything, I spoke – “ I wanted to see that view from the top of this building, the one you showed me on the first day, if that’s ok with you??”

She looked at me – “sure, but aren’t you getting late…you have a game tomorrow right??”

I nodded – “ yes, but I still have some time..maybe an hour or so…what say? Join me??”

She smiled – “ofcourse, its one of my favouritest spots ok, will you believe it, I often take my laptop up with me on the ledge and just chill with the love of my life..”

And I asked on reflex– “ huh?? What do you mean??”

She rolled her eyes and acted all dramatic that it made me laugh and she spoke – “im in a very committed relationship with my Netflix, and I don’t get much time for it…ok…so yeah..”

I grinned as the picture of her sitting on the ledge on the roof of this building with her laptop, watching a movie flashed through my mind, a sight I was interested to see and I asked on reflex – “ great, why don’t we do it now??”

She looked at me shocked – “ are you crazy?? Shouldn’t you be like resting and relaxing at the hotel now, you have a big game tomorrow…”

I smiled – “ yes, I need to relax, and khushi trust me when I say this, I haven’t felt more relaxed than im feeling right now in your company in the longest of the times…”

Her eyes widened a little at that – “ really??”

I nodded – “really”

She tapped her feet on the ground – “ ok but not a movie then, maybe a episode of a web series or a documentary , I know you are short on time…”

I grinned – “ yes..or maybe we can watch half a movie now and half later…”

She rolled her eyes – “ no no..we cant do that..”

And I asked – “why??”, on reflex, I was definetly disappointed at the thought that she wouldn’t want to do this with me again.

And she spoke – “ that’s because I need to know the end ok, I cant keep it lingering…”

Ok.Thank god this was what it was about and I asked – “really??”

She nodded as she started to make her way up the spiral stairs – “yes yes, you know I often read the end of the book first before starting a novel too…call me crazy but yeah…”

I climbed up behind her as I asked – “but why??”

She kept on with the climb – “well , I just need to know, I mean, the end of a story, and I also love happy endings, atleast in fiction and movies it should be happy ending no, that’s why we use it as a mode of escapism, because the real life has enough plot twists to weigh us down in the lows…”

“Hmmmm…ok…”,and we reached the top and I asked – “ but your laptop…?”

She smiled – “one clip, 45 minutes we can watch on the phone too, if that’s ok with you??”

I nodded – “ yes it is..”

Everything about tonight was more than ok with me.

I was loving every bit off it.

And I saw her start to climb up the ladder and I asked – “so what do you want to watch..?”

“hmmm..its been on my list for a while and I haven’t gotten the time too..what about The Crown??”

She smiled as she got up the ledge and grinned – “ perfect…its been on my list too for a while..we can watch that..”,and I was just about to step out behind her when she offered me her hand as she spoke – “cmon up..”.

I had never had a girl ever hold out her hand to help me like that.

It was mostly the other way round.

It wasn’t that I needed it.

But I was going to use that as oppourtinity to feel her hand in mine, and so I caught hold off her hand with a smile and she helped me up.

And once I was finally up, I finally pulled the hoodie off my head.

And she smiled – “must be a relief to finally get that off no??”

I nodded as I smiled, and settled in next to her as she took out her phone and opened Netflix, and I took a moment to just gaze her sideface.

It felt nice to meet someone that I could totally open upto about myself.

And I wasn’t just talking about uncovering that hoodie.

It felt like I could open up to her in a way that I hadn’t opened up to anyway, and that she wasn’t going to judge me for it or hold onto random assumptions and presumptions in her head.

…………………….

60 Minutes Later

The episode 1 of the season 1 of the crown finally finished, and Khushi closed the Netflix app on her phone and she finally turned to look at me and I turned to look at her , and we now had our legs folded as wet sat facing each other and she asked – “ how was it??”

I grinned – “ you mean my experience of watching a web series episode off a ledge on the roof of a building in Cape town??”

She laughed – “ no ya..i meant the episode…but you can answer that as well..”

I smiled – “it was amazing..”

She put her phone in her pocket as she asked – “ so all set for the game tomm..??”

I took a deep breathe as I nodded and I spoke – “ yes…and Cap is not going to play tomorrow..hes resting his back..”

And she asked , her eyes narrowing – “ok..so..doesnt that usually mean, that the vice captain has to lead the team then..?”

I nodded at her, and she studied my silence for a couple of seconds and she looked at me and her forhead scrunched up with lines and she asked instantly – “ and you don’t like it much do you??”

And my eyes locked with hers at that.

How did she do that??

How did she read me like that?

And I asked on reflex – “ how do you know??”

She smiled – “well , its in your body language, your shoulders tensed up, your forhead scrunched up and your huge grin twitched into a polite smile..obvious…but why?? Does it add on too much more pressure on your mind??”

I was amazed at this girl and I admitted it honestly – “ maybe, but no one can spot it so easily, none of my team mates too..how can you???”

She shrugged as she spoke casually – “maybe because they just look at you differently…its natural theres so much glamour and showbiz attached to the sport..and that’s why people often forget to see whats right in front of there eyes, they are too busy  looking at the cover that they forget to flip through the pages inside…”

And I smiled at that and I sat speechless in front of her yet again and she asked, softly minutes later – “ you feel like it distracts you from your game??as if theres so much more added to the expectations for a win when you are leading a game..??”

I nodded silently.

She spoke with a smile – “ and its totally ok to feel this way, its only obvious, the pressure can be overwhelming for anyone, because to Indians this is more than just a game…you guys are worshipped literally but you are only human..to err is human remember..dont be so hard on yourself for it..”

I looked up at her and my eyes locked with hers, and now I realised how good it felt to just be understood as a normal person with some insecurities of their own and not be harshly judged for it.

And I spoke – “ I don’t know, I just feel like it’s a shortcoming that I should work on maybe…I mean everyone says so..the critics, the industry, the media, the commentators, my performance is different the day im stepping out as the captain..”

And she asked – “ why is it a shortcoming?? I mean it doesn’t have to be looked at that way right, its just that some of us are just more comfortable in certain roles, and as much as we should push our boundaries to have room for improvement and growth, it doesn’t have to be looked at as a shortcoming, if you are not able to fit into a template of peoples judgements…maybe you just play your game differently when you are captaining, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting right??but you know, I know what you mean, its easier said that done..but then again, the world will do what they do, you just have to be honest and fair to yourself at the end of the day, and that’s all that matters..”

I nodded as her words sank through my head and it relaxed me further and I spoke – “ you are amazing you know that??”

And she – “ oho…nothing like that..”,but she gave me a wink as she said – “ but ill take the compliment..”

And my hand reached out and clutched hers on its own accord and she looked up at me startled and our eyes locked and I spoke softly – “ thank for the wonderful evening khushi, I had a wonderful time..”

She gave me a small smile, and then she looked away and nervously pulled her hand away – “ I had a good time too…”and I asked on reflex – “you didn’t even tell me about your day?? I told you all about mine…”

She smiled – “ mine was all the same ya, morning work at the company, afternoon shift at the shop, and itll be the same tomorrow except ill be on the usual uber schedule too, will be doing a lot of pick ups from the stadium after the match..”

And I asked on reflex – “can you take me to that table mountain view point again after the match, tomorrow??”

She nodded – “sure if you wish…but ill have to turn off my phones gps for that..”

I asked on reflex – “ why??”

“Rahul already gave me a hard time today , schooling me over the fact that I shouldn’t have been there alone..”

And I asked – “didn’t you tell him that you werent alone??”

Her eyes widened at that as she spoke  - “ no ways…hell ask a thousand questions..and trust me you don’t know Rahul, the minute I mention to him that I wasn’t alone, he will drill me…”

And I asked now shocked and surprised at the same time – “ so you wont tell anyone that you know me??”

She gaped at me as she acted all dramatic in a super cute way folding both her hands right below her neck in a cross  - “ ofcourse not.am I mad or what??ill be swept over by a overwhelming tide, and all the drama that would add up to my life..everyone  as in all the cricketing devotees from around the block  and specially Rahul and his friends, they will drive me insane…they will use the friendship blackmail tactic to get your autographs, or a picture with you etc etc , itll be a never ending vicious cycle…you know how it is…”

Ok,so this was a first again.

Id never thought off it that way, that I would meet someone who wouldn’t want to talk about knowing me because it would add too much drama to their life.

Usually everyone wanted to flaunt it.

But then again, Khushi was different.

Everything about her was so different,and to be honest, I was kind off disappointed that she didn’t want to tell anyone that she knew me.

I didn’t like the sound of that.

I don’t know why though.

And right then she spoke softly – “and also because I know how all of this overwhelms you, id never do that too you, I can’t…I mean ill do my best to see that you don’t get swept by that enormous fandom pressure wave because of me..”

Did she just say that??

It touched at a chord within me.

My eyes locked with hers as she finished that last bit and I spoke – “ thanks but wont you talk about me to your near and dear ones at all??”

She rolled her eyes at that , and folded her hands in a namaste in front me– “ pls huh ..spare me with my peace na..you don’t know how crazy Rahul and his friends are about you and the Cap specially..”

I chuckled at that.God she was so cute when she was that dramatic, and I asked on reflex – “ so Rahul, I mean you sound like you know him through and through…”

She nodded – “yes, I do..like I said, hes my best friend..”

And I asked – “and I assume he knows you very well too..”

She grinned – “obviously…”

And I was contemplating whether  to ask the question that was on my mind again.How was it possible that this Rahul hadn’t fallen for her??

She was amazing.

And I went with my gut instinct and I asked – “and you guys haven’t fallen for each other…ever??”

She gaped at me in surprise and then she spoke – “ noooo…no way…hes my buddy..hes not a man to me, more like monkey..hes family…and its been the same way for him too, infact hes going to marry dia by the end of this year, and im so happy for him, theyv been childhood sweethearts, since when they were 16 and hes two years older to me, so that’s almost 8 years..although I tease the hell out off him over the fact that what is it that diya sees in the monkey anyway..but he is a good guy, I wouldn’t know how would I have gone through the last of whole year without him and Dia and uncle and aunty..”

I felt very relieved as I heard that.

Gosh why though?

Was I starting to like her?

Was I falling for her, already?

Maybe yes, because the way the wind had just thrown a couple of strands of her hair across her lips, made me want to just lean in and brush them away from her lips and pull her in for a deep kiss.

But I couldn’t, because I didn’t want her mind to lead her to think about the playboy image the media had projected off me.

The one she had asked about yesterday.

I don’t know why but it was important to me that I didn’t come across as that to her.

And right then I shifted my focus from her lips to the words that were leaving her lips and she spoke – “no no..im not going to tell anyone…as it is, I cant get Rahul off my back for the dating thing, now if he knows that im friends with you…god pls…”

I asked on reflex – “ what dating thing??”

She rolled her eyes – “ oh god…he was on and on about it today too..its his current mission to get me to date his friend Armaan again, the only one I have dated for a shortwhile..”

And I asked instantly – “and are you thinking about it??”

“gosh..no..i told you..its not my cup of tea..i don’t have the time or patience for it…”

It felt good to hear that.

I nodded – “ I understand..”

And she finally got up on her feet as she picked out her phone – “ cmon lets go, ill get you a uber…you should get going and get some rest..”

I nodded and we started to get down and she said – “oh btw do you know, iv saved your no as a hoodie guy in my phone..just incase Rahul gets a hold on it..and sees your dp, iv prepped my self for the perfect answer, ill just say, its someone else who is a big fan of your game…”

And I was getting down behind her and I asked – “ But why will anyone not put their own pic as a display picture in their whtsapp..”

She started to get down the spiral staircase as she looked back at me for a second – “ you have no idea, how crazy some fans can be..dont they say like everything is fair in love and war, for the Indian men we can almost say that almost everything is fair in love, war, cricket and its fandom…”

I laughed and we finally made our way down the stairs and once she stepped off the last one she finally turned to me – “what have you stored my number as?”

I looked at her – “as khushi ofcourse…”

She looked as me as she asked – “can I have your phone?? Open it to my contact info..”

And I just gave it to her, and once I realised that she was changing her name details on it I asked on reflex – “ why are you changing your name on my phone..?

She tapped her feet on the floor in thought, and right then the cab pulled in behind us and her eyes gleamed as she quickly filled in the detail and handed my phone back to me and she spoke – “ for fun..”,and she chuckled as she said – “oho..its only fair to your privacy too right..what if your teammates spot it and ask you about it..i don’t want anyone to get any false ideas here…and the next thing I know that I will read my name in the headlines..because people wont understand that we are friends..”

I nodded, because I didn’t want to make it obvious – “Hmmm…ok cool…”

Only if she knew that I didn’t have only friendship on my mind.

She couldn’t blame me.

Why did she have to be so damm adorable?

And So Mesmerising??

And soo damm beautiful – both inside out.

And I finally instructed my mind to look away from that mesmerising face, and I looked back at my phone screen and I chuckled as I saw the name she had written and I asked – “ uber girl…how did you even come up with something like that??”

Her eyes twinkled – “well because the uber just pulled up right behind you it striked me, and we did meet yesterday because of my uber schedule no, so…makes sense now does it? You can just tell everyone that I am usual uber driver whose picked you up a couple of times..wont be a total lie no??

I chuckled at that – “fair enough..makes sense..”

How does her mind conjure up these strange and amusing things?

I wasn’t going to complain, because it was starting to grow on me anyway.

And she started to walk next to me as I put the hoodie back on and she asked with a grin – “Was that sarcasm hoodie guy??”

I grinned – “ no..not exactly…”,and she chuckled as she opened the door for me and I got into the cab and she spoke with a grin – “ all the best for tomorrows toss hoodie guy..i hope you win it tomorrow..”,and with that she closed the door and I couldn’t help but grin too and I asked, rolling down the window – “was that a sarcactic taunt over my loss in our toss uesterday, uber girl??”

She chuckled – “no..not exactly…”and she said – “ byeeee now…all the best for  tomorrow..”

I nodded – “ thanks…”and I smiled as I spoke – “ill text you..we’ll be in touch…you can wish me before the match starts ”

She gave me a smile – “ kool..bbyeeee…and good night..”

And the cab driver started to drive away and I leaned back in my seat with a huge grin on my face.

This Uber Girl was totally checking in into various little stops of my inner thoughts.

And as a thought off her smiling face made its way into my head again, I realised that I kind off liked to think about her.

And that’s is why I was going too keep doing that.

…………………………

Tada !! Let me know what you guys think.

Pls ignore editing errors, haven’t proofread.

Thanks for all the love and time to my work.

Much Love Guys.

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