ARSHI FF : HIT WICKET MY HEART 2.0 - EPILOGUE1.0.Pg 44(8/7/2021)*Compl - Page 19

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Posted: 5 years ago

Helloooo everyoneeeee..

So here I am with the Next Update of the week. It's like Super Duper Intense in both content and Length.

It's about 14.5K words and it totally – totally had to stand out as One long Update on its Own.

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

Also yes – Some Mature Content in There For Sure!!!

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Copyright Disclaimer :

Text Copyright©mysticaltales11111™2020

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.

All Rights Reserved® mysticaltales11111

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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.

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CHAPTER 36.3 – SIGNED -UP.

SAME DAY – 22ND DECEMBER, 2019

GSTAAD : SWITZERLAND

9:00 PM

IN THE RECEPTION PARTY

Everyone – was in the middle off enjoying the lovely wedding reception of the Newly- wed couple – Rahul& Anjali. Every family friend and relative who was in attendance in this last formal function of the ongoing celebrations in Gstaad, could surely vouch for the fact that they could literally see the Happiness radiating on the Bride and Groom's face. It could be easily seen – that Rahul and Anjali were beaming like the Happiest Newlywed Bride and Groom – Indeed, and everyone was also having a gala time in teasing the newly wed couple over the fact as to how they surely thought – that all the two of them would be probably hoping was for the function to get over fast so that they could finally have some privacy – because amidst the frenzy of the Wedding + Reception being held on the same day – they surely hadn't got a personal moment at all.

Rahul+ Anjali – were beyond just moved and touched – at receiving so much love from each of their close ones and were making sure that along with the rest of their immediate families- they personally were also thanking each and everyone for their lovely blessings and wishes for their future within the Reception function – as a couple of groups of guests and relatives were also scheduled to leave back for India the next day.

Abhimanyu + Reva + Sagar + Nisha – were surely the Happiest parents on the occasion as well for it warmed their hearts greatly – to finally see their children all happily married. Sagar and Nisha knew that Abhi+ Reva were also emotional over the same though for they'd be sending off their daughter and hence they made sure that throughout the day amidst the celebrations – they were there by Abhi+ Reva's side to reassure and comfort them with immense warmth and love – a sight that didn't miss anyone's sight and it specially warmed each of their children's heart immensely.

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

Author's Note – Attaching the Reception ambience pictures from another one of the Hotel's Banquet + Looks.

Enterance Walkway Into the Banquet

Enterance Walkway Into the Banquet

The Stage

Opposite side of the Banquet

Opposite side of the Banquet

Opposite side of the Banquet

Dance floor area

Dance floor area

Dance floor area

Bar

Some More Elements

Some More Elements

Some More Elements

Now for the Looks

Now for the Looks

Akash

Bride + Groom

Bride + Groom

Bride + Groom

Stranger and Sparkle

Stranger and Sparkle

Stranger and Sparkle

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

30 Minutes Later – 9:30PM

In the Middle of the Reception Function

In the Middle of the Reception Function

Arnav's POV

Guys.

Something is Up with My Sparkle.

I am Dead* freaking sure about that.

How so?

Because I can obviously see right through her right?Why do I feel something's cooking up in her mind?

But to be honest you all – I am not very delighted to report the fact I am going to. I am kind off a little confused as to why she's been giving me these uber mischievous looks every time our eyes have locked amidst the wedding frenzy's after a couple of those intense emotional eyelocks at the Mandap during the religious ceremony for Anj+ Rahul.

I mean you all remember how I thought that something was on her mind as she was kind off spacing out into deep thoughts here and there, before the religious wedding ceremonies began? But – somehow because I was kind off caught up with dealing with my very own intense emotional thoughts as the wedding was going through – I wasn't able to get my head around to guessing rightly what was it that was on her mind at that point as I was dealing with the continuous imaginary flashes of US – being the ones to tie the knot and it kind of took everything within me to get a hold on my overwhelmed emotions. I also – did kind of ended up cursing myself a lot of times in the process for not freaking having a Ring On Me!! Like if only I had one – I would surely be coaxed in by my intense emotions to just take the leap forward and propose my Sparkle – tonight itself. Oh Godammit Me – I really haven't been an efficient planner on this Accord for Sure for now that I do not have the ring on me – I most surely have to just to find way of keeping it all pent up within – nonetheless. I have made a mental note on the same though – the minute I am back in India – I am going to ask Mom to help me get a 7 Carat Diamond Ring for sure – so that once My Sparkle was back from her Tri Nation series from Australia and I was back from NZ – I will just take on this emotional gamble and go down on my one knee anyway. I do have it all planned out in my head – like obviously guys I am aware that My Sparkle would probably need some time to just process things through right so I am totally going to tell her honestly – that we would only tie the knot when she feels like she is Ready, but atleast by proposing to her – I'd be sure in conveying that its Her that I want to spend the rest of my life -staying Married too. I have seen my parents have such a Happy Marriage – and over time I have figured from seeing and observing them that they have been thoroughly devoted to each other come what may. And I just want to tell My Sparkle – by going down on my knee – that I am more than just ready to stay devoted to just Her too – for the rest of My Life – for that's a decision my heart has already taken – long ago already!

Hmmmmm.

Once again – WHY DON'T I FREAKING HAVE A RING ON MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

DAMMIT.

I do not say this often to myself – You all. But at the moment just gotta say it anyway – STUPID RAIZADA. If only you had been prepped – you could have gone ahead with your plans tonight itself !And it would have been apt as well – because it's the 22nd of December today too right – as in 22 is Your Sparkle's favourite Number. It's the date she was born + her lucky number + it resonates with our love for the 22 yards + it's her Jersey too.

I think I am surely going to continue to curse myself for This – nonetheless.

Anyways, so back to another point - I was obviously glad when in the middle of the religious ceremony just as she had been called for to tie the knot for Anj+ Rahul – that My Sparkle's body language was back to being all relaxed, happy to my eye – for sure for she surely stopped spacing into deep dazed thoughts – after.

But.

Once again - Here's the Damm Thing – I started with prior.

Ever since then – through out the rest of the religious ceremony after followed by the remainder of the wedding + lunch and celebrations after + amidst the Reception party at the moment -I am pretty sure that I'v spotted some sort of a mischievous glint in her eyes just before she's looked away every time our eyes locked.And I am obviously a little confused as to what this Mischevious Glint in her eyes is now about?

And apart from my emotional debacle within because we have also otherwise been so caught up with the happenings around us – we haven't been able to text much today as well, let alone meet each other in private because that little time off we all had in the late afternoon + early evening in the middle of the wedding + reception functions – we were all caught up with some post wedding ceremonies for Rahul+ Anj and then My Sparkle was obviously caught up after with either a group of elders or the girls before they all got together to start getting ready for the Wedding Reception – and I obviously got occupied along with Akash, Sagar Uncle, Dad to oversee the last minute execution of the plans lined up for the Reception.

But – on that Note – even though we haven't been able to text each other much, the little that we could - I have obviously told her that I had spotted this mischevious glint in her eyes and I am obviously wondering as to what it could be about and she say's it's just so because she is so happy for Rahul+ Anj and now that they are finally married – she can't help but get excited at thinking about their reactions to US tomorrow.And yes guys – as much as I know that this surely could be the reason – I do have something within telling me that there 'something else too surely cooking on her Mind – but this time around again within the reception party as I have been thinking this through - I haven't been able to get my head around it for my Head has been also been clouded with my Intense Desire for My Sparkle – ever since I laid my eyes on her all ready for the Wedding Reception.

DEEP EMOTION + LOVE+ INTENSE DESIRE* INFINTY FOR MY SPARKLE - HAVE COLELCTIVELY CONSUMED MY BEING.

Oh – she has no clue how slowly and sensuously I plan to torture her tonight. I am going to take my own sweet time with Her – for sure.

I am right on that thought when my phone beeps with her text.

Her : ahemmm..ahemmm...my hottie skipper blue has walked to the bar to get his scotch done leaving us all by the dance floor...areee..come fast here by the dance floor na...look na..we are all having so much fun..(hearts) ok even though its not even been five minutes since you walked across - I miss you already na..like here and around me..as it is..the whole day has been so hectic na love...comeee on jaldi jaldi...don't you deprive dear eyes from your sight longer than a minute now... thike? Like theres so much crowd in the middle of you and me right now even if I dodge around trying to get a look at you its super difficult for I am not able to look through that easily. I am going to still try though – hopefully some of the uncles and aunty's move around a little to give me a clearer line of vision.Dekho – what what I have to do now to get this one look at you because you decided to prioritize your scotch over me at the moment.(sulking pouts) – do you love your scotch more than you love me – Skipper Blue?

I smile to myself as I read that and pick up my glass of scotch that the Bartender just handed to me and take a sip of it and lean back with my elbow rested on the counter and look out towards the direction of the dance floor where in all our close friends + some of our family members + Our bride and Groom are busy dancing and swaying to Happily. She is right about this though – there is too much crowd in between of us at the moment – isn't easy to get a glance at her.

I reply quickly – grinning.

Me : ofcourse not my love...and what kind of question is that Sparkle anyway? I mean how could you even ask me the same? Also are you jealous of my scotch at the moment?

I tap send and await my reply – sipping on my Scotch.

Her : well yess ofcourseeee I am jealous my love..i mean you technically chose to walk off the floor to get yourself some scotch right? Amidst the while dear eyes were having the time of their lives stealing glances at you. I mean even though you were closer to Rohan Sir, Cap and Ravi in the dance group – but still you know what I mean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please know dear eyes are all accusing you – for favouring your scotch more at the moment yet again...now come soon soon jaldi jaldi se or they will continue to be in their accusation mode.

I bite back my chuckle as I read that.

Me : I will come soon Sparkle obviously – and please tell dear eyes that they don't need to be in any accusation mode at all. I mean – please convey it to them that I walked off the floor to help myself with some scotch just for the purpose of distraction,my love..

Her : huh?? What distraction? Why distraction? Please note – its note me asking. Dear eyes are!!

I chuckle.

Me : okay then dear eyes.. you see I walked off the dance floor for a bit because I most surely needed a drink to help me fight out the intense thoughts that are also clouding my mind at the moment.

Her : hmmmmmm achaaa?? What thoughts are these??????(dear eyes want to know)

Me : only dear eyes want to know Sparkle?

Her : very funny...thike? You know I want to know too..tell me jaldiiii...(hearts)

Me : the thoughts of my intense desire for you darling – the thoughts that have engulfed me the minuet I laid my eyes on you as usual. On that note – I am giving you a fair heads up that later on tonight – I plan to take my own sweet time with you as usual but what's going to be different is that My Ravage Mode on You – might just be all Slow and Sensuous.Extremely slow and sensual..

Her : ( blushing emoticons) ohhhh goddddddddddddddddd.........you naaaaaaaaaaaa...aap bhi na...uff ufff...(blushing emoticons)acha acha..thike hai...ravage me all you want in your slow and sensuous mode alright..but abhi ke liye come back jaldi to the dance floor na..also all of a sudden I am kind off best friends with your scotch – I mean good that it's serving as a distraction my love..(winks)

I chuckle and it is right then as I look towards the dance floor again hoping to get a glance at her – I see her dodge herself a little sideways and look up to steal a glance at me too from far across towards the bar where I am standing and as our eyes lock for a nanosecond before she returns to dancing with the rest of the group – I am pretty sure that I have spotted that mischievous glint in her eyes again.

Me : Sparkle...are you sure that this mischievous glint in your eyes is only in anticipation to imagining everyone's reaction to US tomorrow??

Her : oh yes ya Loveee..you know it surely is just that...I mean I just have to say this again..now that we are just like a little while away from telling them all – I can't contain my excitement obviously. I mean I am going nuts imagining everyone's reactions yaaaaa...I mean its going to be EPIC tomorowwwwwwww..but we must surely also be prepped for a lot of playful whacks on our arms thike? I am sure I am going to get a few from Anj, Payal, Noor, Sachi maam, Shivi and Samaira too. And I am sure you are going to get some from Ravi+Rohan specially too – I mean Superbro is surely going to be in a Huge Daze to even give out a reaction for a couple of minutes...(winks)

I chuckle as I read that.

Me :oh yes Sparkle..i know exactly what you mean...ok do you want a drink or something too? You know I am about to walk back to join you all..i can surely get you a drink if you want one?

Her : hahaha...I know I know...you can..but nai..abhi nai...I am keen on drinking some wine with Just You later tonight..(hearts)

Me : ok then my love..ill save a drink for you.

Her : pleaseeee do...aur ab aa jao na idhar...(please come here soon) inteha hogayi intezaar ki..aayi na kuch khabar mere yaar ki...see seee..now I have even quoted a song thike? I am telling you come here fast in 60 seconds or forget about showering with me later tonight..(winks)

I chuckle as I read that and sprint my way back to join everyone at the floor.

I obviously reach in less than 60 seconds and just as I do - right then Ravi and Rohan ask us all to get together in for a group picture again – and I am momentarily distracted from running my eyes up and down my Sparkle, briefly.

Godaamit Her.

She has No Freaking Idea what she is in for Tonight.

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

Four Hours Later

1:45 AM In the Night

Arnav's Room

Arnav's POV Continues

I am pacing around my room all impatient – for I have obviously changed and everything for the night and I am obviously waiting for My Sparkle to text me that she is back in her room – all by yourself.

Guys - We did wrap up the reception party by around 1230AM – because a lot of our guests and relatives are departing after breakfast tomorrow as well so everyone had to pack up and prep for that as well right – but even though the party did get wrapped up – obviously us all – as in the younger lot decided to barge into Rahul's suite to take his case from letting him and Anj have immediate privacy ofcourse! Haha! And yes as much as we did trouble them by ganging up on them – most of us men understood the groom's plight – and made our way's out of their room around 30 minutes ago but Khushi + rest of the girls were still there troubling the two because it was totally like their well due-d Shagun right?

Anyways – time to Text Her.

Me : Sparkle..please tell me that you are back to your room already! I mean leave the poor bride and groom alone now finally – will you all??? i can totally understand Rahul's plight – all he surely wants now is some peace and alone time with my sister – just like I want the same with his (winkssssssssss)

I tap send.

Her : haha..very very clever skipper blue aren't you???? But yes you did make a fair point it wasn't kind of needed because I'v been in my room for the last couple of minutes as in we all walked to our rooms finally about ten minutes ago too - you know since we had taken their case enough.(winks)

Wait.What The ?

Me : what the hell Sparkle? And you are texting me now? As in you'v been in your room for the last couple of minutes already? Don't you freaking know that I'v been waiting all impatiently for you??????

Her : uuffff naaaa...skipper blue...stop frowning thike? I was just freshing up my love...was just about to text you when your text came actually..

What The?*infinity. Has she freaking Changed or what? I desperately hope Not. As usual – I want to be the one to undress Her.

Me : don't tell me you changed already Sparkle?

Her : hahaha...ofcoruse not my love..i haven't changed thike??? Like I told you I was freshing up that's all. Now comeeeeeee naaaa jaldi..i am waiting for you...

I grin as I read that and step outta my room – and make my way towards My Sparkle's room at the speed of Light.

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

Khushi's POV

Guys.

I am like Super Duper Nervous.

Super Duper Nervous* Infinity.

I mean I am sure you all know that I took those couple of minutes out by myself in the room before texting Arnav that I was in her by myself all alone not just because I wanted to freshen up but also because I had to get done with having all of my little preps in place – for My Proposal to him. As in – I did spend some time on this like about a while before I went out to get ready for the Reception too.

And now that everything is set in place – I am actually pacing around nervously in anticipation and excitement – just waiting for Arnav to come.

It's anyway been so difficult to keep this Surprise from him – like's hes totally been wondering what my mischievous glint is all about right??? Hmm. Time to blackmail Dear Eyes a Little.

Dear Eyes – how about you co-operate a little and do not give yourself away before I can actually go down on my one knee? Like you'v been on the edge of spoiling it for me/heart/mind for real ?? Or else I will just have to blindfold Arnav the minute he steps in – and that way you wont be able to look into his eyes at all. Tell me is that what you want?

Dear Heart and Mind wink in unsion. Bravoo- K. tell us dear eyes – is that what you want? Just freaking o-operate all right????

Dear eyes Groans now in defence. What the hell? Look at you all ganging up on me!! And hey how is it my fault that Arnav can read K so well...I mean...this is not my doing at all..its all of ours..collectively...anyway ok...your blackmails worked...I will cooperate a little more..just don't blindfold Arnav's eyes though – I have been dying to just look into them now that finally its going to be US – after the long overwhelming emotional day...

I grin and do a Temporary Hurray and it is right then as if I can actually sense Arnav nearing my door as usual – I walk upto the door and fling it open just in time to see – Arnav grinning to himself walking in closer and I instantly hand him my hand out with a wink which he happily takes and I lace my hand with his and pull him in on reflex and we both shut the door together as usual – as we lean in to kiss each other at the same time too – as usual.

Just as his lips close over mine intensely – I am obviously turned around and pinned to the back of the door and his hands go into my open hair urgently also cupping my face in the process as he starts to dominate my lips probing his way in deeper – and starts to kiss me way too intensely and emotionally.

I obviously clutch onto him hard and start to pour in my intense emotions into his Lips too and now that we are actually kissing each other all slow and sensuous and deep and intense and emotional – I can actually feel my Dear Lips join in the Intuition too as they finally get the hang of the emotion he has been pouring into my Lips and I kind of feel really stupid for not having caught onto this before – as in like Prior.And it was probably all because – he was keeping that Mask On Na – for I only caught that vulnerable look in his eye by chance today at the Mandap Na.

Okay.

Time to Take His Case a Little - For Keeping something This Huge from Me – only because he probably wanted to have a Ring On HIM.

Like that isn't even Important – at all.

I break away from kissing him now as I whisper clutching onto his arm tight – " Arnav...wait...,"and I open my eyes to look into his deeply overwhelmed ones.

Arnav caresses my cheek lovingly immediately as he asks his gaze searching mine – " Sparkle..??"

I whisper now smiling a little – " Love..i feel like do need to get my earings off first.."

He immediately shoves my open hair from one side all behind my shoulder now and runs his hands in a slow caress down my shoulderblade before he asks kissing on my ear softly – " did I hurt you with my urgent hold on you Sparkle??"

I shiver as I clutch onto his arm – " no no..you didn't hurt me my love...but I guess It will be better if I take this out ad this neckpiece too...first?k??"

He nods and says kissing on my ear again softly – " ofcourse...your comfort is priority Sparkle..mind if I help??,"he asks looking up at me into my eyes all deep and we share this Uber Intense emotional eyelock yet again and I nod with a smile – " you are more than welcome to help my loveee...,"and I finally take his hand and we walk together to that little table in my room – in the drawer of which – all my preps for My proposal are ready and I stand in front of he mirror now and shove all my open hair to one side, before quickly tying it up in a messy bun with a rubber band and start to work out one of my earings now – feeling Arnav's intent gaze on me both ways from behind too and also from our reflection into the mirror for now I can totally see his gaze lingering onto the neckline of my corset over this Skirt and I can actually feel myself shiver – because his look is so intense that I can actually feel his gaze X-Ray me through the garment.

Oh But – I most surely want to get on with My Proposal – Before he begins his Ravage Mode On Me – because then I wont be able to think straight at all – right?

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

Arnav's POV

She shouldn't have shoved her Hair aside to one of her Sides completely and then tied it up the way she did.

Why?

Because now its revealed not just her sharp shoulder blades but her achingly gorgeous neck too in all its gorgeous glory along with Her corset giving me Aching Flashes and Visions of what lies beneath and as to how I cant wait a moment longer to get my hands and Lips on Her!

The plan was to help her work out her earring and neckpeice – but I think I will let her continue doing that herself because I most surely need to be kissing her gorgeous shoulder blades and neck sides right now.

I act on accord – wrapping my one arm around her waist gently and pulling her back into my frame sure that she could sense in my intense desire for her already and dip my head forward to the other side of her neck and start to kiss her shoulder blades all slowly and sensualy loving the way she's shivered and leaned back into my embrace as she whispers softly – " you are cheating once again...Skipper Blue..you were supposed to be helping me get my earings and neckpiece out right?"

I chuckle as I kiss her hard on the side of her neck from behind – " and I am helping..aren't i?? just in my own style Sparkle..you have a problem??". I look up for just a second to see her smiling and blushing face in the mirror and she shakes her head in a negative as she says getting one of her earings out and keeping it on the table – " no..not a problem my love..not at all..but before you get on with your ravage mode..i..i..,"and she pauses.

I kiss her ear that she had just taken the earring off all slow and sensuous yet again and I ask whispering into it – " I..i...what??go on..i am listening...just let me have my ways with you though..ill help you a little too..,"as I start to work out her neckpiece with one of my hands and I do help her in getting that off now and just shove it on the table upfront – all the while – my lips continuing to kiss her shoulder blades and necklines all deep and sensouous.

She whispers softly as she takes out her other earing too and now leans back into my arms by resting her head on my shoulder , her breathings all hoarse because of my kisses obviously– " can you believe this my love..as in...superbro and anj are finally married...like for Real...they looked so so so happy na....,"she finishes with her breathe all hitched for I obviously drop in a deep hard kiss as she finishes that bit off it.

She shouldn't have said the Word – Married.

Godaamit.

My Intense emotions return now as I whisk her around instantly and pick her up by the waist a little to make her sit on the tabletop and instantly bend forward and close my lips over her's in an extremely intense emotional kiss and I do not let her freaking breathe for about fifteen minutes or so as I continue to kiss her all deep and intense – unable to pull away – just wanting to pour in my intense emotions into her lips – nonetheless.

She asks now many heated minutes later into my lips in between our haggered breathes as usual – " but tell me something love..to be honest...don't you think that all these extensive wedding functions are like so so tiring too as in as fun as it is...its exhausting too na???"

I yank her head to the side now and begin to slowly torture her neckline from the front with my lips as I do admit pausing for just a second– " oh yes..Sparkle...I do agree with you on that..as fun as it is..it surely is exhausting too..,"and I resume to kiss her neckline's all slow and sensuous again just like I had told her my Ravage mode was going to be On – all night.

She heaves a little and moans my name as I take a torturous moment to kiss her way to hard and slow on the hollow of her throat in a lovebite pulling her head back gently a little and she whispers softly now – " arnav..my..love..h..how...amm..i going..to say..what I want to if you keep up this way..,"and her hands go into my hair clutching on them hard.

I soothen her heated skin with softer and gentler kisses now as I ask – "what is it that you want to say at this point anyway Sparkle?? I mean whyis there anything else on your mind anyway at all huh?? Do you want me to stop?? Pleaseee just don't ask me to stop..dammit..you..,"and before she can say anything to that I instantly wrap my hand behind the nape of her neck pulling her up to face me and kiss her deeply and slowly immediately as I drag her by the waist a little ufront on the table top and gesture her to wrap her legs around me.

She's kissing me back deeply and slowly too with equal passion but she hasn't wrapped her legs around me yet – and I think its because her outfit's a problem.

Need to get her Out of It – Perhaps?

Just as my hands caress her back deeply and sensually trying to figure my way around her damm corset and then tug on her skirt at her waist to try to loosen it a little – she whispers urgently into my lips kissing me deeply too – " wait na..love...first you tell me this pakka se...you surely do think that so many days of wedding celebrations is hectic as well na?,"and I admit again into her lips hoarsely – " yes my love..i am sure we have a consensus on that...it is hectic..surely...why are you asking me this again..when all I now want to do is get this dam outfit off you..first...,"and I return to consume her lips with mine but just as I am about to probe my way into her lips for another deep prolonged slow french kiss – she whispers into my lips back softly – " I am askin..g because I need to know na love.. like to be s..ure...because if we both feel that way...then maybe we can convince our elders ki when it comes to our wedding celebrations na...they can limit the celebrations to a shorter duration..perhaps????you know like let's not have like so many functions thike...whenever we get married..how about if we just have two days of celebration evetually?? Chalega???"

WAIT.

WHAT??????????????????????????????????????????????????

JUST WHAT DID SHE JUST FREAKING SAY????????

DID I FREAKING HEAR HER RIGHT????????????

DID SHE JUST USE THE WORDS – OUR WEDDING CEELBRATONS?WHENEVER WE GET MARRIED?? IN ONE SENTENCE FOR REAL?

OR AM I DREAMING?

I have frozen in the middle of kissing her obviously and her lower lip still stands all partially consumed with my upper lip and just when I am about to kiss her all deep again thinking that this was just the illusion of my ears because of my intense emotions perhaps – I see Khushi pull back from my lips and she cups my face lovingly as she asks softly biting back her grin – " chalegaaaaaaaa??? I mean it will be okay na if we limit our wedding celebrations to a shorter duration???Arnav??aap bolo na..pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee...."

OK.

WAIT.

I STEP BACK NOW A LITTLE IN A DAZED SHOCK AS I GAPE AT HER IN AN UTTER STATE OF DAZE and DISBELEIF SURE THAT THIS WAS MY IMAGINATION.

HER WORDS AT THE MOMENT WERE MY IMAGINATION FOR SURE.

I am also sure that she can read every bit of the Daze on My Face but now her face is back to being all innocently masked – which makes me wonder again – if what I heard was a part of a Dream for sure, and I ask now cautiously in daze to just reconfirm – " Sparkle...did you just say something? Like anything at all??? I mean – you haven't said anything right??????? As in you haven't just whispered a couple of words into my lips while we were kissing just now or while you just cupped my face??did you say something? Like anything at all??????"

She looks at me innocently now as she steps off the table and says walking up to smack my lips and clutching on my round neck collar – " what did I say now Skipper Blue?? I didn't say anything at all thike? I was just kissing you madly when..you stopped...why did you stop huh??,"and she wraps her hands around my neck instantly and begins to kiss me intensely and I shrug my intense thoughts aside as I consume her lower lip into mine now as I whisper hoarsely – " ok..just as I thought..i am back to being officially freaking crazy...Sparkle..i just literally imagined you...,"and I pause as I say – " never mind....,"and I start to probe my way into her lips again.

But just as I am about to kiss her deep again – this time around she pushes me a little back to my surprise her eyes glinting in glee and she states grinning – " nah nah nah...I told you long time ago...you aren't the only crazy one thike????????"

And before I can even comprehend what she means by that or even ask her the same I see her act on quickly at the speed of light as she opens up the drawer of the table with one hand keeping her eyes glinting with mischievousness locked with mine nonetheless and I see her pick out a white ball (the one we play ODI and T20 Cricket with) – and she instantly plonks on her one knee and holds it up to me clutching onto it with her hands tight and kisses on it and I ask in a dazed surprise(a part of me still thinking this to be a Dream) keeping a hand to my temple – " Sparkle....what are you doing on your knee with a cricket ball in your hand dammit??? Are you on your knee with a cricket ball covered in your hands right now? Or am I hallucinating perhaps?yet Again? Like have I just lost my mind???"

She chuckles now as she winks at me – " aww...look at you my love...no no..okay...ill be honest thike?you aren't hallucinating thike?you aren't hallucinating anything at all...I just wanted to take your case a little..so for starters you heard exactly what you think you heard prior my love and also yes... I am on my knee with a cricket ball in my hand for sure..and that's totally because....i need to ask you this...,"and I look at her in a puzzled daze as she finally slides one of her hands off The Ball - and just as my eyes fall on the words written on the White Ball in Blue Marker Ink– WILL YOU MARRY ME??????????????? – I think I have been Gobsmacked/Slingshot to the Edge of Spaceeeeeeeeeeee IN SHOCK+SURPRISE+ HAPPY DISBELEIF.

WAIT.

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

JUST WHAT THE FREAKING HELL IS HAPPENEING????

Is my Sparkle really on her one knee right now –Holding out a Cricket Ball in her hands with The Words – Will You Marry Me?? Written on It??????????????

I think – Yes.

Because now her gaze has turned uber emotional and intense as it locks with mine so much so that I see her eyes well up with happy tears as she asks again softly now – " will you Marry me Mr.Stranger??????? and once again no this is not your imagination thike??? This is for real...as in I am asking this off you my love..ab aap bolo na...will you marry me????????"

HOLY.FREAKING.WHATTTTTTTTTTTT??

I still stand to my spot – PUT – in a Dazed Shock for I still cannot believe this is happening for Real. That – My Sparkle's beat me to proposing me first – something that I have been dying to do for ages.

She says again biting her lip nervously giving me a heartfelt smile – " okkayy....Skipper Blue...i think you still are thinking this to be an imagination...it isn't thike???ahemmm..dear knees have no problem in staying put in this spot longer so I will ask you once more – will you marry me...my love??

HOLY FREAKING- YESSSSSSSS!!

YES.

YES.

YES.

I WILL MARRY YOU – SPARKLE.

I MOST SURELY WILL.

Oh stupid you – Raizada – you need to say the Words out to Her and not in your Heaad.

But – My Voice box seems to Have Crashed.

Guys.

Just what Stunt - has My Sparkle pulled out on me outta the blue this way???????

Nonetheless I instruct myself to React Now and I am sure she can read the Play of Shock+ Surprise+ HappyDisbeleif+ Emtoion+ Love on my face as I finally plonk on my knees in front of her now completely consumed with overwhelmed emotion as I nod at her happily my very own eyes welling up with happiness as I clutch on the ball in her hand and then cup her face with my one hand urgently and whisper looking into her eyes all emotional – " godammit yes...yes..yes..freaking yes...freaking yess*infinity..Sparkle...ofcourse I will marry you godaamit...did you just freaking do this? I can't believe this..no just freaking can't... I can't believe I freaking let you beat me to this...dammit...you,"and before she can even say anything to that I pull her closer by sbaking my hand around her waist and I close my lips over her's urgently now as I kiss her all deep, urgent and bad.

I obviously do not have it in me to be slow this time around.And I am glad nor does She. I pin her to the ground now on the carpet floor under me all urgently now and take the cricket ball she just proposed me with into my hands and keep it aside urgently before yanking her hands up on top of her head caging them in my gentle grip as I begin to kiss and caress her everywhere I can get my hands on to touch her skin in this outfit - like a Mad Man Possessed.

She cannot Blame Me for This.

She absolutely Cannot.

She's uncaged my Primitive Raw Emotional Self and I admit now into her lips as she's kissing me back all urgent too – " Sparkle dammit...you have no freaking idea..how long have I been wanting to do this alright..which is why I am still in part disbelief that I let you beat me too it..dammit," I add by tugging on the waist band of her skirt now and she helps me work up the hook and tug it off her finally a little half way down and my hands reach out for her backcurves immediatey caressing them hard and deep as she moans my name into my lips as she asks now taking my lower lip into her upper one– " oh yeah?? Were you now?? How long?? Huh??? Tell me daamit...how long have you been keeping this to yourself love?? Arnav...how?? Since when??"

I admit rushed trying to work out the rest of the skirt off her completely and also kissing her intense – " since Rohan's wedding...that was when I first had this thought Sparkle...,"and that makes her pause on kissing me hard and she pulls back now and cups my face lovingly and asks in shock – " whattttttttttttttttttt???????? Since then??? Since freaking end of September????????????????but how did you manage to keep this to yourself for this long haan?? When I couldn't even keep it in my head for a couple of hours, like ever since this thought struck me this morning...like I ..i..,"and it's now my turn to ask inquisitve – " wait?? What???? Was this what was on your mind this morning? During the wedding? When I was asking you what's on your mind??"

She nods instantly overwhelmed and adds biting on her lower lip adorably – " just like the mischevious look in my eye after was about my plan of beating you to the proposal...for finally during the religious ceremony dear heart/mind/eyes helped me figure out that maybe there was a possibility that you were already at this space emotionally my love...and then it clicked that maybe...when you said that you wanted to talk to me about something..this was what it was..and by prepration..you probably meant that you wanted to have a ring on you perhaps before we had this talk????????"

I nod overhelmed as I admit caressing her cheeks with my knuckles– " ofcourse dammitt...Sparkle...I so wanted to have a ring on me...I can't stop cursing myself that I wasn't prepped enough...or that I still am not prepped enough..."

Khushi's eyes well up now as she looks into mine intently and adds softly – " but mujhe toh koi ring nai chaiye..(but I toh don't want any ring...)..all I want is you...just you...,"and she clutches on my collar hard and leans up on her elbow and kisses me intensely.

I swear to God – all I wanted to do right there – was to Start Ravaging her like a Mad Man possessed on the Carpet itself – but then because her comfort was important to me – I kiss her back briefly and intense before pulling up and I do take the moment to pull the rest of her outfit's skirt off her legs completely leaving her in just her corset and boyshorts before picking her up in my arms and carrying her to the bed and place her on the bed gently and get my night shirt off myself quickly before getting on top of her straddling her and also returning to cage her hands into my gentle grip above her head loving the way she's finally wrapped her legs around my waist snugly and lets out a whimper and a moaned on impact as she pushes herself into me keeping her eyes locked with mine intently and I ask now – " talk to me...dammit..before I get lost in ravaging you..i want to know how you thought this through in your head...Sparkle??"

Khushi nods intently as she asks – " I will..i will tell you everything...but will you first please tell me what have you been feeling on this accord and why have you been keeping it all pent up within...my guess is that because of our age difference perhaps? I mean You did know this wasn't on my list as in getting married at 21/22..is that what it is??"

I nod at her sure she could finally read the emotion in my eyes.

She asks now – " talk to me please...first...tell me everything.....and then I will too pakka se..."

I do.

I tell her everything I have been going through on this accord.

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

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

Twenty Minutes Later

Khushi's POV

As I finish telling Arnav about my thoughts on the same now after listening to his on the same context prior – and we continue to look into each other eyes emotionally and intently all the while staying also intimately wrapped up into one another I can only feel my Dear Heart+ Mind + eyes + the rest of my Insides – get Uber Stumped and consumed with emotion – both at the same time – obviously as I finally take in the intensity of everything – he had been keeping pent up within himself and why. And I am so moved that all of my Insides have gone into a deep emotional Tranz at the Moment.

I lean up on my elbows a little now kissing his head as I look into his eyes as I say softly now – " I am so freaking glad I caught onto this my love...I mean nai toh god knows till when you would have kept this pent up...within....i mean I am so glad we are going to talk about this...and ofcourse the priceless look on your face was even more epic than what I was imagining"

Arnav cups my cheek lovingly and caresses it as he admits sheepishly – "well yes I am sure about that Spsrkle I am sure you enjoyed that bit off it..but yes I wouldn't have kept it in longer Sparkle...maybe just until the end of Jan until I had that ring ready perhaps???"

I admit again caressing his cheeks – " Arnav ..pleaseee....what is this ring pre-requisite bit??? To be honest I am telling you thike..dont you go overboard with it alright? I mean you na I wont be able to wear it everyday amidst practice and stuff/matches eventually anyway...so pleaseeee...."

Arnav chuckles as he admit grinning – " I know that my love..and I was totally planning on getting you a plain love band to go with the ring too so that you can wear that atleast most of the times..and have the other ring on when you are not playing and practicing...cmon ya Sparkle...don't you freaking stop me from this alright? You are the love of my life..and I am going to get you the ring I freaking want too..alright..."

I admit now with my eyes narrowed at him in dismay – " but love..if I were to leave it upto you...you'll freaking get me a diamond as huge as the size of a cricket ball..."

Arnav chuckles as he kisses my forhead – " well yes Sparkle...you are right about that..."

I say pouting adorably hoping to convince him otherwise yet again– " but I am saying na my love...I don't need the big ring and everything na...please na I'd be more than happy with my plain band...thike??"

He grins and chuckles and kisses my nose now – " look at you dammit Sparkle...being all uber cheeky with the look I cant say no too..know what lets discuss this later...how about you let me cradle you in my lap for a while you actually tell me what's more on your mind with regards to matrimony...I mean I do want to know your thoughts on the same..."

I nod now and he immediately gets off me and settles into a sitting position next to me in bed and cradles me in his lap lovingly and pulls up the duvet on us cozily and I snuggle into his arms as I place a soft kiss over his heart now and somehow this also feels super ntense for I am just dressed in my corset and boyshorts and he is barechested and his only in his tracks too and I whisper softly honestly – " okay so like you now know my every thought on this with regards to what I have been feeling since morning after hearing Mom and Dad talk to bhai...I just felt like I want to initiate this talk in between of us for I obviously wanted to affirm to you that I am ready to sign up forever+ devotion with you Arnav...as in...I want to commit to you seriously for real in the sense as in even though I too agree that the bond in between two hearts is more sacred and our bond is like super sacred nonetheless but if this is how it works in the sense of the wordly ways of acknowledgement of serious commitment..than I first want you to know in your heart that I am ready to plan this out in the near future.....i want to marry you in the near future my love...you are the only one I am going to spend the rest of my life with...,"and I pause because he's tucked my chin up with his hands and he looks into my eyes all intently and admits with love shining in them – " and I am more than just ready to sign up forever+ devotion too with You too Sparkle..dammit you..i love you so much...I am already yours in everyway..and if it were upto me..i'd marry you..say tomorrow...at the break of dawn...but I know you need some time..and please know I am more than okay with that my love...how much ever time you need...just take it..okay? I am more than content with the fact that we are having this conversation now finally out in the open ..for just admitting to each other that we want to and are going to marry one another – eventually is surely bringing my heart immense happiness Sparkle.. that it's insane and dear eyes tell me that it's the same emotion for you too..."

I hug him tight and kiss his heart again as I admit nodding snuggling into him close – " oh yes it is the same for me..i am so happy to just say this out loud to you yaaa acha wait..ek minute...,"and I look up next cheekily smiling as I start to get off his lap and he holds me back by my hand and asks puzzled – " wait..what?? where do you think you are going Sparkle??"

I grin as I admit caressing his cheek – " to get my Sign -Up to Devotion form...its in that drawer too my love..."

Arnav gapes at me happily with love shining in his eyes yet again as he asks – " wait??? What????????????? You made a Sign_Up to Devotion form for Us??"

I chuckle as I admit nodding – " well you know me.. I love my forms..like our promissory summons...the crazy about you disclosure/disclaimer forms so I kind of made a hand written sign upto devotion form for us my love...and I have signed it too...now I just need you to sign on it as well na..."

Arnav nods at me happily as he says – " Well now that you say this Sparkle..I think I can let you off for just a couple of minutes..or just a minute..hurry up and get me this form.."

I grin now happily and get off the bed quickly yanking the duvet aside at the speed of light and sprint upto the drawer and take out my handwritten form and pick on a pen too and walk up to him grinning and swaying the form in my hand in glee and snuggle back into his arms in the same way now as he cradles me instantly back and takes the form too in his and just as he reads through it – I can see overwhelmed emotion consume his face as he quickly signs it off too placing the date below the signature just like I had placed the date below mine and I add now leaning in forward to kiss his cheek – " thank you for signing it off as 22/12/2019 my love...as in even though technically it's the 23 now for its past midnight here..but in my heart I just want to think of this as the 22nd night, which was why I also wanted to get this talk in between us kickstarted tonight itself...you know because of how the number..,"and Arnav instantly kisses my forhead as he adds – " how the number 22 is your fav..22 your birthdate..your jersey number..our love for our 22 yards..yes Sparkle..i know...ofcourse I know my love..infact I was just damming myself about the same in the reception party earlier while I was sipping on that scotch.."

I nod happily now and I hug him and I pull back happily as I say – " achaaa....listen now that we have signed up for devotion + forever and are on a consensus that we are going to marry one another..how about we raise a toast to it..as in with a cup of wine...now you know what I meant by I am up for having some wine with just you tonight..."

Arnav chuckles at that as he says narrowing his eyes to me – " if only...you had freaking let dear eyes revela themselves to me I would have surely caught onto this Sparkle..and you worulndt have the satisfaction of beating me to this...oh godaamit you..i just know it that you are gloat about this to me forever too..."

I chuckle as I admit kissing his nose as he sulks playfully – " ofcourse ofcourse...I am going to gloat about this...serves you right na baba..i mean atleast I should get some benefit for always being my transparent self naaa...like I am toh very impatient when it comes to you anyway...you know I cant keep these huge type of secrets from you...so I think it totally is right..that I beat you to this...like dear mind and heart totally agree...,."I finish with a playful wink in a matter of fact tone and I add again – " also yessss I am so glad I was eager to pull this off without you actually guessing on it for real.."

He chuckles now and kisses my head lovingly for a second and he says softly – "I will get us that wine..before I get on with ravaging you Sparkle..for then I most surely will forget all about your wish of raising a toast to us.."

I nod happily and watch him go over to the Mini Bar in the Room and pulling out two glasses and some wine for us as he pours it half way through the glasses and walks back to the bed handing me one glass as I gesture him to take his spot back and he does – and I lean back into his frame snuggling up all close in his arms as he wraps an arm snugly around my waist and I also tilt a little sideways so that we can see each other and we raise a toast to one another grinning as we say in unison – " To Us..."

And we both take a sip of our wine grinning – both our eyes completely overhwhelmed and emotional and he begins to caressmy arm gently with the back of his knuckles and I ask honestly after taking a sip of my wine – " so Skipper Blue...so you said something like you have no qualms in me taking as much as I need to get ready for our matrimony to actually go through right??"

He nods taking a sip of his wine – " yes Sparkle..because I know if we get married..then obviously everyone will know right? As in the public too..As in we cant keep that under covers...so ofcourse just take your time..wheever you are ready we will plan this.."

I nod at him taking another sip of my wine and admit honestly – " so I have been thinking about this all day Arnav..and i..i...just feel like now...maybe whenever we come out in the public..it can somewhat match to our timing nearing our matrimony right as in..rather than it being like Hungama in progress..ek hi baar hone do hungama..we will announce our engagement+ wedding straight away..when we have too..how does that sound to you??"

Arnav beams at me happily as he keeps the glass of his wine aside now on the side table for a second as he kisses me all intense and deep clutching onto the glass in my hand so that it doesn't tip off suddenly and I can only happily kiss him back brief all moved as I say into his lips three minute later – " okayyy..i reckon you are kool with this bit..Skipper Blue????????c'mon we need to raise a toast again then,"and he pulls apart now and nods at me overwhelmed and picks up his glass as we raise a toast to each other once again and sip on our wines.

I add now biting back my smile – " also yes...what do you think of this too my love...like perhaps I just feel like I am not in the mood to push this too much too...as in I do not want to push our matrimony beyond the next calendar year...it's surely something I want to step into in the next calendar year like towards the end and most surely after August when I am also 22..and to be fair enough to Dad..i think he will need some of these months to process things through..na??"

Arnav nods and he kisses my hand immediately – " ofcourse Sparkle..i understand.. I mean right now he doesn't even have a clue that we are dating...even if we do tell him..he most surely needs that time..and the next calendar year after youv turned 22 Sparkle..i also am keen on that because I mean I can only hope Sagar uncle wont freak out much because Nisha aunty can convince him on the same lines that they got married when she was 22 too right??"

I nod at him as I say grinning – " exactly my point love...Mom will surely help me out on this regard...for it just matters that it feels right in the heart na...and as much as I know Dad and Superbro will understand...you do know Dad and Superbro are going to be all emotional about this...," and Arnav nods at me in an instant understanding and kisses on my hand again and I add now nodding and grinning kissing his hand – " so yes I was thinking that anyway in next December end everyones almost in the middle of planning Akash's wedding ..so lets not mix up in there and cause a confusion for the elders..maybe we can think off that time after our T20 world Cup tour which i hope desperately that i will be playing and will be selected for in October in Australia agai and you most surely will be done with the Asia Cup too by then too – you know that's one of the times of the year we might have a two week off at the same time after..so maybe we can plan it then...how does the first week of November sound..in a shorter celebration..maybe??"

Arnav nods at me happily and now we both gulp the remainder of our wine down in a go and jump to hugging each other tight and he whispers kissing my head – " godaamit you Sparkle...you are on a let's stump my stranger with emotion mode tonight...lets do that...lets totally get married in the first week of November..and you are right..we will announce it once and for all...after our those tournaments finish – we will announce our engagement+ wedding.."

I add now softy hugging him tighter kissing him over his heart – " arnav..love..pata hai kya uptil now..i would just think at times ..that whenever we come to light...the spotlight will shift to my personal space and maybe everyone will just talk about that I am your partner and no one will refer to my skills as a cricketer...but now after everything that I have been seeing and going through with regards to the whole controversy with Hridhaan too online + our family relations coming to light– iv just figured out that this is happening anyway na...as in there are a few who just want to talk about my personal life and they will continue doing that if that's what they want and those who want to talk about my game are doing the same too...so maybe its just like two sides of the coin...that I am going to eventually embrace...and I am prepping myself up for this conditioning myself to give a damm if my personal life is all they want to talk about over my talent...I really am..but at the same time I am going to stay committed to my talent nonetheless as always..."

Arnav tucks my chin up now and makes me look into his eyes as he says sincerely – " Sparkle...I know you are prepping yourself for the same..and look at how your talent is shining through...and it will continue to do so..and another reason why I want to announce our engagement+ marriage to the world once and for all too after our major tournaments are done is this too – that you'd have had more time in the coming year to just showcase your immense talent out be it domestic or international or foreign leagues...like I am dead sure that you are going to be playing in that World Cup squad too my love...let them all see for some more time what your bat can do...before we actually come to light...because trust me on this love...your talent as a cricketer does not deserve to be overshadowed by our personal equation even a tad bit...and I want your gaming equation to continue getting its due too...and one day I am most surely going to be the one to proudly say to the world – hey you all have seen it over these while haven't you? My wife hits better sixes than me for sure and I take great pride in that..."

Oh Godammit Him.

Just the way he said – My Wife – so naturally has Stumped Dear Heart to the Edge of Milk Way.

I kiss him hard and deep by pulling him by the nape of his neck closer into me and I wrap my arms around his neck lovingly as I admit all intensely vulnerable and emotional – " I loved the sound of my wife from you...Arnav...like I loved it...I am so happy right now..so so so happy..,"and I pause as I ask now into his lips – " my future.. husband..how do you like the sound of that.."

He pins me back underneath him again as he whispers looking intently into my eyes – " freaking love it...you know I love it..,"and his lips close over mine in a very hard urgent kiss and I can only kiss him back with equal fervour and it Is right then another nervous thought does cross dear mind – and I say into his lips stopping amidst our kiss– " love..i want to say something...you need to hear me out now..its important...its maybe the wine..but I just.have to say this out loud now..too..."

And he pauses in kissing me and opens his eyes to me and I look into them as I gulp down my nervousness and he asks – " why are you so nervous all of a sudden, Sparkle??"

I admit honestly my nervous gazing searching his sincere one – " i...i...look I do have this thought that I want to talk to you about...but I am nervous about your reaction..so now I am in two minds..i don't want to spoil our moment too..."

Arnav cups my face lovingly as he whispers kissing the side of my lips gently – " hey..shhh...relax...Sparkle...just about nothing can spoil our moment alright...just say what you want to..please..talk to me.."

I gulp down my nervousness yet again in an overwhelmed silence not knowing how to word it to him – that even though I am going to be ready to get Married in the next Calendar Year – I most surely am not in the frame of mind to get on with extending our Gene Pool(as in kids) for another Decade or so as in atleast until I am 30 Plus and want to just focus on my gaming career+ US alone till that point. I mean I do want to be all fair and square in giving him that heads up and I want to know what he feels about the same too – because I do not want to give him false hopes eventually.

I stay in a dazed Silence now and he asks puzzled – " what is it that's making you so nervous Sparkle??"

I admit honestly sincerely looking into his eyes intently – " I am finding the words as in how to put this across to you na..this is important...very important..."

He kisses my forehead as he says caressing my cheek with his thumb – " hmmm..so nervous Sparkle..okay lets do this...bare dear eyes to me will you please??? Without any cover up about this thought...and let me see if I can guess this? I mean I do take great pride in the fact that I can read you exceptionally well – my love..."

I nod at him and do just that – I bare my eyes to him completely now thinking of just this one thought – and I also wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist all snug – just hoping desperately that he figures it out somehow himself and about two minutes later as he continues to look into my eyes intently without even blinking for a second he bites back a chuckle now as he says kissing my forehead – " really??? Sparkle??? Is this what you are worried about????????ofcourse this is like freaking understood...and I am all kool with it...infact I pretty much think the same on this ground + another ground too..."

I ask nervous – " whats your guess?? Arnav??"

Arnav kisses my nose lovingly as he says looking into my eyes – "Sparkle...my guess is that you are uber nervous about telling me that even though you are okay to us getting married in the next calendar year – its marriage and me and just US that you want to commit to for now and of course with your attention to your gaming career too plus our families but...you obviously are not keen on going on with us extending our gene pool as in kids etc for maybe atleast until you are over 30....because you do not want to take a pause on your gaming career because of the same until over 30 atleast...,"and just as he finishes that I hug him hard as I say brushing my hand over his bare back lovingly and – "and your guess is completely correct..my love..but you will be 37 or over no by then..because of our age difference..how do you feel about this???? I don't know if my thought is unfair now..is it??"

Arnav pulls me back now and looks into my eyes sincerlity and love for me shining in his eyes – " how is it freaking unfair Sparkle? No dammit...it isn't unfair at all...it would be freaking unfair of mee I did not understand or guess this bit...look...love...I love you Insane..i understand you like none other too right???I know what cricket means to you dammit...and if I wont understand the magnitude of this..than who will?? Look just know ..it doesn't matter to me if I become a father at 37/38 or even 40 alright or even after...Sparkle...I understand..i totally do..and please note even I wouldn't want you to take a pause on your career because of the same...we will have our very own family eventually...but not at the cost of you regretting pausing on your career..alright...only when you are ready...be it at 30/32/or even 35 or after...and until then I am sure we can find out the perfect ways of being protected so that our intense passion for one another does not cause a slip...at all...ill always be protected eventually but yes I will never ask you to go on the pill for that has side affects but I am sure the gyane can help us figure out other ways eventually to be doubly secured..don't you freaking worry about this at all love....we won't slip..we will figure this out...together..."

I hug him all hard again as I whisper – " your eyes tell me you mean every bit of this love and aren't just saying it just like that..,"and he pulls back again and cups my face to make me look into his eyes – " well you can read me well too...Sparkle...so yes...I mean it..i freaking mean it*infinity for sure..,"and I hug him back all hard again my eyes welling up with happy tears – " thank you for loving me the way you do my love...thank you...thank you so freaking much...for understanding this bit out ya...like I feel so super light now...dear mind/heart/eyes are all in a state of collective emotional euphoria that they are all silent on me in daze..just processing it all in...."

Arnav chuckles at that and asks now grinning, his eyes getting clouded with intense passion – " is there anything else on your mind my love???anything nervousy, or edgy? I obviously do not want your head or heart to be clouded with any worry before I start on my ravage mode on you now..for like I told you Sparkle..i am going to be super intense and slow and sensous with you taking my own sweet time and now that you have wrecked me emotionally with euphoria too – you are going to be facing intense consequences ofcourse and I just want you to be lost in me and us – because I am pretty much going to be lost in you and US too.."

I nod my head in a negative as I say honestly – " no..nothing at all is worrying me my love...just about nothing at all...,"and I hug him all hard and caress his bare back deeply and intensely like he loves sure that he got the signal that all I wanted now was for him to Ravage Me all he Wanted and in whichever Mode and just as I feel him tug on my Corset hooks from behind urgently now I ask pulling back momentarily as a thought comes to my head – " hey..wait..love...when you took this guess you said something like you understood this on the basis of two grounds ..one was my reason that I got it..what was the other???"

Arnav winks at me mischeviously as he adds nipping the first hook of my corset off from behind – " oh the second ground is extremely selfish Sparkle??"

I ask now grinning loving the feel of his hands working down my corset. He's nipped out the second hook now – " really? What selfish ground is that Skipper Blue??"

Arnav admits grinning – " the ground that I think I am going to pretty much need just about more than a decade of Just Us – of Just You all to myself in our marriage – which is anyway going to be a long distance one too – before I can prep my head to share your love and attention with my very own future children...because I know how it is...the little ones come in and the Mr – takes a backseat for a while...and nahh..i don't think I'd even be ready to get into the backseat even after a decade is over, Sparkle..I am insanely selfish when it comes to you...you know that don't you.???," he adds with a playful wink.

I chuckle at that happily as I feel his hands now make their way to the third hook and I add looking into his eyes intently – " oohhhhh I like the sound of that Skipper blue...I mean tsk..tsk...look at you being all jealous of your very own future children..but on that note – I just think I'd want it to be JUST US too for a long while..this isn't just because of my gaming ambitions...its totally also because I just want to focus on YOU..and US too.."

Arnav grins instantly – " oh hell yeah...I love the sound of that Sparkle..,"and with that he winks and unhooks two more hooks slowly and I wink at him as I ask – " really?? Tourturing me in anticipation now already??"

He nods and grins – " ohh I haven't even begun the torture my love.."

I grin as I wrap my arms around his neck hugging him all tight – " then begin please...now will you love..."

He instantly gives me another lovebite at the base of my sideneck before he begins to soothen it again with his soft kisses making me moan his name – " you won't have to ask again..my love..you won't have too.."

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

TWO HOURS LATER

Khushi wraps her towel around herself now as she steps out of the shower having some spent the last TWO intense hours in Arnav's arms – the first hour 30 minutes of which he had his intense ways with her all slow and sensuous edging her to the brink of insanity in passion on the bed, after which he happily scooped the almost bare her into his Arms and continued his Intense Ravage Mode on her in the Shower as well.

He had just stepped out giving her a couple of minutes to dry herself to join him back.And now – just as she finishes tucking the towel end around her and is about to put on a fresh pair of her boyshorts along with his nightshirt – she stops on reflex – because all of a sudden as intense love and emotion and passion for him continues to consume her as she processes their moments from tonight – she feels a little bit of her shyness fly out the window and she feels like she is all ready to for Arnav to see her all bare and to even touch and caress her all bare – all freaking over without a shred of clothing on her.

It was just 430AM.

They surely could stay up for a little more While.Breakfast with everyone was only at 1030AM tomorrow.

She walks out now dressed in just Her Towel now and the minute she sees Arnav all bare chested in just his tracks again sipping on some water – while waiting for her with his back to her – she instantly sprints forward and hugs him all hard from behind now as she whispers – " hey you...my love...you aren't sleepy much are you???"

Arnav chuckles at that as he keeps the glass of water aside after gulping it down and turns around in his spot and pulls Khushi closer by the waist into his frame as he caresses her cheek and her bare shoulder blades and then cups her face lovingly as he says – " does sleep freaking stand a chance at the moment Sparkle..?you know what I, instantly want to do to you when I see you dressed in just a towel right??dammit you...why aren't you dressed in my night shirt like you have been for all these nights???"

Khushi looks into his eyes lovingly as she admits honestly, boldly sure that the look she gave him was irresistible to him and would surely edge him over like she wanted – " that's because I do not want to sleep na ...my love...like not freaking yet..for sure...all I want is for to yank this towel off me with urgent intensity and ravage me hard and bad...for atleast an hour more..like but now I am confused a little thike? As in...slow or sensuous or hard and bad? I mean I love both your modes on me insane...or maybe a mix of both...,"and just like she had anticipated Arnav's eyes darken into pools of passion as he instantly pins her back on the bed immediately and takes her hand in a gentle grip as he adds in a hoarse whisper – " you just freaking unleashed the primitive raw vulnerable part of me with that freaking look of the eye Sparkle..im afraid I cannot be slow or sensuous at the moment...,"and he kisses her all hard and deep urgently and Khushi whipser's back into his lips kissing him back all hard too – " hard and bad it is..oohh I love hard and bad..oh you know I do..,"and she adds now - " I want to say something my love..,"and she breaks away from his lips and kisses on his ear.

Arnav asks leaning up now on the brink of losing his patience too cupping her face– " say it fast dammit...sparkle.. because I need to desperately get on with what I want now..i am afraid I can't hold onto my patience any longer.."

Khushi whispers softly leaning into his ears– " then don't..thats exactly what I want to say my love..i ..i...,"and she leans back into the pillow and looks into his intent eyes as she says boldly – " I just want to feel a lot more physically close to you tonight...as in..i want you to see all of me tonight Arnav..i want you to touch all of me tonight...I know you want too – too...you'v been aching too..but only for my sake as always you'v been patient...yes maybe I do need a little while until we make love..in it's literal sense...but I want you to know that I am totally wanting to step up our intimacy a tad bit little...touch me my love..touch me all you want...,"and just as she finishes saying that – Arnav's now pinned her hands to either of her sidesas his eyes darken further with intense desire as he says – "Sparkle...ill give you another 60 seconds to rethink your decision...60 freaking seconds..or maybe 30...I am going to yank this towel off you and take off that aching piece of your lower garment..and touch you insane..."

Khushi admits boldly looking into his intent eyes – " I don't need 60 seconds dammit..or 30 seconds...all I need is for you to not worry about me at the moment..my love...I want this with you...alright?? And I want it right here...tonight...pakka se..infact I want it so much that you won't even need to shred my garmet aside because you see my love...im wearing nothing below this towel at all.."

Arnav's asks surprised – " wait what?? Did you just say that you are wearing nothing below at All Sparkle????"

Khushi nods innocently – " oh yes...like nothing at all...you can check for yourself...,"and Arnav runs hus hands up her thighs boldly to cup one of her backcurves in his hands and he whispers hoarsely delighted to find no garment there for sure – " sparkle..i love you so much...and I want you so freaking much..it's just that I do feel this need to just check with you over again..always..only because of how deeply I love you...iv told you this prior..i never want you to regret a moment with me..."

Khushi clutches on his collar hair tight loving his deep caress on her backcurves– " and I have never regretted a moment with you thike? I never will...now tell me..should I take my towel of myself or you want to be the one to take it off me????your eyes tell me you want to be the one too – obviously.."

Arnav grins and immediately closes his lips on Khushi's hardly in a hard kiss for about five minutes or so before he finally turns her around on bed completely and yanks her towel down from behind half way to her midriff and he immediately leans forward and starts to drop some hard and urgent kisses up and down the length of Khushi's back and her soft whimpers were only turning him on more and about five minutes later of torturing her back with rushed and hard urgent kisses – Arnav finally turns her around upfront and shoves the loose front of the towel down to her midriff too as he begins to caress and play with her uppercurves that he could never get enough off anyway – completely delighted to find them all alive and taut for him and only because he wanted to torture a little his hands become a little slow in their caresses too as he returns to kiss her all hard and deep.

Minutes later – unable to handle his mix of urgent hard + slow sensuous torture on her curves Khushi wraps her legs around his waist tighter with the towel huddled up in the middle by her waist as she whispers into his lips- " pleaseeeeeeeeeee....love...pleaseeee...,"and Arnav finally breaks away from her lips trailing a line of deep hard kisses down her neck and before closing his lips around one of her pebbled peaks and curves as he begins to use both his lips and hands – alternatively – in having his intense hard ways with his Sparkle – like he loved too.

About ten – fifteen heated minutes later of loving her curves like a mad man possessed – Arnav finally looks up at Khushi cupping her face lovingly and he says intently sure she could read the desire in his eyes – " I am going to touch you Sparkle...now...in the most intimate of ways...I can't wait..so you have five seconds to tell me if you want that towel to stay put where it is or be off you.. ,"

Khushi nods as she leans up on her elbow and takes his lower lip into his and whimpers – " pleaseee yes..i want to feel you touch me too...,"and she's immediately kissed all hard and deep first before Arnav returns his exclusive attention to her right upper curve again and his urgent possessive hand finally travels down south and touches Khushi's intimacy for the very first time in a gentle caress over the towel first– but the way she lets out a moan of intense pleasure at his touch instantly edges Arnav off the tipping point as he finally continues to ravage her curve and yet with another of his urgent hands he finally yanks the towel aside all urgently - his hand making the move forward on its own accord to touch His Sparkle all bare intimately in a deep caress– for the very first time too.

Just as Khushi feels his hand over her in the most intimate of ways – she surrenders herself to her very own desire for this man as she feels her body react and adjust position to give him all the access he needed as he continues to ravage her curves with his lips bad and hard and his hands continue exploring her intimately in urgent possessive caresses for about seven to ten minutes and– and Khushi continues to heave and moan his name as she pulls him up from kissing her curves momentarily now for a deep kiss, loving the way his intimate caresses on her were making her feel and she whispers into his lips – " see..i want you too alright...you can also feel how much I want you too..right??i mean you always ask me the same...I just wanted to ask you the same too my lo..,"and she isn't able to complete her word as a slow whimper makes its way out instead as she feels Arnav's caresses on the intimate her become a little more urgent, hard and uber possessive too.

Arnav whispers back hoarsely into her lips as he continues to caress her intimately still loving the way her body was reacting to him – " I can feel it..ofcourse Sparkle..and to be honest..its freaking thrilling me more...driving me to the edge of insanity so much so that I want to..," and he pauses because he thought that maybe the thought would be too intense for his Sparkle. He surely had to take it bit by bit.

Khushi asks into his lips, continuing with their lower lip- upper lip intense brief kisses whispering softly – " you want to what???Arnav??? please for once tell me what you want without feeling all worried about me love...for once..pleaseeee...atleast voice out what you want..don't keep it pent up...dammit...please...it really overwhelms me when you keep things pent up..pleasee dammit...just say it...I dare you too... ..."

Arnav asks now pulling away from her lips looking into her eyes – " are you sure you want to know??"

Khushi nods caressing his cheeks and says boldly – "if you love me..you will tell me whats on your mind without further delay Arnav.."

Arnav says now instantly continuing to caress her intimately urgently too while looking into her eyes that were clouding with passion and desire too– "well now that you put it that way I obviously have to tell you Sparkle...fine.....you want to know what I want? Then hear me....I want to freaking kiss you..in the most intimate of ways too...exactly as intimately as I am touching you right now...as in I am not yet touching you as deep as I am going too..eventually...but I feel like I need my lips to have my intense ways with you too first...can I sparkle? Can I also kiss you in the most intimate of ways??????"

As the intensity of Arnav's words dawn on her – Khushi asks her heart for its instant guidance and just as she hearts it say back a – Yes – without any apprehension or shyness holding her back – she nods a Yes as she whispers into his lips looking into his eyes – " yes...you can...you can kiss me anywhere...whereever you want all right...your lips can have their intense ways with me on every freaking inch of me alright..."

And Just as she says that and Khushi's eyes also mirror back the same passion and intensity of it in consent - Arnav did not have it in him to wait longer as he kisses Khushi all hard and bad first before trailing down urgent kisses down the rest of her body paying a little extra attention to her midriff and stomach too on his lips journey down and uptil now he was just caressing her intimately and hadn't seen her yet and just as he takes in the sight of her all bare in front of him he whispers kissing on her thigh gently – " godamamit...you are freaking beautiful Sparkle and now..im going to spend quite a while in just exploring you with my lips the way I have absolutely imagined a freaking zillion times before my hands join them in a state of collective ravage.."

And Khushi can only whimper and moan his name in anticipation over what she was going to feel as she says – " oh godaamit me...collective rava..,"and the remainder of the words stay put in her mouth getting displayed by intense moans as she feels Arnav's lips close over her in the most intimate of ways.

Arnav's plan was to be gentle at first obviously for this was surely very intense for His Sparkle – but her crazy moans and whimpers added by the way she just clutched onto his hair tight+ her body adjusting on reflex to him , his hands and lips giving him all the access told him that she loved the touch of his lips on the intimate her and that acknowledgement drove him over the edge as his lips begin to explore her intimately all deep and hard .

About many heated minutes later of Khushi writihing and being driven to the edge of insanity with Arnav's intimate sweet torture on her intimately with his lips – she feels like she is getting consumed with passion like never before and just when she feels she couldn't feel more alive or alit with passion and desire she feels his urgent and gentle hands join in his lips and she further looses her ability to think anything at all – as she next feels his fingers enter her gently too and begin to move within her gently as he continues to drop gentle urgent+ hard kisses on her intimately too for many minutes more– Khushi feels herself dissolve into Him – as she feels a beautiful, aching, sensous emotion take over her completely.

And Arnav can't just stop having his intense ways with her – because he was loving the way she was writhing – for him – and rendering herself undone for Him and so he continues – adamant to Drive his Sparkle Crazy off the cliff off insanity and make her feel the pleasure and she had never experienced before – driven by his intense love and desire for Her.

And even though technically this wasn't them – Making Love – in it's Literal sense – their step into their Intimacy tonight – was just another one of the intense ways off Raising a Toast to Their Signed Up – Promise of Making a Future Together as Man and Wife- Soon!

Emotional.

Intense.

Passionate.

Electric.

Sensuous.

Maybe the List could go on – but nonetheless – the Words would always fall short to depict the beauty of the soulful, intimate, sensuous, passionate moments in between of Stranger and Sparkle – Indeed.

Could Words Ever Be Enough?

Nah.

I don't think So.

WORDS – COULD – JUST – NEVER BE - ENOUGH.

PERIOD.

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

TADAAAAA!!!!!

Belated Merrry Xmas + Happy Holidays to all too.

Please stay Safe and Healthy You All. Sadly -Covid isn't done and dusted Yet!!

Also hope the Pictures and Media are enhancing the Reading Experience you all.

Alsooo yesss –I have finally gotten around to making my writing handle on Insta. Using it for Daily interactions – quotes – snippets etc. Would love to connect with you all on it too.

You can find me On Instagram – by Clicking on the Link Below.

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

Thanks, guys, for all the Love and Support.

Much Love.

Always.

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coderlady thumbnail
Posted: 5 years ago

36.2

Wow. She is planning to propose to him. with a ball at that.

coderlady thumbnail
Posted: 5 years ago

36.3

She shocked the hell out of him. In a good way. She beat him to it.

mysticltales111 thumbnail
13th Anniversary Thumbnail Visit Streak 30 Thumbnail + 4
Posted: 5 years ago

Helloooo everyoneeeee..

I hope you all had an amazing Xmas + weekend with your loved Ones.

here I am with the next Update.t's quite long update guys about 16.2K words as I wanted to etch out the different scenes through the much awaited Reveal 2.0 - since it was a moment/turn - quite awaited in the Story and I wanted to pen it down intricately.


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

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

Copyright Disclaimer :

Text Copyright©mysticaltales11111™2020

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.

All Rights Reserved® mysticaltales11111

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CHAPTER 36.4 - REVEAL 2.0

The Next Morning - 23rd December , 2019

Gstaad : Switzerland

At the Hotel - Khushi's Room

8:00 AM

Arnav's POV

I stir up in my sleep and my hand reaches out on its own accord to pull - My Sparkle closer into my frame and it is right then as my hand comes across the empty space next to me - my eyes fling open a little on their own accord.

Why isn't My Sparkle Here? Next to me??

The alarm of 9:30am still hasn't buzzed out on us which obviously tells me that it is prior to that time - we had scheduled to be Our Wake Up - Time. My half open eyes fall on the clock on the wall sleepily - it's 8:00AM. We still do have 90 minutes to catch up on Sleep.Why is My Sparkle - Up Already?

Ok wait - maybe - she went to freshen Up?

Wait Wair Wait - Is she Okay???????????As in - I only let her get some sleep a couple of hours ago at around 6am - because I obviously was consumed in having my intense ways with her - until that point.And now - as our intense intimate moments from just a couple of hours ago ,return to my head - I can't help but wonder just a tad bit little - if I Was I way too Intense on Her?

A little worry does consume my head now as I rub a hand over my face sleepily before leaning up sideways on my elbow to look out around the room with the plan of getting up and walking to the washroom door to check on My Sparkle and hear from her if she was okay. But I am surprised as my eyes fall on her figure standing with her back to me by the window in her room - with her leaned sideways at the wall a little as she's shoved the blackout curtains aside and is in the middle of looking out of the window.

I get off the bed instantly and walk up to her quite loving the sight off her dressed in my nightshirt and the fact that she hasn't figured out that I am awake by the rush in my pacing steps from behind her - obviously tells me that she is spaced out into a Deep Thought.

I can't even freaking see her face at the moment to figure out if she is smiling or frowning.

I desperately Hope - she is Smiling.

And I also desperately Hope - that she is not regretting the Intimate Intensity of our Moments from last Night (as in from Just a couple of Hours Ago)

I hug her from behind now instantly by wrapping my arms around her waist - taking her by an instant surprise and I place a soft kiss on her shoulder as I ask softly leaning into her ear - " good morning Sparkle..why are you up so early?? I was obviously puzzled about your whereabouts when I didn't find you in bed next to me...and then saw you standing here...you okay love???". I am also sure she can sense the little shreds of worry in my voice.

Khushi instantly leans back into my frame snuggling into me closer and wraps her arms around my hand all tight instantly and as her comfortable warm loving vibe mixes with mine - I do feel the shreds of worry wash away a little on reflex as she says softly continuing to look out the window through the little peek-abo - through the curtains - " ooooh yesss..ya love...I am more than just okay...never been better actually...so chuck that worry in your tone aside for sure..."

I kiss on her shoulder again.I also hug her tighter and look out into the Snow- View as I ask softly because I need to know her answer. I need to hear her say it to me.- " are you sure you are okay love??? Sparkle - I just hope you aren't regretting our intense intimate moments from a couple of hours ago?? You are not regretting it..right????"

Khushi instantly turns around now, closing the curtains shut and her twinkling with happiness eyes and the heartfelt smile on her lips instantly washes the remainder of my worry away as she looks into my eyes happily and smiles and adds blushing a little too as she cups my face lovingly - caressing my cheek - "ohh pleaseee...Skipper Blue..i can't believe you just asked me this thike?? you know it very freaking well that never have I ever regretted a moment with you my love..and never will I ever..like how many times I should say this??? Wait...wait...Should I make a disclaimer form for this too? And sign it too??you know I very well can...,"she finishes with an adorable pout and wink.

I chuckle at that as I hug her all tight instantly and admit sincerely - " Sparkle...when my hands discovered the empty space next to me instead of you..i was obviously consumed with a little worry..,"and I pause placing a sincere kiss on her head before tightening my hold on her in an intense hug - her loving relaxed vibe finally easing my jumpy nerves completely.

She hugs me back all tight too and she whispers softly now - "I just woke up to freshen up love and while I was on my way back to bed I just thought to pause by the window to look out the view onto the snow for a little while - its gorgeous outside at this time in the morning na that's why.."

I pull back from our intense hug and I instantly tuck her chin up to make her look at me and I ask with my gaze locked intently with her's - " and the other reason you could pause to look out the view just by yourself could also mean that maybe you do have a thought on your mind?? You surely were lost in some deep thought Sparkle...I can obviously see through that which was how you didn't even sense me walking upto you until I hugged you..."

Khushi nods at me with a sheepish smile as she adds - " well yes..there is something on my mind...surely but once again it isn't something that you need to worry about thike??bass aise hi I was anyway going to talk to you about it anyway...,"and she does figh back adorable yawn.

I cup her face lovingly now and kiss her forehead - " talk to me now..pleaseee??"

Khushi nods and she hugs me all tight again instantly and whispers softly placing her hand over my heart - " soo...actually..to be honest to you love...when I just woke up a while ago and was freshening up and everything..dear heart+ mind were feeling all confused and puzzled about this...as in as much as a part of me knows that Dad would need time to process things through before he actually knows how deeply we love one another , somewhere deep down I am feeling a little guilty over and over again that everyone close in our inner circle will know today about us and only mom, dad, will not know and also Dadi...so I was thinking..maybe..if I could just talk to Mom too...as in I will tell her about us in private then.. let her guide me na as to when is the right time to talk to Dad..if she feels he will be able to process it like right now - than thike we will tell him too but if she says otherwise..than maybe I'll want to go with her guidance on the same and not just my pressumptions...for now after us actually deciding on tying the knot in the next calendar year - I do just feel like I do want to talk to Mom too about Us..and ill let her guide me on Dad's aspect maybe? What do you think about this Arnav?? Does this sound okay to you"

I kiss her head happily now pulling back a second later all relieved - " well it most surely does sound okay to me..my love...for I know how close you are to Nisha aunty and I can also understand what its taken off you to not tell her about us yet...so if this is what dear heart wants now..than so be it..i have absolutely no qualms in admitting my love for you in front of Nisha aunty today too and you know that and yes...I think its totally fair enough to seek her advice on how to go about this with Sagar uncle for sure..as in she knows him better than anyone right???so let's do this..."

Khushi hugs me back all tight grinning instantly as she says - " great* infinity...lets do this then Skipper Blue...we will stick to our prior plan...thike?as in after breakfast and when some of our relatives and guests have departed we first talk to Superbro/Anj and then our friends and then I will just talk to Mom after too in private...and see how it goes...but all of this before lunch only as in before Superbro/Anj...for their holiday.."

I kiss her head happily now - " that sounds perfect indeed Sparkle and we will go over it all like we planned already..but now how about you do catch up on some sleep for atleast an hour or so before our 930AM alarm buzzes on us..It's going to be an eventful first morning my love...and I think an hour of sleep is surely going to help you more..,"and before she could say anything to that - I scoop a grinning happy her - in my arms and walk us back to the Bed and place her on it gently before joining her back in.

Khushi instantly snuggles up close into the crook of my arm placing her head on my shoulder lovingly - also pulling back the duvet on us snug and she whispers softly now - " oh yes an hour more of that magical sleep in your arms is surely going to do me wonders my love..,"and she closes her eyes now with a happy sigh clutching onto me tight.

I kiss her forhead for a second and close my eyes too now feeling immense peace and contentment consume my heart and I whisper softly - " you do know that there's perhaps nothing more peaceful than this for me Sparkle...having you sleep in my arms is surely amongst the most content peaceful moments for me...,"and she whispers softly snuggling into me closer - " I know...and it's the same for me..Skipper Blue...you know that don't you??"

I admit sincerely, feeling my eyes get weighed down by a peaceful hymm off sleep - " yes I know..Sparkle..i know..,"and just like that we both continue to hug each other hard as we eventually fall into a peaceful slumber - a couple of minutes later - snuggled into each other's arms.

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

THREE HOURS THIRTY MINUTES LATER

12:00 PM (NOON)

Rahul + Anjali's Suite

Anjali entangles her lips from her husbands with great dismay putting a pause on their deep kiss with regret as she finally pulls back and says to him grinning, still continuing to lace her arms lovingly around his neck - " sorrryyy..husband..but I guesss if we do wish to leave for our holiday on time, then we need to switch our attention to the last minute wind up with regards to our holiday packing..."

Rahul groans as he adds with a playful wink - " oh cmon Anj..we are done with everything almost ...I am sure a five minute delay in attending to our cabin bags, won't be much of a problem..i mean cmon just let me kiss you a while more..the morning's been hectic,"and with that he leans in for another deep kiss and Anjali winks at him playfully as she adds placing her finger on his lips- " yes I agree, the mornings been hectic with collective breakfast with everyone plus seeing a group of our relatives and guests off...but I do need to wind up that cabin bag....,"and she pauses as Rahul caresses her cheek lovingly - " and we will..get to that..in just a couple of minutes Anj..cmon we just got into the room five minutes ago..after seeing our relatives off..," and finally Anjali nods to that happily and says - " okay, okay fine now don't you give me that look I can't resist husband..i think a couple of minutes delay wont harm us..," and leans up on her tip-toes and kisses him and Rahul grins in momentary victory as he adds into his wife's lips - " I love the sound of husband ..finally...wifey...,"and that only makes the newly weds kiss each other deeply immediately and Anjali admits two minutes later pulling up for a second - " I know right...I know exactly what you mean..,"and they begin to kiss each other again and about three minutes later Rahul adds pulling back and carssing his wife's cheeks lovingly - " and I cannot wait to jet you away on the holiday where in now its going to be just US..,"and Anjali nods to that happily in acknowledgement and reciprocation of the same feeling and they both lean in to kiss each other again.

Two minutes later, right when they are in the middle of taking each other's breath away - they now hear a knock on their door and their Junior's(Khushi's) voice comes through - " bhai...anj...can I come in????"

Anjali pulls back immediately now and she winks at her husband and she says - " okay..let me open the door to our Junior...,"and Rahul says with a playful shrug - smiling and walking up to pick up his and Anjali's cabin bag to settle it on the bed for the final wind up too - " bad timing junior..,"and begins to open the suitcases.

Anjali opens the door instantly to a grinning Khushi and she instantly engulfs her into a sidehug as she says - " ofcourse Junior, come on in.."

Khushi hugs Anjali in a loving sidehug too and she asks biting back her grin, walking in with her - closing the room door shut - " okay Anj...so I have something very important to ask you thike??,"and Anjali grins and winks at her and says - " shoot it out junior??"

Khushi happily paces up to her Superbro - as he gestures her to come in for a sidehug too and she asks now hugging him - " bhai..everything set?? As in with all your packing for the holiday and everything??"

Anjali rolls her eyes playfully at her husband at that as she adds grinning - " yes almost done Junior..just a couple of minutes for that last winding up for our cabin bags that's all..."

Khushi nods and grins and adds - " that's great..anyway don't you both worry thike? as in mom, me, reva aunty we will make sure that the rest of your suitcases with the formal wedding stuff go back with us as is..like don't you worry about that at all..alright?? we will surely make sure nothing is missed out.."

Anjali and Rahul grin at that as they say lovingly- " we are sure about that Junior..,"and Anjali asks now walking upto Khushi gesturing her to sit next to her on the bed and Khushi does so feeling a tad bit nervous within as the moment she had been waiting for was finally almost here and she hears Anjali ask lovingly holding onto her hand - " so what was it that you wanted to ask me junior??"

Khushi grins at that first and says - " okay..so for starters..super important question for both of you Superbro and anj...like anj would you rather have me call you Bhabhi now..or stick to anj and bhai would you rather have me completely nip out superbro and just call you bhai from now on...as in the two of you are now married and if you are all in for the serious serious feels then I can totally go in for traditional bhai and Bhabhi route thike???"

That Makes Rahul chuckle happily as he shifts the cabin bags little backwards on the beds and plonks himself next to his little sister so that she was in the middle of Anjali and him and he adds lacing his arm around her shoulder and sees Anjali kissing Khushi's head lovingly first- " Anj..please junior..don't you even think of calling me as Bhabhi permanently alright...I love the sound of anj from you too...,"and Rahul now adds grinning kissing Khushi's head too - "superbro..always...please junior...I mean just rotate in between superbro and bhai like you mostly do...just like we are going to stick to calling you our junior.."

Khushi nods and hugs them both happily from either of her sides and she adds - " okayyy listen you both I know you are going to be too lost into one another once you leave for the holiday because well you do deserve the much needed privacy as newly weds now..but please just remember to share like loads and loads of pictures on our family group on whatsapp thike????"

Anjali and Rahul both say in unsion happily - " alrighty..done junior..,"and Khushi gets up now from the middle of the two and she stands up and gestures them both to sit closer next to one another and they do so puzzled, wondering what was their Junior upto now and Khushi finally kneels down in front of them and holds each of their hands into her lovingly and adds sincerely now - " ok..so superbro..anj...the other day na..like I was thinking to myself..that what is it that I can gift the two of you as your wedding gift from my end..and..,"and she pauses because her brother's touched her head sincerely as he adds grinning - " oh cmon junior..we don't need you to gift us anything.."

Anjali adds grinning too - touching Khushi's head - " indeed junior..we don't need a wedding gift or something at all.."

Khushi clutches on their hands tight as she says sincerely now - " ya ya...I know I know...you don't like need me to gift you both something thike? but what if I want to gift you something nonetheless and have it planned out already...like you are my superbro+ anj afterall as in my one and only bhai -Bhabhi so I most surely had to just keep up with my emotions na....so now it's like my gift is all ready thike?? and that is why I am here actually to give the two of you my gift in private..and I am like super duper nervous and excited about this ..like for real...as in for your reaction to my gift obviously...like whether you will like it or not..my gut says you will love it obviously which is how I planned this...but phir bhi na..now that the moment is finally here..i am a tad bit nervous..."

Rahul and Anjali look at each other lovingly exchanging a heartfelt smile and they ask in unison next looking at Khushi - "okayyy..Junior..since you are so keen on this wedding gift..than please know that we are surely going to love it nonetheless...as in..you don't have anything to worry about our reaction in anyway.."

Khushi takes a deep breathe and she instantly clutches on their hands further - giving a little extra clutch on her brother's hand as she adds now looking at them both sincerely - " bhai I know how worried you have been with regards to the identity of my Mr Stranger and even though your paranoa has lessesnd with time I know somewhere deep down the worry still roots you...,"and she looks at Anjali and adds with a heartfelt smile - " and I know Anj that he has spoken this to you like a gazzlion times and you'v only been so supportive of me nonetheless...which is why I just thought that probably the best gift I can give to the two of you today as your wedding gift from my side is probably me actually telling you about who my Mr Stranger is...as in I want to talk to you both about the man I love truly, madly and deeply today as in..I want to bring his real identity to light today in front of you two.."

That obviously overwhelms Rahul immediately for he had obviously been fighting his very own paranoa now and then with regards to his Junior's - Mr Stranger - since months and the fact that she thought that this was what she wanted to gift him as a wedding gift - meant the world to him and also made him emotional - because knowing about who Mr Stranger was - would finally feel like that little closure to his guess work regarding his mysterious identity and put a seal to the paranoia in his head too- for he could now actually focus on getting to know Mr Stranger eventually as a person if he actually knew who he was. He hugs his Junior instantly as he adds sincerely - " well this is indeed the best wedding gift ever Junior...,"and Anjali joins in the group hug too and adds sincerely all emotional too - " correction to that husband...it isn't just the best but the bestest indeed..,"and they both pull back from hugging Khushi and they both look at her in anticipation as they ask - " okay go on then....tell us..who is your Mr.Stranger????"

Rahul asks with a playful wink - " and just for the record just checking...he isn't Hridhaan??"

Khushi sighs at that as she says with a amused grin - " bhai..cmon how many times I have told you this...no..no..it is not Hridhaan at all..thike???"

Anjali nudges Rahul happily in the arm as she says - " shh you..rahul..as in how many times have you tried to go on a guessing trip about this...know what? just let junior talk about this..and how about you listen like a good brother...and mind you no overprotective possessive brotherly reactions in here please...,"and she finishes with a playful wink at Khushi and Khushi grins - " thank you anj..."

Rahul nods and puts his hands to his sides in a matter of fact tone as he says - " alright..now I am cornered by two most important ladies in my life..yet again..fine..i promise..no overprotective possessive brotherly reactions in here..ill be as calm as I can be..."

Khushi nods at them both and right then they all hear another knock on the door and Khushi bites back her grin for she knows it was going to be Arnav (as per their plan) - and she says innocently to Anj - " ohh ill just check who it is...,"and she walks over to open the door and bites back her grin with great difficulty as she sees a grinning Arnav standing by the door and she gestures him to come in and whispers softly - " ohh damm..love...I hope I don't break out into a laughter to their faces...I mean...I hope I am able to stick to our plan.."

Arnav bites back his grin too as he gets in and adds in a rushed whisper - " I hope the same too..Spakle..,"and it is right then they hear Rahul+ Anjali's voice in unsion asking - " who is it junior??"

Khushi gestures Arnav to keep up with their plan and that so will she and they both mask in their expressions innocently and Khushi says walking Arnav into the room - all formally - " its ASR..superbro..anj...he said he had something to talk to the two of you...so yeah...then I thought it will be rude to ask him to wait..so maybe he can get on with what he wants to say first...and ill come in after...,"and she fakes a innocent look at Arnav as she adds - " ASR..do you need to talk to Anj and Superbro in private?? As in do you need me to leave?? I surely can..and come back a while later.."

Arnav says innocently faking a casual shrug - " no khushi..i don't need you to leave..you can stay.."

Rahul and Anjali get up from the bed now and Anjali hugs Arnav instantly and asks - " all okay bhai??,"and Arnav nods and then Hugs Rahul too and he asks grinning - " I can see everything is almost set for your departure...,"and Rahul adds grinning - " yes it's almost set ASR..just the last minute cabin bag stuff..that's all..."

Anjali asks now gesturing Arnav, Rahul, and Khushi to walk to the seating area in the room which had two - seater - sofa's opposite one another and she gestures Khushi to sit next to her and Khushi does so biting back her amusement and Rahul and Arnav take a seat together on the other two-seater sofa opposite too and Rahul asks now looking puzzled at Arnav - " okay..ASR..so what is that you wanted to talk to us??"

Arnav says looking at Rahul + Anjali with a heartfelt smile - " well I am here to give the two of you ..a wedding gift from my end..in private ofcourse...as in...I haven't gifted the two of you anything and I obviously wanted to obviously..."

Khushi says innocently faking a formal shocked expression - " really ASR? You are here to give bhai, Bhabhi - a wedding gift too...well so am i..actually..."

Arnav asks all inquisitive in his formal mode - " really khushi??"

Khushi nods.

That makes Rahul+ Anjali exchange heartfelt grins and they add - asking - in unison - " and when will the two of you stop being so formal around one another though??"

Khushi fakes a adorable shrug as she adds with a formal grin - " oh pls guys...you know I have always looked upto ASR, so its natural for me to be this way na...,"and she adds looking innocently at Arnav - " ASR, you can go ahead and give your gift first..since my gift has a emotional element in it.."

Arnav looks at Rahul and Anjali surprised as he asks - " really? now does it?? well so does mine...I am here to tell Rahul+ Anjali about who my special someone is..you know since I know they have both been wondering about her identity all this while..so I thought its only fair I tell them who she is now..."

Rahul and Anjali exchange puzzled amused glances from across as they ask Arnav in unison - " really??? how strange is this? Because junior was about to tell us about who her Mr.Stranger is too...,"and Anjali adds grinning - " okay..it can't get better than this though..i mean we will get to know the identity of both today Rahul..."

Rahul nods - "well yes it can't get better than this for sure..,"and he hears Khushi ask all formally now looking at ASR - " oh..since you are here to talk about such a personal thing ASR, is it okay for me to stay? As in would you be okay to reveal about your special someone to anj and superbro in my presence??"

Arnav bites back his grin with great difficulty as he says nodding - " well yes..i don't have a problem in talking this out in front of you Khushi...because I am aware that you won't tell anyone.."

Before Khushi could even say anything to that Rahul + Anjali say in unison on her behalf - " oh yes...you can surely trust junior on this...she wont tell anyone at all..."

Arnav nods and he asks Khushi now formally - " ok then..but wait...Khushi...why don't you go on with telling Rahul+ Anj who your Mr Stranger is first..i mean you were here before me...also don't you worry...you can totally trust me..i wont tell anyone...infact its something iv been wanting to know myself too..who is he???"

Khushi knew that was her cue and she finally nods as she says - " yes yes...okay...if you can trust to talk about your special someone around me ASR..than I surely can talk about my Mr Stranger in front of you too...I know you wont tell anyone..,"and she looks to and fro in between Rahul and Anjali and says to Rahul - " superbro come here na as in sit next to Anj na..."

Rahul nods puzzled and gets up to walk across to sit next to Anjali and Khushi now winks at Arnav while walking back to sit on the sofa a little further on the other side from him and she adds now taking her seat - " okkayy...so here it goes...,"and she takes a deep breathe and says out loud looking at Rahul+ Anjali's puzzled amused faces - " so I think I want to start with this...My Mr.Stranger is a professional cricketer too...just like I am..infact our common love for cricket is something that's intensely common to us both..."

And that shocks and surprises the hell out of Rahul + Anjali as they gape at Khushi and ask - " wait...what???????????????? you mean Mr Stranger plays cricket professionally too????"

Arnav pretends to be shocked and surprised too as he asks - " wait?? What??? khushi?? This is surely insane.."

And Rahul asks immediately now - " junior...wait..wait...wait...does he play in the domestic circuit or is he someone from the men in blue?? Because then ASR would surely know him at an individual level too right??????"

Anjali gapes at Khushi in surprise daze too as she asks - " junior..have you been dating someone from bhai's team??? Without any of us having a clue about it uptil this point????"

Khushi controls herself from breaking into laughter right there as she looks at Arnav innocently and then at Rahul and Anjali in a matter of fact tone and adds with a nod - " well yes...as in ..he is one of the men in blue, at the moment..infact ASR knows him very very well too....like extremely well..."

Rahul and Anjali exchange puzzled glances as they ask along with Arnav in unison - " who????????????,"and Arnav adds faking to be deep in thought as if he were connecting the dots - " I know him very well?????are you sure Khushi??"

Khushi nods innocently.

Rahul + Anjali gape at Khushi in unison trying to connect the dots in unison as Rahul says now - " okay wait...if I just think off the single men from the men in blue at the moment..is it Yuvaan??Veer??? ASR has a good equation with them too...we are all aware.."

Anjali adds puzzled - " or is it...Singh perhaps?? or..,"and she pauses as Khushi shakes her head in a negative as she adds - " well no ya it isn't Yuvaan, singh, or Veer..thike??"

Rahul asks getting all impatient now - " junior...please..come on out with it..and if you want us to guess..atleast give us a solid hint..."

Anjali nods - " yes junior..come on give us a hint..,"and she looks at Arnav and adds - " bhai...who else is single on the team??"

Arnav adds faking thought - " hmmm..let me think about this...Khushi cmon give us a hint ..will you pleaseeee???","and they both exchange the look of - the Moment is Now.

Khushi says now innocently - " okay...solid hint...fair enough..thike? so I will give in a hint...well my Mr Stranger is an integral part of the men in blue for sure..."

Rahul groans - " what the hell junior? We got that bit of it..stop beating around the bush now please..tell us who he is..."

Anjali asks further - " cmon junior..."

Khushi says now taking a deep breathe, finally - " well okay how about the two of you guess this..as in..i fondly do call him Skipper Blue as well...sooo..."

Anjali and Rahul exchange puzzled dazed looks as they look at one other - " Skipper blue?? Means??,"and they both look at Khushi again all dazed, confused and lost as they also shoot a look at Arnav and ask in puzzled unison- " why would you call him Skipper Blue..junior...when skipper actually means captain...and we all know who captains the men in blue at the moment..infact he is right here next to you...wait, wait, wait, whattttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt????,"and they both gape in a superdazed shock looking to and fro in between Khushi and Arnav unable to digest the dots their mind was kind of getting around to connect and they ask to reconfirm in a dazed unison again- " what did you just say Junior???? You call him Skipper Blue?? Are you saying you call him skipper with the meaning of its literal sense in the context ?????"

And right then Khushi finally says breaking into a happy chuckle - " exactly na..yes..thats exactly what I am saying...that I call him My Skipper Blue..because in its literal sense at the moment that's who he is ...the Captain of the Men in Blue...which kind of translates into the bit that My Mr.Stranger is right here too, as in that he's been here all along....its him only na,"she adds by pointing a thumb adorably at Arnav - "he is...my stranger...my skipper blue...Arnav....,"and she finally slides down the sofa straight into Arnav's side and they both finally let the pretend go as Arnav instantly hugs Khushi to his side, biting back his chuckle and kisses Khushi's head lovingly- " and my special someone is none other than your Junior...Anj/Rahul...and we are deeply in love with one another..always have been...it's us whose been together all this while...,"and with that both Arnav and Khushi finally break into a fit of giggles by holding onto one another in a warm sidehug as they are totally amused to the edge of the planet with the intensity of the daze + disbelief + shock+ surprise that was starting to consume both Anjali and Rahul's faces.

Rahul couldn't freaking believe it. He just couldn't believe what he had just heard or what he was seeing at the moment in front off Him. For his ears told him that he had just heard his Junior tell him that Mr Stranger was none other than ASR and his eyes told him that he really was seeing the sight of Arnav and Khushi hugging onto each other happily amidst a fit of giggles at the moment - as they couldn't stop laughing.

HOW WAS THIS FREAKING POSSIBLE?

Was It for Real - that the Two of them had been seeing each other all freaking along?????????????????

He nudges his wife in a dazed state of shock + surprise as he asks to reconfirm - " anj...are you seeing what I am seeing? Did you also hear what I heard?? Or I have lost my mind perhaps?? did junior just say that Mr Stranger was none other than ASR and are the two of them really hugging that way onto each other amidst the uncontrollable burst of giggles???"

Anjali nudges Rahul back in a similar state of daze+shock + disbelief as she says rubbing her eyes and ears a little - retaking it all in- " I was just about to ask you the same thing Rahul..that did you also just hear and are seeing what I am????????? "

Rahul and Anjali finally look upfront at Arnav and Khushi again -who were still hugging onto one another tight from the side giggling and just as they see Arnav kiss Khushi's head again and he says - " godammit you...sparkle..i can't believe we pulled this off without bursting out into giggles prior...,"and Khushi kisses his cheek too back as she continues to laugh and adds - " I know right Arnav..like only if we would snap the look on their faces ya..." - Anjali and Rahul finally look at one another in dazed+ happy disbelief as they exchange a look off - Oh Yes - what we just heard and saw was Indeed Real - Rahul asks looking at Anj and asks out loud in daze - " seriously...I can't freaking believe this Junior/ ASR....i mean is this real? And If this is real than it means that what we were seeing and observing until now wasn't real????i mean the formal mode...???Junior you did just say that ASR is Mr Stranger???"

Anjali asks all shocked+ surprised too - "I do have to ask again too?? For real??????? Junior? Bhai?? Bhai did you just say that the one youv been with all this while, the one you love deeply is our Junior???"

And as they heart that - Arnav and Khushi - finally pause on the giggles and they lace their hands together and Arnav kisses on Khushis hand happily and nods sincerely and says looking at Rahul and Anjali - " yes indeed...you heard us right...the very first time.."

Khushi adds now clutching onto Arnav's hand tight - " and everyone saw as in bhai..anj...you all saw what we wanted to show you all ,"and she pauses and adds softly looking at Rahul - " bhai I knew it would take you some time to digest the fact that your junior was now even dating...,"and she pauses as Arnav explains further - " and I was very nervous initially about your reaction to Rahul because just like the rest of the nation you are also aware of my very public past with Pia right?? and I just wanted to take that time so that you could sense how deeply I am into my special someone anyway before you actually knew that it was none other than Khushi...,"and as he still sees Rahul and Anjali exchange surprised looks he says - " why don't you two sit down...and we will tell you our reasons..,"and with that Khushi finally walks upto hug a dazed Rahul and Anjali and she also sits in the middle of the two on the sofa as Arnav and Khushi begin to highlight their reasons to Rahul+ Anjali - together.

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

About fifteen minutes later, as they finish telling Rahul+ Anjali about their reasons for keeping it undercover uptil that point - and everything finally sinks into Rahul + Anjali, Rahul instantly hugs onto his Junior Hard - all of his worry/paranoia washing away in a split of a second replaced by instant relief + happiness as he also feels Anjali join him in huggint onto Khushi hard as she says happily, all exhilarated to Arnav - " okay bhai...I will come to hug you in just a second...after I have hugged my junior first..and after I have whacked her a little for being so so michevious...," and she does also whack Khushi playfully on her arm as she says all amused and grinning - " junior ya...I mean just look at how you two had us fooled...I mean now that I look back at it...so many freaking instances...,"and Khushi sidehugs Anjali all hard at the same time clutching onto her superbro as she says sheepishly - " sorry ya Anj...so so soorryyy...sorry superbro...,"and she pauses as Rahul adds narrowing his eyes at her and asks - " the two of you most surely would have had the laugh of your lives in the background whenever you would have discussed my paranoa and worry for sure na????"

Khushi nods sheepishly and Arnav was loving the sight in front of him and he finally gets up from the seat across and so does Rahul and they both hug each other instantly and Arnav adds with a grin - " well to be honest Rahul, only I know what it took of me to not break out in a laughter...when you asked me for my bat to bash Mr Stranger...long ago...remember...,"and Rahul nods sheepishly all embarrassed as he says - " ofcoruseeeee..........i can totally imagine...okay now I am embarrassed...so very embarrassed..."

The reminder of that Moment in time makes all four of them break into a Happy laughter and Arnav hugs onto Rahul hard and Anjali hugs onto Khushi hard - all happily and Arnav adds sincerely pulling back to look at Rahul - " I love Khushi truly, madly, deeply Rahul...and you have no idea how much I have been dying to tell you this... you know everytime you would assure me of your love for Anj..i would fight the urge to say this to you right then too - that I love your sister too Rahul..i love her more than anything in the world...that I am going to make sure I give her immense happiness and love for the rest of my life too...."

Rahul is all overwhelmed happily as he hugs Arnav back instantly at that as he says - " I can't even begin to tell you now how happily overwhelmed I am right now ASR..as in...yes as much as a part of me would have also wanted a closure to my worry faster..i think I do understand that it was best for it to unfold it this way..because over the last couple of months I have obviously observed that known closely how much you love your special someone and to now know that its my Junior in context...obviously means the world to me..,"and Rahul pulls back from the hug and add sincerely looking at Arnav - " look...we all have a past..and I know that the hauntings of your very public past with Pia still come onto you ASR because the media wont just let it go..but I do want you to know that I understand that bit off it for sure..and I am more than just happy for the two of you...,"and just as he finishes that Khushi hops into hug her brother and Anjali hops in to hug her's and Anjali exclaims in glee - " oh my god...I still am unable to digest this ya..rahul...like our siblings are deeply in love with one another...,"and she hugs on Arnav hard and says now - " bhai...omg...just wait till Akash knows...or mom, and dad, or even dadi...we all love junior insane...like we are one family already........."

That makes Khushi and Arnav exchange sheepish looks with one another and Arnav kisses Anjali's head and Khushi looks at Rahul beaming in happiness face sideways as they both say in unison now- " ok so about that...akash knows...like already....,"and that bit sends another round off shock and surprise through Rahul and Anjali and they ask - " whatttt??? Akash knows?? Since when??? Cant believe he was with you two on this...in this pretend bit..all this freaking while??"

Khushi explains with a sheepish smile - " well I kind of needed his help to help me see Arnav after the world cup loss na in secrecy...so..,"and with that Rahul looks at Khushi shocked as he asks - " Wait?? What??? he knows since then?"

Khushi nods as she quickly explains the context and five minutes later as she is done - Arnav adds sheepishly - " Also yes...mom and dad know too...for mom kind of caught me stealing too many glances at Khushi in the functions...she asked..and I couldn't not tell her upfront......"

Rahul and Anjali gape at one another in surprise yet again as Anjali says - " okay really?? even they knew????? Okay please know that only because I am too happy for you two right now that I am not going to get mad at you all for this...," and Rahul asks gaping at Khushi - "abhi uncle , reva aunty...how did they react??"

Arnav explains - " well mom and dad are the happiest too Rahul..because turns out theyv been wanting to play cupid in between of us for long anyway...," and that shocks and surprises Rahul+ anjali yet again as they now sit back on the sofa's in daze - " whatttttttttttt? Just what all has been happeneing???,"and they both gesture Khushi and Arnav to tell them everything now and Khushi and Arnav nod at each other collectively and do just that.They tell them everything - along with the bit that Hridhaan too knew and the reasons and happenings around the same - along with the fact that they also planned to tell their close friends in a while too from now.

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

About another fifteen minutes later, just as Khushi and Arnav finally finish explaining it all to them - Khushi now finally gestures Anjali and Rahul to sit together too and she gets on her knees in front of them and Arnav joins her too and they both look at Rahul and Anjali and say in unison - " and now you both know it all..but we also do want the two of you to be the first ones to know this bit...which no one knows...like no one...to be fair..you know for keeping this from you for too long as like another gift from our end..."

Anjali and Rahul ask in a happy daze looking at Arnav and Khushi in front of them - " no one knows what??"

Khushi adds with a happy heartfelt grin - " that I kind off beat my Skipper blue to something he'd been wanting to do for a long time nonetheless...but was holding back because of our age difference and everything...that thing being the proposal...,"and she pauses as Arnav and Khushi both add in a happy collective overwhelmed unison - " we do want to get married in the next calendar year...maybe sometime in the first week of November..Because December end elders are planning Akash's + payals wedding na so in a shorter celebration prior maybe..."

Rahul and Anjlai ask in a collective asks dazeddddddddd - " wait wait wait?????????????whattttttttttt?????????????,"and Anjali hugs Khushi instantly as she adds - " oh my god...yes...yes....lets get you both married for sure in the next freaking calendar year....and junior please tell me all about how you beat my bhai to this ya...,"and she pulls back happily and Khushi winks and says - " by going down on my one knee with a cricket ball in my hand ofcourse ya Anj...,"and Arnav kisses Khushi's cheek happily as he says to Anj - " freaking she stumped the nightlights outta myhead..you know anj the only reason I was waiting was to have the ring on me...,"and it is right then all three of them pause as they take in the emotional look on Rahul's face.

Rahul was happy. Way too Happy for his Junior and Arnav obviously but somehow the thought of his Junior getting all set to get married soon had overwhelmed him intensely emotionally. He was feeling too many emotions all at once and Anjali finally clutches on Rahuls hand and Khushi nods in acknowledgement of the moment and she gets up to sit in the middle of Rahul + Anjali and hugs her brother all tight as she explains softly by clutching onto Arnav's hand too with the other - " yes bhai..i know you weren't expecting this...and I know you are very emotional thinking this..but it was like I realised I was ready to commit to matrimony with Arnav too when I heard mom talk to you yesterday..for it just felt so right in my heart to do so..and that's whats also important na bhai..."

Rahul hugs onto his little sister hard as he says - " yes..its important junior...but you are just 21...seeing you off so young wasn't on my mind at all...,"and he looks at Arnav and adds - " sorry ASR..this is just quite a bit for me to process..please don't misunderstand..this doesn't take away my happiness at all...the brother in me wasn't anticipating this...that's all...,"and Arnav nods in instant acknowledgement as he says sincerely - " ofcourse Rahul..i understand...I know exactky what you are feeling..i am a possessive brother too arent i..,"and he stands up to hug Anjali happily and Khushi hugs Rahul hard as she says - "I know bhai..i know which is why I think its only fair we plan this by the end of the year na..after I have turned 22 in august...for not just you even Dad would need the time to process things through..which Is why I have also planned to talk to Mom..after we talk to our friends..for now I need her to guide us on how to take this up with Dad right????????????"

Rahul nods as he hugs onto his Junior all emotional - " ofcourse junior..lets take Mom's advice on this for sure...,"and he hears Anjali add now as she continues to hug Arnav tight as she whisper ssoftly - " he will be okay bhai..he just needs to process things through..thats all..,"and arnav kisses on his sisters head as he says - " yes I know...,"and they both continue to look at the happy sight off Rahul hugging his Junior all happy+ emotional+overwhelmed - as it completely warms their Heart and Anjali adds now with a wink at her brother - " so turns out we are both destined to be crazy about the Gupta siblings..bhai...."

Arnav chuckles to that happily as he says happily - " true that indeed...sister..true that indeed...."

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

30 Minutes Later - at Cap's Suite

Sachi walks up to her husband and gestures him to join her in the corner as she asks in a whisper - "okay Dev..you surely need to start talking now...as in you surely know as to why Arnav asked us all to collect in here..i mean you are the one who had us all collect together on his behalf in our room right...and before Payal, Noor, or even Samaira drive me nuts with further questions about the same...you need to get talking husband.."

Cap bites back his grin as he says innocently - " sachi...relax a little will you please??? arnav will be here in a couple of minutes..right?? he will only tell..patience my love..just hold onto it for a couple of minutes..."

Sachi folds her arms and narrows her eyes at her husband - "which means that you do know what this is about?"

Cap nods at that as says sheepishly - "well yes to that..but don't you tell Rohan and Ravi yet..they will kill Arnav and me for this ..for sure.."and he pauses and adds with a chuckle - " see you can easily see payal, noor, samaira, ask akash, ravi and rohan the same thing...shivi and vikram are asking the same to hridhaan and Jess too as to what this could be about..."

Sachi looks around the room yet again and as takes in the puzzled expressions of everyone in she nods at her husband as she says - " well yes you are right about that..everyone is surely wondering as to why Arnav got us here..all together..."

It is right then theres a knock on the door and Cap grins at Sachi gesturing her to just wait up for a second and she nods at him and walks back to join everyone and Payal, Noor, Samaira return to asking her if she got any heads up on this finally - and on the other end Cap opens the door to see a grinning - Arnav, Anjali, and Rahul standing at the door and he adds with a grin to Rahul+ Anjali - "and the look on your face finally tells me that you both know..."

Rahul and Anjali nod grinning - "yes Cap..we finally know...and we were just busy in taking the two of theirs case on this..until now..for now...we need to get on with this bit...,"and Arnav adds grinning - " thank you Cap, for having everyone collect here...and to you too my dearest Rahul and Anjali for joining me in the plan..now somber up those grins please...so that your expressions don't give away.."

Anjali rolls her eyes at her brother - " bhai are you sure..you don't want to pursue acting as a career back up??"

And that makes them all share a quick laugh before Rahul says letting the excitement take over the happy overwhelmed emotion for a while- " cmon then get on in..junior will be here in five to six minutes as we asked her to be..."

They all get in now and Cap walks in first as he says - " okkkayyy everyone...see Arnav is here...now you all can ask him why he asked us to collect together..."

Ravi is the first one to shoot Arnav a narrowed eye look as he asks - " arnav...what's on your mind??"

Rohan asks steeping up closer - " and ravi guess what I am sure Cap has a hint to this already...and maybe so does Akash...,"and he leans back to look at Akash who was standing grinning with his arms around Payal and Akash just shoots a sheepish apologetic look to both Rohan and Ravi and sends out a gesture off - my mouth is zipped for just a minute more - look.

Samaira , Noor, Payal, exchange puzzled looks with Sachi yet again and as they all take in puzzled expressions on everyone faces + the amused expression on Arnav's face plus the sincere inquisitive expressions on Rahul+ Anjali's face Sachi asks puzzled - " Rahul, Anjali - even the two of you don't know what this is about?????"

Rahul and Anjali shake their head innocently as they add joining everyone in and around the seating are and bed all huddled together - " no sachi..we really don't know...at all...infact Arnav didn't give us the heads up even though we are the newly weds here..."

Noor groans at Arnav - " bhai...and to think I am your first cousin and yet I haven't been able to figure out how your mind works...just what is playing up in it..can you please tell us??"

The Only two other people in the room who were having great difficulty in biting back their grins were Jess and Hridhaan obviously for they both knew what this was about and they both hear Vikram and Shivi say curiously too - " well I think we'd have to agree with Noor on this...look at how ASR had us all get together and is now enjoying going in on suspense mode..."

That makes Shivi nod as she finally says out loud - " what yaaaaaaaaaaa....ASR..come on pleaseeeee...I cannot take the suspense longerrrr....please tell us..what this is about...also why is Khushi not hereee..most of us are here alreadyyyyy..wait...ill call her"

Hridhaan bites back his chuckle as he says to Shivi exchanging a subtle miscehvious gesture with Arnav from across - "shivi...relax na...Jess already called Khushi..she will be here in a couple of minutes maybe.."

Arnav finally takes a deep breathe as he says giving a heartfelt smile to all - " ok guysss...since the youngest in our group which is Shivi has requested me to not keep on with the suspense longer..than I am going to get straight to the point...iv got you all together here..for the time has come for me to tell you all - about the identity of the one I am deeply in love with...as in..i know each of you have been wondering about who she is...and even though you all have been so understanding for my reasons of keeping it all undercover till this point...I think I don't want to push it out longer...because I feel maybe you all can help me cover this better from the public eye too until we talk it out ourselves..."

Sachi, Payal, Noor, Samaira instanly exchange a - I _ Guessed this Look - and they add in a collective unison - " okay so Arnav.please...know this was one of our guesses..maybe..."

Arnav chuckles - " really was it??"

Ravi and Rohan roll their eyes playfully at their partners- " yes yes..now they surely will say that it was...,"and Ravi asks now looking at Arnav - " come on...get on with it..please..will you now??"

Rohan gapes at his friend - " answer our million dollar question my friend...about time now...who is she????????????"

Vikram, Shivi, Sachi, Payal, Noor, Samaira, join in too instantly as they ask in unison - " yes...pleaseeeeeeeeee...who is she??"

Anjali and Rahul join in innocently and so do hridhaan and Jess and Akash and Cap and Arnav says now with a wink - "okay how about if I don't tell you..all...but show you??????"

Sachi asks excited - " you mean a picture?? Yes please?? cmon ASR you know me and Dev are leaving in a while so that we can get back to the little one in time for Xmas..this will be best mas gift from you to me ever...tell me..who is the mysterious one??? Show a picture actually..."

Samaira adds grinning - " I agree to that Arnav..come on...as a photographer..i love my pictures more anyway...so come on then..dont tell us..show us.."

Payal, Noor, Rohan, Ravi, Vikram, Shivi, add with a grin - " yes okay..show us...a picture now..."

Rahul and Anjali join in the innocent questioning too and Arnav says biting back his grin - " okays since we all have a common consensus on this...ill get around to showing you all her picture...once and for all...,"and right then they all hear a knock on the door and Arnav says innocently and formally - " must be Khushi...let her also come in ill show my loves picture then..,"and he walks over to open the door to see a grinning Khushi standing there and he whispers softly to ask lovingly - " ready?? My love??"

Khushi nods excited and Arnav hands her his hand - as per their plan - and Khushi takes it and they lace their hands together all tight and they both walk into the room now - closing the door shut - and Arnav says from the doorway before any of them can take the sight of them holding hands together - " or maybe...a picture won't do justice at all...."

Everyone looks towards the doorway puzzled with a - Huh- expression on their faces - and Hridhaan, Jess, Akash, Rahul and Anjali hold onto their expressions with great difficulty and play along as finally - Arnav and Khushi walk in - in front of all - with their hands laced together all tight and Arnav says pulling Khushi to his side in a happy sidehug kissing her forehead happily too looking at all- " a picture wouldn't do justice right? because we have that opportunity to come together in front of you all in person right? so we thought why not do it that way instead....so yes.....here she is...the love of my life...Khushi...,"and Khushi can only hug onto Arnav in a happy sidehug - in a happy speechless mode.

Everyone who didn't know about this - stands Stunned and Dazed + Surprised+Shocked Rooted to their Spots as they take the Sight in front of them.

Sachi, Noor, Payal, Samaira , Shivi - gape at Khushi in a surprised daze as they ask in unison looking at her getting into a group upfront - " wait wait...khushi....mr Stranger...its him??? Its been him all along??????????"

Khushi nods at them instantly and she is instantly pulled by the hand up close by Shivi first as she hugs her tight - " oh my god...I don't beelive this...,"and Samaira, Noor, Payal, Sachi hug her instantly in a collective group hug too as they say In unison - " oh my freaking god...just look at how good the two of you were with your pretend mode....,"and Jess finally shares a happy chuckle with a dazed Vikram too and walks in to join the group hug with Khushi and Anjali happily hops in further to join in the group hug too.

Arnav watches the scene happily as he finally walks up a little to Rohan and Ravi who are still standing in a stunned daze and Ravi finally asks a smile curves up his lips on its own accord now as it all sinks in his head connecting the dots - " so...beck then..when I spotted the video of her six sixes for the very first time...the two of you were together then???"

Arnav nods and explains - " yes brother..we'v been together since April actually...,"and Ravi hugs him all tight now and Rohan gapes at his friend shocked and dazed and adds grinning as it all sinks in to him too and his head works its way around connecting the dots too - " since April??????????????? And look at how well you hid it...,"and he happily hugs Arnav too and he adds now in an instant understanding - " but you know what brother..i understand...I totally do...I understand why you were/are so protective..,"and Arnav pulls back from hugging his best mates that were like family and he adds now sincerely - " also...in my defence..Cap picked onto this..himself...and we needed to tell Akash because he helped us meet secretively after our world cup loss when Khushi came in from Taunton to Manchester..,"and both Rohan and Ravi gape at Akash and Cap with narrowed eyes and say - " okayyyy...so the two of you are brilliant actors too...,"and Cap and Akash walk up to join them now happily as they say - "we guess we are...we surely covered up brilliantly right??"

Khushi is still continued to be surrounded in a group hug by all and a surprised Vikram asks Hridhaan finally as the reality sinks in too - "and I guess since you arent that shocked...Hridhaan...I reckon you knew....and so did Jess..obviously...,"and Hridhaan shoots his best friend a apologetic look as he says - " I only just found out in the Mehendi function Vikram...,"and he quickly goes on to fill Vikram in over the details of hows and why's - Arnav and Khushi wanted to tell him about this in private and how he feels it's helped him greatly and will continue to do so too- as everyone continues to be surrounded around Arnav and Khushi .Vikram takes in all in he nods in an instant understanding as he says with a heartfelt smile - " well..otherwise I would have felt quite bad to know that Khushi overheard me and Jess, Hridhaan...but now to know that - it was kind of also a trigger that's going to help you lead you to that closure eventually..makes me feel good about it nonetheless...as in..look at all that's settling in feels like all's well that end's well perhaps??"

Hridhaan nods happily - " yup...,"and they both now join in the rest of the boys in the group - and it is right then Rohan pauses as he looks back to see only Rahul standing by himself behind with his hands folded across his chest taking in the happy sight of the girls hugging and teasing Khushi - he says puzzled - " guys...wait..our newly wed groom does look all happily overwhelmed at the moment but does not look shocked at all which could only mean that he also knew about this prior..."

Rahul chuckles at that happily and he finally walks up to join everyone as they all huddle up closer and he adds taking anjali's hand - " We just got to know this morning...it was our wedding gift from our siblings...now rate us guys..what do you think?? Are we brilliant actors too????"

And that makes everyone share a warm laugh and Arnav and Khushi's eyes lock with one another's happily from across all emotionally overwhelmed at finally sharing the news within their inner circle of friends.

Akash gestures Payal to come in next to him for a moment and just as she does he hugs her all hard and asks - " you aren't mad at me are you? for keeping this from you??"

Payal hugs Akash hard as she says - "no ya Akash...I understand..totally...,"and just as she says that she sees Anjali walk upto them as she whacks Akash's arm playfully - " but I am surely mad at you for this ya Akash like how unfair is this ya...you always get to know bhai and mine secrets first..."

Akash chuckles at that and hugs Anj too and adds - " sorry anj..whack me more if you want...,"and he winks at Rahul to playfully as he says - " you too Rahul..please whack me as much as you want..."

Rahul chuckles at that as he walks up to Akash and pulls him in a hug too - " I would have...but I am too happy at the moment..,"and two minutes later Rahul returns to hugging his wife and Akash returns to hugging Payal.

Khushi is completely overwhelmed happily which is why she is just in a dazed speechless taking the moments in - and she finally says happily looking at all- " guyssss just to talk to you all openly about this is feeling so epic within...as in it feels so great to know that atleast in front of you all we both don't need to pretend anymore...,"and just as she says that Arnav walks upto her and engulfs her in a happy hug and kisses her forhead lovingly and he says looking at all - " I am sure you guys have figured out our reasons for keeping this undercover by connecting the dots...and we just need each of your's support on this...until Khushi and me come out in the public..we do need some more time down the line..."

Samaira says grinning walking up to hug Rohan - " ofcourse Arnav, khushi...we will totally help you this...,"and Rohan adds grinning too hugging onto his wife - " ofcoursee..we can be experts at misleading the media...for the news of the little hit girl and you being in love is surely going to make the headlines...arnav..and It will surely draw too much attention to Khushi's personal space..we all know she's just begun to cope up with those dynamics...so yes...we will cover up and mislead if we have too...but you have our support in guarding this as a secret.."

Shivi adds now walking up to hug her brother in comfort from the side, knowing now in her heart that he was going to be okay soon too - "and in this case rohan sir.. to be honest we don't need to do much anyway...since the media and the public already has misinterpreted the friendship in between of bhai and Khushi..."

Hridhaan hugs Shivi in a gesture - Yes I am okay Shivi. I will be okay Shivi.

Jess hugs onto Vikram shooting Hridhaan a comforting look - " exactly shivi...so I was thinking in a way...its like let the people think what they want to anyway.."

Vikram nods - " bingo that - Jess..i think so too..."

Hridhaan nods as he says with a heartfelt smile - " yes for...as long as we all know the truth..thats precisely what matters..."

Noor hugs Ravi happily as she adds - " well copy that Hridhaan..as long as we all know what it is..thats all that matters...infact let the media believe the rumour..it can serve as the perfect cover up for bhai and khushi and in the meanwhile......I am also going to keep this from mom na..otherwise if she knows...our whole khandaan will know before they are ready to talk about it...just like how they all found out about Ravi and me.."

Everyone shares a happy laugh at that and Ravi adds grinning - " well yes Noor...do that...,"and he looks at Khushi and Arnav - "whenever you guys are ready only then will we talk about it...and I think my insta stories have further added fuel to the previous rumours anyway...noor is right...let that be like a momentary cover up...not that anyone of us are going to talk about anything anyway but until the time the two of you are ready for the public spotlight formally as a couple...its apt to take advantage of the misunderstanding as a cover up..."

Khushi clutches onto Arnav's hand lovingly and so does he and they both share a subtle comforting eye gesture with Hridhaan and he assures them with a subtle eye gesture back that his process of the closure had already begun and he was going to be okay so they had nothing to worry about him at all.

Sachi hugs onto Cap happily too and she says - "yes...also on the whole..iv just learnt that people will believe what they want to anyway right??so lets not give that too much levy/importance..."

Cap adds hugging onto Sachi too sideways - "yes..this does make sense..we totally can just stay silent and in the process the media itself will cook up their own theories which will act as a cover up for you both...,"and Sachi adds playfully to Samaira, Payal and Noor - "listen you three..i am leaving today..but you all better take Khushi's case on this from my end too...since you all are staying back today as well..."

Everyone shares a warm laugh and Jess adds grining clutching onto Vikrams hand - " it's a pity we will miss the sight...for we are leaving today too after lunch with Sachi maam and Cap and the majority of the guests,"and she winks at Samaira, Noor and Payal, and shivi and adds - " record the moment for us pleaseeeee..."

Anjali says grinning - " yes please...for me too...for even though those of us who are leaving today are leaving after lunch...Rahul and me are headed to a different destination...so please share all these videos with me too..."

And everyone shares a happy laugh and all of Arnav and Khushi's friends return to pulling their leg/teasing them about their pretend Mode yet again one by one- and as Arnav and Khushi exchanged happy heartfelt intense eyelocks in the process - Rahul could only observe on as a happy brother - for he could now easily sense the intense vibe in between of his Junior and ASR indeed.And as happy as he was for them - his overwhelmed emotions as a brother also had a part to play in the happy teras that were beginning to cloud his eyes - too for even though Arnav and Khushi had planned to tell the close friends about their decision to tie the knot in the coming year - later with some more time down the line - as an immediate close family member - he already knew that Arnav had full plans to whisk his Junior away in matrimony - in the coming year for sure.

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

Forty Minutes Later

Nisha walks up to her son's suite deep in thought wondering what was the reason he texted her to come by his room - so suddenly about five minutes ago - whilst she and Sagar were in the middle of catching up with some guests and relatives that were scheduled to leave after lunch. And what puzzled her more was the fact that he had asked her to come alone and let Sagar be busy with the guests and relatives, but because he had texted that it really was important for her to come by alone - she had instantly made up an excuse to excuse herself from the scene she was in and made her way to her son's room nonetheless, for she also knew that he would never ask her to come aside for a talk so suddenly if it wasn't important.

Now as she reaches the room - and knocks the door - her puzzlement and inquisitiveness reaches its peak and just as she see's her son open the son giving her a heartfelt smile she says in an instant sigh of relief - " okk thank god Rahul...for that smile of yours eased my worries away...I was going nuts thinking what is that you wanted to talk about this urgently that you had me leave your dad in the middle with a couple of our guests and relatives..."

Rahul grins as he adds gesturing her to get in and she does and closes the door shut - " oh come in Mum..you do get worked up for no reason...okay now see there is nothing to worry about..but nonetheless obviously its something very important and urgent indeed...,"and with that he pauses as he was sure that overwhelmed emotion had returned to engulf his face.

Nisha spots the overwhelmed emotional look on Rahul's face and she asks looking at him puzzled - " okay son...whats up?? Iv only seen this emotional look on yourface when it comes to any of us...your family...,"and right then Rahul nods as he gestures her to walk into the room from the doorway and he says - " well yes...mum..you are right about that..for this is about junior..obviously...and its totally her doing alright...as in shes made me this emotional...like I am all happy+ overwhelmed with so much emotion..."

And Nisha walks in asks puzzled - " khushi?? Kya hua usko??,"and she pauses as she sees Khushi run in towards her engulf her in an immediate hug as she says hugging her hard - " mom...I love you..so much....,"and Nisha kisses on her daughters head happily as she says - " I love you too beta...kya hua hai??,"and she pauses and asks scanning the room - " where's Anjali??also I can see that you are done with the packing and everything..which is good Rahul beta..for you have to leave immediately after lunch..."

Rahul explains with a heartfelt smile - " yes mum..all done..as in she was here only about five minutes ago - along with both ASR and Akash, and we were all talking and chatting amongst ourselves and they just left to be with Abhi uncle and reva uncle for a bit...so I thought this is the best time to call you up for a talk...,"and he pauses as his eyes get overwhelmed with emotion again.

Nisha asks puzzled looking at her son and then pulls Khushi up and asks - " ok both of your vibes are super overwheled at the moment kids..and now you need to get talking..stop...just stop..freaking me out...alright??"

Khushi nods now and she takes her mother by the hand and makes her sit on the bed and Rahul sits in next to her too and Khushi sits all crosslegged on the carpet in front of her instantly and puts her head in her lap as she says her very own eyes welling up with happy tears - " mom..this is bhai's fault thike? he's getting so emotional now...and he is making me so so so emotional too..."

Rahul says instantly - " how is it my fault yaa junior? You're the one who has freaked me out with so much happiness and overwhelmed emotion at the same time alright.."

Nisha asks now in a puzzled worried - "okay..kids you need to get talking now...."

Khushi takes a deep breathe now as she says looking up at her mothers face sincerely and clutching on her hand - "so Mom...yesterday when you were talking to bhai before Sehra banndi na ...I just released in my heart that I am ready to commit to matrimony with my Mr stranger too...and that is what is making bhai all emotional...because I kind of ended up proposing My Mr Stranger last night and he obviously said yes...because turns out he was fighting his emotions on the same as in pushing his feelings about marriage in only because of our age difference....but then...age doesn't matter na Mum...what matters is that it should feel all right in the heart na??????????? and it feels so right in my heart mom..as in I love him way too deepppply and it's the same for him..he totally understands me like none other...like our bond..its freaking deep and magical and pure and empowering...like will you believe this..i even told him that I am ready to just commit to marriage and just US in the coming year perhaps but I most surely don't want kids and stuff for a decade or so because I do not want to pause on my gaming career until I am over 30 at the leaf and he totally understood that too.......and not just that I just thought in my head when I can have both career and marriage than why not have both? Like why do I have to choose? When no one is going to ask me to choose anyway...like not him..not even his family at all....,"and she finally pauses in her rant as she adds adorably - "pheww...acha...I just had to say it all loud in one sentence..now you can totally react Mom..."

To Say that Nisha was shell shocked + dazed + surprised would be an understatement ofcourse and she was sure that Khushi could read that on her face and she asks now in a state of perpetual daze again - " wait..wait...what?? come again beta??? Did you just say what you did??"

Khushi nods as she instantly puts her head in her mothers lap - " haan mum...I just what I did..like you heard me right...and now I need your help as in to see how to take this up to Dad...I mean now bhai is only getting so emotional so I can totally imagine Dad's expression...but I am not saying that marry me off tomorrow Mum..like only after I am 22..like after august...maybe in November...like you can tell Dad na..that you also married him when you were 22 because it felt so so right in your heart..like because he or even our late grandparents never asked you too choose in between career+ marriage and you had both - like you swam for our country , competed professionally until your asthama came into the picture and you had to stop competing professionally because of health reasons/doctors advices na..mom...all that matters is that it should feel right na mom..and it totally feels right to me..like totally*infinity...,"and she looks up at her Mom's dazed face and she asks - " Mom...aap convince hogaye ho ki main aur bolun?"(Mom you are convinced or should I speak more??)

That makes Nisha chuckle through her daze as she kisses on Khushi's head as she says - " well it is important to feel right in the heart obviously beta..that is of prime importance ofcourse...but you'v shocked me so so suddenly with this...give me five minutes atleast to process things through..i need to think this through beta...as in you are talking marriage..and none of us even know with whom...and everything..as in the fact that you said that him and his family is so understanding is a plus to their credit ofcourse..and as much as I have heard from you about your Mr Stranger does tell me that you both love each other deeply....but....now more than ever I do need you to tell us who he is..,"and she pauses and looks at her son - " right Rahul??"

Rahul bites back on his heartfelt grin as he says looking at his Junior - " junior..such a idiot you are...why did you have to start in reverse gear...and bombard Mom with the marriage bit prior to telling her who your Mr Stranger is..."

Khushi bites back on her grin as she says - " oops...to that...bhai..i was nervous thike...,"and Nisha looks all dazed at her son as she asks - "wait wait wait..why does it sound like you already know who Mr Stranger is..Rahul.."

Rahul says now with a nod - " because I do know who he is mum..junior told Anj and me this morning - infact guess what...you kind of know who he is too very very well...as in just not in the context off Mr Stranger..but we all know him nonetheless..."

Nisha asks puzzled - " huh????we all know him very well??,"and Rahul adds - " infact the reason why Anj is not here right now is because she, Akash and ASR are busy talking about the very same development with abhi uncle and reva aunty at the moment..indeed..."

Nisha looks to and fro in between Rahul and Khushi unable to understand this as she asks dazed and puzzled - " wait wait what?? what did you just say?? Why ???what??how???,"and she pauses and says - " stop beating around the bush you two...please..."

And Rahul finally gestures his Junior to get out with it and Khushi bites back her grin now as she says softly looking into her mother's eyes - " so anj is talking about the same development along with akash, ASR, with abhi uncle and reva aunty because...because...my Mr Stranger..is none other than Arnav..mom..."

Nisha's eyes widen in perpetual daze+ shock + partial disbelief and she asks holding onto Khushi's shoulders - " come again?? what??????????????????????????????? Mr Stranger is Arnav??? As in our Arnav?? Your Bhabhi's elder brother Arnav??? Abhi and Reva's elder son..Arnav???"

Khushi nods grinning - " yes Mum..."

And Nisha looks at Rahul in a daze as she asks - " is this true???????????"

Rahul nods and Khushi says sheepishly biting back on her lip -" also..akash knew from very long ago..and abhi uncle and reva aunty also know..and we also just told Superbro and Anj a while ago as our wedding gift to them..and also our close inner circle of friends that our here with us...they all know too..just told them after telling bhai and anj too....and I was just feeling all guilty na mom for we are so close and everyone would know but only you and Dad wouldn't..and even yes..Dadi...so then I thought..atleast let me talk to you too..then you can guide me on this..as to how to take this upto Dad..."

Nisha takes it all in and she says - " wait..wait..why don't the two of you fill me on the context of this..since when do abhi+reva know?also why was this pretend bit on in front of us atleast for this long??"

And Khushi and Rahul quickly summarize the highlights of it all to Nisha and about fifteen minutes later as they were done - now its Nisha's face that is completely emotionally overwhelmed for she knew in her heart that Abhi + Reva + the rest of Arnav's family would surely always cherish Khushi too - and the time too see Khushi off could really be in the coming next year for they obviously knew the family + Arnav so very well and in her heart Nisha always respected Arnav for the thorough gentleman that he was and Rahul says now taking the look on their mother face - " see junior...now mom is all emotional too...not just me alright??"

Nisha gestures Khushi to come in for a hug and she does so happily and she hugs on to her Mom tight as she asks - " Mom...sorry for dropping this on you as a sudden bomb...but you know how I always go with what I feel...you taught me this na...one must listen to what the heart guides and not neglect it..or we often spend a long time wishing that we had...im sorry...you arent mad at me na??"

Nisha hugs on her daughter continuing to get engulfed with happy emotions now as she says - " no..ofcourse not..i am not mad at you...at all Khushi...how can I be mad at you for wanting to commit to love?? just is going to take me some time to process this beta...,"and Khushi is hugging her hard too happily now as Rahul's phone beeps witj Anjali's text and he says after reading it quickly - " okay mum anj's just messaged...that..mom and dad..as in abhi uncle and reva aunty are keen on meeting you like now now since they know we are having this conversation with you..so can they come here now?? theyv been hating to keep this pretend mode on in front off you atleast..."

Nisha nods as she says pulling back from Khushi's hug - " yes ofcourse..rahul...,"and Rahul quickly texts Anjali the same and he says a second later - " okay they will be here in two minutessss.....,"and Khushi gets up and stands finally and paces in front of Nisha nervously and asks - " mom..how will we take this upto Dad?? I was thinking you first need to start with the build up na...as in..maybe tell him I am seeing someone first..seriously uptil now he doesn't even know that na...I don't want to freak him out...help please..Mom...on this..."

Nisha takes a deep breathe as she says - " okay..let me think this through..well obviously if we drop the news on him this suddenly he will surely freak out...because I atleast had the background in context in the sense that youv been in love with Mr Stranger and have been seeing each other for months...,"and she pauses as there are knocks on the door and Rahul gestures that he will go onto open the door and just as he does - he sees a grinning - Akash,Arnav, Anjali, Abhi, Reva standing right there at the door and he immediately touches on Reva+Abhi's feet as he says first grinning - " mom, dad..a very good afternoon indeed..."

Abhi hugs Rahul in a sidehug hard as he says - " and how many times have I told you son..dont touch my feet...hug me instead..,"and Rahul nods happily and then greets Reva too as she adds grinning - " rahul..its the bestest afternoon indeed...,"and they all share a happy chuckle by the door - before they all get in and Rahul closes the door shut and Anjali whispers to him happily - " mom literally fainted in happiness when bhai told her about Junior and his wish to tie the knot in the upcoming year Rahul..she is so so happy...Dad too...like im sure you can see it on their faces..."

Rahul nods happily overwhelemed as he takes in the sight of ASR immediately touching his mother(Nisha's )feet first in for a blessing and Reva+ Abhi have gestured Khushi to come in for a group hug and his Junior also does so happily and Nisha kisses on Arnav's forhead lovingly as she says - " do not touch my feet Mr Stranger....,"which makes everyone share a happy laugh at the moment and Arnav says holding onto Nisha's hand sincerely - " nisha aunty..i love khushi more than anything in the world..and I assure you I will always make her happy...,"and Nisha nods and says - " I am sure beta..i am sure..now that I just put a face to Mr Stranger..i can say that after everything that I have heard about you from Khushi...I know you will make sure of that...,"and she adds grinning now - " how bout the two of you stand next to one another now without the pretend mode on..for me to see with my own eyes..."

Everyone shares a warm chuckle and Arnav and Khushi come to stand next to one another holding onto each other's hand , lacing it with each other tight and the intensity of the vibe in between of them does not miss Nisha's eyes as it warms her heart to see Arnav kiss on Khushi's hand lovingly as he says to all now - " she is the Sparkle of my Life...,"and Khushi just blushes sheepishly as she kisses his hand to and admits adorably - " please excuse me for my loss of words this time around thike? I am too stumped with emotion...like stumped*infinity...,"and everyone shares a warm laugh again as Arnav sidehugs Khushi onto him all closer and Akash, Rahul and Anjali walk up to join the two of them too from behind and Akash asks grinning - " really junior?? you wont say anything at all??"

And Khushi shakes her head in a No - which makes Rahul and Anjali pull her in a collective happy hug too.

Nisha, Reva, and Abhi were just taking the happy sight of their children in and Reva now walks up to hug Nisha as she adds happily overwhelmed- " nisha....can you believe this...two of our kids just got married yesterday and the other two tell us that they are ready to step into matrimony soon in the coming year as well...now that makes me the happiest on the planet...for sure...,"and Nisha hugs on Reva immediately all emotional and says - " copy that Reva and I am so emotional at the moment for Khushi just let it all out so suddenly...,"and she pulls back now and looks at Reva and says honestly - " but yes the overwhelmed emotion doesn't take the happiness of it away obviously...,"and Reva says grinning - " Khushi is like Anjali to us Nisha..just like Anjali is like Khushi to you and Sagar..she will always be our little girl..too..our daughter...,"and Nisha nods happily overwhelmed as she says - "yes..i am sure about that Reva...but now you need to give me tips on how you got the daddy prepped to come to terms with getting his little girl married off...for...we all know Sagar..he will fret and get all emotional...I don't want him to spiral into denial obviously..,and as much as I hate to hide this from him at the moment..i know I need to build upto it..."

Abhimanyu nods with a knowing smile - " ofcourse...he needs time...for sure...which is how I suggest its better if to him we take this step by step..maybe?just like how reva took it step by step with me??"

Reva adds now- " yes..i think so too.."

Nisha nods - " I was thinking the same...maybe..first I need to tell him Khushi is seeing someone and from this very day I will get on with tthat first..and maybe in a month or so once Khushi is back from Australia and Arnav is back from New Zealand right before anj+ rahul's reception party in delhi..we can tell Sagar too...for a month will be enuf for me to prep on this..i do not want to hide this longer..and maybe right then..before Anj+Rahul's wedding reception.."

And Reva pushes her luck as she asks - "and maybe Nisha if Sagar takes it well..we can do like a little informal roka at home with just us ..and we will also tell Maaa(As in Dadi)then...as in when you tell Sagar..so that he wont feel like he wasn't the only one to not know..maybe..."

Nisha says a heartfelt smile - " well yes reva..if the kids are so keen on being together...then why not...to be honest..i think as Sagar digests it in..he will also feel better if the roka actually happens even if it's just us....,"and they all look at Arnav and Khushi and ask in unison - " will that do kids?? A inhouse roka ateast? We will get on with planning the rest for the latter part of the year after Khushi turns 22??,"and Khushi and Arnav nod happily and Nisha says to Rahul - " there you go son..now you have couple of months to get your head prepped on this...your favourite captain is all set to whisk our junior away...," Arnav hugs on Khushi happily and he says to all - " also yes everyone...our friends know now about us but not about this tying the knot bit soon for we will tell them that in a while..but until then they are going to help us keep this undercover from the public..and we too want to just announce it once and for all because...,"and Arnav goes onto explain their reasons - and as the elders plus Rahul+Anjali+Akash - nod in an instant understanding off the same - and agree to their point too minutes later - Arnav and Khushi can only feel intense emotion grip their hearts.

It is right then Nisha's phones rings with Sagar's call and he asking about where she was and Nisha says she was with Anjali+ Rahul which was true anyway and she hears Sagar call them all down for time was nearing for Lunch.

Nisha hangs up the phone now and she looks at Reva+ abhi and says now - " cmon we need to get going now or Sagar will wonder more...and now for our kids sake...we will have to play pretend in front of him for a little while..lets discuss that on our way down.."

Abhimanyu and Reva nod and both them and Nisha hug the children in a collective group hug one more time - before they finally make their way out.

Just as the elders leave - Arnav hugs Khushi harder to himself from the side and kisses her head softly and says to Akash, Rahul , plus Anjali - " and I need all of you to help me on telling Sagar uncle on and off whenever you can as to how much I love my special someone in this month too as Nisha aunty preps him up...for I am very nervous about his reaction to us..because he too knows about my very public past right??,"and he pauses as he looks at Rahul and Anjali - " the two of you after you are back from your holiday in three weeks from now..can probably work this angle around more since you will be with him so so much..."

Anjali adds grinning - " ofcourse bhai...I will see to it that I do my bit of the share of homework on this..."

Rahul adds overwhelmed with a happy grin - " I promise to do my share of homework on this too ASR....."

Akash grins - " I will be at it..whenever I am around Sagar uncle.."

Arnav nods now happily - "and I will be at it too..whenever I am around him too...from tomorrow on..in my very own subtle ways...,"and Khushi grins as she looks at them all hugging onto Arnav tight - " you guys are just the best siblings yaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...like bestest*infinity indeedddd...."

Akash, Rahul and Anjali chuckle at that and Anjali says now - "cmon then guys lets get going for lunch too na..or we will get late for the departure...,"and they all start to head their way out and Arnav instantly holds onto Khushi's hand as he says to all - " two minutes...just wait for us by the elevator..we will join you in ..two minutes...I just need two- three or maybe four minutes with my Sparkle..as in with Khushi," he adds with a grin.

Anjali almost laughs out loud at the expression of Daze on Rahul's face at that as he looks at Arnav all zapped and dazed nodding - and Anjali pulls him by the hand outwards as she adds grinning - " oh bhai..hes all zapped because hes so shaken that you want a moment of privacy alone with his junior ..i think its because its still sinking into him bit by bit that you are Mr Stranger...as in her gets that you are a couple and everything but now maybe his head is connected a zillion dots as to how the two of you have sneaked out for some alone time right under our very nose prior in all these months...,"and she looks at Rahul and asks - " right husband??"

Rahul nods at that immediately as he looks at Arnav and his Junior holding hands all zapped and he adds - " copy that wifey..thats exactly what I am thinking about..."

Khushi blushes and flushes and burries her head into Arnav's crook of the arm as she says softly - "ahh..i am embarrassed now superbro..dont look this zapped na thike..."

Akash nods grinning - " Rahul..i totally understand..do you know how many times iv looked at the two zapped when they were in their pretend mode...in front of you all...,"and Arnav gestures to Anjali to get him that alone two minutes with Khushi and Anjali jumps onto it grinning as she finally drags Rahul out of their room saying - " ohooo..rahul..are you going to still stand here all zapped..c'mon now give my brother his much needed two minutes with Junior..like remember all the times my brothers co-operated with us in the past now...,"and with that's he finally closes the door to their room giving her bhai and Khushi a playful wink.

Akash continues to giggle at the zapped and dazed expression on Rahul's face and he says lacing his hand around Rahul's shoulder as Anjali takes a hold on Rahul's hand too - " I think Anj..its fair enough to give Rahul some time to digest this fact that bhai and junior are an official couple in love and they obviously need their moments just like most of us couples do normally..."

Rahul admits all dazed looking back momentarily at the closed door as they continue to walk down the corridor - "yes..i think I am going to need some time on that for sure...,"and he looks at Akash and Anjali all dazed and says - " okay lets wait by the elevator...he did say they'd join us in a minute na??,"he asks looking back at the closed door again and Akash and Anjali share a amused laugh as they say in unison - " four minutesss Rahul..they did say they'd join us in three to four minutes..."

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

Just as the doors to the room had shut - and everyone has left - Arnav had obviously pulled in Khushi for a deep emotional kiss by wrapping his arm around her waist pulling her closer into his frame and Khushi was obviously clutching onto him hard with her arms around his neck sure that Arnav - could sense every bit of her happy overhwlemed emotion in the intense deep kiss - that was extremely high on vulnerability and emotion.And about 60 seconds later - Khushi finally whispers into Arnav's lips amidst the deep kiss - " oh god..love...just the look on bhai's face as Anj dragged him out..like I am so embarrassed ya thike...why did you have to ask for two minutes with me like that na...."

And Arnav clutches onto Khushi's hair all hard in his fist as he continues to kiss her deep for the next twenty seconds before he whispers back into her lips - " who told you to bee so freaking adorable in your dazed emotional expressions Sparkle..like at every different stage of our Reveal 2.0...even though you'v been in a dazed silence figuratively mostly through our talk out with our friends and then amidst our elders ..you know I could sense and read through every bit of what was going through your insides right?? dear eyes were talking to me in a language of their own..and because I am feeling just about the same magntitude of it all..ofcourse I had to kiss you for a bit, before we finally got around to join everyone for lunch..so come on...just shhh..and let me kiss you deep like I want to for another 60 seconds...otherwise your superbro might just come knocking on the door,"and he pauses as he finally probes his way back into Khushi's lips.

Khushi pulls back momentarily as she says biting back her chuckle - "yeah..he could do that for sure...I mean as zapped as he was while stepping out..im sure superbro can do that for sure..,"and Arnav looks into Khushi's eyes happily as he says all intensely - "I love you dammit...so freaking much Sparkle...,"and Khushi's eyes mirror back the same intensity to him as she says cupping his face and caressing his cheeks lovingly - " I love you too dammit...my stranger..my skipper blue...so freaking much too..,"and just as she finishes saying that - they both lean in to kiss each other all deep and emotional again for about 60 seconds - because they both knew it in their hearts that even if they tried they couldn't ever word out the magnitude of the happiness+ emotion that had gripped their hearts - over finally having Reveal 2.0 go through this smoothly with all - but they also knew that they could still make the other sense that happiness+ emotions through their Lips - nonetheless.

Which was why - Stranger and Sparkle - continued to kiss each other all deep and emotional -- eager to make the other sense the emotions+ happiness that they were each feeling within - for if it was just a couple of minutes they had - as usual they took it upon themselves to make up the Most of It - Indeed.

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TADAAAAA!!!!!

How was the Update Guysssss??

Once again - I wish you all the best of the Holiday season ahead with your loved ones be it real time/virtual. Stay Safe Everyoneeeeeeeeeee!!

Alsooo yesss -I have finally gotten around to making my writing handle on Insta. Using it for Daily interactions - quotes - snippets etc. Would love to connect with you all on it too.

You can find me On Instagram - by Clicking on the Link Below.

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

Thanks, guys, for all the Love and Support.

Much Love.

Always.

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13th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 5 years ago

Finally proposal happened superb

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Posted: 5 years ago

The secret is out. Everyone knows now. Noone was expecting this.

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13th Anniversary Thumbnail Visit Streak 30 Thumbnail + 4
Posted: 5 years ago

Helloooo everyoneeeee..

Here i am with the next update And its Medium Length – around 6.5k words for I needed this Chapter to be the Stand Alone before the next Chapter Comes In.


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

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Text Copyright©mysticaltales11111™2020

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All Rights Reserved® mysticaltales11111

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CHAPTER 37.1 – THE CALM

TEN DAYS LATER

3RD JANUARY, 2020 – NEW DELHI

Night – 11:30 PM

Arnav's POV

Guys.

I can't stop Grinning – even though I am reading this for like the Hundredth Time.Or wait – to be fair enough – make that a Thousandth- Time – perhaps?

Reading What??

My Sparkle's – first ever – Exclusive Tele - Interview Coverage Ofcourse .It's all over the Internet at the moment along with the rest of the India women's players interviews as well. They'v all been in in the Trend – as they netizens would Say!

So - Remember how she had scheduled to speak to those reporters from the Hindu Times after our return from Gstaad?Yeah?And I had advised her to go ahead with the telephonic interview for her first time – so that she could easily conceal her nervousness if any question steered to Personal matters – so that bit of it actually happened just a couple of days ago on the 30th of December – as in My Sparkle gave her first ever exclusive tele interview on the 30th and the coverage of it went live – all over in the dailiy's app + online portals+ in the papers the next day on the 31st morning – which was the last day of 2019.

And I cannot even begin to tell you all – how proud I am off her – for pulling this off so smoothly, because I knew exactly how nervous she was right? - before the interview. Actually I think it will be fair enough to include a minor correction in there – it isn't just me who is so proud of her actually for taking this step and embracing this – but her entire family + my entire family + our close friends too.

And ofcourse – as you all know – that My Sparkle is a brilliant learner, she actually was really able to steer away those couple of questions that were directed towards her personal life like I had advised her she could and luckily the reporters that were taking her interview didn't pry further once she stated that she wasn't comfortable addressing any personal life questions with regards to Hridhaan or anything else for that matter and then they stuck to professional grounds – and Khushi stuck to only talking about her professional journey uptill this point – starting from her training to be cricketer from a young age as she was determined to go after what she wanted to be and chase her dreams – then about her experience in Domestic+ International+ Foreign League's set ups – eventually.

And we are all so extremely proud that when she was asked about the psychological obstacles she had faced in her professional journey till now - she also brought in the highlight towards all that bullying(for choosing to be a sportswoman)+ unnecessary judgements &biases and condescending mockery that not only she but almost every member on the women's team be it domestic/international has had to face in some way or the other which surely needed one to continue channelising their inner grit and determination nonethelss. She also thanked her family and close ones for their unconditional love and support and belief in her – bringing out to Highlight one of the Core beliefs her family instilled in her long ago – and that being the fact that – TALENT HAS NO GENDER.And she firmly stated that not only Sport - Be it in any aspect of career/professions – in her opinion - the biological genetic pool of an individual should not be used as a platform for any sort of a discrimination & biases(even though that's mostly what the current practises are ) – and it's this mindset that needs to shift and evolve through empowerment where in the general stereo-typing of jobs/professions/talent for not just women but all genders– needs to stop being Separated into Two different Set Columns – for just Like Talent – Dreams had No Gender too.

Also yes guys - in the interview - she was asked about why she didn't ever talk about the family relations brewing in the background with Our family prior–before it coming to light as the Wedding of our siblings went through , and she put her reasons forward(which you all are already aware off) in such a calm and sorted manner – and then asked the reporters to go with the next question – reminding them that she did not want to talk about personal/family matters at all.And this bit off it – has been very brilliantly covered through subtle words by the reporters in the article – that has come across in a way yet again – that the LittleHitGirl – strongly believes in her talent with the bat to do the talking on her behalf rather than her talking out words about any connections due to family developments etc in the background.

And its needless to say – Her quoted words off – " Talent & Dreams Have No Gender" – have obviously been Highlighted in Bold in the Coverage and have pretty much been the Talk of the Online Town too. I mean yes – there are obvious speculations still with regards to her personal space – but now that all of the team members from India Women interviews have gone live one by one with exclusive coverage on their professional journey's – the much needed buzz and light on Women in Cricket within our country has begun quite significantly.

And I am really really Happy for the entire Unit – obviously.( I have texted both Mira & Harpreet – the Captain's the same too) - apart from being super duper proud of My Sparkle

I am Freaking Proud*Infinity.

I am right on that thought when my phone beeps with a message on Whtsapp.

Its Her – obviously.

Her : basss bass...only three more minutes my love...walking to you...see you soooonnnn(hearts) can't freaking wait......as usual...

I grin as I read that.

Me : Sparkle...hurry up..please...because I haven't seen you all day prior because we were both caught up with practice all day and then you had to group with everyone from the team in order to discuss about that campaign shoot tomorrow – with the Hindu Times.

I tap send.

Her : I knowww my love..but listen na...its because of this bit that I could actually stay over at Jess's na today my love and we re able to sneak out for a little drive time out today..(hearts) acha now see you in just two minutes thike???????????

I chuckle as I keep my phone aside now and return to tapping my hands on my Wheel. I am sure you all have guessed that I am currently awaiting for My Sparkle to join me in outside Jess's gated community for our little drive time.And just incase if you all wondering – why are we actually meeting this way today when we surely could have met at home because now everyone mostly knows right???? Well – that bit is only because – ever since we returned from Gstaad, I have obviously had Mom make a zillion excuses at the drop of the hat to have my Sparkle over at home for some reason or the other or me and akash have gone over to visit Sagar uncle and Nisha aunty – and we'v had our exclusive time out here and there on the days after our return from Gstaad, for sure.

But.

We also need to not overdo it right – or Sagar uncle will suspect something right?. And at the moment – Nisha aunty is in the middle of her backwork with conditioning him with the fact that Khushi was now seeing someone seriously as planned prior – and he's kind of been in shocked daze ever since – just by knowing that.(Which is why we all had to be in a collective pretend mode on the New Years Eve Dinner + Cozy Celebration of Just US all at Home too ). He's surely having a difficult time digesting the – Dating- bit in for he's kind of asked this off My Sparkle everyday with daze on his face starting from our time in Gstaad – ten days ago .He's asked her questions like –

1 - " khushi beta...your mom tells me you are seeing someone?? Is this true?? Are you really seeing someone????? I told her – this isn't a thing to joke about with me Nisha..i mean..my little girl is dating?? Seriously????so you tell me beta..is this true? Or your mom is just taking my case?"

2 - "do you really like this man you are with Khushi?? Are you sure?? that you have deep feelings for him? Could be just mere infactuation too perhaps for it happens all the time??"

3 - "khushi..are you seriously dating someone?????"

4 - "khushi...when did you grow up this fast...that you are now dating someone seriously??damm the time for always ticking..why can't it pause?"

5 -"khushi..okay tell me something...are you happy though beta? As in your happiness is obviously my priority ..so I really hope you are...even though the Daddy in me still cannot believe that you are dating someone seriously..."

The list is quite a bit actually – but I hope you all get the Hint.

Hmmmm.

Guys.

I think it was really Wise of us all to not drop it all out on Sagar Uncle.For he surely needs the Time to Process this.

I am right on that thought when I hear a knock on the tinted window glass of my car and I lean forward and open the door for My Sparkle in a second grinning as I say with a wink – " there you aree...finally...,"and she grins at me lacing her hand with mine (the one I had held out to her)and gets in and she says clutching onto it tight and kissing on it too as she closes the door shut – "finallyyyy..yessss..love..,"and her eyes twinkle happily as they lock with mine and I add with another playful wink as I start the engine to the car – "And I need to fine you Sparkle..you said two minutes..but I think you are a minute late.."

Khushi chuckles at that happily as she says rolling her eyes at me playfully gesturing me to begin driving and I do so too clutching on her hand tight over the automatic gear box – " you na...just need reasons to fine me..aur waise bhi the one minute delay was not my fault thike?for while I walking to you..i slowed down in my pace because I did want to finish reading that killer exclusive interview of yours plus also see a little snippet of your live chat with the reporters along with Cap, Rohan Sir, Ravi, Shiv, Yuvaan from two days ago..you know the bit where in you talked with so much conviction about how you went about mentally conditioning yourself after the world cup loss and your captaincy controversy and especially the bit about the Sun Never Really Setting is like my favoriteeeeeeeeeest bit as usual and...like I am so glad as how you all talked about coming out of the worldcup loss mid-year and how it was so important as a unit to just focus on your strengths and be positive and have faith and conviction...so that you could bounce back stronger ....infact all of yours live chat is in the trend on Cricbuzz+ so many more online apps revolving around cricket.."

I chuckle as I ask with a wink – " really Sparkle?? is that what you were reading and seeing again?? haven't you read it like a hundred times already???and seen that live chat a hundred times too??"

Khushi chuckles at that as she sticks her tongue out to me playfully – " ohh yes...and I have read and seen not just a hundred but like a thousand times atleast thike? not just hundred...what can I do ya?? My empowering inspirational skipper blue..is also looking uber hot in that live chat na.."

I chuckle as I admit now – "and while I was waiting for to come...I kind of upped you though for I think I read the exclusive coverage of your tele-interview a thousand+ 1 times..."

Khushi's eyes widen at that emotionally as she asks – " What??? you were reading it again???"

I nod at her and kiss her hand and I admit continuing to drive – "and I do need to say this again Sparkle..that I am so so proud of you at handling this smoothly...by doing your bit with your team..in bringing more light to women in our sport in the country + also highlighting the domestic talent pool..infact now with the Hindu Times Campaign starting tomorrow with the focus on trying to lessen the gender - biasness in Sport with you all first..i am sure its going to be a great initiative for all the women sportspersons in the country, the current and the future..."

Khushi nods at that with a heartfelt smile as she says – "well radha and Nikhil as the reporters who took most of our interviews na..they did tell Mira di + Harpreet di that they were starting with this campaign with us all first because we are scheduled to leave on our tour na..but they surely are going to run this campaign for over three months or so highlighting women sportspersons from all across the nation in various field of sports..,"and it is right then she pauses and clutches onto my hand tight as we near a red light and I turn to look at her after I pull the break and I kiss on her hand and ask, understanding what her silent clutch on my hand meant – " nervous ho?? Because its your first photoshoot tomorrow?"

Khushi nods as she says softly locking her gaze with mine – "yes ya love..i am ofcourse nervous...as in...on the telephone it was easier for me to evade personal questions because I was on other side of the line but now tomorrow at the campaigns photoshoot – its like reporters will be right there...and yes even though I am feeling confident that I will be able to evade personal stuff by distracting and drawing attention to another question or topic since my full team will be there with me as per your guidance...but still thoda nervous hona toh banta haina??,"she finishes with a adorable pout.

I nod at her at that as I kiss her hand again and wink at her playfully – " about time I give you that world cup for adorableness...Sparkle...and yes thoda nervous hona banta hai..remember I told you how nervous I was before my first photoshoot like professionally in full jersey get up with the full team..all those years ago...so yes what you are feeling is totally natural indeed...," I finish with another kiss on her hand as the signal turns green and I begin to drive.

Khushi kisses on my hand now and she says softly –" also...remember how I told you this on that day itself..but I do have to tell you this again arnav...that somehow this feeling of calm is growing on me a little...as in you know with respect to the calmness I am feeing withing after talking about my professional journey in the media in the sense that now that collectively our unit has spoken about it one by one..it really does feel good within to think that even if a glimpse of my talk about my professional journey empowers any little girl out there to let go of her inhibitions about what the world wants and chase what she wants and dreams instead..than it will make me really happy within if my words are able to trigger even minute thought about this.....like see I just feel.. now even though all the personal speculations haven't stopped...and probably will not and arent going too...but I just feel that I just really really need to keep my focus with regards to the media bit to the part where in I know it can be used as a tool to probably make a difference in thoughts/mindsets positively...perhaps?? like if I just look at this way na..i do feel better about it within...I really do...like there's this sense of calm too with respect too this too as in yes, I am nervous still thoda but I think I want to make a conscious decision to look at the constructive side..."

I nod at her at that lovingly as I say – " exactly..sparkle...just focus on this bit..for that's all that matters...look as I always say..there are two sides to a coin...and media also is a double edged sword..but as long as we make that conscious effort to look at the brighter/positive/constructive side of the things at times like media interviews – we will be okay..will be able to get our messages across in a calmer sorted way ,"and I pause as I kiss her hand again –" and you will be okay tomorrow too my love..trust me..on that...look you are faring really well with regards to this alright??and in my eyes – you have nothing to be worried about at all..."

Khushi says softly clutching on my hand tight – "and sabsa bada wala thank you*infinity ..toh I have to say to you na baba for that..for if it hadn't been for your subtle empowering support to me on this..i'd have never be able to come around this way.."

I chuckle at that as I look at her sideways momentarily and wink at her – " bada wala thank you*infinity bolna hai mujhe??"(you wana say a big thank you to me)

She nods happily.

I clutch on her hand tight as I say with a wink looking at her sideways– " then all you need to do is...just tell me how much you miss sleeping in my arms and our ravage mode too...you know since ever since we returned from Gstaad – that's all I can think about before I sleep – obviously and I miss having you in my arms insane...wait..how about we go back darling?"

Khushi blushes at that a little as she whacks my arms playfully and says – " ufff...you na...wana pull my leg while driving also...drive karo na aap...aage dekho..mujhe nai.."( you please drive ok...look in the front..not at me...)

I chuckle at that as I ask looking back on the road mischeviously faking hurt – " oh so you mean you do not miss sleeping in my arms or our ravage mode Sparkle??"

Khushi chuckles as she kisses on my hand – " uff na...you know na very well I do...I told you last night also...and lets shift to talking this bit later na...as in I will tell you all about how much I miss that bit later thike? like pakkas se..but pehle you listen to this now...,"and I nod with a playful wink – " okkk as long as you will tell me about this bit later Sparkle..i am all ok..now go on..tell me what is it??"

Khushi says – happiness plus excitement evident in her voice – "you know another reason why I wanted us to go to the dhaba tonight too? As in I only got to know this at 7pm today and wanted to tell you like in real face to face too.."

I ask grinning – " okay that twinkle in your eye tells me you are really happy about this Sparkle..what is it??"

She nods and says excitedly –" oh yes I am....really super duper excited...Madan ka phone aaya tha at 7pm(madan called at 7pm)..and he was literally in happy tears as he told me that he got a 90 percent in his exams that were done before the Xmas Break...he even sent me a picture of his report card...ill show you once you stop driving..love..i am so so so happy for him...he Is like super bright...but I have to take a little bit of his class tonight...which is why we are going there..."

I grin at that on reflex – " wow..sparkle...that's amazing.."

Guys – remember? Madan is our server from this Dhaba.The one whose education + educationsal tools &resources - My Sparkle is sponsoring now – allowing me to only chip in a bit – the one she even gifted my signed bat for Diwali.

I ask now as a thought returns to my head – "but sparkle..didnt he like stop working the night shift? After you started sponsoring his education???so how will he be there at the Dhaba?"

Khushi nods with a little shrug folding her arms across her chest– "exactly na..that's why we are going because apparently in this holiday break he resumed working in the nights at the dhaba because one of the servers from the dhaba had to return to his village for a fortnight thike?and the owner called him in for help for that while..because he is so reliable and trustworthy..and I want to take his class on this..that if he is scoring so well in his exams..he could have just spent that time studying further as well or just relaxing ..maybe...he's only 15 na love...like why is he returning to that bondage of child labour..."

I grin at that as I kiss on my Sparkle's hand – " okay yes...take his class than for sure Sparkle...,"and she nods at me happily and we continue talking our hearts out like we always do as we drive to Our Dhaba – spot – holding onto each other's hand – all tight.

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

20 Minutes Later

Arnav's POV Continues

I bite back on my grin with great difficulty hidden behind the newspaper(As usual) as I hear Madan (our server)say to Khushi whose taking his class by telling him she shall not place our usual order to him today –" aree didi...gusaa mat ho na...woh toh boss ne emergency mein bula liya nai toh maine kaam kabka chod diya hai aur sirf padhta hoon main....aapko toh pata hai.."(aree didi..please don't be angry...this toh boss called me in emergency or you know iv stopped working and have been studying full on..you know only)"

I hear Khushi say in a little grumpy tone – " madan...maine bola na..tumko order nai dungi aaj main...tum kisi aur ko bhejo...thike?"( madan I am telling you I am not giving you the order from our car today..send someone else..)

I hear Madan say now trying to change the topic – "areee but didi...aap itne time baad aaye ho aaj..or wahh wah didi..aaj toh Mr.India bhi aaye hain aapke saath...kiten dino baad inse milna hua..helloo bhaiya...Mr India...hello to you...kaise ho aap..thik thaak sab?"(are but didi you have come after so long today and wow didi..today Mr India has also come with you after so many days..hello to you mr India..how are you doing? Hope all well)

I bite back my laughter Now – at the Mr.India Reference – with great difficulty obviously.

I mask my voice all deep as I say from behind – " haan main bilkul thik hoon madan..tum kaise ho.."( yes I am doing well madan..how are you doing??")

I hear Madan say now –" mr India...abhi tak toh main bilkul thik tha..par lagta hai ab nahi hun..dekho na didi baat nai kar rahi..gusse se dekh rahi hai..aur gussa bhi hai.."( Mr India..i was fine till now..but not now..see how didi is angry with me..not talking to me...)

I add now sincerely in my deep masked voice – " Madan...didi sahi toh gussa ho rahi hai..tum kitne intelligent ho padhai mein...90 percent marks laye ho..chutiyon main thoda aur padhlete..ya araam karte.."( Madan..didi is getting angry rightly..for you are so intelligent..and have scored 90 percent..you could have studied more in the holiday or rested..)

Khushi says now in a matter of fact tone – " wahi toh...aaj isko order nahi denge hum"(that's what we will not give him our order today)

Madan says now in an sincere apologetic tone – " acha didi..sorry..agli baar se pakka nahi kaam karunga raat ko...ab aap gussa ho toh mujhe bilkul acha nahi lag raha..aap toh meri didi ho na"( okay didi..i am sorry..from next time I will not work at night..i promise...now that you are angry I am not liking it at all...you are my didi right?)

And just like I am anticipating – his sincere apologetic tone melts my Sparkle's grumpy tone as I hear her ask him now – " pakka se promise kar madan...agli baar nahi karega aise....chahe koi bhi bulaye...15 saal ka hai tu..main tere boss ki complain kardi na..toh jail jayega woh..child labour hai yeh..tu bass padh na.."( pakka you promise madan...you wont do the night job like this ever again..even if the boss calls..you are just 15...if I complain about him to the police he will get jailed for this is child labour...you please focus on your studies..)

The sincere compassion in her voice – obviously makes my Heart Glow.

Madan says now sincerely –" pakka didi..i will not work..aap abhi complain mat karna please??"( I promise didi..i will not work..you please don't complain right now)

Khushi adds now, I could sense the smile in her voice – " acha thike..last chance..."

I hear Madan ask – " ab order le aun aapka aur Mr India ka??"( should I get your and Mr.India's order now)

I hear Khushi add now – " haan thike,..le aa...ab order toh tujhe pata hi hai..chai bass garam garam lana..hamesha ki tarah"( yes okay...do get the order now..you know only what we want..do get the tea pipping hot like always...)

I hear Madan say now – " yes didi..main leke aata hun 10 minute mein..par use pehle ek baat bolun aapko didi??"(yes didi..i will get your order super fast in ten minutes..but before I go can I tell you something didi??")

Khushi asks – " haan..please..bolo..madan.."

I hear Madan say now sincerely – " didi..aapka woh interview aaya hai na aapki photo ke saath naye saal se pehle...aur aapki puri team ka..woh pata hai maine apni choti behen ko padhke sunaya hindi mein...10 saal hi hai..woh bhi kabi kabi mere bat ke saath khelti hai aise hi..par koi bhi gaon mein ladkiyon ko zyada khelne nai deta kehte hai..govt school mein padha rahe hai wahi badi baat hai..ghar ke kaam sikho...par aap sabka interview sunne ke baad – choti ne mujhse pucha – bhaiya iska matlab main bhi toh khel sakti hun na...isme bura kya hai...aur phir main toh gaon mein waise hi sabko bata diya ki aap hi mere didi ho jo mujhe padha rahe ho..toh maine sabko panchayat mein jaake bola..soch badlo apni..ladkiyaan kuch bhi kar sakti hai....ab khelne se toh mat roko..kya pata kaun kahan nikal jaaye....aur mere sab doston ne bhi saath diya mera..aur ab kuch choti ladikyon ne bhi himat karke apni team bana li hai gaon mein....ab kyunki woh abhi choti hai toh gaon wale zyada kuch nai bol rahe..aur meri choti bahut khush hai apne chote se bat se khelke maine leke diya usko ek chota bat...toh thank you didi..aapko..aur aapki puri team ko bhi..aur aapne jo bola na bilkul sahi bola..ab pratibha aur sapno ka toh koi gender nahi..."(didi..your interview came na that day before new years along with the rest of your teams – I read it out to my younger sister in hindi she is just 10..she loves to play with the ball and bat at times with the smaller ones ofcourse..but no one in the village lets the girls play much as they say – the fact that we are getting you all to study in the govt school that is only a big thing- you girls just stay at home and learn homely stuff...but after listening to all of your interviews she asked me – that brother does that mean is it okay for me also to play if I want too??whats bad in this?? And then I even told all my people in the village that you are the one who is sponsoring my education and we must change our thinking...girls surely can do anything too atleast let them play you never know who may reach where...and now some of the little girls around my younger sisters age have now taken a little charge and made their own team also...and because they are so young only 10/11 right now the elders in the village are letting it pass...and now my little sister is very happy playing with her little bat that I got her...so thank you to you didi and your full team, infact what you said was completely right..that talent and dreams have no gender....)

I clutch on My Sparkle's hand lovingly for I know this would have moved her precious heart immensely and I hear her say sincerely in an overwhelmed voice– " khush haina woh? Choti?Toh badiya hai.. Tum bhi bas usko khelne dena...kabhi kabhi apne saath bhi khila liya kar.."(She's happy na? than that's all that matters? You also just let her play and make her play with you some time too)

I hear Madan say now happily – " haan didi...khilaunga...aur aapko pata hai kya aapne woh jo ASR ka sign kiya hua bat diya haina mujhe Diwali pe...woh toh jaadu ka bat nikla..abhi Sunday ko hi maine 10 chauke mere usse.."(haan didi..dont worry I will make her play with me too..and you know what didi..that bat you gave me which was signed by ASR turned to be magic..for I just hit 10 – fours with it on Sunday in the village match..)

Khushi clutches on my hand happily now and I clutch on hers with the free hand that wasn't holding the newspaper upfront my face and she asks happily – " sach mein? Madan??10 chauke???? Are wahhh..aur hosakta hai woh jaadu wala bat ho..kyunki ASR ke sign jo hai uspe.."( really Madan...10 fours? That's amazing – and its possible that it's a magical bat for it has ASR's sign on it..)

I ask now inquisitive in my deep masked voice – " koi video hai tumhare pass Madan? Apne chauko ka? Toh apni didi ko bhejo tum.."( you have a video of your fours Madan? Then send it to your didi..pleaseeee)

He says – " haan haina Mr India..video hai...6 chauko ka hai..mere choti ne hi liya hai...aapko bhejta hun didi..aur ab main jaake aapka order bhi lata hun...,"(yes yes Mr India..i have a video of maybe 6 of my shots...my sister only took it..i will send it to you didi...and I will also go get that order)

And Khushi nods at him and he walks back to the Dhaba to get us the Order and I finally pull back the newspaper from my face and My Sparkle immediately hugs onto me tight from the side leaping forward as she says immediately – " I have decided something...arnav..."

I kiss on her head lovingly – " decided what Sparkle??"

Khushi says now looking up at me intently – " didn't you hear how Madan said that in his village they think it's a huge thing to even make girls study...and I am sure it's also partially because of monetary reasons too..i am totally going to sponsor the education of all the girls in that village no matter what stage...I know there are many many such villages in our country...but I'd like to atleast start with one...because education can be that light of hope and empowerment through which the girls in the village can probably let go of their inhibitions and stand up for what they want...I mean..until now they are just told they don't have another way out...and education and exposure to knowledge will help them see – that they are so so so many possibilities out there...right???????"

My Precious Adorable Sparkle.

I cup her face lovingly as I kiss her forhead – " Sparkle...I agree with you on this completely for sure...,"and she adds now with a heartfelt smile – "ok I need to find someone..who will help me manage all of this in secrecy just like you handle and manage all your social work in secrecy arnav and also I just do want to do this my way..and also be in constant touch with the girls over their educational progress just like I am with Madan...like now I'm thinking ill ask Dad, Mom, bhai on help for this..as in to help me just find someone trustworthy from our company maybe..who can help me with the execution in secrecy and everything...."

I caress her cheek lovingly – " and I am sure Sagar uncle and Nisha aunty and Rahul+ anj are only going to be superproud of you for this..just like I am...,"and she smiles and adds – " don't look at me that way thike? for I know..,"and she pauses herself as we lean in together for a brief intense kiss.

About two minutes later – her phone beeps and she pulls apart saying – " uff you are with me...who is texting me now..is it Jess??,"and she looks into her phone and says grinning – " oh wait..its Madan..he has sent his playing video.."

And I ask now inquisitive – " really?? show me??,"and My Sparkle nods excited as she downloads the video on her Whtsapp and puts her phone in the center so that we both can see and as we take the sight off him playing and hitting his fours – we both look at one another happily as we say in unison – " he's bloody good...really freaking good...,"and right then a idea clicks my head as I add now continuing to look at the rest of the video looking in – " Sparkle...Coach Khanna...in dwarka...rohan did mention him once...he's the one who coaches a lot of underprivileged for free....im thinking lets ask Madan to go to him Sparkle for a month or so and Dwarka is only 30-40 minutes away from his village on the outskirts...if he says he is interested...then rohan knows Coach Khanna we can inform him we are sending a candidate in and maybe after a couple of months if he shows good progress and grit to take play seriously and we'v heard what coach Khanna has to say about his gaming ability...we can actually get him under proper intense training as in we will sponsor him on that too...what say Sparkle??"

Khushi grins at that immediately and hugs me tight as she says – " that would be amazing....love..i mean...lets totally throw this idea too him..and lets see what he says to that...I am sure he will be on for this and I while tell him now...you just focus on study and play..atleast that way he wont even think about working the nights...oh yes..this will be amazing,"she adds further in a Happy – Glee – her eyes Twinkling.

I kiss her Head happily at that and hug her closer and I whisper now softly, emotions returning to overwhelm me – " I am going to miss you so much Sparkle...so very freaking much..dammit...."

I say the Same now – because I am scheduled to Depart with my Team tomorrow night – for New Zealand for 3ODI's + 3T20's + 3 Tests in a month long tour and My Sparkle leaves for Australia for the Tri Nation series day after morning – as well.

And ofcourse ,parting again – after all the Wonderful precious time we had together in these days - is coming along with a Ache+ Longing Now.

She hugs me all tighter as she whispers – " don't..na...just don't talk about leaving right now na..please..i mean you are leaving tomorrow night love and me day after morning..for our respective tours..but please...don't talk about it abhi na..pleasseee?? kal baat karle?(can we talk about this tomorrow) When it's time for you to go?? Like after that early dinner at your place that Reva aunty has arranged for us all...before your departure to the airport?"

I pull back from her hug now and cup her face lovingly and caress her cheeks – " thike..we will talk about it tomorrow...and Sparkle even though I am going to miss you insane...I'm surely going to be the most excited for our tours to end too..for after which – once Sagar uncle is out of his dazed shocked mode – we might actually have our in house - roka go through,"and I pause because I now want to make the emotional her smile I ask again with a playful wink– " tell me again..did he really ask you the very same questions all over again for the thousandth time this morning too before you left for practice???"

Khushi's eyes well up a little on reflex happily as she nods with a heartfelt smile – " oh yes he did..but Mom says...he will be okay by the time we return from our respective tours Arnav..so yes...my fingers are crossed...totally..."

I grin at that as I say with a wink – " and by then my ring will be all ready too..Sparkle.."

Khushi narrows her eyes at me adorably and pouts as she says – " oh there you go again..and this time I know you have reva aunty and anj with you on this...like I told reva aunty also the other day not to let you go overboa..,"and I obviously do not let her complete her sentence as I cup her face, pull her closer and close my lips over hers in an intense brief kiss and three minutes later as I pull back I add with a flick of a finger on her adorable nose – " shhh..shh..you sparkle..hone wali biwi ho tum meri..ring..meri marzi ki honewali hai..atleast ispe no more discussions...please?"( shh shh..you Sparkle..you are going to be my wife soon Sparkle and the ring is surely going to be off my choice, please no more discussions on this please??")

Khushi grins as she caresses my cheek pouting adorably yet again – " only because you said..hone wali biwi ho tum meri so intently thike..arnav(that I am going to be your wife again in that intense tone of yours)...dear heart is saying to let this go..."

I chuckle as I say – " exactly , I agree with dear heart on this..let this go..please??and how about you actually get to enacting the look of daze on Sagar uncles face from his questioning to you before you left for practice this morning? You did promise that you will enact out to me..Sparkle..now don't you back out on it...now come on..get on with it..before Madan comes with the order..."

Khushi nods as she says grinning mischeviously – "well yes..i did promise you that..so let me get on with it...ok...you won't believe how mom was biting back her grin though at breakfast and even bhai and anj couldn't stop laughing about it when I told them a while ago on the video call..ok...so..let me begin..so..here it goes.. Dad walks up to the dining table at breakfast and pulls out his chair and he looks at me all dazed and clueless and asks –,"and she continues to enact it all out to me adorably in her dramatic mode and whilst she is at it – we both are holding onto each other's hand all laced tight– and sharing warm laughs obviously.

And I can only feel my Heart get Consumed with that priceless feeling of Calm and Contentment – as always!

The Feeling of this Intense Calm within the Heart– is surely – a Priceless Emotion.

And I was Grateful Beyond Infinity – to be Feeling it in my Being – Indeed.

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

TADAAAAA!!!!!

Also yes – I don't know if anyone of anticipated this – but the reason why this Chapter is Called The Calm – is because – Next Chapter Title is – The Storm/Stormed!

You know how like the Deep sea is usually at the calmest before the High Tides Set In????All I can say for now guys before the next Update comes in – is get your seatbelts on guys – for we are now headed into the Complete Emotional Overwhelming Rollercoaster – Leg of the FF. And yes...Before you all get worried – No Separation Ever – obviously – like I would never do that to my Stranger and Sparkle !!!! But yes – a Storm is coming Up – for Sure!!!

Next Update : Will try to Give One Tomorrow Night

Once again - I wish you all the best of the Holiday season ahead with your loved ones be it real time/virtual. Stay Safe Everyoneeeeeeeeeee!!

Alsooo yesss –I have finally gotten around to making my writing handle on Insta. Using it for Daily interactions – quotes – snippets etc. Would love to connect with you all on it too.

You can find me On Instagram – by Clicking on the Link Below.

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

Thanks, guys, for all the Love and Support.

Much Love.

Always.

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shiv456 thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago

Hope it is not dangerous storm awesome update

coderlady thumbnail
Posted: 5 years ago

She handled the interview so well, highlighting the challenges faced by women. Now she will also pursue girls education. So proud of her for doing that.

mysticltales111 thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago

Helloooo everyoneeeee..

So here I am with the NextUpdate of the week. And its about Medium Length - around 8.1k plus words for I needed this Chapter to be the Stand Alone - obviously.

Seatbelt On Guys. It's a Super Intense Chapter!

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

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Text Copyright©mysticaltales11111™2020

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All Rights Reserved® mysticaltales11111

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CHAPTER 37.2 - STORMED & WRECKED

23 MORE DAYS LATER

27th January, 2020

Sydney - Australia

6: 30 PM

Nikhil smiles to himself as he picks up his phone that was buzzing with Radha's video call and sits on the little ledge against the window to his hotel room, looking out and says into the phone grinning - " hellloo to you buddy..i reckon you'v called to tell me that you'v just finished up the report on our Men in Blue's victory in the 2nd test match today.."

This time around - from the Hindu Times - for the media coverage for their newspaper/youtube/social media handles of the International tours of Men/Women in Blue - Natraj Anand (the Head of Sprots Journalism at Hindu Times) - had sent in his star cricket reporters - Radha to NZ (to cover the tour off Men in Blue) and Nikhil to Australia to cover the tour of India Women in the T20 Tri Nation Series which was being played amongst Australia, India, and England.

He hear's Radha add now grinning - " bingo that buddy...do me a favour will you please? just have a quick glance up at it, will you please? I do need to send the final draft in to Natraj sir in 30 minutes...and I know I know..you are getting all set to head to the SCG(SydneyCricketGround) - for the second last match in the series which is almost like the semi's tonight in between our India Women and England Women for it will decide who plays Australia in the finals at the MCG day after..but c'mon I am sure you can spare a couple of minutes on the move.."

Nikhil adds grinning - "well I surely can Radha..and look at you with that grin up your face..did you get an exclusive byte from ASR? Or what??"

Radha nods grinning - " oh yes I surely did but not just from him but the entire team too...I mean the team and the Captain ofcourse have just been splendid in this tour of NZ right Nikhil? I mean winning the ODI&T20 series with 2-1 yet again and then that fantabulous performance in the Tests too - I mean the first test was a Draw but with the win the Second out men in blue are headed into the third and final test in 4 days from now with a stronger mindset..and guess what I feel we are going to win the third test too - and return home victorious in all three formats - and this test win is anyway so important since it's a part of the world test championship too right??"

Nikhil nods - " yup...I know exactly what you mean Radha..."

Radha - " you know what Niks I specially asked ASR - how is he able to adapt so smoothly to all three formats..like his performance in all three has been commendable..right??? like with one century in the t20 + two 50's plus scores in the T20's + those two centuries in the two match winning ODIs too + and this second test too - we surely had an edge because of his 125* in the first innings that gave India the much needed Lead..like it was truly the captain's knock"

Nikhil asks inquisitive -" ok and what did he say to that?? how does he adapt so smoothly??"

Radha chuckles - " for that my friend, how about you read my report.."

Nikhil grins - " will do...as soon as possible.."

Radha asks now with a playful wink - " and look at you..aren't you the one who is all smiles too ever since Natraj sir told you that you'll be coming to Australia to cover the Tri nation series..i mean don't I know how you just cant stop crushing over the little hit girl - like I still cant forget the expression on your face when you actually met her for that first time at the photoshoot - or wait to be honest I think she was quite dazed when you asked her for her autograph.."

Nikhil adds chuckling remembering the moment - " oh yes..she was quite dazed..for sure...remember how she asked? Sir you want my autograph???? Like mine? Are you sure??,"and he pauses and adds - " she's captivating you know...that one for sure...you know what's more interesting.. the other day I was chatting up with Sheena a little after the post match with England which turned out to be a draw and when I took her byte along with harpreet's and vedika and because I was inquisitive I just asked sheena in private..that whats the scene in the dressing room like now that everyone knows about Khushi's family connect with ASR's with their siblings married and everything..and she surely doesn't talk about it loud in the media but what was it like in the dressing room...??"

Radha asks curious - " and what did she say? And why didn't you tell me this before niks?"

Nikhil chuckles -" must have slipped my mind because of the awed daze I was in after what I heard radha..anyway hear this..so sheena was like so casual and grinning about it as she said that it isn't that khushi wont talk about the personal stuff to the media..its the same in the dressing room as well..and everythings been the same like was as normal before because khushi was very particular in each of the team members in the unit about her reasons why she had wanted to keep it undercover till that point and even though everyone now knew about it..she did not want any family developments in the background affect her dynamics within the team - and sheena did say that her sheer sincerity about it kind of won everyone's heart which is why they just respect her insanely even more now...for even now with the truth out in the open even in the dressing room - she never talks/gloats about her connection with ASR's family...and sheena very fondly told me that her grounded , simple,humble nature is truly one of her biggest strengths indeed....i mean beat this Radha..if I were her..id freaking gloat about knowing ASR's family left right and center...I mean she doesn't even gloat about it in the dressing room..."

That makes Radha grin as she says - " but you are not her na Nikhil...she is she..and if she would have wanted to gloat about this in the dressing room she would have done it long ago na..and know what?I kind off really respect her for this you know..i mean especially knowing about her professional journey from herself..i reckon all she wants to do is focus on making a mark in the field of women in sports and empower and encourage the future generation of women in sport..."

Nikhil nods as he says admiration dripping in his voice - " well yes to that Radha...I mean how can I ever forget the goosbemups I had when she stated that bit to us in the interview about talent+ dreams having no gender..that from her was epic indeed...oh I think I just got goosbumps again.."

Radha chuckles at that as she adds - " look at you... I think you are crushing on her insane.."

Nikhil winks - " well yes..i surely am..,"and he pauses and asks now - "anyways you tell me what did you think of my last report on the epic performances by our women's unit too - I mean each side has to play the other side twice before the point tables decide who plays the finals and I think we are going to win it tonight..for sure and then hopefully also beat Australia in the finals to clinch the tri series for we have already won over them in the third t20 match of the series by 5 wickets...the game tonight is huge...Radha..its going to be epic.."

Radha grins - " well ofcourse your coverage has been on point and brilliant - and I do have to give a special mention to that coverage you gave to the little hit girls post match presentation in which she got the player of the match in that win against Australia in the third series match for the 75runs + two catch outs and amazing fielding performance..i mean that was also our women's unit - most highest successful run chase ever right..and our unit bossed it...it isn't easy you know beating the aussies in their den and If we win tonight to make it to the finals I am sure..aussies are going to play the finals with vengeance for they won the first match against our unit and were looking to the win the second too but our unit surprised them with that epic performance.. I mean they all have just been brilliant...but I do hope that tonights match does have a result for the prior match with England was a draw with the superover being a draw too and then because rain happened - it couldn't go on and that meant that both India and England got that one point..."

Nikhil says grinning feeling confident - " don't you worry Radha..i have a good feeling today..we are going to win this..and then I am surely going to request Sheena/Harpreet/ Mira to get me an exclusive byte from Khushi too...after the match because I am confident she is going to be brilliant in todays innings too..you know how her's+ sheena's opening partnerhip has been brilliant for us again..i mean those two just play in pure sync.."

Radha grins - " well lets hope for the best and I am going to be watching obviously...its been a long hectic day here too..while the test was on here for the men's team so I am glad this is a night match...and I am also scheduled to head to Christchurch soon..for that's where the third and final test is.."

Nikhil adds grinning - " and I hope to be the one heading to Melbourne soon too Radha, to cover the final in between India and australia..,"and he pauses and says now picking up his stuff getting all ready to head out - "anyway...I gotta get going now Radha..ill check out your report and text you..you had dinner yet? Since you are two hours ahead in time from here??"

Radha - "yes I was just about to order in...ok bbye niks..let me know about the report and lets get set to watch another kickass game of T20 cricket - you live from the stadium and me on my screen.."

Nikhil chuckles at that and bids his friend bye and finally makes his way out of his room to head to the Sydney Cricket Ground with a smile on his face. He had a good feeling about the result of this Game - Already!!

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

At the Sydney Cricket Ground - 6:50 PM

Khushi's POV

Guys.

Guess who is Dazed + Nervous * Infinity at the Moment???

Me - Ofcourseeeeeeeeeee!!

Dazed *Infinity - Why??? - Because I just can't beleibe the fact that I am in the locker room at the epic Sydney Cricket Ground - for real!!! Like this cricket ground has always been on my List - of the grounds I'd want to play in representing my country and today - for the first time ever - I am just minutes away from playing a Fixture for my Beloved India - right Here. It surely means the World to Me.

And Nervous* Infinity because - the game that is up tonight is like super duper important for us and we are all quite keen on the Win - obviously. I mean in this Tri Nation - Series Tournament - each side was scheduled to play 4 games - twice with each country - and today is our &Englands 4th and final match before we know who is going to play Australia in the finals at the MCG day after tomorrow, on the 29th. So basically at the moment we are on No 2 spot on the Point table with 3 points. The Point table looks like -

1.Australia - 4 points - they Won 2 (they won one match against England and US each)- Lost 2(they also lost one match against England and Us Too)

2. India - 3 points ( for we won one match against Australia and lost one to them and One was Draw with England) but we have a better run rate from England which is why we are on spot 2

3. England - 3 points too ( they won one match against Australia and the one with us was a draw) but their run rate is less than ours so they are spot 3

And if we win tonight - than its going to be Huge for our unit to head into finals with Australia - obviouslyyyyyyyyy!!!!

Now you all know why I am like super duper dazed+ nervous*infinity - so much so that all My Insides are just in that state of collective mute mode just processing the moments around In.

I do take deep breathes now as I stock up my stuff into the cocker and close my eyes for a second and think about my talk with Mom, Dad, Rahul, Anj, Reva aunty, Abhi uncle, Akash - before leaving the hotel for the game and I let their empowering words power me through yet again - and for that last bit of the SuperSurge into my system - I obviously think of Arnav, my love and his loving support as always and I let his happy energy from a while ago from the video call (after winning the Test Prior today in NZ)- calm my jumpy nerves further.

It is right then I feel Jess's hand around my shoulders from the side as she says nervousness quite evident in her voice too - " khushi ya..pinch me ya...like is this a dream? In the sense are we actually just minutes away from playing the game for India at the SCG??? Like I am super super nervous..and not just me..like mostly all of us in the dressing room are excited yet nervous..harpreet di is just about to step out for the toss in five minutes and she did say she/mira di/coaches are obviously going to have a word with us all before that... which I know is going to be exact motivational bit we need to hear before we step out..."

I nod at her as I hug her in the side as I say - " I know Jess..and I am superrr nervous too..like so so excited..as well.."

And right then we both feel Sheena di jump on us happily from behind and she joins in the group hug and adds grinning now - "and we are going to win this my girls..and play our bats out in the final against Australia too day after tomorrow..and take the cup home..."

We hug her happily as we say in unsion - "we really hope the same Sheena di.."

Sheens di grins and right then Vedika, Harleen, Tanu, Deepika and the rest of our team mates also gather in close as Sheena di says to us all - " girls...on the count of one two three..,"and we all nod in a happy unison and put our hands together in a group fist one by one like we mostly do and yell out - India Together - two seconds later and cheer out for ourselves.

Right then as we are all in the middle of the pumped up motivational cheering at one another - we see Mira Di/Harpreet di/ coaches come in close to us all. Mira di is not playing today for she's had a little injury in her elbow last match. Harpreet Di is leading our side as captain obviously and Sheena Di is the Vice Captain.

Harpreet di asks us all to group in a circle and we do and she is beaming up at us all and she adds now - " girls....three points...second position in the point table...we are going to seal the win tonight...I am sure of that..for I greatly believe in the grit in each one of you...infact our last practice sessions have only spoken volumes about each one of your determinations..and we have decided if we win the tos - we bat in first for we are most surely banking on putting up a huge total on the board..sheena..khushi...the onus to give us a flying start is on you two as opening pair for us obviously...play in sync like you always do.."

Sheena di and me look at one another and nod in unison and high five - "yes Cap....,"and we all hear her go on to motivate each of us as she continues - " incase we lose early wickets...do not let that deter you...your shake your confidence in T20..its all to the last ball...chose your bowlers to go after...alternatively and carefully with your partner on the other end.....one of you anchor then other fires..and then rotate the strike..run those doubles..like we all always do...make them into threes...when you can...today we gotta be at our strategic + aggressive best..."

Mira Di adds now - " also yes girls...this tri series is just like a mini trailer...for we have to return to Australia itself for the T20 World Cup at the latter half of the year - so if we make it to that finals..its going to speak volumes to the audience back about about our resilence as a unit + tenacity...thankfully..the buzz about women in sports in our nation is pretty much still on..and if we make it tonight to reach that finals...trust me we will grab eyeballs like never before..."

We all look at one another in a group completely determined, nodding our heads and continue to listen to our Coaches after as their motivational words continue to empower us with energy and about seven minutes later - Harpreet Di walks out for the Toss and coaches follow her and Mira Di says to us all - " im heading out to the dug out girls..not playing otday but I am with each one of you nonetheless ..alright?????????????i know you will give it your best...just give it your freaking best...that's all that matters..."

We nod at her and everyone disperses to their respective lockers momentarily and Jess pulls me aside in the corner towards my locker as she whispers softly - " okkayy...I think we have five minutes..im going to talk to Vikram.."

I whisper back softly - " yes..im going to text mr stranger too..he's waiting for my text too once I was free settling in the dressing room and everything..."

Jess nods at me in an excited whisper- "waise bhi..they are all going to be watching the match together anyway...in the hotel room in Auckland...hridhaan and Vikram are joining them in.."

I grin at that as I whisper - "I know...acha jaldi now you talk to Vikram and I will just text Mr Stranger..."

She nods.

I stand up close into my locker now and quickly dish out my phone and I text him quickly.

Me : hey you..skipper blue...sorry yaa couldn't text you prior for iv been in like a perpetual daze ever since i stepped into the locker room here at the SCG and then just was with everyone in the unit as Harpreet Di/Mira Di/Coaches were doing their empowering pep talk...Harpreet di just walked out for the toss...and I think I do have five minutes now...god..love..i don't know why I am feeling so dazed+ nervous...as in maybe now I can say nervous in a good way though...you know this is huge for me in so many ways...playing at the SCG finally...and then the game tonight is also like a semi's for us...so yeah...dazed who?????????? Your Sparkle indeed( I add a line of dazed emoticons)

And I Tap send. My Phone neeps in twenty seconds.

Him : hey you Sparkle..i know we can all see Harpreet on screen getting all set for the toss - as you know we as in me, rohan, ravi, cap, Vikram and hridhaan have gathered up in Cap's suite in our hotel to watch all of yours game tonight - infact because we are two hours ahead..its already nearing 9 here..so we'v ordered dinner in too..and we are all so excited..dinner and a game of t20 cricket by our woman in blue...crackling of the end to the amazing day indeed....and its okay to be dazed a little..for I was too when I played at the SCG for the very first time..but don't be nervous much Sparkle...just play your natural game like you do..do not let the circumstance intimidate you...or the pressure will come in with a mind game..remember what you once told me? pressure and worry is that burgular at your doorstep..now are you going to let it rob you of your natural flow??

I smile as I read that.

My Heart Glows.

And the remainder of my jumpy nervousy nervous wash away - like Magic.

Me : thank you yaaa love...you know exactly what to say to me and when...I love you..

Him : just like you know exactly what to say to me and when...I love you too Sparkle...and guess what? it isn't just us who is excited to see you play...Dad/Sagar Uncle/Rahul literally called in a half day at work and now everyone is all huddled up together at your home in front of the screen to watch the game too - you know that don't you?? we are all cheering and rooting for you our little hit girl...now cmon...pad up..and go and fire up some shots and stun the Brits..

I smile as I read that. Also a image of everyone all huddled up back at home - is shared by Anj and Superbro too in the family group.

Me : yes I know love..and I can never thank you all enough ya..anj just shared a pic...also wait na baba..let us know the result of the toss first..then only will I know na whether I have to pad up or we field first..

Him : Harpreet won the toss my love and chose to bat..i can see that obviously..and I think you will get the news in a minute in the dressing room...(winks)

And it is right then one of our support staff comes in with the news that we are batting first and I look back at sheena di and she winks at me from across and adds - " lets pad up..partner..."

I nod at her.

And get back to my phone now.

Me : hahaha..okayy my love.. I just got in the news..need to start padding up..do also want to drop a little message in the family group before setting my foot on the ground...so now I will text you later thike?? my love?? after the match...the minute it is over...pakka se as usual..ravage kisses...

Him : yes do that Sparkle...for ill be waiting for you my love...as always..and in the meanehile I got my eyes on you..(winks)

Me : hahaa..just like I had my eyes on you all day nonetheless watching your test...ohh god...just have to say this again love..am so so so so happy...you are all going to win the test series too...mujhe strong intuition hai...

Him : just like I have a gut feeling that you are all going to win the match too..Sparkle...I am so so proud of you..pad up now..my little hit girl..and give it your best like you always do.. on our 22 yards...ravage kisses..

Me : thanks love...yes I will give it my all...okay..now I gotta rush love..dont reply now(kisses and hearts)

I quickly go to my family group on whtsapp and drop a quick message to all - before I switch off my phone - and get to padding up straight and once I am done - minutes later - I pick up my favourite bat outta my cricketing kit and touch Arnav's handwritten code on it lovingly and I feel determination - take over Dear Heart - completely now - as I walk up to Sheena di now with my helmet all tucked under my arm and I say to her with a grin - " ready partner.."

She winks at me and says picking up her bat and tucking her helmet under her arm too and says - " ready indeed...khushi...just got the news from the dug out that it does look like a betters pitch..we will take that first over to just analyse..and then see where we can power hit through the powerplay..."

I nod at her determined as I say now - " yes di...we gotta make most of that powerplay..for sure..," and we both side hug one another happily and Sheena di looks at me a tad bit emotional as she adds - " for India..for Us..for everyone..who believed/beleive in us..."

I nod at her as I say my eyes getting a little emotional too - " for India...for Us..for everyone who believed/believe in us..indeed...sheena di.."

And we gesture the The Rest of Our Team to join in on another group hug and they do and we all shout out loud in a Pumped Up Cheer.

" For India..For Us...and For everyone who believed/believes in us..."

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

Two Hours 40 Minutes Later

At New Zealand - Auckland - At The Hotel Room

(NZ is Two Hours Ahead off Sydney, in Time - so in Sydney at the Moment its 10:10 PM and in NZ its 12:10 AM (as in Ten minutes Past Midnight)

Arnav's POV

Guys.

Please Note - This for Future Reference.

I am not a Big Fan of Strategic Timeouts - when It isn't me who is playing on the field and I am watching my Sparkle play a match. As in when it comes to me being the one - to be absorbed in the game - I am obviously all for strategic timeouts - because its that much needed regrouping two minutes needed by us as a Team on the ground.

But.

Like I said - when I am in the Middle of Watching My Sparkle Play an intense match and the Team calls for a strategic time out - I can only groan in impatience obviously. And especially that last timeout that comes around the 16th over in the T20 games!

Anyways - the Only Good thing that came out of England calling in for their strategic timeout - while Chasing at the moment in the intense moment of this match at 16.4 overs - is that I could use that two minute break to freshen up myself - because otherwise I have been pretty much glued to my seat obviously.

And because I am in the middle of the Gaming Rush within my Head - I can only use a minute or so to give you all a Glimpse into the Intense Game unfolding in between India Women Vs England Woman at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

I hope I am excused for Rushing this Bit Through.

But Can't Help It.

Gotta get my attention on the Game at Hand.

So ofcouse for starters - I am beyond just freaking proud to say this - That India Woman bossed the First Innings as they put up a total score of 220 - 3 in 20 over's with My Sparkle scoring 101 of those runs and she went Not Out Too. Infact - Sheena and Her batted in perfect sync with a mix of fast + calculated slow pace uptil the 13th over for that high partnership stand off 130 runs by that point - with each of them having scored 65 runs till that point - until Sheena then lost her wicket in deceptive short ball trap set in my the bowler In a unbeleivable good catch Out - after which Harpreet came in to Join Khushi - and they both batted in perfect rhythym with Harpreet taking the lead in firing and My Sparkle anchoring at the other end and Harpreet fired up a quick 45 runs as well and My Sparkle also adding up on 20 more runs to her run stand from there on - and she was at 85 when Harpreet got clean bowled in the 18th over and she most definetly suggested my Sparkle to continue being the one to fire up for she had been in momentum right as Vedika came in to join her next for those last 9 balls to be bowled and Vedika anchored on the other end and scored a couple of runs too but My Sparkle fired up a couple of drives and one more killer pull short to end the innings with the stand off 101 runs not out - with Vedika losing her wicket in the last ball in an LBW.

So the ScoreBoard for India Woman Kind of Looked Like -

Sheena - 65 runs - out

Khushi - 101* - not out

Harpreet - 45 runs - out

Vedika - 9 runs - out

The rest of the Team did not Bat - obviously!

And I am sure you all can imagine the excitement not just me - but our families + our close friends have been feeling within at seeing My Sparkle play such a remarkable beauty of an Innings in such a crucial Match.

She's Truly Stepped Up - Her Very Own Mettle Today!

And now - coming to the reason why I am saying that the moment in the match is super intense is because since the pitch turned out to be the Batters one - England are 180 - 4 in 16.4 overs and they now need 40 runs in 20 balls to chase the Total - and one of the batswoman on the crease is a hitter too - infact she was the captain of the Western Storm team - in the Kia Super League (in which Khushi and Sheena played? Remember guys?)

And this is the reason why the entire India Woman unit is in a super intense momentum at the moment because, Harpreet, Sheena , Khushi - they all know that these two batswoman can surely seal the deal for England.

Ok.

Raizada.

Time to head back to Join everyone in the Room.

I head back out of the washroom now and I ask everyone in front of me who was huddled by the screen in Cap's suite - " strategic timeout done??"

Rohan turns back to look at me as he says - "just in time my friend - 9 seconds to go..."

Ravi grins as he gestures me to take my usual seat and I do and he says with a wink - " our little hit girl has killed it today...I was just with Noor on the call..you can't believe how excited she is..."

I grin at him at that - " really??everyone back at home is going bonkers too ..i mean we all did get on that little call in the innings break before getting absorbed in watching the game again..."

Cap and Rohan add now grinning- " and so are Sachi and Samaira...they are going nuts...,"And cap adds grinning - " Khushi..has really shined her way through with her bat today I mean that strategic aggressive yet paced out play of innings with Sheena first and then Harpreet after is beyond just commendable Arnav.."

Rohan adds grinning - " oh yes..we all know how commendable that is.."

Hridhaan adds grinning from his seat - "and let me not even begin to tell you all - how crazy Shivi is going..."

Vikram adds grinning - "and I could totally see Jess and the rest of the team beaming from the dug outs.."

I nod at him at that happily beaming in pride and I say - "and she was so so nervous before the match Cap..this is her first match at the SCG right.."

Rohan adds - " and what a class innings to announce her arrival at the SCG..buddy...im telling you buddy..i have a feeling they are going to win this one..."

Hridhaan and Vikram add grinning in unison- "and what a day it has been..i mean you sealed the victory in the second test..after already winning the T20 and ODI series here in NZ..Indian cricket is shining indeed..."

And I add now little nervous as my eyes go to the screen as the strategic timeout ends - " yes guys..but you know its never over until its over...and in t20 especially the last three overs are very crucial...so come on..lets watch this..now..."

Everyone nods and we return our attention to Our Women Unit on the screen - as Harpreet is placing the fielders around intensely chatting up with Sheena + Khushi in an intense mode too for they know how the batswomen on the crease could be thinking having played them in the Kia.

My Heart Glows with Intense Love as my eyes fall on My Sparkle's intense gaming frame.

She was My CindrellaVersion Helmet and Bat - afterall.

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

Ten Minutes Later

Arnav's POV Continues

Ok.

That's it.

I can't be Calm at the Moment.

Even though I am trying my best to be - with my fingers crossed and everything and we hear Vikram get up from his spot as he looks at us all in nervousness, rubbing his hands on his face - "guys trust me..iv never been this nervous when I am the one on the polo field..but at the moment I am freaking out...for Jess and Khushi + their entire unit obviously....i mean if they lose this I know how upset they all will be..right?"

So - The Reason for him getting This Worked Up is that England needs 10 runs in the last two balls now - and they are still 211 - 4 means that the Hitters are still batting.

The pitch has offered nothing to the Bowlers in the Death.And the Brits look in complete control - but to be fair enough - so does our Unit. Harpreets made sure that the team's all calm and determined in this intense situation.

Ravi says now - " tanu needs to take a wicket on this ball.."

I add - " exactly ravi..and I think she will.."

Cap - " but the pitch is offering no support...at all.."

Rohan - " exactly..a wicket looks difficult...in any other way..has to be a catch out...for they are surely going to hoist the balls in boundaries..."

Guys - we often watch the matches we do on Mute because we prtty much do the Commentary bit ourselves right??

I say to all as we see Tanu coming in to ball now - " okay guys...last two balls...,"and just as the ball gets bowled and the English batswoman fires it for a straight drive for a Four - we all groan out in disappointment - obviously.

And my heart is all engulfed in nervousness as I take in the tense look on Sparkle + rest of everyone faces.

Cap says - " oh they need a six in one ball...she's going to surely fire a six next..."

Rohan groans - "dammit..."

Ravi says immediately - " tanu..trap her in a short ball...so that the ball isn't able to cross the third man point near the boundary..she will target that surely..its the shortest boundary..."

And as my eyes fall on the screen I say now - " guys..wait..harpreet is changing the fielder's position after a quick gesture by Tanu..."

Hridhaan adds from next to me nervous too - " it think she's calling Harleen back in from third man to gully and have Khushi go up from gully to Third man..."

Vikram - " and shes also shuffled Jess to fine leg and Vedika from fine leg to square leg..."

I add now deep in thought - " yes...because these four have been brilliant in their catches in the field these series..shes securing her best fielders on the batswomans leg side and off side both - increasing the chance of a catch out..for they all know she is going to fire up a six..."

Ravi nods and just as Tanu bowls the last ball he exclaimes - " thank god...short ball trap..for sure...wicket..this is the wicket.."

And we all watch with bated breathe as the ball goes flying into the air off the Gully point straight towards my Sparkle in the Third Man position - and I clutch my fist tight in anticipation as I see My Sparkle Dive Up High and Sideways To Stop the ball from Crossing the Boundary and just as I take in the sight of her palm closing around the Ball secured - I jump up as I exclaim - " Yesssssssssssssss...yes......freaking caught it...she freaking caught it...,"and we see her clutch onto the ball tight in her hands as she falls sideways to the ground and I let out a nervous - " careful Sparkle...,"on reflex obviously.

And everyone around me jumps up in glee and excitement as Rohan+ Ravi + Cap let out a Yes - too as we see the entire Indian Woman team run towards each other in celebration as the Empire announces Out!!!

And I can't help but feel my Heart get consumed in happiness as they are showing the replay of the clean intense unbelievable catch out by My Sparkle up on screen - and it is right then everyone engulfs me in a group hug as we begin to celebrate and I beam in pride as I say hugging onto everyone - " godammit her..did you all see that bloody catch...she was the supergirl out there..."

Ravi grins - " supergirl indeed..that dive was superhigh and that too sideways..ou little hit girl can fly too.."

Cap , Rohan,Hridhaan, Vikram add grinning - " indeed...indeed...,"and I pause in my celebrations as I say to all now - " okay guys...I need to get a look on her happy exhilirated face up screen.."

Everyone says in unison - " shes going to be the player of the match indeed..."

I grin as I say - " I think so too..,"and right then as everyone disperses from around me and my eyes fall back on the screen again - my smile vanishes on its own accord as I catch not happiness but intense worry on all of India Women's team faces + the Brits batswomen who were on the field + the umpires+ the physios and meds from our Indian WomenTeam - as they are all huddled up in a group near the third man - where My Sparkle caught that ball.

Why are they all huddled Up in So much Worry??????????

I look at everyone wrecked with worry as I say to Ravi - " volume..pleaseeee...Ravi...volume dammit...why are they all huddled up that way in near the third man??"

Hridhaan, Cap, Rohan, Vikram + Ravi shoot me worried looks too as Ravi amps up the volume and we hear the commentators deep serious voice through - " India has won the match and will be playing Australia in the finals at the MCG day after for that catch was clean indeed...but what we reckon by that scene on the field right now is that Gupta - Jersey no 22 India - has sustained a injury in that fall as she dived in for that catch...for while everyone was busy in celebration and was awaiting her to join in from her fielding point while the cameras were rolling in the replay - she was noticed collapsing and lying flat on her back on the ground...."

WAIT.

WHAT?

JUST WHAT THE FREAKING HELL DID I HEAR?

No.

No.

GODAAMIT.NO.

The other commentators falls on my ears as I feel a numbing pain wreck my heart and being - " and I think the injury isn't looking good...for she couldn't get back on her feet after the catch not even for a second...and was seen grimacing in pain as she rolled over onto her back with her nose bleeding, before losing consciousness.."

I gape at everyone around me in disbelief as I ask with my voice shaking - " no...no..this isn't true right? what they are saying isn't true right?? this is not happening to My Sparkle everyone??"

Ravi, Rohan, Cap , Hridhaan, Vikram come by my side immediately holdingonto my shoulder as I rake up the volume on the TV with shaking numbing hands as I let out a curse now kicking the table in front of me - " dammit you all on the screen...move around dammit..dammit...I need to have a look at my Sparkle...move you freaking around..."

And right then just as I see the Medics hurry in to the ground with a stretcher - and we can only see a stunned silence in the stadium too - I feel like My Heart's Stopped Beating.

Why are they calling a stretcher in?

I ask my voice shaking to all - " why?? Why are they calling that stretcher in..Has my Sparkle sustained an injury that grave that they haven't been able to get her up on her feet yet???????????????????"

Cap - " arnav..calm down..."

Rohan - " just a second..im sure the commentators will say something.."

Ravi & Vikram and Hridhaan - " arnav..keep calm..nothing has happened.."

And right then as my shaking and numbing with fear being takes in the sight of everyone gathered up in a huddle at third man finally move around and I see Jess crying profusely along with Sheena and harpreet/vedika/harleen in tears too - and the Medics putting up my unconscious Sparkle on the stretcher with a cotton ball stuck to her bleeding nose - I feel like I have been Stabbed to Freaking Aching Numbness like never before.

NO.

NO.

THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING.

WHAT I AM SEEING IS NOT TRUE.

IT'S A FREAKING NIGHTMARE.

A FREAKING BLOODY NIGHTMARE.

I say shaken sure aching tears had left my eyes pretty much to myself in a broken disbelif- "no..no...this isn't true..she isn't injured that way..shes going to walk up to collect the player of the match award right??? she Is going to walk up to do that right Cap? rrohan? Ravi? Vikram? Hridhaan??she freaking just played the innings of her life...101 not out..commendable fielding performance...and that last catch...,"and I pause on reflex as the aching consequences of that catch sink in over and over again at the brutal sight on TV of them rushing my Sparkle in a rush with most of her team mates running by the stretchers side in a rush too - flashes in front of my eyes over and over again.And they are now beginning to show the replays and flashes of the scene in which she was spotted injured and grimacing in pain and as I am taking that sight in - I am Numbing into a Zone - I have never Before as aching tears continue to leave my dazed broken eyes.

They all pull me in a group hug as they say - " Arnav..compose yourself..please.....pleaseee"

I say instantly now through that aching numbness before it could cease my mind from operating completely- "I need to go..i need to go to Sydney..right freaking now....i need to get on a freaking plane..right freaking now..."

Everyone pulls back and Rohan says - " ofcourse..."

Cap - " ill look for the first ticket out.."

Ravi - "ill come with you..Arnav.."

Vikram and hridhaan add - " we will come with you too..."

And I take a deep breathe as I try to compose myself as tears continue to leave my eyes still - " Rohan..cap...you stay here...manage it here...I am going..."

They nod at me and I wipe my aching tears as I look back at the screen as the commentators voice comes through - " the organisers have decided that the post match presentation will go through behind closed doors and not in a usual way in the wake of the massive injury sustained by one of India's players jersey no 22 - as of now as they are heading her into the ambulance we do not know how grave her injury is...lets just hope that the grave history doesn't repeat itself here at the SCG - for this was the very ground where our very own Philip Hughes was injured gravely on 25th November, 2014 before he succumbed to his grave injuries days later, just three days before his 26th bday..what an unfortunate loss that was..and stats tell us jersey no 22 is very young too - not even 22 yet and just at the start of her roaring cricketing career...let's hope and pray the best for her..."

I kick the table up in front of me now in fury and wrath as I yell out loud - " shut the freaking up you dammit....she's not just jersey no 22 dammit..she's my sparkle...my khushi...her names khushi....she's not just a playing number....,"and as everyone tries to stop me from turning the table upside down I yell in fury and fear - " just the what the hell did he just say????????? Why the hell did he have to say what he did dammit???????????? why did he have to mention that grave incident with Philip hughes in comparison??when there's no news of what her injury is...damm these freaking commentators...bloody hell..ill kill him...ill freaking kill him....the minute I land in sydney...ill find him first and kill him..,"I yell out as I finally do the turn the table upside down in helpless fury and rage and everyone returns to getting me to calm down.

And right then all of our phones buzzing all at once and I put mine on speaker with shaking hands as I hear a wrecked with worried voices of Anj, Rahul , my parents, khushi's parents and Akash come through in the background as I hear Rahul say rushed - " ASR...juniors injured..she's really injured bad for sure..did you see???mom, dad are going insane in worry..they wont stop v=crying...we are taking the first flight out to Sydney...but its such a long time in transit for us...15 hours plus.....,"and he pauses - for I am sure he is choked on his tears

I say now in a rush sure he could sense my disturbed rushed voice- " im heading too ..rahul..im going..its just three hours from here..im heading..right now..listen to me Rahul...sparkle Is going to be okay...your junior is going to be okay...."

I hear Anj broken tearful voice come through now - " bhai ..rahul's choked into tears..akash is with him now...after what they'v just said on tv...the commentators..we are all freaked out..mum , dad won't stop crying..mom is with mum and dad is with sagar dad..obviously..bhai find out please..you must have a way...find out what happened...these people on the TV just exaggerate..."

I say immediately - " yes..i will find out...anj..straight away..just shut that freaking tv off first...and Ill hang up now for I need to find out right???just somehow get everyone to calm down there please...tell them me , ravi, hridhaan and Vikram are heading out straight...sparkle will be okay..she will be okay..nothing can happen to her..alright...just about nothing can...just take care of everyone there anj...,"and Anjali says softly - " bhai..you ..you...,"and I know she is about to ask me if I am okay and I don't think I will be able to answer that without breaking down and I do need to find out what's going on with My Sparkle in priority obviously so I just hang up saying in my shaken numb voice - " anj..don't..ask me that...please..ill call you back.."

And just as I hang up - I see Cap talking to Sachi Maam, Ravi talking to Noor, Hridhaan talking to his parents and Shivi, Rohan to Samaira - each of them wrecked with worry - I hear Vikram add now in despair - " dammit...Jess isn't picking up her phone....she surely must be with khushi in the ambulance..."

And I scroll through my contacts to Mira/Harpreets as I say shaking - " Mira/Harpreet - their captains I have their number..ill call...,"And I look at Rohan - " rohan...someone at our physio might be knowing someone on their side...find out please..get in touch..please???,"and he nods at me immediately and hang up on the phones and act on it and head out the door and I look at Cap as I add brokenly - " cap I need you to get me on the first freaking flight out..pleaseeee?????????"

Cap nods as he says in a rush coming in to pull me in a sidehug - " yes ...im on it..its our agent im talking to ASR now..after that frantic call with Sachi..had to take it...she was too worried...you call Harpreet/Mira..now...im getting you on that plane.."

I nod at him and as I see Hridhaan and Vikram trying to console a crying Shivi on the other side of the phone consumed with worry too - I finally dial Mira's No - first with shaking fingers hoping desperately that she picks up and I get to know what has happened and at the same time - a deep fear is coming to consume to me too as I feel continuous aching tears leave my eyes.

Godaamit.Sparkle.

NOOOOOOOOOOOO.

You can't be this Injured.

YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME.

You promised - you'll text me the minute the match was over!

You can't break your Promiseeeee - Sparkle Dammit.

YOU JUST BLOODY CAN'T.

YOU NEVER BREAK YOUR PROMISE - SPARKLE.

YOU NEVER - BREAK YOUR PROMISE.

YOU HATE TO BREAK YOUR PROMISE.

And it is right then Ravi takes the phone from my hand as he says clutching onto my shaken shoulder in support - " ill talk to Mira..and Harpreet...first....why don't you compose yourself for a couple of minutes..please compose yourself ,"and I hand him my phone and I gesture him to get on with the calls - as I sit down with a Dazed Thud on the Sofa and I feel a fresh bout of pain engulf me - joint with a waterfall of aching tears too - and I finally bury my face in my hands as I let my ache and pain flow for a bit.

How could I not Cry This way - when I can feel every inch of my Being - get consumed in a Massive Storm of Ache, Pain and Fear within - like never Before.

I wasn't Just Stormed or Shaken Within.

My Heart wasn't Just Stormed or Shaken within.

I was Wrecked.

MY HEART WAS WRECKED.

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

TADA.

Ok - no shoes at me for Stopping there Though - pleaseeee!!

How was the Update Guysssss?? Did any of you anticipate the Storm to be this way???????????????

And before you all get worried - let me tell you - that ofcourse Our Sparkle has not sustained too many grave injuries - and she will be okay - as in not critically injured for sure - but yes she is injured enough to be ruled out of playing any cricket for a while - for its going to be months before she has to fight her way back to that health and fitness. Guys - this really does happen to sportspersons - how many times have we seen players sustain massive injuries during play and I really want to explore the angle in here - that the agony any sportsperson would go through mentally because of the same + how much grit and determination and the battle within - it takes to fight the way back to health and fitness and make a comeback eventually !

So yeah - like I said - now we have stepped into an Uber Intense and Emotional RollerCoaster Ride - for Sure!

Next Update : Since I left it on such an Intense Cliffhanger will - surely try my best to Give a Medium length Update Tomorrow.

Alsooo yesss -I have finally gotten around to making my writing handle on Insta. Using it for Daily interactions - quotes - snippets etc. Would love to connect with you all on it too.

You can find me On Instagram - by Clicking on the Link Below.

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

Thanks, guys, for all the Love and Support.

Much Love.

Always.

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

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