Night of 25TH

Chap 10: The Game Begins

Past:

Shubman

We finally arrived in South Africa after a lengthy journey, and everyone seemed exhausted, eagerly yearning to reach the hotel as quickly as possible. Once we retrieved our luggage from the carousels, we patiently waited for the vehicle that would transport us to the hotel. However, after waiting for a tedious 15 minutes, there was still no sign of the bus. Frustration started creeping in as I couldn't help but feel exasperated with the manager, who had just commenced her first day of work and was already causing trouble. I observed her angrily conversing on the phone, resembling a mischievous little devil.

"Yes, make it quick; the team has been waiting, and I don't want this to happen again," she abruptly ended the call after issuing a few instructions.

Despite my weariness, I decided to playfully provoke her a little more, as she had made it difficult for me to sit comfortably in the car ever since our altercation. Watching the team engrossed in conversation and Siraj preoccupied with Ishan, who was enthusiastically describing a show he had recently watched, I separated myself from the group and approached her, leaning in closer.

"First day and already making mistakes, tch tch," I taunted, crossing my arms.

She swiftly turned around, quick as lightning. It seemed like she was ready to burst at me, but instead, she mustered a sweet, insincere smile.

"Pehle toh sidhe khade raho kamar akad jayegi game bhi hai aage," she retorted, poking my forehead with her tiny finger. "Aur apni lambe taange game mein crease pe time pochne keliye istmaal karo na ki dusre ke kaamo mein taang adne ko," she taunted while casually tossing her phone back and forth in her hands.

"Team! The bus is here; let's proceed, and I apologize for the delay," she announced, and for a moment, I thought she might expose our argument to the team.

"It's okay; these things happen," Virat Paaji reassured her with a smile, patting her head.

Ahh! Aligning my best people with her won't let that happen. She picked up her luggage and approached me, speaking deliberately.

"Ajj prove hogya Gill is a scaredy cat, and chill kisiko bina kahe tumhe line pe laungi," she winked and walked away.

"Mein bhi putt jatt da, eni chetti haar nahi managa," I muttered, stomping my feet, and watching her climb onto the bus.

"Vaha khada rahega kya pura din ke ayega bhi," I heard Ishan shout while peering through the bus door.

"Ha, bhai, aya," I shouted back.

I boarded the bus and noticed that all the seats were occupied except the one next to her. I saw Ishan sitting with Siraj, goofing around. Ahh! I couldn't let this opportunity slip by without teasing her. Taking big strides, I made sure to push her toward the window with full force while sitting.

"Ouch! Can't you sit properly?" she said through gritted teeth while rubbing her elbow. "And move a bit that way," she tried to push me with her petite frame.

"Kya karu tange lambi hai, na jagah to chahiye," I said with feigned sympathy, spreading my legs wider, referring to the taunt she had thrown at me.

"Hmph," she huffed and settled into the space I had left for her.

Throughout the journey, we continued pushing each other, striving to find comfort. Guess what? I did emerge victorious in this round, and it seemed she grew tired of our bickering when she finally gave up and simply gazed out the window. This is where I made a mistake, assuming that I had won, but she was the kind of person who wouldn't easily let go after being troubled. As we reached the hotel and I prepared to get up, she forcefully pushed me, causing me to fall onto Ishan, who was seated next to us.