Night of 25TH

CHAP 12: Bus Waits for None

Past:

Shubman

Stretching my hands, I inhaled the fresh air of Durban. I swiftly prepared myself for the day, not before smacking my best friend several times with a pillow to wake him up. The foolish fellow had slept throughout the afternoon and stayed up until three in the morning watching movies without using earphones, cranking up the volume to the maximum. At one point, I was so irritated by the kissing noises emanating from the movie that I even threatened to strangle him, without a hint of remorse. Witnessing my anger, my best friend quickly fell asleep

As I tied my shoelaces, I yelled, "Ishan agar tu agle 20-minute mein team bus mein nhi aya toh khud ke paise se ana mein jaa rha hu."

"Mujhe pata hai, tu mujhse bohat pyaar karta hai, aur tu mere bina bus nhi jane dega," he mumbled in his morning voice, hugging me from behind.

"Hatt jaa," I said irritatedly, yanking his arms from my torso.

"Iss time, Rishi Sir, nhi hai ke tere liye ruk jaye mere manane per voh chota rakshsas hai," I finished the sentence warning him but bit my tongue at the end of it.

"Chota Rakshas?" he raised his eyebrows, folded his arms, and gave me a questioning look

"Yeh faltu ke sawaal band kar aur tyaar ho," I quickly answered and left the room before he could defend that little devil.

*********

Entering the dining area, the gentle breeze carried the tantalizing aroma of the sumptuous breakfast laid out on the table, making my stomach growl. Heading towards the buffet, I loaded my plate with an English breakfast and poured myself a glass of juice since I wasn't a fan of coffee or tea. While searching for a place to sit, I noticed Kuldeep frantically waving his hand, beckoning me to join him. Just as I was about to move, I caught a glimpse of glasses peeping out from a mass of bushy hair, and immediately groaned, realizing I had to share a table with her.

"Jaldi aa Shubman niklna hai 10 min mein." Kuldeep shouted, causing me to force a smile and nod.

All the chairs at the table were occupied, except for the one between the Little Devil and Virat Paaji. My eyes instinctively shifted towards her, and she was already looking at me but quickly averted her gaze blankly when she noticed my stare. She diverted her attention to Rahul Bhai, who was telling everyone tales of his latest vacation. Sighing, I reluctantly took a seat beside her, wondering if she would seek revenge for yesterday's quarrel by embarrassing me in front of everyone.

To my surprise, she didn't even glance in my direction and was engrossed in conversation with three other people, completely ignoring my presence.

Checking her watch, she chugged her juice in one gulp and was about to leave when she addressed the team in the hall, "Guys, be on the bus in the next five minutes, and remember, the bus will not wait for anyone. It will depart sharply at 8:30." She concluded her statement by pointing her finger at Jaddu Bhai, who had just entered the hall and was filling his plate.

He gulped nervously and glanced around, realizing that everyone was smirking

"Wh--Why are you pointing that finger at me?" He questioned stuttering, and everyone laughed. Rohit Bhai was the loudest.

"Well, bhai, before joining, I made sure to get to know each one of you thoroughly from Rishi Sir," she replied.

"He also asked me to make sure ke koi cheez na bhule," she said, glancing at Rohit Bhai, who hastily finished his toast to avoid further teasing. "Aap sabhi," she concluded, looking at everyone.

"So, everyone on the bus in the next four minutes," she declared.

"But ab tak toh paanch minute tha", Yuzi Bhai argued, pouting.

"Ek minute sabhi ko samjne mein chala gya, so now four minutes aur bolungi toh three minutes, so any more questions?" She narrowed her eyes, looking directly at Yuzi Bhai.

Everyone quickly dug into their food, ensuring they didn't miss the bus after her warning.

"She's intimidating," Kuldeep said, furrowing his eyebrows, but keeping his voice low in case she returned to check on us.

Well, at least someone said it, I silently cheered

"It's good because you guys shouldn't have it easy. That's how you'll stay disciplined," Virat Paaji exclaimed happily, leaving the table to be the first person on the bus.

I looked around for Ishan, but he still hadn't arrived.

"Chal mein chalta hu aur yeh Ishan ko bol jaldi aye," Kuldeep said, hastily grabbing his belongings, while I nodded and glanced at the elevators, waiting for my idiot best friend. I checked my watch, and it struck 8:29. A minute later, everyone was on the bus.

"Gill, get on the bus or else--" she yelled but I cut off, replying annoyed, "Haa aarha hu," as I stared at the elevator, waiting for any sign from my best friend.

"Sun, please, thodi der rukja," I pleaded to the little devil, who was furiously typing on her phone.

"Rules are the same for everyone, agar tumhe bhi apne se ane toh rukjao uske liye," she said, boarding the bus.

"Sorry Ishan I hate to admit it, but she is right. Tuje ek baar sabak milna chahiye." I sat near the window, pouting my lips, and thought,

I glanced to my right with narrowed eyes at the little devil for what she did to my friend, vowing to make sure she got into trouble.

*********

After padding up, I made my way to the nets, diligently practising for the upcoming test against South Africa. Engaged in a rigorous training session that lasted for two hours, I eventually walked wearily back to the dressing room. Setting my bat aside, I collapsed onto the couch. Amidst the sound of rustling, I wearily fluttered my eyelids open and groaned, only to be met with the sight of the little devil meticulously organizing the equipment and kit for the impending game day. To my astonishment, she displayed an impeccable sense of perfectionism as she diligently arranged the equipment and kit for the upcoming game day. Well, what's happening to me? Am I complimenting her? Perhaps my brain has ceased to function properly due to the intense practice.

"Could you please refrain from making noise? I'm trying to relax," I snapped at her.

She simply ignored my remark, but I could sly a smirk on her face through the glass windows. Deliberately, she ensured that the entire room resonated with the clamour of her equipment arrangement. Annoyed, I huffed and turned my face away, burying it on the couch while covering my ears with a pillow.

"Anyaa," Ishan's voice reverberated across the room as he entered from his practice.

"Yes, Ishan," she replied.

"Why didn't you wait for me? You're supposed to be my friend," he whined, expressing his annoyance.

"Well, Ishan, the rules apply to everyone, Sorry," she said, playfully pinching his cheeks.

As I peered cautiously from behind the pillow that shielded my face, I could observe their interaction.

"Fine," Ishan exaggerated.

Huh! Itna jaldi maan gya mere saath toh itna jhagda kia that I didn't wait for him and said how big dhokebaaz I was. Chucky ka chamcha iske liye mein usko musibat mein dalne wala tha jo do minute mein party badal deta hai I huffed.

"Yeh abhi se thak gya aur test kaise khelega," Ishan exclaimed, shaking his head dramatically.

"Hote hai kuch kamzor leg piece," the little devil said, grinning at Ishan.

Both of them laughed loudly, not knowing that I was not asleep. I clutched the pillow tightly, not reacting. Tum dono ko game mein bataunga kamzor leg piece kya kar sakta hai.