Against the odds

In ups and downs

Shubman and Sara were in a sweet relationship, texting and calling each other regularly. After spending a few days with her in Mumbai, Shubman went to Melbourne with his team for the upcoming series with England. He was expected to play really well. A lot of people had already said that he was to continue the senior player's legacy forward. That scared him, he was sure he could never be even 1% as good as them. India had won the first two matches of the 5 match odi series, but Shubman remained dejected with his performance. Having scored only 15 and 27 runs in both of them respectively. His performance wasn't any better in the next three matches. In the last match, the England team had given a good chasing total and it was all on how the openers played. Even though India had won 3 out of 5 matches, they very much wished to win the last one. But as if luck wasn't on his side, he couldn't play an effective innings.

Shubman was gutted, he knew if the team were to win this match, he'll have to play a good innings. But instead he got out on a mere 3 runs. It was his fault that the batting order had collapsed and India lost that odi match against England. Even though India had won the series, Shubman was not delighted by his performance in the tournament. He sat dejected in the bus and despite the constant tries of Harry and Virat who kept irritating or teasing him to get a reaction out of him, Shubman decided to remain quiet. Rahul and Rohit looked at the boy and sighed. He hadn't been opening for India for a long time and yet he was already going down a negative overthinking lane. Rohit decided to phone Sara to ask if she knew how to make the boy speak up

On call
"Hi Rohit bhaiya. Long time since you called me. How are you? Congrats for winning the series." Sara's cheerful voice came from the other side
"Hi Sara. Yeah I'm good. Thank you. Well Shubman is not really good. He..." Before Rohit could finish Sara shooted questions on him
"What happened Rohit bhai? Did he hurt himself while playing? Or did he get in to an accident? Or did he get into a fight with someone?What happened?" She spoke all in one go
"No no nothing like that happened "
"Then?"
"Wo shub thoda wo ho gaya hai uski wajah se" Rohit said, in that typical mumbaikar accent
"Rohit bhai, abhi I can't solve these riddles. Sahi se bolo na"
"He means Shubman thoda upset hai uski performance ki wajah se" Rahul said glaring at Rohit who smiled sheepishly.
"Oh god! Is he sulking alone right now? Don't worry I'll call and talk to him."
"No not now, we're in the bus right now. Call him after like 15 minutes?" Rahul added
"Ok, thank you for telling me this Rahul Bhai"
"Ayee, I called you. Where's my thank you?" Rohit said accusingly
"Ap peheliya bujha rahe the mere saath khali. "
"What do you...."
"Ok that's enough, bye Sara. Take care of that overthinking lad." Rahul said quickly before disconnecting the call.

The team bus reached the hotel ten minutes later and Shubman went straight to his room. He threw himself on the bed and closed his eyes sighing deeply. Before his overthinking self could take over, his phone rang flashing his love's name

On call
Cookie 🍪❤️♾️

"Hi Mr gill! Congrats for winning the series" Sara said as cheerful as ever
"What congrats? I played horrible the entire series" Shubman said chuckling bitterly and Sara sighed.
"Just a few matches that was yaar. Thode matches se itna affect hoge to bade match ka pressure handle kese karoge?"
"I still couldn't help my team when they needed, and god forbid what if the same thing happens in a world cup too?"
"So what? You just started playing, you have a long way to go. Agar tum har bhi jate ho to that's not the end for you. You're going to play many more matches. And anyway you're the prince of Indian cricket now. Confidence hona chahiye prince mai, self doubt nahi "
"I'm no prince. I can never carry forward Virat bhai's legacy."
"Tell me one thing. Does Virat bhai perform well in every match? Does he score a century in every match?"
"No he does not, but he's king Kohli. He doesn't need to prove to anyone "
"Wo King hai to tum bhi Prince ho. Stop doubting yourself. Believe in yourself, because just believing in something can turn a miraculous situation upside down." Sara concluded and Shubman smiled.
"Video call me" he said suddenly
"Huh? Aise achanak kyu?"
"Just, I want to see your face "
"Ok fine "

Shubman video called Sara and looked at her for a while without speaking a word.

"Kuch bologe ya smile karke ghurte rahoge?" Sara asked, feeling shy under his gaze.
"Why? Am I making you blush cookie?"
"Shut up, you're so annoying. "
"You love this annoying man right?"
"Ese directly bolo na ki I love you sunna hai. Ye sab natak mat karo "
"Ha to chalo bolo wo teen jaaduyi shabd "
"So dramatic you are " she said chuckling before adding,"I love you a lot. You make me so proud everyday, you have no idea "
"I love you too, babe. I miss you so much "
"Come soon then" she said
"Feeling better now?" She asked with concern
"Yes, much better after talking to you"
"Well then thank Rahul Bhai and Rohit bhai, they told me to call "
"They are those super worried brothers that don't show their worry much, but do the best so that we're not upset anymore " Shubman said smiling
"True that "
"Chalo I should take some rest. Bye" Shubman said blowing a flying kiss towards Sara who pretended to catch it, before giving him a flying kiss too and bidding him goodbye.

Shubman felt lucky to have gotten such a caring and loving girlfriend and Sara felt lucky because Shubman was the best man she could ask for, caring kind and a true gentleman.

That's it for this part. Hope you enjoyed. Next part, physical reunion and some quality time. Before Sara goes back to London. The drama will unfold then. Anyway let me know what you think. And yes I did have a safe journey 😊🤞
Bleed blue 💙
TOODLES 💙✨