Stay With Me

6

Their journey in India would be ending just as fast as it started. Yeah, it might have been just one game - a friendly - but it was also Shadab's first game for the national team in four years, and they lost, against Nepal.

And to rub salt in his wounds, the Indian cricket players decided to come and 'welcome' them. It was a miracle that Shadab hadn't met him.

A nice miracle. Apparently, God has decided that Shadab had suffered enough and he was starting to get lucky after all.

_

Who had thought that Shadab would learn such an important lesson today. Namely that their captain's love for Biryani was going to be their ultimate downfall.

As they didn't want to go out after the game, Rohit told them about a restaurant that had apparently the best Biryani in the whole world.

And this was it.

Babar dragged them here, saying he won't go alone with the enemy. It might be a trap. Babar's words, not his.

The only one who didn't come were Shaheen and some of the Indian players who decided that they had played their PR part. Shaheen told them some bullshit about being too tired, but Shadab knew his friend. He was being too hard on himself once again - blaming himself for the loss.

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If you had told Shadab a few years ago that one day he would be sitting in some random Indian restaurant with icts national players, while Rohit Sharma tried to make small talk with him, he might have called you crazy. The last time Rohit was this close to him was at the party. And like the last time, Shadab could sense there was something the other wanted to tell him.

"So, how's life been treating you?" This was never a good sign.

Apparently, God had decided that Shadab was just deserving of so much luck today.

"It's nice." He gave the Indian a short answer, hoping Rohit would let him alone.

But when did this actually stop an Indian player?

"We were quite shocked as we heard about your resignation." Shadab deliberately didn't pay any attention to the other's eye's boring into him and when it was clear that he wasn't going to say anything, Rohit muttered something under his breath that Shadab had no desire of deciphering.

"I might not be a therapist, but I know that the whole 'I want to have more time for my family and all' was nothing but gibberish. I'm acquainted with you. So, long story short: you can tell me if something had happened - which definitely had."

"Are you trying to psychoanalyze me?"

"No, I'm just offering an ear."

"You know I'm not one of your players." Shadab pointed out the obvious.

"Virat cares about you, and that's enough reason for me."

Shadab scoffed at that.

Wasn't it just pathetic?

He had no right to pity himself.Virat never promised him anything more than a friendship. It was Shadab who fell for him. He always did it - trying to lay claim on things that weren't his and couldn't ever be.

Rohit sighed loudly, holding out a piece of paper,"Here's my number. If you ever want to talk, my doors are open. I've been told I'm a good listener. Quite an important quality if you have to deal with 20 menaces."

"Thanks, but I don't need it." He tried to refuse as politely as possible.

Rohit rubbed his temples, "You're even more stubborn than Virat. Just take it!"

Shadab took the number, knowing very well he would never use it.

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The next two matches against Bangladesh and England were wins.

They were currently training for their upcoming game on Friday against Afghanistan. Shadab was more than grateful for that. He needed to keep his mind busy, so he won't think about where they were now. This place - this country - felt different than it had four years ago. It was like he was a mouse in a den full of lions.

'Don't be dramatic.' This annoying voice said again.

Naseem interrupted his thoughts with a loud groan. Dropping his forehead on Shadab's shoulder in a rather dramatic gesture, the younger said, "Why are men so complicated?"

Shadab looked bewildered to Shaheen standing opposite of him, whose face was just as clueless as his own.

Shadab patted Naseem's back in a comforting way. Unnecessary to mention he was shit in such things. Was he supposed to whisper something like 'Everything will be ok' in Naseem's ear or caress the younger's head. He didn't even know what was going on.

As Naseem made no moves to elaborate any further and merely continued to kill Shadab's shoulder, Shaheen sighed. "What happened?"

"I asked Hassan Bhai if we could change the rooms and -"

"Why do you even want to change it?" Babar who appeared next to them asked, making Naseem startle.

Naseem played with his hands, "You know Rizwan Bhai had insomnia, and it's pretty impossible to sleep like that. So the thing is, I asked Hassan Bhai, but he gave me a long list of chores I need to fulfil to change the room and-"

Shaheen interrupted him, "Like he didn't want to share a room with Rizwan Bhai."

"Exactly! He's doing it on purpose."

"That's it?" Shadab asked his teammate. Disregard everything Shadab had said about being dramatic. This boy in front of him, aka the future of Pakistani cricket, was the embodiment of dramatic.

"No, then there's Zaman who went out somewhere and told me to watch a drama that will be broadcasted from 7 to 8: 30 and take notes. And I can’t even say no, since I owe him something." Naseem pulled a face at that.

None of them asked what he owed Zaman. Shadab had a feeling it was a very long story and definitely something stupid that shouldn't be discussed in their captain's vicinity.

"How horrible." If Naseem noticed the sarcasm in Shaheen's voice, he didn't let it show.

Suddenly Naseem's eyes lit up and he exclaimed loudly like he had just made up the ultimate plan for them to win the world cup, "Oh, I will ask Faaryia to watch the show." Naseem practically ran inside.

They all shook their heads at him. Shadab looked at Babar, and it may sound weird, but Shadab swore there was a strange look in Babar's eyes. However, it was gone before Shadab could figure out what it was.

Babar clapped, calling them all together. "Come on, boys. Just one week till the World Cup."

And two weeks till he had to meet him again. Shadab's life was really enviable. Note the sarcasm.

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I promise Virat will get his well- deserved spotlight soon. :)

♡Hayat