Night of 25TH

CHAP 55: Terrified to Lose

Past:

Shubman

The second half of my time in Sri Lanka proved quite exhausting, with Anika seemingly on a mission to stick to me like a leech. Just after celebrating my birthday, a departure cloud loomed over me as my parents, Shahneel, and my friends had to leave due to work commitments. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness, wishing they could have stayed to witness my upcoming match. In the presence of Anika, Chucky always seemed to keep a noticeable distance. I couldn't help but appreciate her cautious approach, considering the string of mishaps that tended to follow Anika wherever she went.

Yet, as grateful as I was for the peace, a bittersweet feeling crept in. The distance maintained by Chucky also meant less time spent together with my two shorty's, Ishan and Chucky.

But right now, what's really getting to me is this whole house-moving ordeal. I find myself surrounded by a mountain of boxes, scratching my head and wondering how on earth all these things fit into our old place. Mom's in her usual panic mode, orchestrating the whole operation like a seasoned pro.

Dad, on the other hand, is taking it easy. He's casually sipping tea, lounging on the front porch swing as if we're not knee-deep in chaos. Shahneel is in full photographer mode, capturing the madness for the 'gram. Chucky and Mom, though, are the heroes, barking orders at the movers and ensuring everything's on track.

Chucky decided to lend her expertise in logistics, and I welcomed the idea, thinking her organizational skills would be beneficial. As for Anika, she's immersed in her high-profile party scene, giving Chucky and me some valuable breathing space. Amidst the chaos, these secret rendezvous moments carry a certain thrill—a risk that feels worthwhile.

After all the boxes found their designated spots in the new house, I decided to take a breather. I plopped down on the bed, attempting to unwind. That's when a sudden kick on my butt interrupted my moment of reprieve.

"You've done nothing but play scarecrow out there. Get up and put things in your cupboard," Chucky scolded me with irritation lacing her voice.

I turned to find her standing at the edge of my bed, hands on her hips, and a look of disapproval on her face. Without hesitation, I pulled her by the arm, making her settle on my chest as I affectionately patted her head.

"Let's both take a break. Shifting was exhausting, you know," I said, attempting to evade any further work

"You're lazy, and I'm not letting you rest until you put all these box things in their places," Chucky declared, pushing my hands away, grabbing me by my T-shirt, and tossing me towards the boxes. I sighed, realizing there was no escaping this.

Reluctantly, I began cutting the tape on the boxes when her loud command startled me, "Quick!" With Chucky right behind me, my room with its twenty boxes miraculously found order within an hour.

As I placed the last piece of clothing in its designated spot, I sighed relief. Turning around, I caught sight of Chucky, cocooned in a blanket, fast asleep with her glasses perched on her forehead, her hair tousled, and her right arm and leg dangling off the edge. A fond smile crept onto my face as I observed my bundle of energy, now peacefully sprawled on the bed, mumbling something in her sleep.

I couldn't resist the urge to care for her. I adjusted her blanket and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, caressing her cheek. Taking a seat on the floor, I found myself gazing at the girl who, even in her slumber, managed to make me weak at the knees.

"You don't even know what you've done to my heart," I murmured, resting my head against the corner of the bed, my eyes fixed on her sleeping face nestled in the pillow's softness.

"I love you," she murmured in her sleep. My heart skipped a beat, caught in a moment of uncertainty. Whom did she mean? Who had captured her heart? My hands tightened their grip on the bed sheets.

Curiosity urging me on, I strained to hear more. In her slumber, she whispered again, "I love you. Please don't love someone else. I've waited for so long." The words hung in the air, a plea filled with emotion. However, the name at the end was barely audible, lost in the shadows of her subconscious. It must be a troubled dream, I reasoned. I shouldn't dwell on it too much.

Seeking a distraction, I rose from the bed and descended the stairs. The prospect of helping my mum provided a welcome respite. I consciously diverted my thoughts, unwilling to entertain the possibility of someone else's name echoing in her dreams.

Author

If he had waited a little longer, he would have experienced the best feeling in the world—the one he had always longed for. Immediately after he left, she clutched the edge where his head had rested just moments ago, muttering in her sleep, "I love you, Manny. Don't make this fan girl wait, especially when she finally had the chance to be this close to you," she whined, her voice filled with tears.

Who could have predicted that just when a fangirl finally secured a chance to be his special someone, already adored and loved by him, the universe would introduce pain and agony into their story by bringing Anika into the picture? Oh, the mysterious ways of the universe—beyond comprehension. Despite Anika's presence, they seized every opportunity to revel in the joy of being together, making the most of each moment that presented itself.

Currently, beneath the celestial stars on the back porch, they relished a rare moment free from the media, cricket, or Anika's interference. His head rested on her lap, her legs sprawled on the table ahead, fingers weaving through his hair that carried the scent of his freshly washed locks, tinged with the fragrance of his beer shampoo.

"What do you see here in 10 years?" Chucky asked, gazing at the freshly trimmed grass of the backyard, glistening with dew drops.

"I see two kids running around while I just lay on the grass, watching them play," Shubman murmured as he envisioned his life a decade ahead. In his mind's eye, he saw two children gleefully running around him while he lay on the grass. His wife, the woman he fervently wished, with a silent plea to the divine, would be the one beside him at that very moment, sitting on the porch sipping tea.

"Ahh!! Bache ko bache chahiye," she laughed, throwing her head back.

"Chup kar," Shubman blushed, burying his face in her knees as she laughed.

"Make sure I become their godmother so I can spoil them with gifts all the time," she declared, massaging his head and displaying her infamous dimples, tempting him to kiss them right away.

"10 saal baad ki baat 10 saal baad dekhe, please. Pehle hum khud bache ke phase se nikalte hain," he said, laughing but with a hint of annoyance. She saw herself as their aunt, not their mother, but he made sure to control his irritation.

"What if, ten years from now, we're not together?" she asked, her eyes piercing into his soul.

The question struck a nerve, awakening his deepest fears—fears he never wanted to confront. His hands trembled, beads of sweat formed on his forehead in the cold winds of Mohali, and his breathing became shallow. Sensing his distress, Chucky pulled him into a tight hug. He clung to her shoulders, his head finding solace on her chest. The anxiety kicked in, and he began incoherent mumbling, "No, please, no, please don't say this," he continued to mumble.

"Shh, I am sorry. Calm down," she reassured him, kissing his forehead and rubbing his back up and down.

He locked eyes with her, biting his lip as tears streamed down his face. "Don't ever say, please. I don't know what to do without you. I don't," his voice croaked as he sobbed. "Kya karunga main tere bina yaar? You have become so important in this one year; I don't know what to do."

"Shh, shant meri jaan, stop crying. I am sorry for questioning this," she said, pulling him into a tighter embrace, clutching him as her night suit soaked with his tears while he sobbed.

In the quiet of the night, the household slumbered, worn out from the day's efforts of moving and settling into the new home. In the midst of this tranquillity, Shubman and Chucky clung to each other, reluctant to release the security they found in one another. Unbeknownst to him, the very fear deeply embedded within him was destined to materialize four years hence.