Even If The World Was Ending

16. Need you with me

"Bhaiya Main? Maine toh itna practice bhi nahi kiya. I'm not sure I can handle this Bhaiya. It's the matter of whole country and I-I just.. I'm sorry but I..." Ishan heavied a sigh. The others players looked empathically towards Ishan.

Though Ishan was great player and had some amazing knocks, they knew how bcci gives less chances to him. Ishan, who always seemed confident, was now under confident about his game due to this.

"You can. You will. And no matter what the outcome is, in the end all that matters is you on that cricket ground, giving your best. And we believe in you. You will do it!" Rohit said, in a motivating tone and everyone agreed.

Ishan's eyes welled up at looking at the team. The team was his second home. And he knew, no matter what, they'll support him.

Shubman patted Ishan's back softly. Ishan turned towards him and looked at him, who was giving him a tired smile. "I know you can do this Ishu. Believe in yourself remember?" Shubman said and Ishan nodded his head in a 'yes'. The team now happy, congratulated him and soon few members left the room for Shubman to take rest.

"Take rest Gill. Recover fast." Siraj said and was about to leave when he turned and looked towards Ishan who was still in the same position, holding Shubman's hand, sitting beside him on a chair.

Siraj inwardly smirked but disguised it. "Ishu, chal. Shubman needs to rest aur waise bhi kal meeting aur practice bhi toh hai." He went towards him while talking and started pulling.

A reluctant Ishan was pulled out of the room by Siraj. Only Surya and Rahul were sitting out, as they were on calls with their respective spouses. Shubman laughed as the door closed.

"Miya Suno toh.. arey Sun toh loh" Ishan whined as he spoke.

"Usse rest karne do Ishu. Aur idher hai na doctors" Siraj asked. Soon Rahul and Surya came near them. Rahul slapped Siraj's back and he hissed in pain.

"Kya chal raha hai idher?" Surya asked as he stood beside Ishan and kept his hand as a support on Ishan shoulder. Ishan bent a little making Surya stumbled resulting the junior receiving a back slap from him.

"Kuch nahi.. ye pagal hai ki sun nahi raha. Shubman ko rest chahiye aur ye usse pareshan kar raha hai" Siraj said with an amusing tone.

Ishan gasped at the allegation. "Miya jhooth mat boliye. Main usse puch raha tha ki usse kuch aur chahiye hai kya. And I will stay with him today. Usse akela nahi chodunga. Aur agar main nahi rahunga, toh apna khayal bhi thik se nahi rakhega. Yaad hai jab..." Ishan shut his mouth as he knew he blabbered a lot and the seniors looked at him with eyebrows raised and a smirk.

"Aise kyu dekh rahe ho mujhe" Ishan asked with a pout. Rahul with one hand squeezed his cheek.

"Main bola tha na, dost se jhada spouses dikhte hai" Rahul said and Ishan blushed lightly as swatted his hand.

"Husband wife toh pata nahi, boyfriends toh zaroor dikhte hai" Siraj said and Ishan's eyes widened. Even Rahul and Surya snapped their heads to Siraj on his comment.

"K-kya? Ye kya B-bol r-rahe ho Siraj bhai?" Ishan stuttered as he asked.

"Woh kya hai... woh insta pe movie ka kuch quote hai na .. "Eyes chico.. they don't lie".. tujhe kya laga, main notice nahi kiya tum log ka harkate? Trip se notice kar raha hoon. Aur agar tum dono bhul chuke ho toh main bata do, tum log ke side waala kamra bhi meraich tha" Siraj said cheekily with a smirk on his face.

Rahul and Surya's eyes widened and the person in question had a tomato red cheeks. Ishan just wished the ground would open any moment and just swallow him.

"WHAT!" Surya and Rahul exclaimed at same time.

"Haa aur nahi toh kya. These people thought we won't support them so they kept silent. Tum dono ko pata bhi hai? pura team ne bet lagvaya hai ki kon kisko propose karega. Waise bhi, itne obvious hoich tum do-" Surya hit Siraj's head. "Chilla chilla ke scheme bata de sabko" he hissed and then all three sheepishly looked at the younger lad.