Everything but her

The past

7 years before-

'Hello', a meek voice disturbed Virat.
He turned around and looked at the girl standing before him. She was beautiful. She was someone he had never seen before. She was worth losing all those breaths that he had controlled. Her beauty was painful because he knew such a girl would have been taken. In a white floral dress, she looked every bit an angel. Virat could not take his eyes off her. And before he knew, she was starting to get disturbed.
'Hello, have I done something sir?', she once again said.
'No, I mean...yes...I meant no...Wha...What do you want?', he was having difficulty framing his words.
'Autograph, if I can sir', she spoke eloquently.
'Yeah, sure', he finally found his rhythm.
She took out her fancy notebook and Virat began signing on it and also wrote something. It read 'Lots of love to Aarushi from Virat'.
She thanked him but before she could go Virat asked her, 'How did you get in here? This party is strictly for cricketers and their family.'
'Well, my brother plays for Mumbai', she answered.
'Who are you talking about?', he quipped.
'Ajinkya Rahane', she told him.
'Oh, haven't met him yet', he said.
'Yeah, you are a superstar after that U-19 win and now being in the Indian team. He is just a domestic player.' she spoke as a matter of factly.
'Well, my place is not fixed in the national team and I am still a domestic player. What makes you think I am that big a player?'
'It is not you who is big but I think your ego would be too big to talk to him.'
'Hmm, so that is how people perceive me..'
'You didn't know that?'
'Not till now. Thanks for making me know the reality.'
'You are welcome. It seems as though this hurts you. Maybe you are not as bad as they make you appear.'
'Well, thanks for the reality check.'
'I did not intend to hurt you. And you must know that though you come across as a little egoistic, you are also an inspiration for many young kids.'
'You're just saying that to make me feel better?'
'No, why would I? I don't even know you. Why would I care if you feel better or not. I don't believe in speaking lies to impress someone.'
Virat loved her honesty. He had met so many fan girls but they were pure obsessive and nodded heads at whatever he said. She, on the other hand had spoken blatant truth which had hurt him at first but also made him feel better. In a world of fakeness, she came in as a real relief.
He watched her move away from him and stand beside one of the unknown cricketers. He presumed that he was her brother. They looked similar too. Both were of a small built and both shared similar eyes. And on that note, he concluded that she had beautiful eyes. Hazel eyes at that. It made her the perfect woman of anybody's dream. Although, he had this idea in his mind that now that he was famous, he could date anyone, he simply dreaded asking her for even friendship. He left it at that.
It was a felicitation program to reward the domestic and international players. Virat watched that her brother was awarded the 'Best Domestic Player' for the season.
After the official ceremony, everyone moved towards the snacks table. Virat made sure he stayed away from the girl. However, he failed at it.
'So, you did not get any award?', she asked him.
'No, I wasn't as good as your brother.', he spoke out rather dismissively.
'Ok, so rude Mr. Kohli is back in his element?'
'I am rude anyway according to you.'
'Hey, I didn't say that.', she said defending herself.
'Not directly'
'You know what maybe you are rude. There you have it.'
She moved towards the next snack table and started interacting with Rohit and others. Virat felt really bad to have behaved in the manner he had. He wanted to apologise but did not know a way to do it.
The party got over and Virat went over to Rohit and asked, 'That Aarushi girl, you know her?'
'Ajinkya's sister?'
'Yes'
'Hmm, yeah. Why?'
'Nothing. I behaved very rudely with her.'
'Oh'
'Can you give me her number?'
'Hey, she is like my sister.'
'I just want any to apologise to her.'
'Okay'
He gave him her number and Virat kept thinking about her all night. He kept looking at the mobile phone deciding whether to call her or not. He decided against it at all times. He then decided to message her. After a lot of thinking he just wrote.
I am sorry.
-Virat
He got a reply after a few minutes.
'Whatever'
He further messaged her.
Virat- Now who's being rude?
Aarushi- You started it. And why do you care?
Virat- So you end it and among all the things that I do, hurting a lady is not one of them.
Aarushi- That does not even sound like you.
Virat- I am really sorry.
Aarushi- Apology accepted.
Virat- So what do you do?
Aarushi- I am studying. In class 11th.
Virat- Oh, you don't look that young.
Aarushi- Same to you. Huh.
Virat- No I didn't mean it in a wrong way. I think you are beautiful.
Aarushi- But I think you are ugly.
Virat- Very funny.
Aarushi- See you are so dumb that you don't even understand when I am saying the truth.
Virat- Hmm, so now who should apologise?
Aarushi- Not me...
Virat- Ok, let's meet someday and you tell me about your school and stuff.
Aarushi- Because you haven't been to one.
Virat- I have till class 10th.
Aarushi- Ok, but the bill would be on you. My pocket money has been exhausted. I'll pay the next time.
Virat- Fine by me. You can pick the place.
Aarushi- I'll message you tomorrow. Goodnight.
Virat- goodnight.