Love on the Pitch

Matches Postponed

Next two matches were postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic, which means players were free till September.

Everyone was going home, all were bidding their goodbyes in the hotel's lobby when Shubman's eyes trailed toward Ishan hugging Virat Bhai and shaking hands with him. The smile on his lips grew wider when Ishan met his gaze. A soft smile lingering on Ishan's face too as he made his way forward toward Shubman.

Sighing heavily Ishan asked, "Ghar jaara hai?"

"Obviously" Shubman faintly giggled, staring deep into other's eyes before pulling him into a tight hug, a little longer than usual. Ishan fumbled a bit due to sudden force but engulfed Shubman into his arms as well, he had to have this moment, both realising that they won't be seeing each other for a while.
Ishan felt Shubman taking a long sniff and earnestly kissing his shoulder. God, is he really so unaware of his actions?

Ishan backed off first, watching Shubman longingly gaze at him. Already? Seriously? He hadn't even left yet.

"Bye, Ishu", Shubman uttered dejectedly.

"Bye, Shubi", Ishan replied, trying to make himself sound slightly more enthusiastic, but his reply came out dry, wistful, he wasn't very thrilled about not having to see Shubman for days either.

Ishan could barely retreat a step when Shubman again abruptly held his hand, "Mujhe yaad aayegi teri, baat karte rehna" he innocently voiced out, those dark brown orbs held so much fervour, someone could almost mistake it as romantic love.

Well, be it any kind of stare, it contained such purity, making that 6'1 feet man look so vulnerable and naive.
Ishan just couldn't resist embracing Shubman into an another tight hug which Shubman immediately reciprocated by clasping his arms around Ishan as tight as ever.

Ishan softly chuckled while caressing Shubman's back, "Idiot, of course baat karunga", he assured before pulling back to look at Shubman though didn't withdraw his hand, "Aur tu aise kyu kar raha hai jaise hum pehli baar alag ho rahe hain."

"Pta nahi yaar, mujhe aadat si hogyi hai teri", Shubman helplessly expressed.

'Mujhe bhi' Ishan thought to himself, getting lost in other's presence for a moment before letting a smile spread on his face as he lightly slapped Shubman's cheek, "We'll meet again soon, Pagal. Chal nikal ab"

He said subtly pushing Shubman at the chest who still didn't let go of his hand, though couldn't help smiling widely, "See you soon, Ishu. Agar mujhe zyada yaad aayegi teri toh mai tere pass hi aajaunga."

Ishan laughed delicately hitting Shubman on the cheek again, "Pehle chala toh Jaa."

"Are O bhai! Kabse sunra hun, yeh bharat milaap khatam hi nahi ho raha tum dono ka. Agar itna hi bichadne ka dukh hai toh jao hi mat, raho mast yahi hotel mein", Hardik teasingly remarked.

Sky laughed, "Sahi baat boli ekdum. Yeh log hamesha saath rehte hain fir bhi pet nahi bharta inn dono ka."

In the meantime, Virat came and put a hand on Surya's shoulder, "Asli dosti aisi hi hoti hai Surya Bhai", he said, sighing dramatically and humorously adding, "Ab mujhe aur Rohit ko hi dekhlo, ek dusre k bina guzara hi nahi hai humara."

Rohit laughed enwrapping an arm around Virat, "Wo toh Anushka isey pehle mil gyi, nahi toh aaj mere saath hi hota yeh."

Virat chortled loudly whereas Hardik and Surya just shared a smirk, the audacity. They were definitely further in cracking jokes as well.

"Aap log toh bss maze lelo", Shubman defeatingly shook his head whilst Ishan giggled as they walked closer to their seniors.

"Wese Rohit bhaiya, humare next matches Kahan honge? Board ne bataya kuch?", Shubman inquired.

Rohit - "Are woh hai na apna, wahi honge"

Hardik - "Tsk, kya Rohit Bhai, aap sentence ko aadha kyu chordh dete ho. Ab kya decipher kare hum isse."

All laughed, Virat cackling extra louder before he regained himself and gave a pat on Rohit bhai's shoulder.

Virat - "Kya bhae, kidhar honge matches? Bhoolgya?

Rohit - "Tsk, Are wahi apna" (exasperatedly groans)

"Kaha Rohit Bhai? kaha!?", All bellowed in unison, sounds of their laughs blending as Rohit stood there startled, keeping a hand on his chest as if he had just woken up from a nap after having a jump scare in his dream.

Rohit - "Ae kya tumlog bhi. Dubai, Dubai mein honge next matches probably."

All of them bid goodbyes one last time before getting into their respective cars, some were locals meanwhile some had to grab their flights. Among both the 'best friends', Ishan was the first one to get into his car as he looked out at Shubman who was still standing there in the driveway and waved him a bye, Ishan heartfully waved him back as the car began moving away, Shubman's gaze followed it until it disappeared from his sight while he stood there, feeling hollow again.

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