You Belong With Me

9

"Did anything awesome go down after that?" Vanshika leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Awesome? Oh, you bet. The absolute best," Rahul replied, a grin stretching across his face.

Flashback

The stage was set, the atmosphere charged with anticipation as India squared off against England in the climactic showdown of the NatWest Trophy. Amidst the roar of the crowd and the palpable tension, Rahul couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at him. This match meant the world to Sourav, their captain, and Rahul knew all too well the weight of expectations resting on his shoulders.

As Kaif and Yuvraj battled it out on the field, Sourav sat perched on the balcony of Lord's, his fingers gripping his necklace with a fervor that mirrored the intensity of the game below. Rahul watched him closely, his mind swirling with a myriad of concerns. He wasn't just worried about the outcome of the match; his thoughts were consumed by Sourav's well-being. Rahul was the kind of person who meticulously pondered every possible scenario, always one step ahead in his preparations.

If victory graced their side, Rahul knew it would be a sweet triumph. But what if fate dealt them a cruel hand? What if they fell short of expectations? The thought sent a shiver down Rahul's spine. How would Sourav handle the disappointment? What words of solace could Rahul offer to ease his captain's burden?

Silently, amidst the chaos of the stadium, Rahul offered up a silent prayer, his heart heavy with concern for his love. In that moment, amidst the clash of bat against ball and the deafening cheers of the crowd, Rahul's thoughts were consumed by one thing: the well-being of his captain and boyfriend, Sourav.

The cricket field crackled with intensity as Kaif and Yuvraj showcased their astounding skills. The crowd held its breath with every stroke of the bat, every leap to catch the ball. But then, disaster struck. Yuvraj fell, caught out by a brilliant fielder. A gasp rippled through the stands. Sourav, watching from the sidelines, felt a knot of tension tighten in his stomach. It wasn't that he lacked faith in Kaif; rather, he feared the English players' determination to triumph at any cost.

As Harbhajan took Yuvraj's place, a shadow of doubt crept over Sourav's face. The pressure was on, and he could feel it mounting with every passing moment. Harbhajan faced the English bowlers with determination, but luck was not on his side. He too succumbed, caught out after a valiant effort.

Sourav's heart sank like a stone. It was almost unbearable to witness. Anil Kumble joined Kaif on the field, hoping to turn the tide in their favor. But fate had other plans. Kumble was dismissed, caught behind for a duck.

As Anil trudged back to the pavilion, replaced by Zaheer, Sourav could feel the weight of the game pressing down on him. The English players were relentless, their confidence growing with each wicket they claimed.

It felt like a cruel echo of history, a recurring nightmare where victory slipped through their fingers. But today was different; today, they couldn't afford to lose. They had to win. It wasn't just about Sourav's pride or reputation; it was about India's honor, its standing on the global stage.

The tension was palpable as every ball bowled and every shot played carried the hopes and dreams of a nation. The outcome of this match would be more than just a win or a loss—it would be a testament to the resilience and determination of the Indian team. And Sourav knew that failure was not an option.