❞𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐀𝐇 [𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧] ✔

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧.

"tu hai to mujhe
phir aur kya chahiye"

ISHAN

I was waiting for a call for the last one hour. Today the squad of T20 world cup is to be declared. Even if I was not their first choice, being in the squad means you can have a chance of playing atleast one two games. As soon as the clock struck 2, I couldn't control myself anymore.

I picked the phone that was lying in front of me and dialled Shubi's number.

Ishan: "Shubi tereko call aaya?"
Shub: "Ishu check WhatsApp"
Ishan: "Kya huya hai?"
Shub: "tu dekh na"

I hastily opened the ICT group chat. The squad had already been declared. I checked the list but my name was nowhere to be found. They had selected Abhishek Sharma instead. Shubman had got selected in the reserved players.

Shub: "Ishu?"
Ishan: "Hmm?"
Shub: "Tu theek hai?"
Ishan: "Haan Bhai. Congratulations baby!"
Shub: "You don't need to hide your disappointment"
Ishan: "I'm genuinely happy for you"
Shub: "I know that but..."
Ishan: "No buts. Baad mein baat karenge haan. Tu enjoy kar"

I cut the phone. Yes I was definitely very happy for Shubi but.. my form in IPL was quite good. I hoped that I would be atleast picked for the squad. I could see my career being destroyed. I don't want to live as an underdog on whom people would share reels after they retire.

Firstly I was removed from the central contract and now this?

Kya galat kya kar raha hu mai?

This was hurting too bad. I had full hopes that I would be selected in the squad.

My phone beeped and I hastily looked at the notification, with hopes that there might be some changes in the squad. But no, it was Rishab's message.

For a moment I felt like deleting all my social media and isolate myself.

I don't want to be in this world that is so cruel to me

My painful thoughts were broken by Janhavi.

"Ishan ji? Kya baat hai?" she asked softly.

"Wo waisi koi..." I got interrupted by her.

"You can tell me you know!" she said rather sternly.

I looked down, unable to face her. What would she think if she knows that her husband is a looser. There will be no chance of her cancelling the divorce. Why would she stay with a looser, nobody wants to after all.

"Ishan ji aap bolenge ya main Shubman ko call karu? Aapki aakhein bhar aayi hai mujhe please batayiye" she said in a pleading tone.

She dropped on the sofa beside me, keeping a hand on my thighs, quite reluctantly. Her warm touch made me feel better somehow, gave me the courage to voice my feelings.

"Ja.. janhavi, you won't leave me after hearing it right? I asked, my tone etched with nervousness.

"What? You murdered someone or what?"she asked , trying to make me laugh.

"Aaj T20 world cup ka squad declare huya... I'm..I'm not picked. It was a really important part of my career." I said, my voice choked with emotion.