You Belong With Me

31

"Please, have a seat," a warm, melodic voice called out from the kitchen. Vanshika turned to see a woman in her forties, her features elegant and kind. This must be Jane, Sourav's wife, Vanshika thought as the woman emerged from the kitchen, carrying a glass of water.

"No, it's okay," Vanshika hesitated, feeling a bit awkward.

"Please, sit down, and have a glass of water. You have no idea how precious this is to Sourav," Jane insisted, her smile reassuring as she glanced at Sourav, who simply smiled back.

Reluctantly, Vanshika took a seat and accepted the glass of water. "I returned this wallet to the police station, but when I found out it was yours, I asked if I could return it to you myself. I've been wanting to meet you," she admitted, her voice soft but filled with sincerity.

Sourav's gaze bore into her with a mix of confusion and curiosity, as though her words had unlocked a labyrinth of questions in his mind.

"I recently delved into the world of Indian cricket and, naturally, stumbled upon your story," she began, her voice tinged with genuine admiration. "I'm a psychiatrist, you see. I traveled to India to study the intricate sports culture and the unique mindset of athletes like yourself. When I came across your journey, I was truly impressed. I wanted to understand the mental challenges you faced, the hurdles you overcame, and the reasons behind the sudden exit that caught everyone off guard."

She paused, searching for the right words, then continued, her eyes fixed on his. "I had plans to reach out to you, to arrange a meeting where we could sit down and delve into the depths of your experiences. But it seems destiny had other plans. It couldn't wait for me to act; it had to bring us together."

"Oh! Cricket," Sourav exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with a familiar spark and unsaid sadness.

Vanshika could sense the shift in Sourav's demeanor after hearing the word cricket. As if some past memories flashed in his mind. He did miss his cricketing days, it was clear. Sourav could lie but his eyes couldn't. Those glittering stars behind those glasses could never hide the pain and suffering the man went through. Only thing was left for Vanshika to figure out what and why.

Vanshika smiled, her eyes glimmering with admiration. "Yes, you are such an inspiration in India. So, are you interested in having this conversation? It will help younger cricket players to learn from your journey."

Sourav hesitated, unsure. "Umm... thank you for considering me, but I really don't think I—"

Before Sourav could finish, his daughter jumped in, her voice filled with determination. "He will have this convo!" She shot him a defiant look, daring him to disagree.

Sourav looked at her, surprised by her sudden insistence. "Oh, come on, Dad! Every time someone talks about cricket, you act like it was some kind of toxic past. You should give this interview. Please," she pleaded, her eyes wide and earnest.

Sourav sighed, feeling a mix of reluctance and pride at his daughter's unwavering support. He knew she was right. But he had his own reasons for ignoring his past and focusing on his present.

"But," Sourav protested.

"Sourav! I think Amy is right. You should do it," his wife insisted.

Vanshika could sense that Sourav was trying to dodge the cricket conversation. He fidgeted, his eyes darting around the room, clearly uncomfortable. It was evident that he wasn't interested in revisiting his past. In that exact moment, she knew she needed to delve into his history. There were things she desperately needed to unearth in order to make amends between Rahul and Sourav.

But she also saw how content and happy Sourav was with his family. His beautiful wife and lovely daughter surrounded him, and it seemed like he didn't need anyone else. Yet, there was a flicker of hope in Vanshika's heart. She hoped for Rahul and Sourav to rekindle their friendship, to forget all the toxic memories they held of each other.

Vanshika sat back in her chair, studying Sourav's troubled expression. She knew that delving into his past wouldn't be easy. But for the sake of Rahul's happiness and the peace of their friendship, she was determined to unearth whatever secrets Sourav was hiding. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself for the difficult conversation ahead.

Vanshika's heart raced as she waited for Sourav's reply. The seconds felt like hours until finally, he spoke, breaking the suspense, "Okay fine. Let's do it tomorrow morning."

Her face lit up with joy, but she didn't want to seem too eager. She composed herself, trying to hide her excitement. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then at the nearby Starbucks cafe," she replied casually.

Sourav nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. Vanshika bid him goodbye with a wave and a smile before turning to leave. As she walked away, a rush of happiness filled her. She wanted to jump and scream with excitement, but she knew she had to keep her cool. Tomorrow was going to be a special day, and she couldn't wait.

As the first rays of the morning sun began to dance through the bustling city, Vanshika found herself sitting in the cozy corner of the quaint little café, eagerly awaiting Sourav's arrival. She had arrived right on time, as they had agreed the day before, but there was no sign of him.

Ten minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity, and still, Sourav was nowhere to be seen. Doubt began to creep into Vanshika's mind. What if he had forgotten? What if he had simply decided to ghost her? The possibilities spun through her mind like a whirlwind, threatening to dampen her spirits.

But then, just as doubt was about to take hold, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance. It was Sourav. A smile broke across Vanshika's face as she watched him make his way over to her. He had that characteristic nonchalant swagger, as if time itself bowed to his whim.

"Hey," Sourav greeted her with a warm smile as he took the seat opposite her.

Vanshika couldn't help but tease him, "The habit of arriving late still hasn't changed, I see."

Sourav chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know a lot about me," he replied, clearly impressed by her observation.

"Of course, I do. I've done a lot of research on you. You're an intriguing subject all on your own," she said, a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes.

"I see. Where did you research about me?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"My to-be-husband told me about you," she replied, her voice soft but confident.

"Who?" Sourav asked, surprised.

"Rahul Dravid, your friend," she answered, a smile playing on her lips.

Vanshika's up to something 👀 👀