Destined

Getting Caught

April, 2018

Pick a number between 1 and 5

Why?

Just do it

Ok 2

Yay now tell 2 things that made u happy today :)

Shubman chuckled at her message. It was late, too late, in the night yet here she was asking some silly question.

Dadi's paratha anddd

Should he say talking with her? It was true.

And annoying u

U do love that huh

Yuppp. Hmm Sara when can u video call yaar it's been forever

Idk Shubman so busy with exam revisions rn :/

Oh but that's more important na. Studies going well?

Haan but lots to memorize

U know science was my best subject, just ask
if u have any doubts 😎

Ohh is that so 10th droupout?

Heyy 🫣

Haha jk thank u for the support

Just keep at it, you'll do awesome

Okayy 😊😊

Do u have time for a phone call? quick study break?

Sure

Sara rang him, and her name popped up as simply S.

Shubman had changed the contact and informed her of the Prithvi incident. He had skimmed over the deep details of the drunk exchange, of course. She didn't need to hear all that.

"Hey. How's Punjab?" her voice was muted, a tinge of tiredness from studying.

Shubman, meanwhile, was relaxing at his grandparents home in their village before the start of IPL.

"Amazing. This is the greatest place on earth. Kasam se."

"Haan you get paratha, laasi, sweets, how could it not be."

"Yes but more than that the air and land is so pure. This is the core of living, not that Mumbai hustle bustle."

"Ohh you can't resist poking fun at me, can you. Mumbai is fullll of life actually."

"Right right, bollywood nonsense and traffic. What great living. But seriously, it's been so good being with my family again."

Sara sighed.

"How nice. I'm kind of lonely here without any of them. But I just remember how baba pays for all my tuition and living expenses. Scoring well and keeping his name proud is the most important thing to me."

"Im sure sir is proud of you, you are a model child Sara."

"Haha aur tum?"

"Cricket wise maybe, but I'm a troublemaker in other things."

"Really?"

"Yep, thank god I can play. Other wise papa and I would have been arguing on the farm everyday."

"The farm? Seriously?"

"Yeah I guess I would have been a farmer if cricket didn't work out. Even now if I crashed out I would come back here and manage the land."

"Wow, you don't really look the farming type, to be honest."

"Kyu?"

"I mean you spend hours styling your hair, I can't imagine you toiling in the sun," Sara giggled.

"Mein Punjabi hoon darling, don't judge a book by its cover."

"Oh ho."

"But I never seriously imagined farming. Cricket is everything. For mummy, papa, and Shahneel their lives revolve around me, around my cricket. I put my blood and sweat to give back what I can."

He paused.

"Abhishek he'll shake off a bad day and move on. Me, I can't let it go. I'll replay every mistake and misstep until it physically pains me."

Sara was discovered, startlingly, that he wasn't that different from her. Yes, they had both grown up in the cricket world and shared that similarly. But beyond that it was his attitude, his world view, his intensity that surprised her.

She acutely understood why he cared so much and tried so hard. She was the same.

"That's true. If we don't hold ourselves to a standard, then who will?"

Shubman smiled. Sara was born with a golden spoon, yet she approached life with such seriousness.

"Exactly."

"Exactly what?"

He spun his head around to see his cousin, KP, smirking at his doorframe.

"I'll call you later," Shubman mumbled as he rushed to cut the line.

KP stepped forward, reaching to pinch his cheek.

"Such a big smile you've got Gillu. Who's the lucky girl this time?"

"No one yaar."

"So you've officially lost it? Giggling at the wall for no reason?"

"Giggling? aare don't exaggerate."

"And you don't act over smart. Who's she?"

Shubman rolled his eyes.

"Sara, if you must know."

"Saraa nice name. Any pics?"

Shubman showed a selfie, knowing there was little chance KP would recognize her.

"Cute hai, homely vibe. Itni safeed?"

"Yeah very."

"So what's going on then?"

"Kuch nai. She lives in London we talk now and then."

"Where did you meet?"

"Dubai."

KP looked puzzled.

"London? Dubai? I don't understand."

"We just met through mutual friends. It's all very normal."

"Hmm. You like her?"

Shubman knew he did. But there were a lot of things holding him back, none of which he could share with KP.

He shrugged.

"Maybe, maybe not."

This story is made up and has no relation to real people or events.