• ARRANGED LOVE • SHREYAS IYER •

Chapter 19

The sun rose early over Mumbai, casting a golden hue across the city’s skyline. The air was thick with anticipation, not just because of the usual hustle and bustle, but because today was match day. The Kolkata Knight Riders were set to face the Mumbai Indians, a clash that always promised excitement, drama, and high stakes. For Shreyas Iyer, the captain of KKR, the day began with a mix of nervousness and determination.

Shreyas woke up in his hotel room, the weight of the game pressing on his shoulders. He had captained his team through many battles, but today felt different. The Mumbai Indians were formidable opponents, and the pressure of leading his team in their home ground added to his anxiety. He glanced at the clock; it was 7:00 AM. Time for a quick run to clear his mind.

After his jog around the hotel grounds, Shreyas returned to his room, still feeling the knot of tension in his stomach. He picked up his phone and dialed his wife, Maahi, who was also KKR’s team physiotherapist. She always had a calming effect on him, and he needed that now more than ever. But the call went unanswered. A text message flashed on his screen: "Busy with the team. Will see you soon."

Shreyas sighed, placing his phone back on the bedside table. His thoughts wandered to the night before. It was a night of deep connection and intimacy, a night they had consummated their marriage. The memory brought a smile to his face, momentarily easing the tension. He wished he could talk to her, share a quiet moment before the storm of the match began.

Breakfast was a quiet affair, with the players lost in their own thoughts. The usual banter and jokes were replaced with silent nods and focused gazes. Shreyas joined his teammates at the table, forcing a smile. He needed to project confidence, even if he felt none of it himself.

Shreyas
Big game today, boys, let's stick to our game plan, trust in our abilities, and give it everything we've got.
he said, breaking the silence.

The team nodded, murmuring their agreements. Shreyas could see the same mixture of excitement and nerves in their eyes. They had trained hard, and now it was time to show what they were made of.

After breakfast, they headed to the Wankhede Stadium. The journey there was filled with the hum of the team bus, each player immersed in their own pre-match rituals. Shreyas tried to keep his mind focused on the strategies they had discussed, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Maahi due to last night's event as they consummated their marriage. He wondered if she had seen his messages, if she was thinking of him too.

At the stadium, the players went through their warm-ups and drills. The atmosphere was electric, the stands slowly filling up with fans. The noise of the crowd began to build, a constant reminder of the magnitude of the match. Shreyas led his team through their paces, his mind now completely on the game.

With only minutes before the toss, Shreyas felt a gentle tug on his arm. He turned to see Maahi, her eyes full of understanding and support. Without a word, she pulled him into a small, quiet room adjacent to the locker room.

Maahi with a cute smile
hii my Mr 6 foot 2 inch
she said softly

Shreyas
hey my miss muhfat larki oh sorry Mrs muhfat

he replied, his nerves momentarily forgotten and with smirk on his face.

She took his hands in hers, looking into his eyes.

Maahi
waise I know aap ko nervousness horaha hoga par you don't need to take tension you are the bestest player and captain in the world...

Shreyas moved his face closer to her
saachi meri jaan

Maahi smiling adorably
mucchi Mr iyer

He nodded, absorbing her words. She leaned in and kissed him softly, a touch of reassurance and love.

Maahi
Good luck my captain
she whispered, her lips curving into a smile.

Shreyas kissed her forehead
Thank you baby
he said, feeling a renewed sense of confidence.

As they stepped back into the bustling atmosphere of the stadium, Shreyas felt a surge of determination. The toss time approached, and he walked out to the center of the pitch with a steadier heart. Rohit Sharma, the captain of Mumbai Indians, stood opposite him, exuding confidence. The coin was flipped, and Mumbai won the toss, opting to bat first. Shreyas nodded, the result not bothering him much. He knew what his team had to do.

The match began with Mumbai’s openers striding to the crease. The first few overs were tense, each ball a battle in itself. Shreyas was constantly in motion, setting fields, encouraging his bowlers, and strategizing with his vice-captain. Despite the pressure, there were moments of brilliance from his team that kept them in the game.

During a brief break in play, Shreyas glanced towards the sidelines and saw Maahi watching, her eyes filled with pride. A small smile crept across his face. It was just the boost he needed. He looked around at his team, their faces reflecting the same determination he felt. They were in this together, and they would fight till the last ball.

The day wore on, the match swinging like a pendulum. Mumbai posted a challenging total, and now it was up to KKR to chase it down. Shreyas padded up, ready to lead from the front. As he walked to the crease, the roar of the crowd reached a fever pitch. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his bat in his hands.

Maahi’s words and her kiss echoed in his mind. Stay focused. He took his stance, eyes on the bowler, ready to face the challenge head-on. The game was on, and Shreyas was ready to give it his all.

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