when 77 met 32 [ishman ff] [shubish]

U-19

I spoke with Ishan and Rishabh once after the match. Both of them sounded exhausted and disappointed. And no matter how much I told them that it was okay and that they tried their best, deep down I knew that it didn't make them feel better at all. So, I decided to let it go for now.

It has been more than a month since we last spoke. I got busy with the practice and the selection for the under-19 World Cup next year (2017). And both Ishan and Rishabh got busy with the upcoming IPL (2016). Ishan was auctioned in Gujarat Lions, and Rishabh was auctioned in Delhi Daredevils. I called to congratulate them on their selection in the IPL teams and wished them both luck.

"helllooo Shubi. Howww, are you?" not that annoying ass again. It was Abhishek Sharma. We have been playing together since the under-12 teams. He somehow always managed to be on the same team as me. "When did you land here?" I asked. Not at all surprised that he was here. "9 am," he said.

Me and Abhishek were both from Punjab. We played all the domestic state matches together too. He was my best friend. Our families also knew each other very well. His sister was the sweetest. I never felt like it was his sister at all; she treated me just as her own brother.

"How is Di?" I asked him. We didn't get a chance to catch up at all last year. "She is fine. She misses you." "Of course, she does. I am her brother after all." "Yeah, yeah, and I am adopted." We joked quite a lot about Abhishek being adopted.

Today was the first match of the Gujarat Lions, and I was glued to the TV. "Since when did you become so interested in the IPL?" Abhishek, who was now my roommate, commented. "What do you mean I had always been interested?" "Not like this glued to the TV and all." I chose to ignore that.

And yeah, if I thought there was anything that could escape the eyes of 'the Abhishek Sharma' then I was completely wrong because a few overs into the match he commented. "Who is this Ishan Kishan?" "He was the captain of the under-19 team this year." I thought I was so smart. Newsflash, I wasn't.

"I know that idiot; what I mean is, do you know him personally?" "Yeah, he was my team B's captain last year and also my roommate for half a year." "Ookkkkkayyyyyy, so he is THE SENIOR." And now comes the unending teasing. God, I was so done with this person's antics. "Ooooohhhhh, Shubman, do you feel sick again looking at him through the screen? Do you feel lightheaded? Dizzy?" "Can you shut up? That was one time okay." "I am so sure it wasn't actually a one-time thing, and you just chose to tell only that part." "I am trying to focus on the match. Shut up."

"Of course, you are." "Wipe that smirk off or I will slap you so hard you won't remember your damn name." "Jeez shubi, stop with the weird fantasies." Fucking hell, I hate this man; why am I friends with him again? Andddd Ishan got out at 48. "He is a good player," Abhishek commented as if Ishan needed his acknowledgment. "Obviously he is." "getting defensive now, are we?" "What is there to get defensive about? He is most obviously an amazing player. And you saying anything won't change that fact," and that left him just staring at me.

Okay, now it's getting creepy. "whattt? Will you say something?" "Nothing," with a smile, he turned towards that TV again. I watched the entire match, and the Gujarat Lions won. "Oh, shubh, your team won." "It is not my team." "You were supporting it." "Still." "goddddd, sbubman, you need therapy."

Just then Ishan called. How much of a coincidence is it? "hello." "hiiiiiii shubman. We won." "I know. I watched the match; congratulations." "Yeah, he did not just watch it; he was glued to the damn TV for the past 4 hours." It was Abhishek screaming at the top of his lungs. "Get out, Abhi. Fuck off." "Who is it?" Ishan said joyously.

"It's Abhishek, my friend from back home." "Wow, my title just went down from being a best friend to 'just a friend from back home' within a year. How sad." "If you don't zip your mouth this instance, your title is going to get reduced to a stranger." "Ishan, did you hear that? This man is heartless." He said while faking a cry.

And now it's Abhishek who is talking to Ishan and not me. Fucking hell, they have been talking for the past 25 minutes, and the topic is 'Shubman Gill'. Oh god, this is so embarrassing. "Can both of you please shut up? I am sitting right here." "Well, do we give a fuck?" Abhishek asked. "No, not one," Ishan replied.

After bitching about me for good 35 minutes, Ishan was finally called in by his teammates, and I thanked all the gods for it. "He is a nice guy." And if looks could kill, Abhishek would be six feet under the ground right now because did that fucker just say 'he is a nice guy' to me after bitching with the said guy about me?

I had called Rishabh when DDD was eliminated. He did not sound as miserable as I thought he would. It was still nice catching up with him.

The day after tomorrow was the first qualifier round between RCB and GL, and right now I was on call with Rishabh. "Should we add Ishan on the call?" Rishabh asked. "I don't know he might be busy with the practices, maybe." "Let's still try," Rishabh said and added Ishan to the conference.

"hellooooo Rishabh. aaj kese yaad aai?" It was Ishan; he had picked up the call. "hi ishaann. Me and Shubi were talking, so we thought to add you also." "You'll were talking without me?" His tone was accusing. I knew he was playing, but I still felt the need to clear things out. "I mean, you have qualifiers tomorrow, so we thought that maybe you were busy."

 "Are you actually giving explanations to this fucker right now?" Rishabh said. "aaaiii bad Rishabh using bad language." Ishan said, and the playful banter continued.

The next day GL lost against RCB, but it's okay; they still got a chance in eliminator 2. We were granted a 2-month holiday because there was still a lot of time left for the World Cup. So, me and Abhishek went home.

Please let me know if there is anything that could be changed for good. Also, please let me know about the parts you'll like the best. I am open to all the suggestions for improvement. Thank you