𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝙳𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖𝚜 [ Yashasvi Jaiswal ]

25

The next morning, Yashasvi woke to the sound of Dhruv’s exaggerated snoring and Riyan mumbling something about cricket strategies in his sleep. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his friends sprawled out on the bed, a tangle of limbs and blankets. Their presence had turned what could have been a night of despair into an unexpectedly comforting one.

Carefully unwrapping himself from Riyan's arms , Yashasvi quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake the two sleeping forms. He made his way to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face and staring at his reflection in the mirror. The hurt was still there, but it felt more manageable now, buffered by the knowledge that he wasn’t alone.

As he stepped out of the bathroom, Dhruv was stirring, stretching his arms and blinking blearily at the ceiling. Pushing away Riyan's leg , “Morning, Yash,” he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. “You okay?”

Yashasvi nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over him. “Yeah, Dhruv. Thanks to you and Riyan.”

Dhruv sat up, rubbing his eyes and yawning. “That’s what friends are for, right? Now, let’s get some breakfast before practice.”

Riyan woke with a start, his eyes wide and panicked. “Did I miss the bus again?” he blurted out, looking around in confusion.

Dhruv chuckled, shaking his head. “Relax, Riyan. We’re still in the hotel. You didn’t miss anything.”

Riyan sighed in relief, flopping back onto the bed. “Thank goodness. I don’t think I can handle another lecture from the coach.”

The three of them quickly got ready and headed down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. The dining area was already buzzing with activity, players and staff members chatting over their morning coffee. Yashasvi noticed Divya at the far end, engrossed in a conversation with the team manager. His heart gave a painful lurch, but he forced himself to look away, focusing instead on the comforting presence of Dhruv and Riyan beside him.

As they settled into their seats and began piling their plates with food, Riyan launched into a lively recounting of his latest prank idea, this time targeting the assistant coach. Dhruv rolled his eyes, clearly exasperated but amused nonetheless.

“You know, Riyan, one of these days your pranks are going to land you in serious trouble,” Dhruv warned, shaking his head.

Riyan grinned, unperturbed. “Life’s too short to be serious all the time, Dhruv. Besides, you’ve got to admit, my pranks keep things interesting.”

Yashasvi couldn’t help but laugh, the sound of his friends’ banter lifting his spirits. He glanced around the table, feeling a sense of belonging that eased some of the ache in his heart. They spent the rest of the meal swapping stories and jokes, the camaraderie a soothing balm to Yashasvi’s wounded feelings.

When they finally headed to the practice field, Yashasvi felt a renewed sense of determination. He knew he couldn’t avoid Divya forever, but he also knew that he had the support of his friends to help him through whatever came next. As they took their positions on the field, Dhruv shot him an encouraging smile, and Riyan gave him a thumbs-up, their silent support giving him the strength to face the day.

Despite the lingering hurt, Yashasvi focused on his training, channeling his emotions into every swing of the bat and every sprint across the field. With Dhruv and Riyan by his side, he felt ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead, both on and off the field.