Inks and innings

chp 30

Inks and innings chp 30

Abhimanyu and Divya had grown much more comfortable around each other after their shared experiences on the trip. Their bond had deepened, and the unspoken understanding between them became stronger. After returning home, the rhythm of daily life resumed, but the connection they had forged remained.

Divya and Abhimanyu arrived at their parents' house, arms laden with bags of sweets and snacks. Ranvijay's eyes lit up when he saw the treats, but his joy was short-lived as Kavya's expression darkened.

"Ranvijay, you know you're not supposed to have these!" Kavya scolded, her voice stern. "You need to follow your diet."

Ranvijay tried to defend himself, but Kavya was having none of it. The argument escalated quickly, filling the room with heated words.

Sensing the tension, Abhimanyu leaned over to Divya and whispered, "Let's give them some space."

Divya nodded in agreement. "Good idea."

They quietly slipped out of the room, leaving Kavya and Ranvijay to their argument. Once outside, Divya let out a sigh of relief.

"They always do this," she said, shaking her head. "Every time I bring something home."

Abhimanyu chuckled. "Parents will be parents."

"You know," Abhimanyu said as they reached their hotel room, "I'm glad we had this chance to reconnect. It feels... right."

Divya nodded, her heart swelling with a mixture of emotions. "Me too, Abhi. It does feel right."

The next day, Abhimanyu had a match in Mumbai, and Divya's in-laws insisted she accompany him. They thought it would be a good chance for them to spend more time together and support each other. Divya agreed, deciding it was a good opportunity to be there for Abhimanyu and perhaps rekindle some of the old sparks.

After a smooth journey, they arrived in Mumbai. Abhimanyu had to head straight to the stadium for practice, and Divya decided to work a bit before joining him as she had to approve some articles so they could go on and publish it.

When Divya arrived at the stadium, she found Abhimanyu in the middle of an intense practice session. She watched him from the stands, admiring his dedication and skill. He spotted her and gave a quick wave, which she returned with a smile.

After practice, Abhimanyu joined Divya in the stands. "Hey, how was your day?" he asked, sitting down beside her.

"It was good," Divya replied. "Going back to work even after a short break is tedious ."

Abhimanyu smiled. "And you are great at it . Thanks for coming along, by the way. It means a lot to have you here."

Divya felt a warm flush of affection. "I'm happy to be here, Abhi. It's... nice to support you."

The excitement in the air was palpable as the time for the match approached. Abhimanyu got ready, his focus intense and unwavering. Divya watched him, feeling a mixture of pride and nervousness.

"I'll see you in the stands ," Abhimanyu said, giving Divya a reassuring smile.

"Good luck, Abhi. I'll be cheering for you," Divya replied, squeezing his hand.

As he left, Divya decided to take a walk around the pavillon to calm her nerves. She wandered into the hall to retrieve something she had left behind.

As she walked through the hall, she overheard a conversation between a group of girls. One voice stood out, dripping with disdain.

"Did you see Divya? She's so fat. I don't know what Abhi sees in her. They don't fit together at all. It's just a matter of time before he cheats on her."

Divya's heart sank, but she quickly masked her shock, not wanting to give them the satisfaction of seeing her upset. She quietly stepped back and took a different route to avoid confronting them.

Divya arrived at the stadium, her mind still reeling from what she had overheard. She took her seat in the stands, trying to focus on the match. The crowd's energy was infectious, but a shadow of doubt lingered in her mind.

As she scanned the crowd, her eyes locked onto a familiar face, and her heart skipped a beat. It was Siya, her college mate. Siya had always been a thorn in her side, a wannabe who had made it her mission to insult and belittle Divya at every opportunity.

Divya's mind flashed back to their college days. Siya had been openly hostile, spreading rumors and making cruel comments. It was partly because of Siya's interference that Divya and Abhimanyu's relationship had suffered so much strain.

Seeing Siya here, cheering for the opposing team, brought back a flood of unpleasant memories. Siya hadn't noticed her yet, but the sight of her was enough to reignite old insecurities.

Despite the internal turmoil, Divya forced herself to focus on the match. She watched as Abhimanyu took his position, his every move radiating confidence and skill. He was in his element, and seeing him perform gave her a sense of pride.

During a break in the match, Siya finally spotted Divya. She sauntered over, a smug smile on her face. "Well, well, if it isn't Divya. Still hanging around, I see."

Divya took a deep breath, ready to face her old nemesis. "Siya. Long time no see."

Siya's eyes gleamed with malice. "I was just telling my friends how Abhimanyu must be blind to still be with you. How do you do it, Divya? How do you keep him interested?"

Divya's heart pounded, but she stood her ground. "Siya, I don't need to explain my relationship to you. Abhimanyu and I are happy together, and nothing you say will change that."