the boundary

First Impressions

The team hotel was a blend of luxury and chaos, with cricketers milling about, making last-minute plans, and chatting animatedly. Shubhman Gill stepped into the grand lobby, his duffel bag slung over one shoulder. The opulence of the place didn't impress him; his mind was preoccupied with the simmering tension from the match. After checking in, Shubhman headed to his assigned room. As he opened the door, he stopped short, his eyes widening in surprise. Ishan Kishan was sprawled on one of the beds, scrolling through his phone.

"Hey," Shubhman said, trying to sound casual.

Ishan looked up, his expression a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Guess we're rooming together," he said flatly.

Shubhman suppressed a sigh. "Yeah, looks like it."

He dropped his bag on the empty bed and began unpacking. The silence in the room was heavy, the air thick with unspoken words. Shubhman could feel Ishan's eyes on him every now and then, a reminder of their unresolved conflict.

"Nice catch today," Ishan said abruptly, breaking the silence.

"Thanks," Shubhman replied, not looking up.

"Don't mention it," Ishan muttered, turning back to his phone.

The tension was almost unbearable. Shubhman decided to take a walk, hoping some fresh air would clear his mind. As he headed towards the door, Ishan called out, "Where are you going?"

"Just out for a bit," Shubhman replied.

Ishan shrugged and went back to his phone. Shubhman left the room, feeling the weight of Ishan's gaze even as the door closed behind him. Outside, the evening air was cool and refreshing. Shubhman wandered around the hotel grounds, lost in thought. He knew he needed to find a way to bridge the gap with Ishan, but the man was a puzzle he couldn't quite figure out.
When he returned to the room, Ishan was gone. Shubhman sighed in relief, grateful for the temporary reprieve. He took a quick shower and settled into bed, hoping for a decent night's sleep. He was almost asleep when the door opened, and Ishan stumbled in, clearly having had a few drinks. Shubhman groaned inwardly, knowing this wasn't going to end well.

Ishan kicked off his shoes and flopped onto his bed. "You know, you're not as bad as I thought," he slurred.

Shubhman raised an eyebrow. "Thanks, I guess."

"I mean, you're still a pain in the ass, but you're good at what you do," Ishan continued, his words slightly slurred. "Just... don't try to outshine me, okay?"

Shubhman sat up, irritation flaring. "I'm not trying to outshine anyone, Ishan. I'm just trying to do my job."

"Yeah, well, it feels like it," Ishan mumbled, his eyes closing.

Shubhman took a deep breath, trying to keep his temper in check. "Maybe you should stop feeling so threatened and start seeing me as a teammate instead of a rival."

Ishan didn't respond, already half-asleep. Shubhman lay back down, staring at the ceiling. This was going to be harder than he thought.

The next morning, Shubhman woke up to the sound of Ishan's loud music. He groaned and pulled a pillow over his head, but the noise was relentless. Giving up on sleep, he got up and headed for the bathroom. When he emerged, Ishan was still blaring his music, a wide grin on his face. "Morning!" he shouted over the noise.

"Morning," Shubhman replied curtly, rubbing his temples. "Can you turn that down a bit?"

Ishan looked momentarily surprised but complied, lowering the volume. "Better?"
"Thanks," Shubhman said, feeling a slight headache coming on.

Breakfast was a chaotic affair, with the entire team gathered in the dining hall. Shubhman sat with his friends, Rohit, Virat, and Surya, trying to ignore the glances from Ishan's direction.
"So, how's the rooming situation?" Virat asked, a knowing smile on his face.

Shubhman rolled his eyes. "Could be worse, I guess."

Rohit laughed. "Give it time. You two might end up best friends."

"Or kill each other," Surya added with a grin.

Shubhman chuckled despite himself. "Let's hope for the first one."

As the day progressed, practice sessions began, and the team hit the field. Shubhman and Ishan were forced to work together during drills, their interactions terse but civil. Shubhman could feel the eyes of their teammates on them, silently urging them to find common ground.
During a particularly grueling drill, Shubhman stumbled, nearly losing his balance. Ishan was there in an instant, steadying him with a firm grip. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the animosity melted away.

"Thanks," Shubhman said, breathless.

Ishan nodded, a flicker of a smile on his lips. "No problem."
It was a small moment, but it gave Shubhman hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to get along. As the sun set over the stadium, casting long shadows on the pitch, Shubhman felt a glimmer of optimism. This was just the beginning, and there was a long road ahead.

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What do you guys think?? I was thinking the next chapter can focus more on why Ishan feels this way and a little glance in his mind. 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!! 

Much love,

SS <3