Destined

Night of Nights

Shubman groaned, feeling around the nightstand for his mobile. The ringer had been going off for the last five minutes and he was ready to throw it out the window.

He saw it was a phone call from his sister, who had left 10 missed calls in a row.

"What the hell do you want at this hour Shahneel."

"I want answers, and I want them now."

"God, about what?! It's 5 in the morning!"

"Well that's late enough. Now tell me, ek din pehle flower shop mein kya kaam tha?"

His eyes widened.

"I have your location dumbass, and Suveer's too. That kid is a city away from you. Jhoot bolna band karo and tell me what's going on."

Shubman exhaled, knowing his sister was too clever to leave in the dark.

"Yes maine jhoot bola. I actually came here to meet a girl."

"Oooh I knew it! Now spill."

"Her name is Sara, she's a student in London. She's easy going and pretty. But... well she's Sachin Tendulkar's daughter."

"So what?"

"So what?? Did you not hear me?"

"Sachin ki beti or Queen Elizabeth ki beti what does it matter?"

"Shahneel.. this is different. He's the god of cricket, we look up to him like a mythical figure."

"Haan and you'll be Indian cricket captain one day, what's the worry. Don't sell yourself short bro."

"You just don't get it."

"I do, and my advice is to see her like any girl. That's probably what she wants you to behave as."

Shubman sighed.

"Anyways you know I'm not the best with girls. Don't you remember when Preeti threw eggs at our house after I messed up."

Shahneel laughed.

"How could I forget."

"Now dear sister can I please go back to my bed? I'm meeting her later, I don't want to sleep through the day."

"You'll listen to my advice?"

"I'll try."

"Okay bye, enjoy enjoy. And send me what flowers you got. I need to make sure it's not some tacky ones."

Across the city

Sara was tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. After a few minutes she got up and checked the time. 5:00 am.

She found it impossible to be patient. The day needed to hurry up and start already. She needed to be with him again.

Yesterday's memories flowed into her mind, and she bunched up the sheets next to her face; blushing pink.

The way he had come close, with his strong cologne and twinkling eyes, and whispered to her.

If he wasn't her friend, then what was he?