Bade Sapne

◇ Part 3 ◇

Shubman's POV

I stormed off to where my bag was and took a swig of water from my water bottle, not caring that the majority of it had escaped my mouth and had instead drenched my shirt. I knelt down, rubbing my temples, a bubble growing in my throat. My mind flashed the still images of the past day, haunting me. 

The bat in my hand clattered to the ground, but I didn't care. My head was a mess, thoughts racing, anger simmering. How could I concentrate on cricket when everything else felt like it was falling apart? I sat down, curling into a ball, oblivious to anyone and anything happening around me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Cricket was my escape, my sanctuary. But today, it felt like even that was slipping through my fingers.

I glanced over at Ishan and Jassi bhai in the nets. Ishan looked confused, worried. His eyebrows were furrowed in an expression of genuine concern. He had no idea what was going on, and I couldn't bring myself to tell him. How could I explain that I was furious at Vira for breaking my bat, but even more so because I was jealous of how close she and Ishan were?

I shook my head, trying to clear it. This wasn't like me. I prided myself on being focused on keeping my personal issues off the field. But seeing Vira with Ishan, holding hands, laughing... it was driving me insane. Why did it bother me so much? I'd just met her yesterday, so why was she able to affect my mental balance, my cricket, my... everything? 

My thoughts were in turmoil. It didn't make sense. There was something about Vira that got under my skin, something that made me feel things I wasn't ready to acknowledge. Was it jealousy? Was it something more? I didn't know, and it scared me. As much as I tried to shake it out of my head, it kept coming back to me. 

I'd been so invested in my thoughts that it took me a couple of minutes to register the presence next to me. Ishan stood above me, offering his hand to help me get up. I took it, unable to look him in the eyes, because I knew that as my best friend, he would see straight through me.

"Shubi..." I smiled slightly at the nickname, before quickly wiping it off again. "Kya hua?"

"Kuch nahi." I lied.

"Jhoot maat bolo."

"Meine kaha na? Kuch nahi hua hai!"

"Chilao maat!"

I realized how I'd snapped at him and immediately regretted it. I let out a long breath, trying to push away the frustration and anger that had nothing to do with Ishan.

"Sorry, yaar," I said, softer this time. "Mujhe nahi pata kya ho raha hai. Bas thoda confused hoon."

Ishan's expression softened. "Sab theek ho jayega. Dekho, agar tu baat nahi karna chahta, it's okay. Bas yeh yaad rakho ki main yahan hoon. Jo bhi problem hai, hum milkar solve karenge."

His understanding helped ease some of the tension in my chest. I nodded, grateful for his support. "Thanks, Ishan. What did I do to deserve you?"

He chuckled and took out his phone.

"Thodi der ye dekh lo."

I shifted my eyes to his screen, which had my innings at the Gabba playing. I looked up in gratitude, feeling lucky to have such a good friend. He knew that watching my previous successes would help me focus.

While I watched it, Ishan leant over to Vira, who I hadn't noticed was sitting right next to me, and whispered something to her.

She gulped and nodded, and Ishan placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Why Ishan? I mentally slapped myself for being such a dickhead, falling for Ishan's girl even after he'd been such a good friend to me. But I couldn't help it.

My eyes snapped back to the phone, forcing myself to focus on my cricket. Sirf cricket ka soch na hai, Shubman. Distract maat hona. After a few minutes of watching the cricket, me and Ishan stepped back into the nets.

I felt a sudden surge of confidence after watching the Gabba innings, as adrenaline pumped through my body, pushing me to my limits, and I started to notice how I'd been hitting more, and better, shots. Each swing of the bat felt more natural, more powerful, as if the stress had started to melt away, leaving only determination behind.

Siraj's deliveries came at me fast and hard, but now I was ready. I met the first ball with a solid drive, sending it sailing down the pitch. I could hear Ishan cheering from behind the net, his encouragement helping me focus even more.

For a while, it felt like everything else faded into the background. The only thing that mattered was the sound of the ball connecting with the bat, the rhythm of the game, and the exhilaration of getting back into form.

A feeling of pure ecstasy and pride flooded through me, glad that I'd been able to handle that situation. I finished my session with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose. The personal feelings, the confusion, and the jealousy were still there, but at least on the field, I had control.

Well done, Shubman.

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A/N:

Heyy y'allll

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY LOVLIESSS (for yesterday oops)  🇮🇳
I FELT A LITTLE PATRIOTIC TODAY, SO I WAS LIKE WHY NOT?

This chapter was shorter than usual, but how'd you find it?

Tell me how you're finding the story in the comments! Also, if you have any suggestions, or ideas for the story, feel free to put them in ;)

I'm literally writing this while watching the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka- its been a while since I've watched an ODI match 😤😭

Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Love yaaa <33