Bade Sapne

◇ Part 1 ◇

Vira's POV

The sun was beginning to rise as we left the cricket grounds, casting a warm glow over the city. The practice session had been intense, and I felt the urge for some sort of cold drink after being battered by the blazing early morning sun.

I glanced at Shubman and Ishan as they walked beside me, both still discussing cricket and strategizing their next moves.

“Mujhe bhuk lagi hai,” Ishan said, his tone light and casual.

Shubman and I murmured sounds of agreement, with me regretting not bringing a hat. I'm going to get skin cancer, for fuck's sake. I mentally cursed myself for not bringing sunscreen.

“How about we head to that café we like?” Ishan suggested, casting his eyes over to Shubman.

“Sounds great,” he agreed.

I could use a good coffee and a break from the whirlwind of the day. Maybe a frappe would help cool down the fiery tension between me and Shubman.

As we approached the café, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The cozy atmosphere and the smell of fresh coffee were exactly what I needed. We found a corner table, and as we settled in, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of relief.

“I’m so glad we came here,” I mumbled mostly to myself, stretching out and glancing around. “It’s nice to get away from all the noise.”

“Yeah,” Ishan agreed, looking at the menu. “Their pastries are amazing. Let’s order something.”

Shubman, who had been unusually quiet, seemed lost in thought. I noticed his gaze drift around the café, and I wondered what was on his mind.

“You good?" I asked, hoping to break his silence.

“Yeah,” he replied, though his tone was a bit distracted.

I followed his gaze, before he had a moment of realisation wash over him.

"Woh ladki! Wahan beti hai, dekho. Woh tumhare saath thi na, GT aur MI ke match mein?"

I looked at him in shock, surprised that he even knew I was in the crowd during the match. As i followed his finger, I saw a familiar face among the café’s patrons—Priya, my best friend from college.

She was sitting at a nearby table, engrossed in her laptop. I hadn’t expected to run into her here. I felt a pang of unease, knowing Priya’s enthusiasm and how she could sometimes be overwhelming.

“Oh, look who it is,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Hey! Priya!”

Ishan and Shubman turned their attention to Priya, and before I could say anything more, Priya noticed us. Her eyes widened with excitement as she spotted Shubman and Ishan.

She quickly scuttled over to us, a huge smile plastered on her face. She gave me a quick hi then immediately turned her attention back to Shubman and Ishan. Fuck, they were about to get grilled. I rested my head in my palms while I waited for her to spurt out random questions. Oh god.

"Hi Vira." She said.

Before I could respond, Priya had already launched a barrage of questions, her attention fixated on Shubman and Ishan. Mainly Shubman.

"Shubman Gill! Mein apki sabsi badi fan hoon! Meri jersey sign kar sakte ho?" She said, excitement oozing out of her.

I could already feel the familiar pang of embarrassment. Priya’s fangirling was intense, and I knew from experience how overwhelming it could be. I tried to hide my face behind my hands, hoping the situation would resolve itself quickly.

Shubman and Ishan exchanged glances, both trying to maintain their composure amidst Priya’s excitement. Shubman managed a polite smile, though I could see a hint of discomfort in his eyes.

"Haan... kyun nahi?" He said awkwardly.

"Come, sit." Ishan offered the seat next to me, but Priya, being a good reader of situations (not involving her own) decided go change around the seating plan.

"Ishan, tum wahan Vira ke saath bet sakte ho kya?" She asked innocently, batting her eyelashes.

I shifted in my seat, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the growing attention. Priya’s constant admiration for Shubman and Ishan was starting to feel a bit much. I could tell Shubman was trying to be polite, but I noticed him fidgeting slightly.

“Priya, tumhare exams keliye revision kaise chal rahe hain?” I asked, trying to redirect the conversation.

Priya eagerly launched into a detailed explanation about her exams and projects. While I was relieved to move away from the topic of cricket, I couldn’t ignore the fact that Priya’s enthusiasm was making it hard for me to relax.

As the conversation continued, I could see Shubman making an effort to engage with Priya, though he looked a bit out of his element. Ishan was also doing his best to keep the mood light, but I could sense his concern for Shubman’s discomfort.

Although I loved this girl to death, sometimes, she would the most stupid-as-shit things, and I could do nothing to stop her. Pagal.

"Chalo, hum dono coffee leke aate hai." I motioned to Priya, who, at the sudden separation from Shubman, narrowed her eyes at me but quickly agreed.

"Tum dono keliye kya le kar ao?" I asked.

"Mere liye ek mocha le ke aana, please." Ishan requested.

It seemed as if Shubman hadn't heard my question, so my eyes drifted to him, waiting for an answer.

"What?"

"Kya chahiye?"

"Kya?"

I groaned internally. "Coffee? Chai? Kya chahiye?"

"Ek mint frappe. Unko batao zyada sugar maat dalne ka."

I smiled slightly, knowing that me and Shubman had at least ONE thing in common. Mint frappes. But he still hated my guts, so the mint frappe couldn't really do anything.

"Thik hai."

Me and Priya went to stand in the queue, having a nice, long catch-up about the past day (it's a girls thing) , as the barista called us to give our order.

"How can I help today, ma'am?"

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A/N:

Damnnn, look at me grinding out these chapters! I finished two in one day, wow. Crazy what boredom does to you ;)

Anyways, opinions on Priya? How are you finding the story so far, do let me know :)

Also ,I was hoping that you guys could vote coz my votes have been going down like crazyy, and the votes were really motivating... if you guys could just take a second to add that vote, it really means a lot.

Now, I wrote out a detailed plan for the rest of the story today, and I'm just looking at it thinking, shit, I'm dramatic... but anyways- stay tuned ;)

Love yaaa

See you next chapter 😘