Destined

Into the Night

October 2018
Bandra, Mumbai

Sara tried her absolute best to focus on the conversation. She brushed back her hair, swirled the straw in her drink, and followed along to her friends sentences. But her mind was elsewhere.

She was at the Regency Hyatt for Agni Chopra's 18th birthday bash. Agni was a friend of the Tendulkars and.. Shubman Gill.

"Why you're looking around so anxious Saru," questioned Sanvi, snapping Sara out of her thoughts.

"Don't you know? Her man will be here anytime," Alya teased.

"Man??" exclaimed Divya.

"Shut up Aloo," Sara said taking a nervous sip of her drink.

"Aare batao na," Alya pushed.

"Okay. He's not my man but yes Shubman is attending," she conceded, waving her hand.

"Ooh. I've seen photos of him, he's cute. But younger to you no? I thought you were into the mature, manly type," questioned Sanvi.

"Yup he's younger. Actually he was Arjun's friend first," Alya added.

"What only matters is if he's younger or older to Arjun," interjected Divya.

Sara bit her lip.

"He's older. By 16 days."

"Oh god you know the exact time?!" laughed Sanvi.

Sara pouted.

"Stop it y'all. I never teased you this much for your love lives. Not fair."

"Are any of us the cricket god's daughter whose falling for the star boy batsmen? It's simply destiny!" Divya gushed.

As if on cue, Shubman entered the hall with some friends and teammates, dressed in a maroon bomber jacket and ripped jeans with his usual gold chain and watch.

"Not bad. Not bad at all," whistled Divya eyeing him from across the room.

"He's actually so tall," Sanvi whispered.

Sara contained her bubbling excitement. It had been ages since she'd seen him, their schedules keeping them far apart. It took all her power to not run to him.

Shubman too, tried to keep his eyes from wandering through the room. He thought it was better to hold off on seeing her, he would lose interest in all else after that.

They had unanswered questions, uncertain terms between them. No labels or commitments. But the rush of infatuation could not be tamed.

Disco lights danced across the darkened hall, separated chatter and jovial conversation masking their shared desperation to be close.

By chance, Shubman bumped into Arjun. His heart rate shot up, he hadn't been ready to face him just yet.

"Hey man," he greeted awkwardly.

Arjun offered a tight-lipped smile.

"Hi bro. How've you been?"

"Good, good. You?"

"Good as well."

"Mmm."

The air between them was thick with unresolved, unsaid words.

Arjun scratched his neck.

"So... you've always been a good friend to me. Hope that stays the same."

"Of course. I'd never do anything to hurt you or your family. I have a lot of respect for you all," Shubman replied; his tone serious.