💖Bound by Runs and Dreams💖

Chapter 10: Shifting Tides and Subtle Sparks💥

Morning After Their Day in London:

Utkarsha awoke to the soft light filtering through the thin curtains of her room. As she blinked sleepily, her mind replayed the previous day-the quiet café, Ruturaj's gentle persistence, and the peaceful beach at sunset. Her heart had stirred with emotions she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time.

A small sigh escaped her lips. Yeh kya ho raha hai, Utkarsha? she questioned herself, feeling the pull of attraction toward him. She had built her walls so high-her dedication to her cricketing career and self-reliance had been her main focus for years. And then, there was Ruturaj Gaikwad, charming and persistent in ways that broke through her defenses, leaving her feeling vulnerable and a little confused.

For a moment, she debated texting him. A simple "Good morning" or a casual "Thanks for yesterday." But no, that would only open a door she wasn't ready to step through. Better to keep things professional, she thought, pulling herself out of bed.

Meanwhile, across the camp, Ruturaj sat on the balcony of his room, sipping his coffee, the steam rising in the cool morning air. He smirked to himself, recalling the small sparks of connection with Utkarsha. Utkarsha Pawar, he mused. She was different from the women he usually encountered-focused, resilient, and she didn't fall for his usual charm. That only made her more intriguing.

As he stared out at the London skyline, Ruturaj found his thoughts drifting back to the peaceful beach where they had shared a rare moment of vulnerability. He knew there was something between them, but he also knew Utkarsha was not one to be easily swayed. He was starting to enjoy the slow build-up of their relationship, the tension that simmered just below the surface.

He checked his phone, half-hoping for a message from her. But when his screen remained blank, he chuckled softly. She's playing hard to get, he thought with amusement. And he liked that challenge.
_______________________________

The day's camp resumed with an early-morning training session, and the air was filled with the sounds of cricket balls hitting bats, the rhythmic thud of feet on the ground, and the occasional shout of encouragement. Ruturaj arrived at the practice field, his usual calm demeanor in place. But as soon as his eyes landed on Utkarsha, a silent understanding passed between them-a flicker of acknowledgment for the day they had shared, but nothing more.

Utkarsha was already deep into her warm-ups, focused and determined, trying to bury the thoughts of Ruturaj that threatened to distract her. She knew she couldn't afford to let her emotions get in the way of her performance, especially not with such an important camp underway.

As they went through drills and routines, Utkarsha felt Ruturaj's gaze on her from time to time. She avoided meeting his eyes, keeping her focus strictly on the game, but her body betrayed her-her pulse quickened every time she felt his presence nearby.

The camp continued, but there was an unspoken tension between the two. It was a subtle shift-an undercurrent that only they could sense, but one that wasn't unnoticed by others.
_______________________________

During a short break between drills, Rahul, walked over and nudged him playfully.

"Bro, kya chal raha hai? Tum dono mein kuch toh ho raha hai," Rahul grinned, his eyes darting toward Utkarsha, who was on the other side of the field, talking to some other players.

Ruturaj rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smirk that formed on his lips. "Rahul, tu pagal hai," he muttered, shaking his head.

"Pagal? Bhai, main toh dekh raha hoon. Kal se alag vibe hai, tere aur Utkarsha ke beech mein. Kuch toh pak raha hai," Rahul continued, not letting the matter drop.