Unexpectly Yours:The Journey Of An Arranged Marriage

PART 24

[The next day, Abhay is at the stadium with the rest of the team, practicing for the third and final match of the series. The sun is shining, and there's a focused atmosphere on the field as everyone works on their techniques. Abhay, still riding the high of the last match, is determined to finish the series strong.]

[Abhay is in the nets, facing deliveries from the bowlers, his concentration sharp. After a few solid hits, he takes a break, wiping the sweat off his forehead and glancing around the field. His eyes suddenly land on Kavya, who is standing on the other side, chatting with Glenn Maxwell. They seem to be laughing, and Kavya looks relaxed as she engages in conversation.]

[A strange feeling stirs in Abhay's chest as he watches them. He can't quite put his finger on it, but it's unsettling. He watches for a few moments longer than necessary, and the knot in his stomach tightens when he sees Maxwell laugh and pat Kavya lightly on the shoulder.]

Abhay (thinking): Why does this feel... weird? I mean, she's just talking to him. What's the big deal?

[But the feeling doesn't go away, and as the practice session continues, Abhay finds himself distracted, his focus wavering. He's quieter than usual, his mood noticeably off.]

[After practice, the team gathers in the locker room, and Abhay is sitting on a bench, staring into his phone without really seeing anything. His mind keeps wandering back to Kavya and Maxwell's conversation. Rahul and Shreyas walk by, exchanging light banter, but Abhay barely responds.]

Rahul (noticing Abhay's distracted look): "Hey, everything okay, man?"

Abhay (forcing a smile): "Yeah, just tired, I guess."

Shreyas (teasing): "Looks like someone's lost in thought. Thinking about tomorrow's match or... someone special?"

[Abhay chuckles awkwardly but doesn't respond, feeling too distracted to engage in the usual banter. After the session wraps up, he heads back to the hotel, his mood still slightly off.]

[Abhay and Kavya are back in their hotel room. Kavya is seated at the small desk, working on some last-minute social media updates for the team, while Abhay is lying on the bed, scrolling through his phone. The room is quiet, but there's an unspoken tension in the air. Kavya glances over at Abhay, sensing his unusual silence.]

Kavya (gently): "Hey... you've been really quiet today. Is everything alright?"

[Abhay doesn't look up immediately, but after a pause, he finally speaks, his voice more clipped than usual.]

Abhay: "Yeah, everything's fine."

[Kavya frowns slightly, knowing him well enough to tell when something's off.]

Kavya: "Are you sure? You've been acting kind of... off since practice."

[Abhay exhales, not sure how to explain the feeling that's been gnawing at him all day. He sits up slightly, his brows furrowed.]

Abhay: "It's just... earlier, during practice. I saw you talking to Maxwell."

[Kavya raises an eyebrow, confused.]

Kavya: "Yeah? We were just discussing some media stuff for a campaign. Why?"

[Abhay shrugs, still struggling to put his emotions into words.]

Abhay: "I don't know. It just felt... weird. Like, I didn't like seeing you with him."

Kavya (blinking): "Weird? What do you mean by that?"

[Abhay rubs the back of his neck, feeling a little foolish now that he's trying to explain it.]

Abhay: "I guess... I didn't like seeing you guys laughing and talking. It bothered me, and I don't even know why. I mean, I know it's nothing, but I just—"