Love Li(f)e

Epilogue

You kept your fingers crossed, your heart in your mouth like the rest of the stadium.

Three balls and eight runs needed.

Ashwin bowled a full toss and you watched as Miller went for a single, which meant Shubman was at the crease again.

"It's like the final match of 2022 all over again," Shahneel who stood beside you and your mother in the stands, said near your ear.

"Déjà vu," you told her. "After seven years."

You held your breath again, hands clasped together near your face as Ashwin bowled again.

Flatter and outside off.

Shubman reverse-hit it straight to point, not making a run.

You felt like getting your heart broken, tears pricking your eyes as your throat tightened.

One ball and seven runs needed now.

The team did great, you told yourself. And also to tell Shubman and GT later.

Winning and losing is a part of the game.

Of course, we all play to win, but we'll come back stronger next time.

Shahneel and your mother had similar expressions on their faces too, taking a moment to silently console each other.

You stood near the railing as they side-hugged, your mom's hand on your back as she patted it gently, telling you it was fine.

Your mother and your sister-in-law were very close, by the way.

The first time they met, with her and Shubman's parents, it was diwali and half a year of your relationship. One and a half if you consider the play pretend time.

And Shahneel said that it was like having that cool aunt.

Right now, you were saying everything in your mind to convince yourself.

They've played their best all the time and we can go home with that-

A short ball!

And Shubman left it alone, bringing life back into you as a wide was given.

The tension filled the stadium again, and waiting for the last ball, you almost drew blood out with the way your nails were digging into your palms.

Short in length and in the middle.

Shubman pulled it all the way over deep square leg for a six.

It felt like the whole of Ahmedabad erupted in cheers and he removed his helmet, jumping in the air.

And you jumped up too, your arms almost hitting your manager, Shahneel, and your mother in the process.

They escaped by a very small margin, only because they jumped up too.

Gujarat won by 7 wickets and with no balls to spare.

"Yes!" Your feet refused to stay grounded as you yelled in excitement.

You watched Miller jump into your husband's arms, giving him a big hug as the trophy belongs to them, once again.

Shubman, who'd just led his team to victory, smiled as he looked up to spot you, holding your wedding ring that he wore on the chain around his neck, kissing it.

-

After GT lifted the trophy, you ran onto the field, followed calmly by the trio who accompanied you to the match.

Shubman was already walking towards you, and picking up speed, you crashed into him.

There was so much excitement that you couldn't even talk and just tightened your arms around his neck.