Yashasvi Jaiswal had always considered himself someone who could stay focused, no matter what. Cricket demanded discipline, both mentally and physically, and he had spent years perfecting that balance. But as he sat next to Vishana on the flight to Uttar Pradesh, there was an unshakable restlessness settling in his chest. It wasn't nerves—he was too used to high-pressure situations to be nervous. This was something else.
It started off as subtle as a breeze, catching him off guard during that photoshoot a few weeks ago. Her laugh. The way she talked to the crew like she'd known them for years. There was something about Vishana's presence that was magnetic—effortless, easy, and yet there was a depth to her that he hadn't expected.
At first, he'd told himself it was just the usual awe of working with someone from a completely different world. Cricketers and Singers rarely intersected beyond media headlines. But as time passed and they exchanged texts about this trip, Yashasvi realized he was looking forward to seeing her again more than he should.
Now, as they sat together, the conversations flowed as if they'd been friends for years. Every time she laughed or smiled, his mind wandered into dangerous territory. He found himself noticing the little things—the way her fingers absently twirled a strand of hair when she was deep in thought, or how she instinctively leaned into conversations as though fully engaged in every word. She wasn't like most of the people he had met in his career. Vishana was bold but warm, confident yet unassuming. And it was driving him crazy.
He'd done everything he could to keep it professional, reminding himself that this was work. But the problem was, he found himself wanting to know more. To dig deeper into who she really was. He couldn't stop thinking about how it felt to be around her.
The plane landed, and they were swept into the chaos of the UNICEF trip—meeting the kids, interacting with the local staff, capturing moments on camera. Throughout the day, Yashasvi couldn't help but steal glances at Vishana. Every time she knelt down to talk to a child, her expression softened into something so genuine it made his chest tighten.
"Yashasvi, come here!" Vishana called out at one point, motioning him toward a group of kids who had asked him to join their game of cricket.
He jogged over, grinning. "You sure you want to watch me take them down in a match?"
She raised an eyebrow playfully. "I think they might surprise you."
Yashasvi chuckled, picking up the bat and giving the kids a thumbs-up. The game was lighthearted, filled with laughter and playful banter, but the whole time, he was acutely aware of Vishana's eyes on him. At one point, he hit the ball high into the air, and as the kids scrambled to catch it, his gaze found hers. She smiled at him—really smiled—and he felt something inside him shift.
That evening, when they finally had a moment to themselves outside the shelter, the air between them felt different. There was a charge, something unspoken lingering in the space they shared.
Yashasvi leaned back against the steps, feeling the cool breeze sweep over them. He looked over at her as she gazed into the distance, her face illuminated by the fading sunlight. "You know, you're really good at this," he said.
She turned to him, her eyes curious. "At what?"
"Connecting with people. The kids loved you today," he said, his voice soft but genuine.
She shrugged modestly, her smile small but sincere. "They were amazing. Honestly, I think they're the ones making an impact on me."
Yashasvi nodded, and for a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the warmth of the day fading into a calm evening.
And then, before he could stop himself, he asked, "What made you get into this kind of work? Like, beyond the fame stuff?"
Vishana looked surprised for a second, like no one had asked her that before. She thought for a moment, her gaze dropping to her hands. "I guess... I've always wanted to do something that mattered. Something real, you know? Acting, the glamour—it's fun, but there's more to life than just that. I want to leave a mark, even if it's small. Helping kids like this... it feels right."
Her answer hit him harder than he expected. He'd seen plenty of people use their fame for causes, but there was something so sincere about the way she said it. He respected that, more than he could say.
They lapsed into another silence, but it wasn't awkward. It felt... comfortable. Natural.
As the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow over them, Yashasvi shifted, glancing over at her again. She was looking at him, her expression soft, open in a way he hadn't seen before.
"Do you ever think about what happens after all of this?" she asked suddenly, her voice quiet.
He frowned slightly, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I mean... after cricket, after the media attention fades. Do you ever think about what you want your life to look like when that happens?"
Yashasvi was taken aback by the question. It wasn't something people usually asked him. "I don't know," he admitted, leaning forward a bit, resting his elbows on his knees. "I guess I haven't thought that far ahead. Cricket's been my life for so long that it's hard to imagine anything else."
Vishana nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "I get that. I sometimes wonder what life would be like beyond the spotlight too. I think it's important to think about what truly matters to us."
Yashasvi took a moment to reflect, feeling an unexpected weight to her words. "What do you want, then?" he asked, genuinely curious.
She smiled softly, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. "I want to inspire others, help those in need, and maybe find a little happiness for myself along the way. I just want it to mean something."
Her sincerity struck a chord within him, and Yashasvi felt a newfound connection—a sense that they were both searching for something deeper in their lives. "I admire that," he said, feeling the air between them shift once more.
As they sat there, the sun finally dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue around them. In that quiet moment, Yashasvi realized he didn't just like her—he respected her, and the thought sent a rush of warmth through him. Whatever this was, it felt promising, like the beginning of something beautiful. And for the first time, he was willing to embrace the uncertainty of it all.
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪᴛ
~ 𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ, 𝒫𝒽ℴℯ𝓃𝒾𝓍𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ
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