Canvas of Love

Sparks of something

The sun was high above the cricket ground, casting long shadows as the ICT members trained under its watchful eye. 

Shubman was out there, already immersed in a game of casual practice with the team. His moves were sharp, precise, and deliberate, yet his focus seemed slightly off, a tension simmering just beneath the surface.

Virat and Rohit, already in their own world as usual, occasionally sent teasing remarks towards Shubman, their laughter ringing through the air. 

Rahul and Hardik exchanged knowing looks, clearly sensing the stiffness in Shubman's demeanor.

"What's got you so worked up today, Shubman? You look like you're chasing a ghost!" Hardik joked, tapping his bat on the ground with a grin.

Shubman didn't respond, giving nothing more than a tight-lipped smile, his eyes flickering over to the empty spot where Ishan usually stood. 

Ishan hadn't shown up yet, and somehow, that small fact had thrown Shubman's entire morning off balance. 

He didn't want to admit that he'd been looking for Ishan, that the absence of his rival was bothering him more than he'd like to say.

Just then, as if on cue, the distant sound of a bike engine filled the air. Shubman's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spotted Ishan arriving at the ground, not alone, but with Tilak Varma. 

The two of them busy with each other , laughter echoing around them came near the ground. Ishan was grinning, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and Tilak playfully nudged him as they both hopped off.

They were a sight—laughing, talking, and looking way too comfortable in each other's presence. Ishan's arm casually slung around Tilak's shoulder as they joked about something Shubman couldn't quite hear from the distance. 

The sight of them, so effortlessly close, sparked something in Shubman that he wasn't ready to acknowledge.

"Hey guys!" Tilak called out to the group, waving with that easy smile of his. 

He greeted everyone warmly, exchanging a few words with the others, but when his eyes met Shubman's, he was met with a cold, indifferent nod.

Shubman barely acknowledged Tilak's existence, his face a mask of aloofness. 

He turned his focus back to the game as if the scene before him meant nothing. But inside, it felt like something had shifted—a faint irritation that he couldn't quite shake off.

"Alright, Tilak, let's see what you've got." Rohit called, motioning for Tilak to join the practice session. 

Ishan's smile grew even brighter as he patted Tilak on the back, encouraging him to show off his skills.

As practice went on, Shubman found himself stealing glances at Ishan and Tilak, who were now joking around like they were the only two on the field. 

Ishan's laughter was infectious, filling the air every time Tilak said something that amused him, which seemed to be often.

Shubman's jaw tightened just a fraction, his grip on his bat a little too firm. 

Why did it bother him so much seeing Ishan laugh like that—with someone else? And why did Tilak have to be so... close?

No one else seemed to notice Shubman's struggle, except for Abhishek. His sharp eyes caught every little twitch on Shubman's face, and a knowing smirk slowly spread across his lips.

The ICT team sat gathered around the long dinner table, their plates piled high with food as they joked and laughed about the day's practice.