OPEN ARMS: SHUBMAN GILL

5

The next morning, Kundavai woke up early, groggy from the restless night. Her dream had left her feeling disoriented, the memory of Shubman's kiss still lingering on her lips. She tried to shake off the thoughts as she got ready for practice, splashing cold water on her face, hoping it would help her focus.

When she arrived at the field, the sun was just starting to rise, casting a soft glow over the dew-covered grass. Her teammates were already warming up, stretching and chatting in groups. Akshara and Maya waved her over, but before Kundavai could join them, she felt a familiar presence behind her.

"Morning, Kundu," came that unmistakable, teasing voice.

Kundavai didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. She let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes before facing him. "Don't you have cricket practice, Gill? Or did you come here just to annoy me?"

Shubman grinned, looking far too awake and chipper for this early hour. "Maybe I just missed seeing your face," he said, leaning casually against the fence. "Plus, your coach loves me, remember? I'm the star son she wishes she had."

Kundavai's eyes narrowed. "You know, one day that overconfidence of yours is going to get you in trouble."

"Maybe," he said, stepping closer, his voice dropping lower. "But it's fun to see you all flustered."

Before she could retort, Madhavi's sharp whistle cut through the air. "Alright, ladies! Enough chit-chat! Get moving!"

Kundavai gave Shubman one last glare before jogging over to join her teammates. But she could still feel his eyes on her, that annoying smirk probably plastered on his face. She hated how he could so easily get under her skin. And worse, she hated how much she secretly liked it.

Practice was brutal that morning. Madhavi was in one of her moods, pushing them harder than ever. "You think the national tournament is going to be easy? Think again!" she barked, making them do endless laps, drills, and sprints.

By the end, they were all drenched in sweat, muscles aching, some of them with bruises from the intense scrimmage. Kundavai's legs felt like jelly, but she refused to show any sign of weakness. Akshara was limping slightly, but she gritted her teeth through it, and even Mayavati, usually the most cheerful, looked ready to collapse.

"Alright, you've got five minutes. Hydrate and be back on the line," Madhavi Ma'am announced, looking none too pleased.

As they collapsed on the sidelines, gulping down water, the girls exchanged weary looks. "I swear she's trying to kill us," Akshara muttered, wincing as she stretched her sore legs.

Maya nodded, wiping sweat from her brow. "I'm not sure my body can take another round of those drills."

"Yeah, well, that's what happens when we're caught 'fraternizing' with the enemy," Kundavai said, rolling her eyes. She didn't miss the way Madhavi's gaze had kept flicking toward the cricket field, especially after yesterday's incident with Shubman.

Just as they were catching their breath, the sound of laughter carried over from the adjacent cricket field. Kundavai glanced over, and of course, there was Shubman, Abhi, and Ishan, looking fresh and annoyingly energetic despite their own practice. They were horsing around, throwing a cricket ball between them, clearly done with their drills for the day.

"They look so happy," Akshara said wistfully, watching Abhi with a dreamy smile.

Madhavi's voice echoed in Kundavai's mind: "Focus on your game, not the boys next door." And as if on cue, Madhavi herself stormed over, blocking their view. "Eyes on the field, girls. You're here to win, not to gawk."