The sun had just begun its ascent, draping a golden glow over the ICT's training grounds.
The air was crisp, tinged with the faint buzz of anticipation as the team geared up for their upcoming clash against a formidable foreign squad.
The atmosphere pulsed with a balance of camaraderie and intensity.
Laughter occasionally pierced through the focused silence, a testament to the players’ determination to push their limits.
Amid this disciplined chaos, Ishan Kishan moved with a different kind of energy.
His agenda for the morning wasn’t solely about refining his cricketing prowess—it was about getting under Shubman Gill’s skin.
Shubman, ever composed, was a fortress of concentration.
His movements on the field were fluid, precise, and unhurried.
That cool, unflappable demeanor of his was an irresistible challenge to Ishan, whose mischievous streak thrived on ruffling feathers.
Spotting Shubman a few yards away, Ishan’s lips curled into a sly grin.
With a carefree tune humming in his throat, he strolled over, his whistling slicing through the quiet like an errant breeze.
Shubman didn’t look up at first, his focus unwavering.
But when Ishan leaned against a nearby boundary pole and turned up the volume, Shubman’s eyes flicked toward him, his face unreadable.
“Hey, Gill!” Ishan called out, his voice brimming with mock concern. “Need some help with that stance? You’re looking a little… tense.”
Shubman glanced at him, his expression as steady as his stance. “No thanks, Ishan. I’m not the one who needs help staying focused.”
Ishan smirked, undeterred. “Focus? Who said anything about focus? I’m just here to offer some.....motivation. I know some people need all the help they can get.”
Rolling his eyes, Shubman moved farther down the pitch, determined to ignore the minor irritation creeping into his otherwise calm exterior.
But Ishan wasn’t one to let things go. He followed, this time standing directly in Shubman’s line of sight, his whistling growing louder and more persistent.
Nearby, Tilak nudged Abhishek. “Looks like Kishan’s on a mission today.” he murmured, amused.
Abhishek grinned, leaning closer. “This ought to be good.”
Ishan’s relentless efforts finally bore fruit. Shubman halted mid-swing, his gaze snapping to Ishan, who stood with his arms crossed, his smug expression firmly in place.
The air between them grew heavy as the two locked eyes in a silent battle of wills, drawing the attention of their teammates.
Shubman’s gaze narrowed as he took a deliberate step toward Ishan.
Then another. Each step carried a quiet intensity that made Ishan’s confidence waver ever so slightly.
By the time Shubman stopped mere inches away, Ishan could feel the weight of his calm presence.
“You got something to say, or are you just here to whistle off-key?” Shubman asked, his voice low and steady.
For a moment, Ishan faltered, his heart thudding in his chest.
“Me? Off-key? I was just giving you a soundtrack, Gill. Thought you needed some… motivation.” He retorted, though his voice carried an edge of uncertainty.
Shubman’s lips twitched into a subtle smirk as he leaned in closer.
“Motivation, huh?” He murmured, his tone soft but laced with challenge. “Thanks for the thought, but you’ll have to try harder if you want to distract me.”
Ishan’s breath hitched, his playful confidence momentarily replaced by something he couldn’t quite name.
Shubman’s dark eyes held his gaze, unyielding and intense, before he straightened, grabbing his kit bag.
“Thanks for the… inspiration.” Shubman tossed over his shoulder as he walked away, leaving Ishan standing there, flustered and speechless.
The moment shattered as Abhishek’s exaggerated voice rang out. “Ohhhh! Did you see that?”
The rest of the team erupted in laughter, Siraj clapping his hands. “Kishan, man, what happened there? Thought you had it all under control!”
Ishan’s face burned as he mumbled, “Shut up!” but the teasing only grew louder.
“Out-sassed by Shubman Gill? Didn’t think I’d see the day.” Tilak teased, wiping away an imaginary tear of laughter.
“Looks like the silent assassin over there got the last word.” Siraj added with a chuckle.
Ishan huffed, stomping off toward the corner of the field in a futile attempt to escape the jeers.
He had barely settled when a familiar sound reached his ears. A whistle—off-key and deliberate.
He turned sharply, finding Shubman casually adjusting his gear, the tune unmistakably mocking.
Shubman didn’t look directly at him, but the smirk tugging at his lips spoke volumes.
Ishan’s jaw tightened as he crossed his arms, shooting a glare toward Shubman, who continued to feign innocence.
Their eyes met, locking in a silent exchange of challenge and exasperation.
“Don’t even think about it.” Ishan muttered to himself, stomping away once more.
From behind, he heard Abhishek call out, “Don’t be mad, Ishan. Maybe he just wanted to… return the favor!”
Ishan rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath as he put more distance between himself and the rest of the team.
Watching him retreat, Shubman allowed a small smile to curve his lips.
His gaze lingered on the smaller figure, his amusement tinged with something softer.
“Maybe I like the attention...” He murmured quietly, more to himself than anyone else, before turning back to his practice.
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Heyaaaaaa.... Pretty... <3
The updates are going to be more slow now on as I have a lot of work to do...... I love holidays but not the backlogs.. 😭😭
Hope you all understand... 🫂
Thankieww and luvv uhhhh <333
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Canvas of Love
FanfictionRivals on the field, partners in crime, and maybe, just maybe, something more... Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill have always been at odds. Their rivalry on the cricket field is legendary-fire and ice, constantly pushing each other to their limits. But...
