Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 106

As the sun dipped low over Melbourne, the team bus rolled into the hotel driveway. Practice had been grueling, leaving everyone drained and ready to crash. Rahul leaned against his seat, stretching out his legs with a groan.

"I'm done," he mumbled to no one in particular. "Even lifting a fork tonight feels like a task."

Meera, who sat just ahead of him, turned back with a teasing grin. "No whining, Anna. You'll survive."

"Barely," Rahul muttered, earning a laugh from a couple of teammates as they shuffled off the bus.

Virat, looking unusually energetic despite the day, was the first to hop off. "Come on, slowpokes," he called, smirking as if he knew something the others didn't. Rahul ignored him, pulling his bag up as he trudged toward the hotel lobby with the others.

Rohit, from the front, added with a yawn, "If anyone hears snoring tonight, don't blame me."

Shubman, half-asleep on his seat, mumbled, "You're the captain. You're supposed to be snoring first."

The moment they stepped into the cool air of the hotel lobby, though, exhaustion gave way to pure surprise. Standing there, glowing in soft pastel and smiling warmly, was Athiya, alongside Harry, whose arm was wrapped in a light bandage as he leaned casually against a pillar.

Rahul froze mid-step. "Athiya?!"

The chorus of voices that followed was priceless.

"Wait, WHAT?!" Rishabh practically shouted, his bag falling off his shoulder. Shubman blinked rapidly, looking between Harry and Athiya. "Am I hallucinating?" Rohit raised his eyebrows with a slow grin. "So this was the secret Virat was guarding all day, huh?"

Athiya's face lit up. "Surprise!" As Rahul pulled her into a warm embrace, holding her tight.

Meera, standing a few steps behind Rahul, stared at the scene, equally stunned. "Wait... What? Athiya, you-" She turned to Harry in mock outrage. "You were injured? This was your excuse to stay back?"

Harry grinned, shrugging innocently. "I was injured. A little."

Meanwhile, Rahul was already by Athiya's side, still looking like he couldn't quite believe his eyes. "What... How? Weren't you in Mumbai?" He turned toward Virat, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "You knew about this, didn't you?"

Virat, who was clearly enjoying the moment, clapped Rahul on the shoulder. "Of course I did. I'm a planner, remember? It wasn't just me, though. Harry and Arjun here were my accomplices."

As if on cue, Arjun walked in from the side entrance, a knowing smirk on his face. "Surprise delivery accomplished. And yes, Meera, I did sneak off mid-practice to handle security for Athiya. Couldn't risk anyone spoiling the surprise."

Meera blinked at him, still processing. "And you didn't think to tell me?"

"Nope," Arjun replied cheekily. "You would've blabbed it to Rahul out of excitement."

Rahul, still holding Athiya's hands, looked at her in disbelief. "You were hiding this whole time? Even during the video call?"

Athiya smiled. "That's why I hid under the blanket. I didn't want anyone to suspect."

Shubman shook his head in admiration. "This is unreal. Harry faking injuries, Arjun sneaking out-Virat bhai, you've turned into a master conspirator."

Rohit, amused, crossed his arms. "Harry, you should've let me in on this. I'd have added some drama."

"Like what, Rohit bhai?" Rishabh teased. "A Bollywood-style dance as Athiya entered?"

The group erupted in laughter as Virat, still enjoying his moment of victory, chimed in. "See? Best surprise of the tour. Don't underestimate me."