Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 115

Three days later, the team was enjoying a much-needed break in Australia. It was the day before New Year's Eve, and everyone was in a relaxed mood, making plans to celebrate. Meanwhile, in his hotel room, Rahul was dealing with Athiya's mood swings in a way that only he could—by squabbling with her like two overgrown kids.

"I told you, Athiya, I didn't forget to get your ice cream! The shop was closed!" Rahul exclaimed, his hands thrown up in exasperation.

Athiya shot him a look that could pierce through steel. "Yeah, right. You had all day to figure something out, and you conveniently remembered only when it was too late."

Rahul threw his hands up in mock defeat. "Athu yaar, I was busy! We'll go for ice cream in the evening, na? Subah subah kaun ice cream khata hai?"

Athiya huffed dramatically, crossing her arms like a child denied their favorite toy. "No! I want my ice cream now, Rahul!"

Rahul laughed, walking over to her and ruffling her hair playfully. "Bubba, you'll fall sick if you eat ice cream this early. It's not even noon yet!"

Athiya swatted his hand away with a glare. "Stop treating me like a kid! I'm serious, Rahul. If I don't get my ice cream, I swear—"

"What?" Rahul teased, raising an eyebrow. "You'll tell your dad? You'll call Virat to gang up on me? Come on, Athiya!"

Before Athiya could reply, the door swung open, and Meera walked in, her eyes widening at the scene before her. "What is going on here? Did I accidentally walk into a daycare?"

Rahul turned to her with a desperate look. "Meera, thank God you're here. Please tell her that eating ice cream first thing in the morning is a terrible idea."

Athiya glared at him. "And you tell him that if he cared about me even a little, he'd get me my ice cream instead of making excuses!"

Meera pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. "You two are ridiculous. Okay, how about a compromise?" She turned to Athiya with a playful smile. "What if we put a little ice cream on a stack of pancakes? That way, you get your ice cream, and Anna doesn't have a heart attack worrying about your health."

Athiya's eyes lit up. "Ice cream on pancakes?" She looked at Rahul, her lips curving into a triumphant smirk. "See? Meera knows how to solve problems!"

Rahul groaned, shaking his head. "Great. Now I have two of you plotting against me."

Meera laughed, walking over to Athiya and slinging an arm around her shoulders. "Relax, Rahul. You'll take her for proper ice cream later, won't you?"

Rahul sighed dramatically. "Fine. But you're coming with us, Meera. I'm not handling this sugar frenzy alone."

Athiya stuck her tongue out at him before pulling Meera toward the door. "Come on, Meemu! Let's make those pancakes with ice cream!"

Rahul trailed behind, muttering under his breath. "I'm surrounded by kids. Actual, grown-up kids."

Meera glanced back with a mischievous grin. "And you wouldn't have it any other way, Anna."

As they sat at a cozy café, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pancakes surrounding them, Rahul was gently feeding Athiya bites of her food. She protested playfully at first but gave in, her cheeks tinged with a soft pink. Across the table, Meera sat quietly, absentmindedly playing with her food, her fork pushing the same bite around her plate.

Athiya noticed and reached out, her warm hand covering Meera's. "You're worried about your session with Kabir, aren't you? Kyun, Meeru? You've done this before, right?"