Shadows Of The Stumps

The One With The Redemption

Meera was sprawled comfortably on Arjun's bed, one leg dangling off the edge, her phone propped against a pillow. On the screen, Colonel was shaking his head at her.

"You are impossible, darling," he mused, eyes twinkling with amusement.

Meera grinned, resting her chin on her palm. "But I'm your darling, aren't I?"

From across the room, where Arjun was buttoning up his uniform, he shot her a glare in the mirror.

"Handle your daughter, Dad." He threw his hands up dramatically. "Madam refuses to go to duty today."

The Colonel turned his attention back to Meera, who was bobbing her head innocently.

"See," she tilted her head with exaggerated sweetness, "it's a knockout match against Australia, and I simply cannot handle the trauma of 19th November. You remember how I was, right? I am too scared, what if something goes wrong, dil tut jayega na firse. And you know how Anna has been these past few days..." She trailed off, a pointed reference to Rahul.

Then, with the most childlike plea, she added, "As an Indian cricket fan, I'm too anxious. I don't want to goooo."

The Colonel laughed, shaking his head as if indulging a stubborn child.

"You do realize you're responsible for the security of the cricket team, right?" Arjun deadpanned, hands on his hips. "Do that. Matt dekhna match."

Meera blinked up at him like an offended child. "How? You're literally dragging me to the stadium and telling me not to look!"

Arjun genuinely looked like he was reconsidering all his life choices.

"Noor."

"Bhaiii."

The Colonel was practically howling at this point.

Arjun shot her a warning look. "Noor—"

Meera immediately turned back to the Colonel. "Dad, tell him I won't go."

The Colonel, ever the enabler, smirked. "Yes, yes. She won't go."

Arjun groaned, rubbing his temples. "I cannot handle you both."

Meera beamed victoriously.

"Go get ready, Noor."

Meera pouted but dragged herself up from the bed, grumbling under her breath.

"Handsome, you should've tried harder."

The Colonel just chuckled. Arjun? He looked five seconds away from losing his mind.

As the chaos in the room continued, Colonel chuckled before cutting the call.

"Lado, tum dono—bye." His voice held both amusement and resignation as the screen went dark.

Just as Meera groaned and flopped back onto the bed, Hardik walked in, hands tucked into the pockets of his joggers, his gaze immediately landing on her.

He chuckled, taking in the sight of his girlfriend tangled in the sheets like a child refusing to wake up for school. Then, turning to Arjun, he asked, "What's going on here?"

Arjun exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

"Your girlfriend," he said, his tone dry, "is currently anxious about the match and has decided she doesn't want to go to duty today."