Clean Bowled

Chapter 47

*Aslesha*

"I love you".

"I love you Aslesha Mathur".

It's like the world stops spinning then and there completely. Did Viraj just say that he loves me?

Is this a dream? This is definitely a dream. But it all seems too real.

Tears form in my eyes as I bite my lower lip.

He loves me. He loves me. He loves me. He loves me. He loves me. I have a brain tumor.

The thought of my brain tumor suddenly struck me and its like the world which had stopped, now shatters below my feet and I'm slapped back to reality.

I can't do this. No way.

How can I forget about what he said about this tournament being the only chance that he'll get to fulfill his dream.

Oh god!

The moment that should've been the best in my life has become the worst.

My phone starts ringing and suddenly Viraj blinks and we are out of the daze we were in. Whoever it is, is my saviour.

I remove my phone and Viraj frowns as he steps back so that now we are not standing too close.

Its papa.

"Hello papa" I say clearing my throat and looking at Viraj from the corner of my eye to see him kicking a small stone harshly.

He's clearly getting anxious.

"Aashu ho kaha tum? Late ho gaya hai beta. Dawaai bhi toh leni hai" he says.

"Ha papa Viraj ke saath hu, bass thodi der me aa rahi hu ghar" I say and hang up.

I walk towards Viraj and tap him on the shoulder. This has become so awkward.

"Papa ka phone tha. Ghar jaana chahiye ab" I say.

"Ghar? Abhi?" He says in a high voice but then after a brief pause, nods.

"Ha ha.. right. Raat ho gayi hai bahot. Ghar jaana chahiye ab" he says and sits on my scooter.

"Pehle tumhare ghar chalo" I tell him and he nods.

He sits stiffly as I sit behind him and the tension gets really thick between us. I've made up my mind of what I'm gonna do.

I love him. Aur uske liye itna karna hi hoga.

The ride back home is silent and when we reach his house and ring the bell his mom opens the door and as soon as she takes in our form, the glass in her hand slips.

"Ye kya tum dono ko itna kaise laga. Kya haalat banaa rakhi hai ye" she says ushering us in.

"Vo.. vo.." I start but his mom inturrupts me.

"Mujhe pata hai ki tum dono ko ek dusre pe bahot gussa aata hai aur bahot jhagadte ho tum dono.. isliye kahi tumne ek dusre ko hi toh nahi maar diya" she asks with a horrified expression.

"NAHI" me and Viraj say in unison with the same expression like her.

"Toh fir hua kya?" she asks getting impatient.

"Aslesha ko kuch gunde raste pe chhed diye toh.."

"Oh my god Aashi are you ok sweetie?" she asks and walks towards me, pulling me in a hug. I smile and blink back my tears.

"Chalo police station" she says and grabs her car keys.

"Nahi nahi aunty. Mai pehle papa se baat kar lungi. We'll manage" I tell her.