Heart's Desire

A Happy incomplete life.

Two days ago

"SIX RUNS ON THE LAST BALL... CAN ANSH DO IT? LET'S HOPE... THE PRIDE OF ST. XAVIER'S IS ON THE LINE!" - the commentator began chanting Ansh's name. But Ansh, unfazed by the tension in the air, knew he was going to hit a huge six.

Ansh... - a 34-year-old woman waved at him, and he noticed her with a smile, removing his helmet.

She gave him a thumbs up, and he smiled back, feeling a renewed surge of hope as he hit the ball, sending it flying out of the ground. For him, this woman's words meant everything. When she laughed, he laughed; when she was sad, he was sad; when she smiled, he smiled. It felt as though Ansh's entire life depended on her happiness.

"ANSH ANIKA RAO DOES IT AGAIN... HE WON THE MATCH... THE PRIDE OF ST. XAVIER!" - the commentator's voice echoed, and the crowd erupted, chanting Ansh's name. However, Ansh's eyes searched for the woman's reaction.

She smiled and whispered, "I am proud of you." Ansh read her lips, threw his helmet aside, and began celebrating his win.

While everyone eagerly waited to congratulate him, he ran toward the audience, waving for the woman to come down. She did.

"I am proud of you... Well done, my son," she said proudly, hugging him.

"Thanks, Mom," he said as he embraced her.

"Love you," she said, kissing his forehead.

"Ansh, come..." - his friends called him to join them.

"Tomorrow, guys," - he shouted back.

"Why tomorrow? I don't mind, Anshu. Go ahead," - she said calmly.

"Miss Anika Rao, I'm going to celebrate this victory with my closest friend. Do you have any objections?" - Ansh asked with a mock-serious tone.

"Of course not," - Anika replied, wrapping her arms around him.

"Then why are you waiting? Christmas?" - Ansh teased dramatically, mimicking 'Poo' from K3G in his playful way of making her smile. She chuckled.

"Let's go," - Anika said, intertwining their hands as they left together.

Ansh took out his phone and directed her to a famous Thai restaurant in Bangalore. She drove confidently, trusting his directions. They parked the car in front of "Rim Naan - the Oberoi," a well-known Thai restaurant that stirred some unease in Anika.

"Mom, let's go," - Ansh urged her.

"It looks expensive... Should we go somewhere else?" - Anika asked.

"Come on, Mom... It's the best Thai restaurant! It's my treat, Mom... Let's go, please please please," - Ansh pleaded, leaving her no choice but to agree.

"Table for two," - Anika said to the receptionist.

"Name, ma'am?" - the receptionist asked.

"It's Anika Rao and Ansh Anika Rao," - Ansh quickly responded. The receptionist looked up at them, and sensing the tension, Anika quickly grabbed Ansh's hand to stop him from making a sarcastic remark.

They were seated at a table, but Ansh's expression remained downcast. He grabbed the menu and pretended to read it, even though he didn't understand the food options. He was clearly avoiding conversation.

"One Pad Krapow Moo Saap and Gaeng Keow Wan Kai," - Anika ordered.

"Sir, what would you like?" - the waitress asked Ansh, who suddenly felt self-conscious, still unsure of the menu. Frustrated, he closed it.

"Do you have mac 'n' cheese?" - Ansh asked the waitress.

"Sir, this is a Thai restaurant, and we don't serve Italian dishes," - the waitress replied, causing Ansh to frown.