"He was flirting with you and you are laughing."
"So what, I liked it." Now he became dead serious and it did scare me. He came to me and whispered huskily in my ears, "You better not forget that you are mine." It really sent a shiver down my spine...
Things were finally back to normal. Xanir would be leaving for his series tomorrow and I had to leave the day after tomorrow. Xanir's birthday was also around the corner and I had a superb idea for his birthday gift.
Suddenly, in the middle of the night, I started craving for ice-cream, so, I went downstairs and checked the refrigerator and found none there, now, only Xanir can help me with this. So, after knocking at his door I walked in and thankfully he was awake, sitting on the bed and using his phone.
"Xanir", I whined, "I want to eat ice-cream."
He looked at me weirdly and said, "You can eat it tomorrow."
"You don't understand, I am craving for it, please."
"No, I am really tired right now."
"For God's sake Xanir, you are a billionaire and you don't even have ice-cream in your fridge."
"For God's sake Alveera", he said copying my tone, "I am an athlete, I can't eat ice-cream every day."
"But you were eating that day at my house."
"It was my cheat day", he said in a 'duh' tone.
"Fine", I said before stomping away from his room.
It's been 20 minutes and my craving had just grown bigger and because of it, I couldn't even sleep, Aargh!
Just then the door opened and Xanir came in and before I could say anything he threw something towards and told me to catch it and as soon as I caught it, guess what, it was my favourite chocolate cornetto. I was so happy that I threw my arms around Xanir and thanked him. I sat on the bed and immediately started eating it and I didn't notice that Xanir also bought himself a cornetto. He came and sat beside me on the bed and placed his head on my shoulder, how can he eat in that position? Well, never mind.
"Why are you eating?", I asked him.
"I have to do intense training tomorrow anyways." And I replied with an 'oh'.
"Can I ask you something?", I questioned and he hummed in response.
"There must be someone, any girl that you must be interested in, I mean there has to be someone?" I was curious, though I would be happy if there won't be anyone.
"There is someone", he said taking a bite of his ice-cream.
"Who?" I started to feel jealous.
"I can't tell you right now."
"That's not fair", I said in a puerile way but he didn't say anything so, I didn't force him.
Currently, I was in Adelaide for the first T20I between Australia and New Zealand and the day I had to leave my boss told me that the presenter that was supposed to hold the post-match presentation, couldn't make it and now it was my responsibility, Yippee!! The match was the day after tomorrow and it was also Xanir's birthday that day so, I bought him a watch that was in my budget and I hope he likes it and besides that, I also have something else for him.
It was finally the match day and also Xanir's birthday and his fans were going crazy about that. We both were in different hotels and I didn't even wish him over the phone or the Whatsapp cause I wanted to surprise him.
After a few hours of getting ready I finally reached the ground. I wore blue jeans, a white top and a blazer over it.
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I had to interview a few experts before the match and I even interviewed Drake Andrew, I really enjoyed it.
Xanir's POV:
It is my birthday today and I was tired of thanking people. But Alveera didn't wish me and that disappointed me, I wonder if she even remembers. Anyways, I had a big game coming up and I needed to focus there.
New Zealand was batting first and 10 overs have gone by and it was the drinks break, they are 2 wickets down but they are giving a good fight. Suddenly, as I was finishing my drink I heard the crowd singing a happy birthday song and as I turned around the first person that caught my eyes was Alveera, it seemed that she was volunteering it, it was an amazing idea and I completely loved it and I gave the crowd a thumbs up and smiled at them. It made my day.
New Zealand scored 189 and we had to chase 190 and we lost our first wicket in the third over only, now it was up to me and Drake to guide us to victory. Drake and I stitched up a partnership of 60 runs after which he got out and I somehow managed to survive and scored 90 not out, that was enough for the victory. I couldn't imagine my team losing on my birthday.
Later at the post-match presentation, Alveera was there to interview me after I received the man of the match award.
"Congratulations on a wonderful innings and a very happy birthday Xanir", she said. As everyone knew that we are childhood friends, so, I thought to have some fun.
"I am surprised that you remembered my birthday", I said smirking.
She looked surprised but she gave me an evil smirk and said, "How can I forget your birthday, Mr.Pumpkin."
Pumpkin?
Oh shit!
In my childhood, I was healthy and chubby, and when I first celebrated my birthday in India, I remember wearing an orange colour t-shirt to her house and when she saw me she said that I looked like a pumpkin and she gave me that nickname. It irritated the hell out of me and it still does, I thought that she forgot that. And now she has said it directly in the interview. I won't be surprised if by tomorrow the whole cricketing world starts calling me that. I made a mental note, not to mess with her again while going live.
I somehow made through that embarrassing interview and the moment it got ended my teammates bombarded me with questions about 'Mr.Pumpkin.' Why did you do that Alveera!?
I was on the ground, near the stands signing autographs when Alveera approached me and I quickly signed the last autograph.
"So, did you enjoy the interview, Mr.Pumpkin?", she asked smiling.
"I am not gonna forgive you for that", I warned her.
"Oh, you will, Mr.Pumpkin", and I frowned at her, please stop it Alveera, "By the way, I got a gift for you."
Never expected that.
She presented me with a rectangular frame kind of thing which she was holding behind her back, which was gift wrapped.
"It contains the picture of someone who is very special to me", she told me grinning. My heart skipped a beat, does she mean that I am special to her, you are giving me hope Miss Ehmaan.
But my hopes were not long-lived because as soon as I unwrapped it, I saw a picture of Evin George. My lips pressed into a thin line as looked at her in anger only to find her burst into laughter.
"This is not funny!", I shouted and it only made her laugh more. My face was red in anger.
After she sobered, she said, "Ok, now turn it around."
I did what she said and at the back of the photo frame was a picture of both of us standing together, with the Sydney Opera House in the background, it was a very cute picture and I was smiling like a fool looking at it. I gave her a side hug and thanked her, after which she turned around to go somewhere.
I caught her by her forearm and turned her around.
"Does this mean that I am special to you?", I said softly.
She didn't say anything instead I looked into her eyes full emotions that couldn't be read.
"I...have to talk to my boss, I'll talk to you later", she said before yanking out of my grip and walked away.
"I love you, Alveera", I whispered underneath my breath.
