CHANDRIKA'S POV
President: Okay guys. Here we are. It's our series with Australia.
Rahul? You will be leading ODI and Tests.
Rahul: Yes, sir.
President: Chandu? You will be going with them.
Oh! That's going to be fun.
Going to my dream destination, with my crush, who doesn't know that.
Just so great.
I should be thinking about moving on.
About how should I never have these feelings again, when he is concerned. But no! Nada. Zilch.
Universe hates me. I got that, big time.
Virat: Chandu?
Me: Yeah?
He looked at the president.
Right. I should answer him.
Me: Sorry, Sir. Sure. Yeah.
President: That's that then.
You all can leave. Although, Rahul? Let's work on a list of 15 members.
Translation? All others? Get the hell out.
We took the hint.
Rohit: What do you keep thinking?
Shub: Har baar.
Dhawan: leave her alone. Bacchi hein woh.
Meanwhile, my crush or even someone I like and moving towards love, KL Rahul, made his way towards us.
Rahul: Hey, Chandu. All good? You kind of zoned out today.
Aren't I the mental counsellor?
Who, also, helped him to overcome his 2019 breakup?
Me: I am all good.
And I turned around to leave.
I am not a person who avoids someone but when it comes to my very own mind, I'll avoid.
I can't tell him how I feel because I might actually lose him as a friend if he doesn't feel the same and I am pretty sure he doesn't.
Hence, I avoid him.
Rahul: Chand?
That damn name he calls me.
Me: Yes!?
Rahul: Get your bags ready. We are leaving tomorrow evening.
Me: Sir, yes sir. Anything else sir?
He just raised an eyebrow while I smiled and walked away.
Next evening......
By the time I boarded the team bus, the seat beside Rahul is the only one available.
So, I sat there.
A whole ride, of one hour, beside him seemed like an idea in which a family of butterflies live and dance in my belly. But, I thought of listening songs.
Beside him. Maybe I want to have all the butterflies in world in my belly.
RAHUL'S POV
While everything seemed fine, Chand didn't.
There always seems to be something on her mind and I need to talk to her.
Which is why I might have saved a seat for her.
Even though she sat beside me, she plugged in her earphones and slept.
Great. So much for talking.
After an hour, we got down and boarded a plane.
This time, Siraj sat between us and she went back to her talkative self with him.
So the only person who she has a problem with is me?
She was the one who pulled me out of depression.
It was hell back then and she protected me and taught me to protect myself too.
Not talking to her is actually paining me. More than I am comfortable.
We landed in Australia and went to our hotel.
Virat: Guys? Pat just messaged me asking me to come to dinner. All of us. I said okay. So, get ready.
Okay!
Maybe a dinner takes my mind off things.
An hour later.....
Dinner takes mind off things? Scratch that. Dinner will probably make sure I'll never forget her in this attire.
While, I call her Chand because I like that name, now she is looking like one.
