Virat's POV:
We all players were in the ground for the post match presentation. Harsha Bhogle asked me to come over for the man of the match and series award. This is the feeling I love, grabbing my awards. I held the mic and he asked me some questions. The last question he asked was
“Virat, Last match you got severely injured and it must not have been an easy journey to overcome that, and you did it fabulously in 6 days. How upset you were after that day, how you tackled this injury and what does it took to bring this marvelous inning?”
“The injury in the last match was quite scary to be honest, I didn't know when I would be able to be back on the field. I was very upset and low but there are some very lovely human beings around me who helped me overcome that. This innings is quite special to me, it came when the team needed and there were lots of things in my mind before the game but thankfully I could pull it off. There are lots of people who helped me through these last 5 days including my crazy teammates, Mahi bhai and my family but a special mention to my friend who stood like a pillar with me. She deserves as much credit as me for this innings. It would have been almost impossible for me to get back to the field so quickly again without her” I said and I could hear the crowd cheering. Harsha again asked
“Is she here Virat? We would love to thank her.” I looked at Anushka who was standing in the dressing room getting all red blushing.
“Ya she is here only and she is none other than our new manager, Anushka. She is a great friend to have and our whole team agree to it.” I said pointing at the dressing room and the whole team shouted a big Yesssss.
“That's great Virat. We would like to thank you Anushka for standing with our champion. All the best Virat for IPL and upcoming WorldCup, hope you do well.”
“Thanks a lot, Cheers” I said and moved away, then Mahi bhai came and collected the trophy.
We then again went to the dressing room and then left for hotel, in the bus I sat with Anushka and she was sleeping due to the hectic schedule. I was just looking at her angelic face and was feeling a different happiness and vibes in my heart. This girl will surely drive me crazy. Finally, we reached hotel.
“Great win guys, it's 8 pm, go and take 2 hours of rest and then we will celebrate this special victory.” Mahi bhai said.
“Bhai, is it a party night?” Harry said bursting with happiness.
“Yeah, see you guys at 10 in the hotel banquet area” Mahi bhai said and we all left.
I was tired so I drifted to sleep really quick and then woke up at 9:30. Then, I got ready in a casual tee and jeans but just then Ro entered my room. The biggest surprise is how this hippo managed to wake up and get ready on time. He jumped on my bed.
“Are u crazy? You'll break my bed, I won't pay a penny if this happens. You'll compensate”
“Kitna kanjoos hai yrr tu. Inne paise Das tu kitthe leke janeya?(lehenga song lyrics)?”
“Punjabi language suicide kr legi.tu rehne de.” I answered him.
“Shut up. I am here for a serious talk” he said and I couldn't hold my laughter.
“What's so funny?” he asked
“You and serious in a same sentence is the biggest joke”
“Shut up. I am very serious” he said and I was still hardly controlling my laugh.
“Okay, go on.. tell what your serious talk is about” I asked him.
“Vee, why don't you get in a relationship. Get one girlfriend.” he said very seriously.
“Is this crap your serious talk?”
“Nah, I mean to say, you should think about this part of your life too.”
“I'll think but first let's party” I tried diverting the topic.
“Virat, tell me one thing isn't there someone for whom your heart is feeling something, for whom your feelings are still unknown and very new to you, who cares for you a lot and you can't stop admiring the person” as he was saying, only one person came to my mind ANUSHKA... Why? I think I have gone mad.
“Ya, a person comes in my mind... And he is Mahi bhai” I said and his face felt as if he was expecting something else.
“Come on Virat, don't trick me. I know, your heart knows who I'm talking about. Think about this” he said and left the room. What does he mean by think about it? But why did Anushka's name came to my mind when he said all that. I kept this discussion for later and moved to the venue.
Third person POV:
The team reached the banquet hall. There were just teammates, support staff.
“Let's start the party guys” Harry said.
“Have patience Harry, Anushka has still not joined” Virat said and everyone looked with teasing eyes.
“Ohh, someone is waiting....” Ro teased.
“Shut up. She is a part of the team and we never start the party till the whole team is present, that's why” Virat defended himself.
“Ya Virat, we know that she is the part of the squad, you need not to defend yourself. Admit it buddy” Rahul continued the fun.
“Mahi bhai, look at them.. Teasing me without any reason” Virat hopefully complained to Mahi.
“Cheeku, they are not wrong at all. Tell us, what's going with the forehead kisses and hugs?” Mahi made things more difficult for his Cheeku.
“Oooooooooooo” the whole team shouted together.
“You guys are so stupid.. No less than media portals..” Virat said and finally the team zipped their mouth.
Everyone got busy in their talks and banters when Anushka came to the party. Ro saw her and he came to Virat who was busy in his phone and slightly shrugged his shoulder and pointed towards Anushka who was entering the hall.
(Anushka's look)
Virat shifted his focus on her and couldn't move his eyes, he was mesmerised by Anushka's beauty and simplicity and kept staring her without realising that his mates are noticing it. Anushka finally came near him and he came out of his trance.
“Vee, how's your shoulder now?” Anushka asked.
“Perfectly fine, Nushkie” as Virat said these words, Rohit coughed teasing Virat.
“Anushka yarr, hmse b mil.. Virat ke alawa hm b yha hai” Ro said and this time Anushka was teased.
“Ohho.. Tujhe FOMO hora hai Ro?” Anushka said to Ro who looked clueless.
“What's FOMO?” Ro asked.
“Fear of missing out" As Anushka replied the whole team laughed.
“Yrr, tujhe tease krna to bekaar hai, you are too good with comebacks” Ro said and sulked.
“Ohho, mere bhai ko bura lga, come I will give you a hug” Anushka said in a childish way and hugged Rohit. Everyone was enjoying. Anushka then went to Mahi bhai and hugged him.
“Anushka, you have done magic on my Cheeku. Your words affect him like no other. Good going you two” Mahi whispered in Anushka's ears.
“Bhai, It's nothing like that. We are just good friends.. No magic and all” Anushka said and she was all pink by now.
“I will believe you but atleast try to control the blush appearing on your face” Mahi said and Anushka hid her face in his chest saying Stop it to his bhai..
The party was going quite fun and Virat couldn't help himself stealing glances of Anushka time to time. After getting the perfect moment, Mahi finally came to his Cheeku.
Virat's POV:
What is happening to me..? I am mesmerized by Anushka and feeling extremely attracted towards her but this is wrong. We are friends, she trusts me and I can't let this feeling ruin anything. Just when I was thinking all this, Mahi bhai came to me. He is my forever savior and now he will only tell me the solution of this. Before I could say or ask anything he initiated the conversation.
“Cheeku, ek baat puchu? What do you think of Anushka?” Mahi bhai asked and I couldn't understand is he any mind reader or what? I was about to talk about Anushka to him and he himself started the conversation but I don't know what he wants to know.
“What??”
“Tell me how you feel about her.. how is she?”
“She is amazing bhai. The best person to share your feelings with. Never judges, simple, sorted, go to person, and always understands. She is fun, bubbly, serious, mature, childish..all at once. In short, she is the best person to have as your friend” Mahi bhai was listening to me very carefully.
“Everything's great but for once, don't think of her as your friend.” Mahi bhai said.
“but bhai, she is my friend. How else do I think for her?” I asked a legit question.
“Ro is right, you are dumb. Let me not beat around the bush more. I mean to say think about you two getting together, as a pair.” Mahi bhai said and I was shocked on his words. My eyes were wide open.
“Bhai, I and Anushka...how can you?” I was at the loss of words.
“Cheeku, I am not saying something impossible. You just need to give it a thought. She compliments you so well. Her words spell a magic on you. She looks happy in your company. Just think about it once.” I was just too surprised to react to his words.
“But bhai, relationship has never given me anything. I can't lose my friendship”
“Cheeku, every relationship is different, every person is different so you can't decide your future on the basis of the happenings of your past. And moreover, Anushka is completely different from the girls you've met till now.”
“But bhai...” I was about to say anything more but bhai interrupted me.
“Okay, just tell me hasn't she made a very special place in your heart? Doesn't she understand like you no other? Don't you always wish to see her smiling?” I can't lie to Mahi bhai.
“Yeah, that's true bhai, but still bhai... I never even thought about her that way....”
“You never thought that's why you are reacting this way. And you are just too scared to accept your feelings because of the previous relationships but Cheeku, for once forget that you ever had some failed relationship, forget that Anushka is your friend, just listen to what your heart says, just try to understand your feelings.. Think about it for once, you'll get your answers”
“I know bhai, you always wants the best for me... I will surely think about this.”
“Good.. let's enjoy the party” Mahi bhai said but now, party is not even in my mind. I am still thinking about his words. Now, I know what was Ro talking about before the party. Are my feelings really not just out of sudden emotions? Have I started liking her in that way? Am I really ready to start a relationship? Is it
fair to feel that way for Anushka? I was brought out from my thoughts by Ravi Bhai who asked me cut the cake.
We cut the cake and I fed the cake to everyone and then went to Anushka who was standing at a distance.
“Cake..?” I said offering her bite. She ate.
“Why are you standing here? Come join us..” I asked her
“Nah, I am alright here. This is your moment guys, go and enjoy” she said.
“What do you mean by our moment. This is your moment as much as it's ours.. Come” I insisted
“No Vee. Let it be”
“Bhai, dekho ye Anushka keh ri hai ki ye moment hmara hai, or yha khadi hui hai” I said to Mahi bhai.
“Anushka, what is this?” mahi bhai said to her and before she could even say a word, ro started.
“Virat, what are you waiting for? Bring her here in our style” and suddenly the whole team started shouting.
“Bring her here in the ICT style”
“Okay guys” I said and before she could even respond or understand the craziness, I lifted her in my arms and took her near the cake table.
“What are you doing Vee. Are u guys crazy? I can walk” she said
“That's your punishment for standing there.” said Harry.
I put her down and it was time for signature ICT celebration.
Mahi bhai grabbed her tightly from behind and we all smashed the cake on her face. We made her look like a complete ghost and it was fun. She was literally yelling but we didn't care. We finally let her free and then started the cake chasing, we all were running after each other with cake in our hands. That's ICT. Kids and mature at the same time. We all then went to our rooms and I recalled the whole day. The perfect day, a victory and then the crazy celebration. I freshened up and it was 3 in the morning now, I didn't want to sleep so I put on my earpod and turned on some light soothing music and sat in my balcony. The first thought crossed my mind was of Anushka. She is my best friend, I love the feeling of having her with me. I love when she stood by me. I love every time she made me feel good and special. I love her company. When I look at her, I keep looking at her, it become impossible for me to move my eyes from her. I get mesmerised by her every action, I love when she gets along with my closed ones. When she smiles, I smile even brighter. Is this just friendship? But this doesn't happen with anybody else. It's definitely more than friendship but I don't want to jump into a conclusion and ruin the beautiful bond we share. I decided to rest the matter for now and think about this tomorrow as we are in Australia for 1 more day before we leave for India.
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Second update of the day guys🤩
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