After last night, I had already made a plan to spend some time together with these two idiots. It was the T-20 World Cup; there was no way we could miss it. And it not only made me happy but Shivani, too. It was worth it—the plan.
"They're trying, buddy!" Siddhant glares at Aaryan, pointing to the television.
"Are they? It doesn’t look like it!" Aaryan glares right back.
"India will win." I say with finality, hoping to shut them both up so I can actually watch the match in peace. Thankfully, they go quiet.
"That's a no-ball." Shivani says.
My head snaps toward her—she's already looking at me. "Isn't it?" She asks, tilting her head, her focus going back to the television.
I glance back at the screen, scanning the field and the players. She’s right. "Yeah," I reply. "It's a no-ball."
"Wow, bhabhi, you're good. I didn’t know you watched cricket too!" Aaryan comments, plopping on the sofa beside her.
A blush rises on her neck, and I hate it. Because I’m not the reason for it.
"I don’t. I’m still learning about it," she admits quietly, her eyes betraying her actual emotions; she is shy.
"Learning?" My voice echoes as my curiosity is piqued. "Learning?" I repeat, this time with disbelief.
She looks at me, her blush deepening. "Yeah," she whispers. "I'm trying to understand it better."
There’s something in her eyes that makes me pause. Something tells me this isn’t just about cricket. I can feel irritation bubbling inside me—not at her, but at the blush, the attention, the mystery of it. I lean a little closer, lowering my voice so only she can hear.
"And why the sudden interest in cricket, darling?" I ask, and she stiffens slightly, her eyes darting toward the others in the room before returning to me.
"I just want to understand what all the fuss is about," she says, a little defensively, as she fidgets with the end of her dupatta she is carrying.
I narrow my eyes and exhale. I wonder why she even tries. "You’re lying," I call out, catching her lie with ease. "What did we talk about?"
She meets my gaze this time and says, “You like watching it.”
I frown. "So?"
"So I wanted to learn it so we could watch it together," she whispers, eyes cast down. And just like that, my irritation melts away. She wanted to learn cricket… for me?
I lean back, still watching her. Something tight loosens in my chest. "You wanted to watch cricket… with me?" I ask, my voice rough as I feel something; it's more than just adoration, it's respect.
She nods slowly, finally meeting my eyes. There’s a quiet vulnerability in them that hits me hard. "Yes," she says softly. "I thought it would be nice to have something we both enjoy."
A lump forms in my throat. This woman… She keeps surprising me. "You never cease to amaze me," I murmur, the words spilling out without filter.
Her eyes widen, a soft gasp escaping her lips. She looks away, cheeks flushing deeper.
I reach out, gently tugging her chin so she looks at me again. "You're incredible, you know that?" I whisper, my thumb brushing along her jaw.
And then I kiss her.
"Oh my god, get a room, please!" Aaryan yells, startling us out of nowhere.
Shoot, I forgot we were still with them.
Shivani pushes me away immediately, flustered. I shoot Aaryan a deadly glare, but the idiot just smirks, proud of himself.
I glance at Shivani—she’s red in the face, clearly embarrassed. I want to pull her close again, kiss away the blush, and make her forget anyone else exists. But I don’t. Not here. Not now. She doesn't really like public displays of affection; I have gathered that much. I lean back, trying to calm the swirl of feelings inside me.
We go back to watching the last over of the innings. Once it ends, everyone gets up and follows us into the kitchen.
