11. Growing Closeness

The target for the last chapter was 130 votes but it didn't even reach 100. May I know why? Please don't say it was because of irregular updates cause I was ready to upload as soon as the target was reached but you people still didn't vote.

And thank you so much to the readers who bought the chapters on stck.me. The next chapter is out there. Please do give your feedback as it was my first time writing such a scene.

The target for this chapter is 135 votes and 100 comments. And this time I won't be updating if it won't reach. I am not threatening you but just requesting you to show some interest as its not easy to write this book with all the dimensions.

Thank you!

A day before Shaurya's interview

Shaurya

As I sat in the cool shade of the dugouts after an intense practice, I leaned back, letting the breeze wash over me while waiting for Anya. My mind kept replaying last night when she came into my room in those cozy, adorable pajamas, her hair pulled into a loose bun with a few rebellious strands tumbling down. A smile tugged at my lips just thinking about it—how effortlessly beautiful she looked.

It's been 28 days since they joined us, and somewhere along the way, they became more than just "the new additions." They're part of our lives now. From our morning jogs to late-night parties, they are everywhere except for the internal discussions. And Anya, she has become a part of my life.

Anya, especially, has slipped into mine like the dawn creeping in unnoticed until it colors everything. Our days start together, matching each other's pace on our morning jogs, and end under the stars in one of our rooms, sharing pieces of ourselves that feel too precious to say aloud in daylight.

Every day, she's here, a constant presence—cheering us on, capturing moments of the game with her camera, or even just scrolling through her phone in the stands, and it's comforting. Sometimes, she glances up, catches me watching her, and flashes that heart-stopping smile.

I still remember the day we moved to Kolkata. The hotel we stayed at, unlike the previous one, didn't have an attached balcony, and her room was on the floor above mine. I was on the 17th floor and she was on the 18th.

That night, I didn't sleep even a blink. It had become a habit to talk to her for an hour before going to bed. I just kept staring at the ceiling like a possessed man, trying to think of some excuse to meet her.

She already doesn't spend time with me on Saturdays. She spends all her Saturdays with her friends. "It's our ritual to have a movie marathon on Saturdays," is what she said when I asked her. Knowing I wouldn't see her gnawed at me in a way I hadn't expected. I showed up early for our jog the next morning, thrilled when she arrived ten minutes earlier than usual. I couldn't hide my joy. I suggested extra laps just to steal more time together, and she agreed, perhaps sensing my unspoken longing.

That night, my resolve broke, and I made a beeline to her room. I could feel my heartbeats turning erratic as I stood in front of her room. I wonder if she could hear them from the other side. With sweat ticking down my temples, I rubbed my sweaty palms against my short pants, and I took a few deep breaths as I decided to go for it.

I knocked on the door, softly. The silence was eery, as I waited for her to open the door. At that moment, I was excited to see her but equally scared of her reaction. But I couldn't care less, as I knocked, again. I felt like the situation was of life and death and she, was my life.

It was, as if, I was short of breath and she was the oxygen I was desperate for. As the seconds stretched, an internal war broke out between my heart and brain. My brain urged me to go back, while my heart remained stubborn, wanting to meet her. To stop the internal war between my Heart and Brain, I started to count numbers.

The door creaked open when I was at 55, and I felt relief washing over me as she smiled at me.

"Can... Can I have your pod charger, please!" I blurted out the excuse I prepared. She gave me a long stare as if assessing me. I skimmed in my place, my face paling as she kept staring at me. "Come in, Mr. Singhania," She finally smiled, stepping away, making me sigh in relief.

"Let me grab it," She turned away and started searching for the charger while I took my time to admire her room. Stepping into her room, I took in every detail. The bed was nestled against the wall beneath a striking painting of a yellow taxi on a bustling street, but what held me captive was the view from her balcony. I drifted towards it, captivated by the way the city lights flickered against the night sky, but truthfully, all I wanted was to stay near her a little longer.

I noticed Anya moving towards me with the charger and walked to the balcony, not looking back at her.

"Your room has the most beautiful view of the night sky, Ms. Shergill. I can only see the flyover from mine," I pouted a little to add dramatic effect. Anya came and stood beside me, without saying anything.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed a beautiful smile forming on her lips. " It would be scandalous if someone sees you coming in, or going out of my room at odd hours. It can affect your career," She knew it.

"Do you enjoy spending time with me, Ananya?" I asked the question directly, without beating around the bush. She took a step ahead and held the railing, looking down.

"I don't want you to risk your reputation and career, Shaurya," Her voice was a mere whisper. If it was not for the quietness of the night, I would have missed it. I took a step and stood beside her, my hands on the railing.

"Answer my question truthfully, Ananya. What do you want? Don't think about my career, media, paps, and all that crap. What does Ananya want? Does she like to spend time with Shaurya or not?" I asked, placing my hand over hers on the railing. Her body went rigid for a moment before she relaxed, resting her head on my shoulder.

"I do want to spend time with you, Shaurya," She admitted, her cheeks turning crimson. That admission felt like everything. For the first time, I realized how much I would risk just to stay by her side, how I would face any consequence, just to see her smile and hear her laughter.

"Don't worry about anything else, then. I'll take care of it. I'll not let anyone harm either your or my reputation." I promised. I knew it was risky. I knew the consequences if the news leaked out. But the time with her is worth every risk in the world. She is worth every humiliation and every inquiry I would face if something goes wrong. I will face everything for her and won't even let a scratch on her career or image.

Anya, being extra cautious, turned off the balcony lights making me chuckle at her. She pouted at me narrowing her eyes and god! She looked damn cute while doing so.

"Can I get a coffee, please?" I made a pleading face for extra effect and she went away to make a coffee, her cheeks flushing pink.

She came back with two cups of coffee and took a seat beside me. I moved my chair closer to hers, making her narrow her eyes at me but she didn't say anything. In silence, we sipped our coffee as the gentle night breeze caressed us. Strands of her hair brushed against my arm, leaving her scent lingering, intoxicating, and calming all at once. We started talking about random things and our first cooking experience.

Her first time cooking was apparently a disaster as she added too much red chili powder to the curry, to get a good color. She confessed to not having much knowledge of cooking except for a few dishes to survive. That's not an issue, I can cook for her and teach her if she is interested in learning.

As we talked further, she folded her legs, on her chair and explained animatedly about how her mother scolded her for making the disastrous dish and how she completed the red chili powder meant for an entire month in a single dish.

As the conversation flew further, I couldn't help but notice how her face shined under the moonlight. Her eyes shone like the most precious diamonds, competing with the stars shining in the sky, her fingers running through her wavy locks, as she tucked them from time to time and those lips, those cherry lips were testing my control.

I just wanted to grab her face and attach my lips to hers and suck the hell out of them. But, I knew it was not the time and I still had a long way before kissing her. I wanted to hold her hand, intertwine our fingers, and was almost desperate to grab her hand but controlled myself fisting my hands on the chair handle.

Her feet kicked my knee as she laughed uncontrollably at some memory of hers and she stopped abruptly. She tried to pull her leg back but I held her feet and kept it on my thigh, squeezing it with a smile.

"Let it be," I assured her and squeezed her toes once more. She heaved a sigh and started speaking again and I listened to her playing with her toes and sole, mindlessly. We kept talking till midnight until she finally pushed me out of her room, reminding me of my early morning practice.

We grew more comfortable with each other over time and the night talk ritual continued even when we moved to other cities for our matches. Either she came to my room or I went to hers except for Saturdays, of course.

As the days passed, I couldn't help but imagine my life with her. I am not sure where life takes me or how my future is going to be. The only thing I am sure about is my feelings for her. It's way past infatuation or attraction. It's deeper than those.

I even had a dream about us staying in a cozy home, with her giggles filling the air in the morning as we ran behind our kids to get a hold of them. I want to cook for her, and our kids, take them on trips, and enjoy all my nights with her in my embrace, cuddled in a blanket.

I want to have those long calls with her, when I am away for matches, I want her to travel with me for my matches, not as an employee but as my wife, and my partner. I want to celebrate her every success, every interview, every promotion, and every moment we spend together.

I want to give her lots of gifts, I want to dedicate my milestones to her, along with my family and friends. I want her to be a part of our family, the one I was born into and the one cricket bestowed me with. I want to be a part of her family, her friend circle, and everything that is a part of her. I want to be aware of everything that hold dear to her.

"Shaurya, the ball!" I heard Yuvaan yell from the ground and that broke my trance. I smiled to myself shaking my head as I got up from my chair, walking to the ball, which was a few feet away from me. I grabbed the ball and threw it to Yuvaan, who caught it with ease.

"Were you dreaming again?" I felt a hand around my shoulder as Akshith pulled me to him. I looked at him with an annoyed look etched on my face.

"I was doing no such thing," I grumbled, pushing his hand away.

"Quit acting, Shaurya. It's clearly not your forte," He stated in a matter-of-fact tone as he made me sit on the chair and took a seat beside me.

"We all know about your growing feelings for Ananya. We could see that," He blankly stated making my eyes widen in surprise.

"There's no need to be that shocked. Neither of you were sneaky enough to hide it. Every time you come face to face, both your faces brighten up like a bulb, and that goofy smile, how can anyone miss that?" I heaved a sigh. So, they are only guessing it based on our interactions. Our little late-night dates are still a secret.

"Though I hate to admit it, she is a very nice person and she is the best for you," He squeezed my hand with an appreciative nod.

"What are you both discussing so seriously?" Yuvaan joined us, pulling a chair for himself.

"Shaurya's budding love story," Akshith bet me in replying and I could feel my cheeks heating up at his comment.

"Oh! But Shaurya, I am really happy for you man! Ananya is such a sweet soul to be around," He exclaimed, making my cheeks heat up more. They should at least give me a warning before uttering such sweet words.

"Did you propose to her yet?" Yuvaan suddenly turned serious and Akshith too sat straight, eager to know about our story. I shook my head, making them both sigh in disappointment.

"Are you waiting for any Muharat, Captain?" Akshith mocked, making me glare at him but my glare, like always, did not affect him.

"Then?" Yuvaan pressed, impatiently.

"What...what if she rejects? Even our friendship would end," I replied meekly.

"What?" Both of them yelled, getting up, and pressing their temples, dramatically.

"Have you lost it, Shaurya? We all can see how much she is into you and you, you can't see it, you stupid?" Yuvaan exclaimed dramatically.

"Um...guys, hello?" We all whipped our heads towards Ananya who was looking at us like we were all aliens from another galaxy. She fidgeted with her fingers looking between me, Yuvaan, and Akshith, before finally settling her gaze on me.

"Siraaj said you were looking for me. Should I come back again?" She asked doubtfully and I shook my head hysterically in no.

"No, it's fine, Anu. We were just discussing our captain's new phobia," Yuvaan said. I nodded agreeing with him but stopped abruptly when I realized what he said. What? From when do I have a phobia?

"What? Is it something serious?" Her brows creased in concern as she took a step towards me.

"Nothing to worry about, Miss. Monkey. He's just suffering from confessophobia," Akshith replied, casually resting his hand over Ananya's head making her step away with a scowl.

"Confesso what? Does that even exist?" She narrowed her eyes at Akshith, her finger pointed to his face.

"They are just sprouting nonsense, Ananya. Let's go from here." I grabbed her hand and walked away, not giving her a chance to ask anything further. I could hear both of those idiots laugh behind us but didn't stop to look back. I would have made them shut up but taking Anya away from those idiots is more important right now. I will see them later.

"What was cockroach saying back there?" Ananya asked, finally after we reached the food court. Only ours and her team along with a few ground staff were present in the stadium as today was just practice day and for some weird reason, the stadiums are not allowing the spectators from the last month like they normally do. It's good in a way, I can spend more time with Anya.

"You know him. He was just pulling my leg," She made an 'O' with her lips at my reply and I changed the topic, asking her about the interview with our coach. Thankfully, She started describing how it went, making me relax a little. I will kill that Akshith.

"Shaurya Bhai, the coach is calling you," Siraj called out from the entrance and I gave a smile to Anya who was pouting at Siraj with puppy eyes. She is really a cutiepie when she is off-duty.

"Let's meet in the evening?" I raised a brow at her and she nodded, the pout still intact on her lips. How I wish to kiss those lips!

"Bye," She mumbled lowly, making me chuckle at her unwillingness to part ways. I quickly pecked her forehead and practically ran away from there before she could yell at me for doing that.

Only when I reached the entrance did I turn back to look at her and she was smiling to herself, her cheeks coated in pink, and her hand caressing the place I just kissed. Maybe they were right, maybe she too feels the same as me.