CHAPTER 2 - "22" YARDS,MY LOVE.

Helllooo Everyoneeee

Apologies for the One day delay in the Updatee.

So so excited as I am posting this..and will be eagerly waiting to know what you all think of the Update as always.

Please ignore editing/ repetition of common words errors..as I have not Proofread.

And i shall now let you all Dive in without Further Delay.

*** happyyyyy dance*****

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CHAPTER 2 – “22” YARDS, MY LOVE.

@ HOLIDAY INN - NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM

SAME DAY – 16TH Feb,2019

Noon

Khushi’s POV

I amp up the speed on my treadmill giving Jess a wink, gesturing her to amp up her speed too, so that we can have a little race on the Man Made Running Machine – in the gym of our Hotel.She winks back at me in a challenge, and amps up her speed to match mine, and we begin to pretend as if we’v been consumed by the sporting avatars off – Dutee Chand and Hima Das.(These exceptional women are our countries famous Running athletes, who represent India on a Global International Level). I don’t know which one of us, is pretending to be whom though?

Haha.

Actually,I don’t mind channelizing either of the Running Avatars – right now, for I admire them both equally, as long as I can manage to give, Jess a run for her breathe right now?

Why? You must wonder?

Well – because , last night, she literally made me run for my life in between the wickets, for that extra fourth run in the over, even though we were comfortably cruising our way towards the Win.And I was all like in my Head – Jess ya…you could have just hit a Freaking Four instead off Having me Run this Way!!

Jess – is short for Jessica.

Jessica Rego.

She’s my BFF.

We’ve known each other for years now.We still play together for our Domestic team too, ( when we are not playing International) and,I would like to state that we were both very exhilarated when we got to know thar we both got selected in the National Squad at the same time,about a little over six months ago. We are also the youngest in our National Squad right now. And its an absolute honour for us both to play alongside our current members of the Team.

We have so many amazing national women cricketing sensations alongside us in both the ODI and the T20 Squad right now. There’s Sheena Mathur(Sheena Di is around 24 right now and is a legend in the making), theres the awe inspiring Mira Raj...(Mira di is also our ODI Captain and is touted as the Sachin Tendulkar in Womens Cricket in our country, for she’s got the highest runs on the board), theres Harpreet Kaur(whose our Vice Captain ODI and Captain in T20, and has been the one to play an exceptional knock off 177 not out in the ICC Womens World Cup semi final, 2017 leading our team into the finals and has an exceptional record otherwise too),theres a young Deepti who I really look up too for shes a batting all rounder and is the one who has the highest run record in a game by a Indian women, uptil this point – 186*), then there’s Jharna Di(who is like India Womens former captain, shes an amazing all arounder and an epic ace bowler.Do You know in 2017 she became the leading International Wicket Taker in the entire ICC Women’s ODI History.I mean Just Imagine how amazing that is for us???? And that’s just one of her accolades iv mentioned, she’s also received the Arjuna Award , the Padmashree.Its an absolute honour to have my name listed in a Squad alongside her.).And then we have our amazingly talented Wicket keeper/batswomen Tanu who is so supercool in her stumpings that its insane. Amongst us batters we also have Vedika and Harleen who are exceptional in their games too and they sometimes switch in between our ODI squad and our T20 Squad.Then there’s Shreya who is a bowling all rounder, Manvi, ekta, Priya – all exceptional bowlers with amazing speed and spin too.

So all in all – we have this amazing close knit Unit right now, and me and Jess thank our stars everyday, that we have been given an opportunity to play for India. Jess is also a very strong Batswoman...she's been playing on No 4 and sometimes 5 and her presence in the middle order really strengthens our Batting Line Up.

So In my personal equation with the current Squad – I am obviously very close to Jess, because we have known each other forever.But apart from her I also share a great rapport with Sheena di and Harpreet di( we also loveee to play PS together).And For obvious reasons – I really look up to Mira Di and Jharna Di , and they are so very humble and kind and more like a guiding force for us all, they keep it all stiched together. My personal equations also good with Vedika and Tanu, Deepika – actually to be honest, I do kind off get along with everyone on the squad.

I pause on my thought as Jess pants and winks at me amidst her run as she asks – “ are you done making me run for my breathe now?? Or some more??”

I take on a deep breathe as i wink back at her, amping up on my speed a little more – “ run Jess run…I dare you…cmon…this is me getting back at you right now you know that don’t you??”

Jess grins – “ oh yes…I know that…”.And we give each other a thumbs up and continue running.

Haha.So In my cricketing defense, why I am I getting back at her for making me run that way insanely for Four runs??Because -this really was towards the end of Our ODI innings you all – like in the 48th over, and I had been batting for around Three Hours, and we were kind off just 6 runs away from the Win when she outted us to run for these Four runs – in between the Wickets. We also had Seven wickets in hand with 11 balls yet to be bowled!!

So now you know why I want to Chase her for her Breathe Right now!

Haha.

And Oh.

We are in Nottingham, United Kingdom – right now.

Why?????

I am sure you all have guessed it outright, but I shall state it anyway. We are here because, we the Indian Women Cricket Team or as we are also called, the Women in Blue are in England for a Tour off – 3 ODI’s + 3 T20’s.

The 3 ODI match was held last night at the iconic Trent Bridge Cricket Stadium, here in Nottingham – and we won the Match, clinching the ODI series with England by 2-1. England one the first match. We won the respective two that followed , in comfortable Wins.

Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Can I dance on the Treadmill – without inviting a Injury right now??

Ok.I can’t.

As in, I most definetly cannot dance on the Treadmill right now, for I am kind off running at the speed of light and if I break my rhythym to get into a Dance, I will definetly injure myself. I obviously can’t even afford a minor injury to myself at this Stage because I do still have to play the remaining – three Upcoming T20 matches, five days from now – starting on the 21st of Feb.The first T20 match is also scheduled to happen at the Trent Bridge Cricket Stadium, here in Nottingham, before we proceed to Old Trafford and Edgbaston , cricket stadiums for the last two T20 matches respectively.

So, we are kind off going be around here in Nottingham until the 22nd Feb. And we are all planning to train and work really hard to get ourselves ready for the T20 series, because earlier on in the year as in January, while we were playing at Home grounds in India and NZ had come to tour for ODI and T20 series – we kind off clinched the ODI series comfortably too, but lost out in the T20 series to NZ, so we are kind of aiming to give it our all for the Upcoming T20 Series, also because after these T20 international games, we kind off don’t have a International match until the end off September, where in we tour South Africa.

Yup.

You read that right.

September.

We are in Mid Feb right now and our next International Game after these games with England is scheduled in a Fixture – which is Six Months Away.

**a Sigh on That**

That’s why we want to give it our all, because after this we shall go back to focusing on our domestic tournaments, for our respective state and Zones teams until we regroup before the SA tour.

Guys know what?

Even though it’s the Same Game and we are governed by the same body which is the BCCI, but I have to be Transparent in admitting the fact that – our Womens teams international fixtures, bilateral tours, are kind off Literally just Half in number to what is Scheduled for our Male Counterparts. (like for example, this year we are scheduled to play only 12 international ODI’s and about 17 International T20’s)

Hmmmmm on that.

We also play only the ODI and T20 formats now.We don’t play the Test Format anymore, because our governing body decided to step out off competing in the longest format of the Game a couple of years ago.Well on that note, its not just India who has opted out from International Women tests, its also most of the other nations too.Only Australia Women and England Women play International tests Now...that too on very rare fixtures.

Hmmmmmm on that.Again.

We also don’t have an IPL league or something exclusively for us women…however, our domestic season otherwise kind off makes up for that schedule.( Game wise but not Coverage or Visibility wise because Domestic Women tournaments are yet to get Live Coverage on TV networks..so it’s like from the Visibility angle ...the Games are Happening but the Public isnt aware.. that there are a lot of quality woman cricketing players playing on the 22 yards! Theres literally such a huge talent pool that gets hidden,because there isnt a Visible platform...)

You all Know what??

What’s one of my secret Dreams?? Or maybe this is like a Common secret dream of us all Women Cricket players…?

The Dream – to just Play in front off a Jamm Packed Stadium in a Home Game, back in India and have our Nation cheer for us too, as fanatically and crazily as they do for our Men in Blue. I dream to play in a Stadium so jam packed that theres not even room for a single more person in the stands.....

Hopefully...One Day....

Right now back in India...we kind off just play to Empty Stands...or just very few Audience comprising off our very own friends or family, or selectors observing our games, or precious senior players,the commentators, official support staffs etc..

Hmmmmmm.On that Again.

I will be lying if I say that the Dominant love for patriarchy when it comes to Cricket in our country isn’t overwhelming.It most definetly is overwhelming and sometimes it makes us all feel low and demotivated too.But we all try to keep our focus on our love for the game despite the disparity, as much as we can and continue playing with the same grit and dtermintaion that we do, because whatever said and done, things have improved around the Women cricket scene in India ever since our ODI team made it to the Semi finals of the ICC Womens World Cup in 2017 and we all do feel that it will only get better from here on, as long as we continue to perform. Performance is obviously the Key. But we do wish that we had more opportunities to get exposed to playing against more International women cricketing teams...because that will only help us grow and learn more as sportsperson. For in Sports...learning never stops.It Goes on every hour...every day!

You know what guys? All of us in the team keep discussing this fact – that One World Cup win is all we need to make everyone in the nation turn their heads towards the fact that Our Women’s team has got a lot off talent and Grit too. I mean, we have reached the semi finals in both the ODI and T20 ICC Womens World Cups in 2017, and 2018 respectively, so its like we know we can do this.We can win a World Cup Too...we do definetly have the Talent...!!

And we all have faith and belief that one day – we Surely Will! The Woman in Blue...shall surely Bring back a WORLD Cup back..One Day!( and Hopefully that one day should be Soon for we have an Opportunity coming up next year..)

So.

Anyways.

We all give this belief and faith and our love for the game priority over the dominant love for patriarchy in the world of cricket,because that’s the only way we can go on – Positively. Personally, its my Love for the game that is still very much a driving force for my commitment and passion.And just like everyone else in the team, we try to embrace things positively and observe the game of Our Men’s in Blue very closely in order to learn from them.We’v all got our Inspirations that we look up too in the Men’s team, be it current or the previous senior legends of the game, because well for us like I say – it’s the same Game. On a personal note, I look up to many previous senior legends from the Men in Blue, but out of the current team its like I really look up ex- Skipper Dev and present Skipper- ASR. Well if I were to rank my inspirational heroes from the current Men in Blue Squad – from One to Five...it would be Like...

1.Skipper ASR.(for I have always been a big fan of his game, ever since I started playing Cricket and his journey from Domestic, to Under 19 Captaincy and world Cup Win, to being part of the ICC world Cup 2011 Win, to Vice Captaincy post that and eventually taking over as test Skipper and then Skipper in all formats of the game Is kind of Awe – Inspiring to Me. He is currently ranked the No 1 batsmen in the world in ICC ODI players Ranking and 2 in Test and in top ten In ICC t20 players rankings too and thats really a remarkable feat for Real.I have never had the chance to meet him actually....some of our senior players from our Women’s National team have obviously had opportunities to meet and interact with him and the Men in Blue like Mira Di, Harpreet Di..Sheena Di...Jharna Di, and some more. But me and Jess along with a couple of others who are relatively new to the NATIONAL squad havent got the Opportunity Yet.Hopefully One Day....for I am a Biggggg Fannnn of this Man..and to be honest its not just me, my brother is Crazyyy about him too....so is my Dad.)

2. Ex- Golden Skipper Dev(I mean, I am sure I don’t have to even say anything in here.We all know he is an Epic Legend)

3. Star Opener – Rohan or as they call him the HitMan.( I aim to hit Double centuries for India one day too..just like Him. I really do wish to have an opportunity to meet him and just be able to tell him that I do relate with him on one fact. The fact that I absolutely love my Sixes tooo!!! Infact I hit four massive sixes in last nights game too..literally in all four different directions out off the Stadium!! Haha..loved it.Guys know what...off late even in the National dressing room...everyones started calling me their Little HitGirl..becuase of my love for Sixes..its been a nickname given to me by my domestic teammates...and Jess somewhat just shared that with the team when we came in...and after a couple of my initial games and me hoisting up Sixes into the Air...everyone started calling me the Little HitGirl in here too)

Haha.

Ok.

Where was I?

Yes.

4. In terms off my Inspiration from the current Men in blue would be – the ace bowler Ravi.( because I really love the way he reads the pitch and swings the ball accordingly..so basically I bowl too guys...as in I am like in the batting all rounder category in the team)

5. The middle order All rounder – Veer.( because hes like an amazing batsman and also a brilliant fielder...he has very quick fielding reflexes on field)

Hmmm.

So yessss!

That was My Current Inspirational – Men in Blue List.

Hopefully One day...I shall get to Meet the Team too.

Ok guysss.

I really do want to State one thing in here Now.

I am soooooo very glad that we are going to be staying in Nottingham for a bit because off a personal reason too.The reason being the fact – that I am going to get some time to also catch up with my loving brother, Rahul. He is in the process of completing his MBA right now at the University of Nottingham. And I haven’t seen him in Months – properly, as in like I spent some good time with him before he left Home, in September last year and came to Nottingham, and I got completely consumed with my bat duties thereafter, for that was also when I got selected to play in the Indian Women’s Cricketing National Squad as well. And even though we reached Nottingham day before yesterday, late evening – I couldn’t take out time to meet Bhai because we all got super consumed in team strategy meetings etc, some physio sessions, pep talks with the coach – in prepration for the 3rd and final ODI, because it was crucial for us at that point – England had won the first match, we won the second , hence the result of the ODI series most definitely depended on the Final match.

I am very excited to be able to spend some time with him now also for another reason. The reason that he is in Love. He's dating someone...he met her, here on his MBA course...and hes really serious about her. All I know is that her Name is Anjali and that she is a wonderful girl whose captured my brothers heart, he wouldnt even show me a picture because he would always be like...oh no...I want you to meet her in person Junior. He calls me Junior lovingly.So I am very excited to also meet his Mysterious Anjali now.

WELL..obviously my crazy loving protective brother was present in the cricketing stands yesterday with some of his friend circle – cheering us ON, ( I obviously couldnt spot him in the crowd...he did tell me he was there with his friends and Anjali too,becuase the stadium was decently crowded yesterday.Here in England..Womens Cricket is really coming up and the Support is equally great for them too...). Anyways..so I couldn’t really see them yesterday after the match, because again we had a lot of team stuff happening because the ODi got over late anyway because there was a little pause with the rain amidst innings too, but it all resumed back smoothly soon with the match being played a full 50 overs..and by the time we got to the Hotel post it all...I just fell on my bed and sleep took over almost immediately.

But even though I couldn’t meet them after, my brother did send me a video off himself – Hooting and jumping in Happiness by the end of the match and the post match presentations, taking a promise that I would most definetly take out time to just chill with Him and Anjali, today post lunch.

ALSO...He was totally coming across as a Crazy Over Hyper Child in that Video – for Two Reasons. One obviously being because we won the match, and clinched the series, and second being – that yours truly Charlie Chaplin .a.k.a Me – was awarded the Player of the Match for my steady 80 runs not out and a wicket. I was beyond thrilled and exhilarated myself actually, because it was kind off my first Player of the match award in an International Series.

And it thrills me even more to add, that the Player of the ODI Series was also from our team. Our beloved – Sheena Mathur, who is our star opener was awarded the Player of the Series.

So I think I havnet mentioned this yet..I open the innings alongside Sheena Di – in both ODI and T20 formats, ever since I joined in the National team.

Againnnnn – Superrrrr Yippeee to that, for Two reasons. One -because I absolutely love and adore Sheena di to bits because she’s brilliant in her game and has been a star opener for India Women for a couple of years now, and getting the opportunity to open the innings with her in our National squad, has been a huge learning curve for me, indeed. I have learnt a lot from her. And second reason being the fact that – I’v always played in the top batting order of my domestic teams, opening up the matches for the team, so now that I am given the opportunity to play at no 2 and open for India Women along side legendary Sheena di – it kind off really is like a big Deal for me.

OH WAIT guys.

I have been On and On for Quite a While but I haven’t Introduced myself – Have I yet? Like with the Name and the works?

I don’t think so.

I mean I did refer to myself as Charlie Chaplin in some of the lines above – but that’s not really my name , you all – ofcourse!!

That’s just another one of the names which everyone in the team addresses me with Lovingly. Why?. Because – I am pretty much always setting up a Comic Scene in the Dressing room before the matches.(because it just brings a smile on the face, and relaxes everyone and works up as a last minute Stress Buster for us All, for Real)

So – lets get on with a brief Introductions? Jess and Me are still going to continue with our Crazy Run for about ten more minutes.

NAME – Khushi Gupta.

Age – 20 years 6 months.

From & Family– Technically, my Family is from Lucknow. But everyone shifted base to Delhi ages ago.I was born and brought up in Delhi and Our Home’s in Delhi. I love my Family-Insane.And before I get to giving you all a brief glimpse about them, I want to state that I absolutely have been able to Reach the point where I am today because of the constant motivation and support from all of my immediate family members.

My Dad, Sagar Gupta - is my Hero+Rockstar.To the World – he’s this serious intense Businessman with a Successful hold in both Pharmaceutical and Real Estate Industries, but to us all at home, he’s the most chilled out, relaxed, Daddy ever. He’s crazy about cricket too, and to be honest,It did really help that both Daddy and my brother Rahul have always been so crazy about Cricket themselves, that the minute they spotted the fact that their little girl does have an ability with the bat – they went all in with their enthusiastic support for the love that I had for my game, right from my nascent years.

My Mother, Nisha Gupta - is my confidante+ my Hero+My Rockstar.She used to be an international level Swimming athlete for our country in her younger days. So now you know how sports is kind off in my genes. I think I inherited it from Mommy dearest right when I was in the womb and infact in my younger years I used to Swim a lot too, but eventually around 10, I realised that if theres a sport that I want to focus more on – it was Cricket. Mom has also always been a big supporter off my Dream to become a Sportsperson. Currently, she runs and manages a Successful Swimming Academy for children and has tie up with mostly all the big schools in Delhi.

Next in line comes my Genius Superstar – my brother Rahul( I have already talked about him a little..just putting in some more context... He is almost a little over 5 years older to me, and has always doted on me insanely ever since I was born.We do have a really great bond.Why I called him my Genius Superstar?Because, He’s also a Super Genius Chemical Engineer and he’s got some more masters degrees in pharmaceutical studies after which he paused his education to work with Dad in our Pharmaceutical line of business for a while to just soak it all in for about 18 months and then eventually came here to Nottingham for his MBA. Dad intends to hand him the complete rein of our Pharma vertical the minute he is done with his MBA and returns Home

So basically in my close intimate family circle, it’s the four of us@Home – but obviously there are some close relatives in both my mom and dad’s side of the family, and for now instead of giving you all the complete Gupta extended family tree details – ill just sum it all up and say that overall – we are a very Happy Family circle with all our close relatives too.

Personally on a educational front – I have always been just an average student.I have completed my schooling with average scores and I am also pursuing a graduation degree through correspondence now. I study as much as I can when I am not training or playing cricket.

I was very clear that my focus has always been Sports and Cricket and I was very lucky that my family understood that. Not just my parents or my brother, but our close knit extended families too. Everyone would always ask me – how much off sweat and blood are you putting in practicing and improving your skills in the game you love? and say encouraging things like – we have faith that you will play for India one day Khushi beta etc etc rather than focus on asking just about how much I am scoring in terms of Marks.And well, I have to be transparent in admitting this straight out – that this encouraging mental support that I received from everyone around me – did wonders for me, for it always encouraged me to keep moving ahead with my grit and determination.I started playing Domestic cricket, officially for Delhi and North Zone in under 19 domestic tournaments around 16, and ever since then – there’s been no looking back for me, Cricket Wise in terms off my Focus.

My Focus is Very Clear.

I want to Play Cricket.

It’s what I want in MY Heart.

That’s it.

And I want to play as much as I can, ceasing the opportunities that come my way through both – Domestic and International Cricket.

For...as I said Earlier that for me..Eventually....Its all About the Game.

It’s the Game that I Love.The feeling that I get within, when I swing a bat at a speeding ball/or bowl a ball myself/be aggressive in fielding – kind off means the World to me.

Hence it’s always been very easy and straight for me to Conclude to a fact that - Cricket was/is/and always will be the Love of my Life.

I am Destined to be Eternally, Truly, madly Deeply in love with My 22 Yards.On that Note – that’s also my Jersey Number. 22.Why? Two Reasons.One being its correlation with the terms 22 Yards and second being the reason that it’s the date, I was born.22nd August.

Oh and just incase you are wondering why I keep saying 22 yards – its basically because - its a term that depicts the length of a Cricket Pitch, which is where we play the game of Cricket right?

SO yeah.

Guys I have to pause in Chatter of my Thoughts - a little Bit Now.

Why?

Because Jess just gestured me that shes going to stop in the Run now and I wink back at her in a cheeky momentary grin and slow down the speed of my run a little bit and Jess states with picking up her hands up to her sides – “ ok ok I admit...you gave me a run for my breathe indeed...khushi seriously if I ran a little bit more..I’d give Hima Das a run for her career..”

I chuckle on reflex now as I admit to her as we both slow down in our pace to come to a comfortable slow walking pace – “ I so have to tell you that, that’s exactly the sporty runner avatar I was imagining us to channelise at the beginning of our run...her and Dutee Chand...”

We both share a hearty laugh now and we stop our respective treadmills...pick up our towels to help ourselves with the crazy beads of sweat we were drowning in and get off it, both of us very happy with the cardio session we just pulled off and I grin at Jess – “are you sure you dont want to join me in for lunch with Bhai and his mysterious Anajli...??”

Jess and Bhai also get along well.They have a brother- sisterly kind off equation.

Jess grins and nods – “ well I am very curious to see who she is for sure..since he wont even share a picture...I mean even in the video he shared with you last night...we could only spot his friends in the background..even through we knew Anjali was with him...he most surely skipped her face out in the video...”

I grin and nod – “ exactly because he keeps saying..I want you to meet her in person ya...what to do...so come on join me na...”

Jess winks – “ I surely would have Khushi..if I didnt have that session with the physio for my shoulder scheduled this afternoon..and I also plan to catch up on sleep a lot post that...technically today is the only day we have all free..from tomorrow we have intense practice /nets and stuff lined up...so I will skip on this little outing...I know you will tell me all about it anyway...tell bhai I’m going to meet her soon though...”

I nod at her with a natural grin – “ okkkk alright...no worries...I’ll tell him...cmon then...no weights for you today until the physio gives a go ahead...I do not want you to risk a strain resulting in an injury...let’s head to the room then??”

Jess nods and on our way out we also bump into Sheena Di,Harpreet di,Vedika,Deepika – for they were coming in for their gym sessions right now...we chat up with them for a while and ten minutes later we make our way up to our Room.

Jess is also my Room Mate.

Everyone on the team shares Rooms too .Officially only Captain and Vice Captain, and a couple of our seasoned senior players get single rooms and to be honest, they all kind off end up chilling with us all all the time only going up to their rooms to sleep/ or to catch up on some privacy. And the rest of us love it this way anyway...because it’s more fun that way...otherwise it would be too boring to be by yourself in a room all the time!

RIGHT?????

So.

Jess and Me are also like perpetual permanent roomies on our every Tour – be it international or when we are travelling domestically within India for matches and staying in Hostels allotted to Us.

And just as we enter our room, Jess plonks on her twin bed and she states stretching herself,giving me a wink- “ okkk since I have nowhere else to go right now...I’ll let you shower and get ready first...”

I chuckle and thank her dramatically in a gesture of raising my bat to her and she winks back at me happily and I quickly gather up my clothes and change and step into the bath...sliding the door shut.

Jesse’s Music blasts through my ears and I grin as i tap my feet to the peppy number shes got on and just as I am about to step into the shower my phone beeps.

It’s my brother.

I open whatsapp and I spot his message : junior..what’s up?you will be there on time right??? I cant wait to meet you.Nor can Anajli actually...we both cant stop gushing over how great the Game was last night. Shes totally your fan Now! So so very proud of You. OK THIS IS JUST A REMINDER FOR YOU TO BE TJERE ON TIME.DONT BE LATE.PLEASE?

I grin to myself as I quickly reply : yes superbro..I will be there bang on time..provided you let me get ready now! Its 1pm already...I’ll see you in 30 mins. And that’s so sweet of Anjali...I just csnt wait to meet her now!! Ok bye...dont text back.See you super soon.. my superbro.

I tap send.

I start my shower, tapping my feet to feeble sounds of Jess's music that was still falling in my ears and I feel a very happy peaceful feeling, take over my heart right now.

Why?

Because I am so very Happy for my Brother right now.I think hes found the one whom he wants to spend the rest of his life with ,which makes me a very happyyy sibling indeed.

On that note ..I forgot to mention another Personal Introductory Detail earlier.

My Relationship Status – Currently Single.Ok to be fair enough..let me scratch out that Currently and admit to you all straight away that it’s always been that way. AS IN....I have always been Single.No relationship as of now...like literally No boyfriends Ever.Why? You may ask? Well to be honest...its Out of PERSONAL choice. For I have never had the time to look at anything beyond Cricket ever since my early teenage years...my personal life routine being very simple – Eat..Drink.Train..Exercise..practice and play cricket..spend the remaining time with friends and family a much as I can and then Sleep...get up the next day and get ready to play more Cricket.Period. And then Just Repeat it all in the Same Pattern.

Being in a relationship was kind off never in my Priority list, until now and it still isnt...Because I am too occupied and emotionally invested with the first love of my Life – which is Cricket.Well to be fair enough...I also haven’t met anyone yet for whom I kind off want to feel like giving it a Shot...and invest my emotional energies Into anything apart from my Game.

Technically..I am born a girl...and thanks to my genetics...i am blessed with a feminine face...but apart from that..I am literally a SPORTY tomboy within...I absolutely have no clue as to how to be in a relationship...and my apprehensions about the same, kind off also stem from the fact that I also dont know if any boy will be able to understand and see me for who I am in my being...and be comfortable to have a girlfriend whose day and night is dedicated to breathing and Thinking Cricket, and is someone who plans to keep herself dedicated towards dawning sweaty sporty jerseys and helmets...half her life. AND I AM VERY CLEAR ON MY STAND THAT I AM NOT GOING TO CHANGE EVEN A TAD BIT OFF WHO I AM WITHIN.IF SOMEONE HAS TO LIKE ME...THEY HAVE TO LIKE ME FOR WHO I AM.

Period.

So yeah for Now – I am just in a very committed relationship with 22 Yards, My Love.

Haha!!

And I also dont think I will meet a Special Someone anytime though..and just incase I do...I’ll see how it goes..Then.Not going to invest too much energy thinking about it Now.

No Point.

I quickly close up the shower now...and start to dry myself and minutes later, I put on my Denims and my warm Sweatshirt over myself..( since it’s still a little chilly here in England because its Mid Feb) and I quickly tie up my shoulder length hair into a high ponytail, and step out all ready,grinning and relaxed – to meet my Superbro and his mysterious Anjali.

I chat up with Jess for a couple of minutes, as she collects her stuff to get into shower and freshen up – before making my way out the Door of my room, very very excited.

It was going to be a Gooodddddd Dayyyyyy – Indeed!!

.......

Two Hours Later - @ Wagamama,Corner House -City Center Nottingham

Khushi POV continues

So.

Hey to You All Again.

I apologise in advance ...you know just incase I come across as a Hazed/ Dazed person right now. I MEAN...I AM LITERALLY IN A HAZE/DAZED STUPEOUR THAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO COVER UP FROM REFLECTING ON MY FACE TRANSPARENTLY. I have been a State of Shock/ Perpetual Daze ever since I stepped Into this restaurant to meet up my brother and the love of his Life – Anjali.

In my defence – THIS IS NOT MY FAULT.

ITS MY BROTHERS.

AND WHY THE HAZE /daze..in case you wonder?

Wait..I’ll just tell you all about it.

Just hold on A Second.

I smile at Anjali warmly as she excuses herself to use the washroom,kissing my brother lovingly on the cheek with a grin.We are all done with our lunch now..and it’s been Awesome to meet Anjali for real...for she is very sweet and humble and amazing and just seeing her with my brother in one frame for a couple of hours assures me in my gut that they are meant for Each other. The minute Anjali is now out off sight, I kick my brother under the table and I gape at him in shock as I state with my hands up to my sides in disbelief – “ how could you not tell me ..that your Anjali is Anjali singh Raizada...Skipper ASR's younger sister...you could you not???? Yov literally been seeing her for months...and you both are deeply in love and you tell me about this now????????”

My brother grins at me as he states – “ well I didnt tell you about this until now...because I didnt want to miss the epic expression on your face, that’s why I didnt ever share her picture too with you because the minute you would spot her..you would know...”

I roll my eyes at him and narrow them at him in disbelief- “ ofcourse I would know...I obviously recognised her the minute I saw her...shes often their in the stands along with her twin brother Akash supporting ASR in crucial matches.. they always blow up the family on screen...”

He grins – “ yup...so I obviously didnt want to miss the expression on your face Junior..I hope you understand why I kept this from you until now...” and his grin turns into a heartfelt smile as he admits – “ to he honest...I didnt know wed fall for each other this deeply...I mean in the beginning when I spotted her in my course...I kind off always kept a little distance you know because it’s obviously overwhelming..because shes Skippers ASR's sister...and you know we have a lot of Indians on our course and everyone would always just bombard her with questions and queries about ASR and I most definetly didnt want to be an addition to that overwhelming list no matter how big a fan I was too because I could observe from afar that it was like she was always in this awkward overwhelming spot...and then one fine day..we got grouped together by our professor for a group assignment...which led us to get talking.. and we connected instantly Junior...and the more I got to know her for the awesome and amazing person she is..I found myself falling for her..and i was lucky that it was the same for her..whose sister she is or whose son I am..doesnt matter..our connection is amazing Junior...and I think that’s kind of destined to top it all...”

I smile a little as I ask with a natural grin – “ you really love her dont you???”

He grins – “ yes I do...i want to take this up to mom and dad soon...but before it went to then..I obviously wanted my favourite junior to meet her...tell me what do you think??”

I grin giving him a thumbs up – “ shes amazing bhai..and to be honest...as long as you are happy that’s all that Matters...”

He nods and he says – “ ok since Anjali isnt back yet..I have to tell you something...she knows this already but I just want to say it to you...I am kind of freaking out within a lot right now...”

I sip on my soothing Japanese green tea as I ask puzzled – “ why??? Why are you FREAKING out???”

He says taking a deep breathe – “ because junior..I am kind off like just a day away from meeting her brothers....both her brothers....ASR and Akash both....”

WAITTTTT.

WHAAAAAAAAATT??????????????????

I literally choke on the sip of my green tea now as I ask shocked the hell out of my head – “ what did you say??????”

JUST A DAY AWAY FROM MEETING SKIPPER ASR????

THE ONLY REASON WHY MY INSIDES WERE CALMLY and Dazedly PROCESSING THE INFORMATION THAT BROTHER IS IN LOVE WITH SKIPPER ASR'S SISTER WAS BECAUSE – I THOUGHT ANJALI MAYBE HADNT SPOKEN ABOUT IT TO HER FAMILY YET.

Rahul nods nervously as he states- “I told you Junior...we are very serious about each other... she's obviously told Akash first about us....and she did say she asked Akash to sum ASR up on it...in transit here...they are coming here Junior to Nottingham...currently they are on the flight right now..will land at Heathrow at 4pm and will reach Notts around 7ish maybe..anjali plans to meet them both alone first today..and she says that shes going to take care of introducing us tomorrow...I am so very intimidated by just the thought off actually being just a while away from meeting ASR...not just because I am a crazy fan...but also because hes the scary brother...Akash is the kool one...god...my nerves are wrecked...”

My insides are back to being Nervous too as i process everything and I ask – “ but wait how is he coming here...didnt they just return from that gruelling NZ and Australia tour...and I think australia is coming to tour India soon too right???”

He nods – “ yes...but he hasn’t seen Anjali in a long time so hes kind off squeezed it in for a couple of days...”,and I hewr my brother fill me in over how Akash planned it all smoothly on the other end.

Once he finishes it all to me he states with a brotherly smile – “ help me on this no Junior...I know you will be busy training all day tomorrow but in the evening...please be with me when I am with them no?? I think it’s going to be an additional ice breaker for me...once I introduce him to you...telling him proudly that my sister now plays cricket for the national women team too..I obviously asked Anjali to keep that detail from Akash too..becuase I wanted to be the one to talk about it because like I said..I saved that bit for a ice breaker from my end...so you will be with me right???.”

I gape at him as I state immediately – “ no no no...bhai no....please....”

He narrows his eyes at me – “ why Khushi?? I know hes like your inspirational hero too right??? You grew up with the Teams posters in your room...and he was very much a part of it all..and now when I’m telling you to be with me when i meet him...why won’t you agree??its been your dream to meet him remember???”

I admit honestly and nervously – “ yes yes it’s been my dream...but it’s like I always thought I’ll meet him like in a professional setting...like on the pitch/grounds in india..or et the BcCI.. when I am standing alongside our full unit...and this just is like this crazy personal twist in the picture...”

He nods as he states – “ I know junior...but it’s going to happen sooner or later right...I told you Anjali and me are very serious...we love each other...please help me on this no???”

I take a deep breathe as I look at my brothers nervous face and I state after a deep thought – “ fine...bhai....but I’ll only be able to join in much later in the evening once i am free after all our intense training and practice lined up...and please know this..I am only going to tell Jess about this..and we are going to keep this a secret for now...I dont want everyone in the team to think I am gloating about having a personal family connect coming in the picture with SKIPPER ASR...ok??”

He nods excited – “ ofcourse ...thank you Junior...I love you...”

“ I love you too bhai...”.And right then i spot Anjali returning to the table and I give her a warm smile and my heart warms even more as i spot my brother lace his arm around her shoulder lovingly and she asks me with a grin now, – “ khushi you are free to spend the rest of the day with us right??? I mean i have been dying to meet you for ages now...and I most definetly am not going to let you go off after just a couple of hours...Rahul did tell me you have this day off for a little break..which I must admit is a well deserved break...for that brilliant innings last night was outstanding from your bat indeed...I loved those Sixes off your arm...I know I told you before already but i just have to say it again...”

I smile at her and thank her warmly and assure her that I was going to be with them for the rest of the day until about 7pm.

And we resume our chatter as we get up to leave the restaurant and hang out as per what Anjali and bhai have planned for a couple of hours after...and I feel my nervousness return to gnaw my insides.

I MEAN JUST THIS MORNING I WAS WONDERING ABOUT WHEN WILL I GET THE CHANCE TO MEET SKIPPER ASR AND THE MEN IN BLUE...!

AND HOURS LATER I DISCOVER THAT I AM JUST HOURS AWAY FROM MEETING ONE OF BIGGEST CRICKETING INSPIRATIONS FOR REAL!!!!!!

And too because His sister and my Brother are in Love!!!!!

I mean...Who would have thought off that??????

What were the Odds.

Life.

Dude.

Funny how it works.

I look at Anjali and Rahul as they walk hand in hand besides me laughing and all happy together and I find a funny thought come to my head almost immediately.

Funny thought what?

Funny thought as to How these two also shared another thing in Common other than – Love.

Ha!

Common what?

The Fascination and Deep Love for Cricket and Its 22 Yards...ofcourseee!!

Ok.

Ok.

I think I can handle this...now that I have a couple of hours to process it all again...I mean I am only supposed to meet him later tomorrow evening right?

I got Time on my hands!

Maybe I’ll just go around running around the Trent Bridge later on after dinner...for Running always eases out my Jumpy Nervous...Nerves!!!

And my Nerves are obviously a tad bit Jumpy right now..!

I mean ..its Natural right?????

For I have kind off been Stumped by a Chanced roll of a Dice in here for real.

I mean really guys...out off all the Scanerios I had ever imagined in my head ...of Meeting Skipper ASR..this scenario was never one if them....indeed.

But then...I guess...Sometimes...It is....how it is Right.

You Cant help It...sometimes Life just deals you a pack off Cards...and you just gotta Handle it Through,accepting the Fact..that we arent supposed to figure out how Life works Anyway.

FOR THATS FOR LIFE TO KNOW...

AND

FOR LIFE TO FIGURE OUT!!!

..............

Tadaaaaaa!!!!

Let me know what you all think as Always...will be eager to read all of yours Feedback over Our Little HitGirl's Intro!

Thanks guys for all the Love and Support.

Much love.

Always.

Next Update : TUESDAY evening Mostly.

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