Hit Wicket My Heart 2.0 Completed G

CHAPTER 4 - THE 'FORTUNATE' STROKE OF SERENDIPITY

Published On Thursday,Jul 30, 2020 15:11 PM GMT-06:00

By mysticaltales11111 (@mysticltales111)

Hellooo everyoneeeeeee

So here I am with the Next Update.

10 k Words.

Will be Eager to know what you all think.

Thank you so much for your amazing feedback uptil now Guys.

Please ignore editing/common repititon of words errors etc – since I have not proofread.

And I shall now let you all dive in without – further Delay.

……………..

CHAPTER 4 – THE ‘FORTUNATE’ STROKE OF SERENDIPITY

Areas Under - THE TRENT BRIDGE, NOTTINGHAM

KHUSHI’S POV

I think I mentioned this, very Recently – more like just this afternoon recently. But Given the Circumstances – it’s like you all most definitely have to excuse me for saying this Out in my Head , Over and Over Again.

Saying what?

Life – Dude- Its Funny How It Works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Indeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddd.

And Everyone in the Dressing Room – calls me The Charlie Chaplin.Like HA!Charlie Chaplin – Who????

LIFE.

CAN WE GIVE – MY LIFE – The Charlie Chaplin Comic Award Already?

I think we most Definetly Can!!!!!

Sure Shotly!

Like – Hands Down, Sure Shotly.

I MEAN – WHAT JUST HAPPENED??

And

What’s Happening??????????????????

Well, you all already what I am trying to bring into context here. Don’t You?? For you all saw It All – Already.

But I think, its only fair , that I tell you all Honestly that at first in my head, in that moment of time (after my head was relieved over the realisation that he wasn’t some Crazy Creepy Crawly Burglar lurking in the background) – I most definitely was in the process of terming my encounter with Mr Stranger -as the Most Crazy, Strangest, Absurdist, Coincidental Encounter Ever.

I mean for Real. I was thinking to myself, could it get any more Stranger? I even voiced it out to Him. He said I was in His Spot. He said, we were Dressed Similarly .He said, that one of my favourite songs that I had just sung out to myself, was the one he had heard on repeat over and over – on the same Very Spot. And then, he asked me a question about my 22 Yards.

HOW COULD I NOT ANSWER?

And just Like that, as we started to talk, I found myself feeling so much at Ease in what was still perhaps, going to go down as one of the most weirdest moments of my Life. It was so strange that I was able to talk to him, even though I was still embarrassed the hell out of my head and couldn’t look into his Face. It was so strange that I liked the fact that he was being so Understanding over how deeply embarrassed I was with the whole situation around US.It was also so Strange, that as we continued to talk a little more and more and I still had my back to him – the moment kind off started to get Converted into a Strange but a Nicely Bizzare One…on its Own Accord, for Real.

Like so Simply.

So naturally.

So Freaking – Instantly.

Why a Nicely Bizarre One, in my head?Because, I was liking the way he was interested in making conversation about Cricket. I was liking the fact that his tone was so fond and respectful, in context with the Game ,I Loved and Played. I was liking the fact that he was genuinely respectful towards my Profession as a female cricketer. It was in his Voice.

To be honest – I have come across a lot off boys/men, who are so very often conceited ,shallow, snorty ,mocking, condescending and instantly judgemental in their statements, with sarcasm and doubt starting to drip in their tone in the very next breathe, or through their gestures – the minute I tell them that I play cricket professionally. So it was kind of really nice – to talk to a man(who wasn’t a part of my family or family friends circle), whose voice kind off reflected genuine respect and admiration without a trace of doubt or a hint off condescending sarcasm in it– towards the Choice, I had made for my Career, professionally.

I was also liking the fact that he was honest in openly acknowledging the dominant love for patriarchy in our game, stating that he thought it was unfair too since It was the same Game. (a lot off men/boys I have come across don’t even acknowledge this fact you know, that its kind off unfair for Real - they just straight away state things like – oh ofcourse what do you expect…Cricket was/ and is just supposed to be a Gentleman’s Game.).I was liking the fact that he understood that, the gender bias most definitely could be a overwhelming factor for us women players even before I mentioned it. I was liking the fact that he just simply understood when I told him, how I personally or the team try to wade our way around it positively – so that it doesn’t deter out spirit or lessen our love/commitment/passion for our Game. I was also liking the fact that he questioned me about my Domestic teams too(you know since a lot of people also only focus on International). I was also liking the fact that he wanted to know all about my Inspirational Men in Blue List Too.

Basically on the whole - I was just plain out Liking the fact that he was just so Understanding and Respectful about it all. Which was the central Reason – why I continued to stand there in that weird scenario with my back to him and continued to talk to him about it all.I had never felt so so so good whilst talking to someone I had just met, Someone whose face also I hadn’t seen. And I was right on that Thought thinking to myself – that this really is perhaps the most instantly I have felt connected in a conversation with a man who doesn’t belong to my family or family friends circle , when my Life went all Charlie Chaplining around on me – as Mr Stranger finally came around to revealing around his identity to Me.

And Out of All the People in the World He could Be – Mr Stranger could Turn out To be????

Justtttttttt Who did he turn out to be??????????????

ASR………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Skipper ASR/Skipper Blue.

I felt like I had been Hit by a ThunderBolt Indeed.

I was ThunderStruck – For Real.

The Minute I registered in the sight off him in front of me, I obviously froze into a dazed and hazed shock, because I couldn’t believe what I was Seeing. I mean, Just when I was already preparing myself to be getting ready to meet him, in the situation of being the sister of the man, his sister Loved – I met him this WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like in the MOST CRAZILY STRANGEST WAY.

And the minute I stood their Dazed and he continued to look at me in a amused silence too , my first thought was – oh my god, Its Him…Why Life Why?Why was I destined to make a Clown Out off Myself – in front off one of my Biggest Cricketing Inspirations of All Time. My Second thought was instant worry too, because I was so scared that my entire interaction with him from the start as to how I called him a potential burglar until the point where in I just stood with my Back to His face, could have offended him Maybe??.The third thought was – ofcourse he was an amazing sportsperson himself, who always displayed such a huge spirit of sportsmanship, that it’s only natural that he was going to be all respectful towards the Women Cricket as well, because our Seniors have always conveyed to us in the dressing room, how other legendary male seniors,along with Ex- Skipper Dev, Skipper ASR, along with the entire current Men in Blue team have always been very supportive and encouraging towards the development and progress of our Womens Team too.(I am aware that they all had a Meet and Greet with our Respective National ODI /T20 Squads when they reached the semi finals of the World Cup in 2017 and 2018 respectively and were very encouraging and motivational through out the meet). The Fourth thought, that followed this was that may be he was wanting to know all about my Inspirational List from the Men in Blue, because he was probably amused by the fact that he was getting a chance to take my Case/pull my leg – he obviously would have anticipated the shock I would go into when I knew who he was. And the fifth thought that followed the previously embarrassing and overwhelming one was also full of worry again - that oh my god what if I had offended him in anyway unknowingly for real , which most definitely could result in a potential problem for Bhai maybe???

And as it all Sank in for Real and my mind Processed and Took it all In, that it really was Skipper Blue I had been talking to all this while , all off a sudden I felt so Intimidated, and Overwhelmed by the Whole situation, that the only thing I could think off doing first – was to just Walk Away from the Situation and Him.

Hence,I immediately tried to run away out of his reach in silence First.

But when he stopped me and asked me in a tone so surprised and comforting – as to why I was running away from him, I tried to cover up my nervous by just stating to him a part of the reason for real, honestly as I answered, nervewrecked - " I am sorry...as in...I..I.. ....as..in..i didnt anticipate running into you this way ever...ASR...I am sorry..i didnt mean to offend you...as being rude or something as in...oh hell...I called you..a potential crazy creepy crawly burglar too..holy shit ya...I am...so very...sorry Sir....."

And I was very surprised when he asked me to never address him as Sir and to call him Skipper Blue – instead. And then,when he was obviously being so kind in making the effort to make the situation for me less awkward, I most definitely thought that it would be really rude of me now, if I didn’t formally introduce myself to him. And well you all saw how that went didn’t you??

I made even a bigger fool of myself as I just rambled everything that he already had kind of heard from me – all over again in my nervousness. So the next best solution that came to my mind again was – to just leave again. I was afraid off making a bigger mockery of myself around him.

And once again, when he stopped me and asked if we could just talk about our Cricketing Emotions as what we go through as players during the matches we played at the Trent Bridge Cricket Stadium – I was beyond just surprised and Shocked and Dazed.But, I obviously was also intrigued by the context of the conversation he was Suggesting because he truly has been one of my biggest Inspirations and to be able to know what cricketing emotional moments he went through as a player in his earlier days at the iconic Stadium behind us – did really feel like that it was a conversation, I couldn’t turn away from, for Real.

ORRRRRR WAIT.

Maybe – he just wants to talk to me, because he’s just beyond amused by his encounter with the Clown Me?

And - Why do I say this? You Must Wonder?

Because I am still waiting for him to Stop in splits off Laughter and Giggles - right Now.

He burst into a laughter probably over the crazy display of my nervousness and anxiety on my face – around Five Minutes Ago.And well,his laugh was so contagious , that I burst into a sudden nervous laughter too which I kind off was hoping would help me through my nervous ordeal in front off him right now. And it did help me feel a little better, however I kind off stopped in my nervous giggles, about sixty seconds ago, as I finished giving you all a brief glimpse into the insides of my head uptil this point and Iv been waiting for Skipper Blue to stop laughing too since then.

Yeah Yeah – I know you all also probably think that I am also a Mini Charlie Chaplin for real, for I was giving that glimpse too you all while I was amidst my laughter, as the thoughts Rumbled and Jumbled in my Head.

Well in my defense though – I still feel all ThunderStruck – Ed.

Ok.Wait.

When is he going to Stop Laughing?

I am kind off starting to feel Nervously Embarrassed , again.

Apparently, He’s Still clearly very highly Amused by this entire Situation around us – For Real. Or Wait..I guess it’s me ...he is laughing at.Well, I don’t blame Him...just incase if heis. I Did kind off Manage to Pull off a Comical Circus Event in front off Him – for Real.

OH SHOOT.

A THOUGHT RETURNS TO CONSUME MY HEAD.

He will also know tomorrow that I am the sister of the man his sister Loves .

Uff.

God ya….I really don’t know how I landed myself in the middle of this Bizzare Encounter.To top it all, I just realised that I can’t even tell Skipper Blue about this situation with my brother and his sister - because I know that my brother wanted to save that bit as a ice breaker from his end. I know that it was important for him that he got to tell ASR that his sister is a Cricketer too – himself.

Ok.

SO.

This is really Twisted!

Just -How did I land myself into this Soup again?

Yeah Right. Because My Charlie Chaplin Life – decided to have me stationed right in Skipper Blue’s Spot around this Trent Bridge area – when he was on his Way Here!!!!

Oh Maybe, I should just Leave for Now.Its probably for the Best.

He’s also pausing in laugh. I think he’s spotted that the nerve wrecking nervousness and embarrassment is back on my face. I think the best solution would be to just give him a polite smile and a courteous goodbye and leave – this very second.

I immediately Conjure Up a Plausible Excuse in MY Head.

I give him a nervous polite smile now as I state politely, taking a step back – “ Skipper Blue…im sorry…I gotta go…actually..umm…I just realised that I did tell my room mate that I would be back soon…so I will take your leave now..then..ok?...bye…good night to you..”,and I gesture him a nervous bye with my hand, and I turn around in my heel instantly again and start to pace away really fast in the direction I had come from.

But within seconds I feel his hand on my wrist again, stopping me and he says softly – “ Khushi…look...I am sorry…I think I know what this is about, I have offended you haven’t i??? look, I didn’t realise amidst my laughter that me continuing to laugh that way was embarrassing you even more… its just that I was just really enjoying indulging in a laugh freely, please know that I most definitely did not mean to offend you at all…”

His Tone

Its dripping with Sincerity.

I admit softly on reflex – “ well I don’t blame you though for laughing at me, because I did kind off make a fool out of myself in front of you, for real Skipper Blue…”

To my surprise, this time around, instead of jumping up from the side in front of me, like he did the previous two times...he instantly turns me around with a gentle hold on my arm and I instantly look down on my feet but not his face. He says in a genuine sincere tone again – “why would you presume that I was laughing at you Khushi???i most definitely wasn’t…”

I look up at him instantly surprised now,as I ask – “ you weren’t?? as in weren’t you laughing at me???”

Ok.The way he just looked into my eyes right now locking his gaze with mine, instantly makes me very nervous all over again.He shakes his head in a negative as he states with a side grin – “ nope, I wasn’t.Not at you…at just the situation perhaps…but not at you at all…I would like to apologize if it came across as that to you even for a second….”

Ok.

He is just being very kind and polite again.

I nod my head, shooting him another polite smile – “ oh please…no worries at all…please don’t apologize..itll just put me into an awkward spot again…”

He states sincerely – “ofcourse I had to apologize, in case I ended up offending you in some way…and I also don’t want you to be in an awkward spot around me Khushi….so…is my apology accepted? and in case it is…are we still on for our talk??”

His Tone is so Sincere – that it instantly eases my Nerves.

Why did his Sincere Tone have this Affect on Me?

I don’t know.

I just take a deep breathe and I close my eyes for a second, asking my insides to stop going on a nerve wrecking spree for a bit, and seconds later as I feel my jittery insides relax a little, I open my eyes and I nod at him and state honestly – “ cmon ya Skipper Blue…please..you didn’t need to apologize..but if you still want to know the status of the application of that apology...well yes…apology accepted..”

He chuckles immedaitely – “that’s an interesting term you know..I mean..an application of Aplogy...”

I chuckle on reflex too as i state – “ well thank you Skipper Blue…but well just to be clear…like I mentioned that application or apology wasnt really needed and I am not just saying that because you are my inspirational cricketing hero or something.. its true that.. I wasn’t like offended or something…just plain embarrassed ya Skipper Blue…this Entire Situation just turned out to be so freaking Bizzare..it just overwhelmed me I guess and kind off just intimidated me a tad bit little too……I mean..I dont know if you understand...look..I.. I..”,and I pause as I am raking my head so that I can word out a better explanation maybe.

But apparenrly I dont need to give a better explanation for He nods sincerely ,almost immediately – “ ofcourse, I understand khushi…but hey…I just hope you aren’t uncomfortable right now…I nothing definitely don’t want you to be uncomfortable around me..”

Hmmm.

Good Question – Skipper Blue.

So.

Was I Uncomfortable??

No.

I wasn’t.

I was nervous, embarrassed, overwhelmed, and even intimidated through ought our encounter on various angles along the way, but no – I was yet not Uncomfortable.

Strange.Because I should be Perhaps – if I am a bundle of nerves, consumed with embarrassment and overwhelmed twisted intimidation.

But its True – I wasn’t.

And so I admit sincerely too – “ no…I am not uncomfortable Skipper Blue…so like I said…yes I have been all of a bundle of nerves, consumed with embarrassment and overwhelmed twisted intimidation…ever since I have processed the fact...that Mr Stranger is You...but yes...apparently strangely, even amidst all of that, I haven’t been uncomfortable..”

He grins – “and I am so very glad to hear that Khushi..”

Some General Points to be Noted in here Please ( you know like obvious ones, because its like I am Seeing Skipper Blue for the first time in REAL time and not on Screen) .

POINT A -His grin is even Better in Person, than what it looks on TV.

POINT B - He is also even more Rakishly and Ruggedly Handsome in Reality – than what he looks on TV and the Media.

POINT C -.The Enigma around his Aura is kind off every Captivating – in Reality.( like you know when a Aura kinda reaches that borderline in between off Intimidation and Captivation)

I pause in my mental Note List,shooting Skipper Blue another nervous smile,because my Phone Rings.

Its Jess obviously.

I gesture to him that I gotta take this call and he nods and smiles and he says looking at me intently – “ sure...please go ahead...and.. even though you did say that you aren't uncomfortable..please know that I am also hoping that you are comfortable enough to stay here with me for a bit for our talk..…for real Khushi..”

Again His Tone.So very Sincere.

Maybe..I should work my way around all my Nervousness right now???

I Mean,hes been only polite, and kind and considerate around me all this while...now that the context of our conversation before I knew who he was..returns to consume my head. And well...he knew from the very beginning who he was...as in...even when he knew he was probably talking to a relatively new in the Women National Team Cricketer, and the Crazy me would not just look at him in the face – he never went all Like – oh Dont you know who I am? As in there wasnt even a tad bit off Arrogance off Success...or Halo's off Condescending /Patronising Pride – Around his Head or In his Tone/or Gestures then...or even Now.( however please note..Its still going to take me a little bit time to digest the fact that he wants to have a conversation right now with me, for Real...but I am also kind of very happily surprised to discover that he is being so polite and courteous about it like even now , and not being all like...its Me, the Captain of the Indian Cricket Team..you have to talk to me etc etc...hes checking if I am comfortable enough through all the nervous turmoil.

And well on the basis of the above context,its safe to conclude that Skipper Blue is a Grounded Gentleman – indeed.

I think it would be a wise decision to stay for an Intriguing cricketing conversation with the Man who is kind of like a helpful,kind gentleman and along with being One of my greatest inspirations of all time.

Hmmmm.

Ok Done.

Decisions been Made.

Let’s not RUN away and give in to Crazy Nervousness.

Let’s Face This.

I am a Confident Professional Cricketer Too.

So now - I give him a polite nod and a smile and I pick up the phone and I tell Jess that I will be back in a bit, assuring her that I was safe and sound and asked her not to worry too.

Once I am done with the call , he grins and gestures me to walk along side him to sit in the spot on the grass and I nod at him silently and just as we are nearing the Spot ,he refers to as His Spot , I pause in my tracks and I ask softly, looking up at him sincerely- “ Skipper Blue...will it be ok for me to ask you something right now????”

He looks at me, straight into the eyes.Again.And he states sincerely and kindly – “ ofcourse Khushi...please ask me what’s on your mind...without any hesitation or nervousness..ok??”

I ask again – “ pakka se?? Promise me you wont laugh ok??”

He nods with a small grin – “ pakka se...I wont laugh...cmon, go ahead..ask...”

I know that the minute he hears what my minds directed me to say to out to him right now, he will surely brand me as a Charlie Chaplin in his head for Life.But I can't help it, its the best suitable solution to the situation right now so that I dont get all fretty and consumed with nervousness again amidst our conversation. I take a deep breathe as I ask softly – “ will it be ok if we talk with our backs to each other right now???? As in if instead of talking on this spot..I mean this spot which is your spot.....can we sit by that tree trunk and talk umm sooo....I’ll lean with my back against the tree trunk...you can either sit behind me against the opposite side off the tree trunk too or upfront diagonally..I mean this is just a suggestion...or you know more like a request....please don't misunderstand me ok?? As in this isn’t me wanting to be rude...this is me trying to make my way around my head trying to fix the picture off Mr Stranger and Skipper Blue together into one as in Like...that You are Mr Stranger....and also I am asking this because I do not want to risk getting all consumed in nervousness amidst our conversation and make a bigger fool of my self in front off you..like a bigger one than i have already made...perhaps????so if it’s ok with you...I’d like to request you for this tiny mint favour right now..can we have our conversation with our backs to each other right now.....for Real....”

His eyes widen in Amusement and Puzzlement as he looks at me, Processing my Request – Grinning.

And I can only look at him – nervous in anticipation, hoping that he processes the Application off my Crazy Request, by tapping my feet on the ground and fidgeting with the Sides off my Hoodie around my Head.

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

Arnav ‘s POV

Wait.

Whaaaaaaatttttttttt??????

What did she just say?????

She wants to have the Conversation with her back to Me??????????????

Ok.

This is surely a First.

Never have I ever been asked or Requested – something like This.And well to be honest – I wasn’t expecting her to Ask something like this in the first place.

I am beyond amused and intrigued as I watch her shoot me nervous smiles ,tapping her feet on the ground,and fidgeting with the sides of her Hoodie simultaneously. I am grinning too. I also cant seem to look away from her face right now.Why? Because she's kind off now officially - the Most Cluelessly Charming, Alluring, and Adorably Captivating ,Entrancing and Intriguing girl I have ever met. And just when I think she cant get anymore captivating to my head than she is right now, I see her eyes widen in a nervewrecking anticipation again as she asks softly – “ Skipper Blue....I haven't offended you have I again??? Ohh god...I think i have...perhaps? “,and even before I could answer her she states to herself, in a reprimanding tone. Out Loud. – “Why ya..why can’t i just stop making a fool out of myself in front off you...see that’s why I was leaving on those two times...please know..thats its never been my intention to offend you with my words...I do not mean to be disrespectful..but I guess…ill take your silence as a answer that I have probably done exactly what I hadn’t intended to do…um…. So i guess the status off my crazy application request to you stands Declined...maybe????oh god..look…I am so so so very sorry for being on this Offending Spree ever since we met...please know that Its truly unintentional...Skipper Blue..Truly.. ”

HA.Ha.Ha!

This One is So Innocently Genuine and Sincere in her words. She truly believes that she’s been on an offending Spree towards me ever since we met.

Well.

Was I Offended?????

Nahhhhhhhhhhh.

Ofcourse Not.

Charmed. Smitten. Mesmerized. Fascinated. Bewitched – Perhaps would be better adjectives to describe what I was feeling in my Head right Now.

It’s a pity she wants to take away my opportunity of being able to look into her Mesmerising face,Innocent yet sparkingly bewitching expressive eyes – during our conversation right now.

But you know what? I understand. I understand where she’s coming from. And well her comfort kind of takes the priority seat right now because I most definitely do not want her to try to walk away from me again.

I grin biting back my amusement so that I don’t break into a giggle as I say this to her right now – “ well the application status of your crazy request does not Stand declined Khushi..it most definitely stands accepted...because I understand, I mean I get what you mean and I also want you to know that I am not offended at all..for real...so yes, we can have our conversations with our backs to each other for now....”

Her eyes sparkle with immediate relief as she asks – “ really?????? You understand don’t you??? Thank you so very much for being so considerate Skipper Blue...”

I grin – “ no worries...”,and I gesture her with my hand to ask her if we are good to walk to the tree trunk now and she nods and we walk up to the Tree Trunk. She plonks herself down on the ground and folds her legs in front of herself in a cross and leans her back against the tree trunk, and I sit down too in a similar fashion, leaning my back against the tree trunk, but not right behind her. I have stationed myself In the spot, diagonally in front of her so that I can still turn my to the back from the side and take a look at her side profile, when I want to during out talk. I look back at her sideways in a quick second and I am kind off glad that her Hoodie is slipped back a little, as she’s got her head leaned back into the tree trunk too, which gives me a little glimpse off her side profile, atleast.

I hear her state now in a chuckle – “ well you can laugh you know, Skipper Blue, I did spot you trying to bite back your giggle as we made our way here, its ok…I know…i am quite the Charlie Chaplin sometimes, which I am sure you already have branded me as in you head already.Do you know, everyone in the dressing room also calls me the Charlie Chaplin…”

I chuckle as I lean my head into the tree trunk too and I ask, inquisitive – “really??? Why??

“Because I go about creating a huge comic scene in the dressing room, right before the start off every match…just works as a last minute stress buster to us all ya…”.

I am happy that her tone is more relaxed now.I do not want her to be Tense around me.

I admit honestly - “ofcourse I get you khushi, I mean…the atmosphere in the dressing room right before a match is kind off very crucial to your mindset before you step on the field…”And now because I need to know this , I ask immediately – “ but hey tell me something…are you the one whom they call the Little Hit Girl in the dressing room too???”

Her tone is instantly shocked and surprised as she asks – “what?? what did you just say?? Skipper Blue.. how do you know that they call me the Little Hit Girl????”. Please note – that I can almost imagine a image of her adorable shocked face and her eyes widening up in surprise to the size of the maroon cricketing ball, right now.

It’s a pity I am missing the sight though.

My eyes feel deprived.

I chuckle as I fill her in – “ well I know so because when I last met your Captain, at the BCCI office before we left for the Aus and NZ tour, she did give us a summary of your fixtures lined up and she also said to me and Rohan, you know since he is also the Vice Captain, we were together at the BCCI that day – she told us ASR we have an excellent opener alongside Sheena now, you should just see her hit her sixes…wev started calling her the little Hit Girl in the dressing room…and the minute you told me earlier that you play at no 2, I kind off presumed that maybe you were the Little Hit Girl…”

Her voice is now excited and happy yet sheepish as she states – “ well..yes, they do call me the Little Hit Girl in the dressing room too, and I can’t believe Mira di actually mentioned this to you and Rohan Sir, I mean knowing this means a lot to me Skipper Blue, thank you so much for telling me this for real, its like her faith in me as she trusts me to open alongside Sheena di, kind off means a lot to me….i really look up to her…infact you have no idea how zapped and dazed I was when I entered the dressing room alongside all our amazing team mates and you know what the minute I saw Mira Di and Jharna Di – its like I statued on the bench…its literally an honour to even have my name in the same squad as them….”

I chuckle as I ask – “ really?? Were you statued on the bench for real?? I was statued on the bench too in the dressing room in a daze, when I first entered the national squad dressing room back in the day and saw all our legendary seniors around me….”. I look back at her from the side, and right then she chuckles too as she states, looking up at the side, and our eyes lock by default – “ were you too?? Like for real???”

I grin as I admit – “ yes yes…for real….and well to be honest, I was in daze for days…or rather months perhaps..it actually took me a year to zap outta that daze I would go into in between at seeing legendary players next to me…for real…you know since iv grown up watching them…on TV…I would literally blink my eyes sometimes to check that really, is there No Tv in between me and the legendary senior for real…”

She grins, her eyes twinkling ,and I am so very glad that shes not looking away from me right now – “ copy that Skipper Blue, like literally… because its been six months that Iv been sharing the dressing room with everyone, and I still go into a Daze…too checking the very same, do you know I once poked Mira Di, Jharna Di, Sheena Di, and Harpreet di and even Deepika in their shoulders like in a perpetual beat of a knock on their shoulders through a poke of the finger to check if they are standing in front of me for real in a dressing room and that I wasn’t in a middle of a dream or something, that it really is me, playing for India….i think it will take me another six months to embrace it all without going into a daze every now and then too…”

I chuckle as I state – “ see, we have another thing in common then….and oh on that note, I played for Delhi and North Zone too in domestic…”

She nods happily and looks away now and leans her head back in the tree trunk – “ ofcourse I know Skipper Blue, duhh you are talking to a fan….you are my no 1 on that inspiration list…remember??”

I admit with a grin – “ please know that I am honoured to be…”

She chuckles – “ can I ask you something??”

“yup, please…”. I say.

Her tones all embarrassed again – “ so well see I didn’t know who you were, but you knew no…you clearly must be amused the hell out of your head when you heard me say out your name on my list, also…you were most definetly like taking my case/pulling my leg right in that moment then Skipper Blue, I am aware…I mean you totally knew that I would go into a shock the minute I would see who you were…right??????????”

I admit with a little laugh – “ well yes…that was fun for real…or more like Funnest..perhaps…”.I glance back at her sideways exactly in that very moment, and I spot her burying her head in her face in embarrassment, as she states – “ Charlie Chaplin Who? Not me…Skipper Blue…Life…its my Life who’s gone all Charlie Chaplining on me right now…”

I chuckle.

She captivates me in a way I cannot explain.

I do not want her to be embarrassed ofcourse and so I state – “ well I do want you to know that when you were about to mention your list, as in why I asked you talk to me about it was not just because it was like Fun or something, I just wanted to know if my name was on it or not, to be honest…I really was hoping to make it to your inspirational list…”

She looks up instantly as she asks – “ really????????”

“Yup, and I am so very glad to be on that No 1 spot…”.

We share a warm laugh now and her phone beeps. She looks into it as she states – “ its Mira Di’s text..she’s checking up on me, since I am not in the hotel…wait ill just reply to her…”,and she does that and once she is done with that she states leaning back into the tree Trunk– “ she’s a great Captain for real actually both her and Harpreet Di…”

I ask leaning back into my side – “ oh yes…Mira Captains the ODI side and Harpreet the T20 right??”

This may come across as weird as in talking with backs to each other.

But Strangely – it kind off Isn’t.

There is nothing Odd about it at all.

But I do wish she would look into my face though and let me look into hers.

She states – “ yes…and well of course I am sure you are already aware that we don’t play the Test formats internationally anymore…I mean the BCCI decided this a couple of years ago…and basically a lot of have countries have just quit on women’s international test cricket…its just mainly England and Australia that play each other now, but even their fixtures are so rare….”

I am aware Of Course.

I nod – “ yup I know…and that makes you feel bummed doesn’t it??”

She asks in a surprised voice – “ how do you know??”

I chuckle – “ I figured that out by your tone, Khushi…”

“really? You figured that out by just my tone, Skipper Blue??”

I admit – “ weird I know…but I guess I did…”

She chuckles now – “ well yes, you are right as in, it really is a bummer that I might just never get to play an International test…”,and she pauses and asks softly – “ will you tell me all about your experience of your First Test right here? As in what you felt as a player??”

I smile to myself as I say – “ on one condition though Khushi…”

“what condition Skipper Blue?”

I say – “ the condition that the minute I tell you all about my that first match…you will tell me all about what you felt while playing your match last night..too..”

She chuckles – “ ok…that conditional application is surely processed, stands accepted…for sure…”

I admit – “ ok…so first thing out even though the previous night’s outing out here had calmed me then…but the next day in the morning, the nervousness returned – you know I was wondering to myself what if I got out on a duck…what a bummer would that be?? I even just had half the breakfast I usually would…infact that still happens to me till today when my heads too occupied on the day of an important crucial/decider game – my meals get halved , because half my appetite is consumed by the increasing focus on the day ahead, I catch up on a lot of energy drinks, fluids, water etc though….”

She asks inquisitive – “ really???????? Oh my god…no way…you know what, it literally happens to me too, infact during the ODI’s lunch break etc – I can barely eat, my hunger gets consumed by appetite and focus to just play on the field and give it my best, its the fluids that keep me going too…you know what Skipper Blue that’s the driving force for me, you know, like I just need to feel like I am giving my best on the field, like I want to give it my best , I want to feel driven, motivated when I step out on those 22 yards to give it my all to the game, the day I feel that theres even a slight bit of a dip on that spectrum in my heart, I think I wont be able to play that day on….you know like I just so need to be able to feel that emotion for the game in my heart….”

WAIT.

WHAT?

IS SHE A MIRROR IMAGE OF ME OR WHAT?

TOTALLY FEELS LIKE IT.

WHY?

BECAUSE IT’S THE SAME FOR ME TOO.

I admit looking back at her sideways – “ Copy that..for real…its freaking the same for me…too…”

She looks up and gapes at me amazed as she asks – “ really???”

Our eyes lock.

I nod – “ yup really…”.and just when my eyes were enjoying their view into her eyes she looks away and leans back into the tree trunk and asks excited – “ ok cmon cmon tell me all about that test match no…what happened after…I mean…you skipped on half the breakfast then…when you reached the stadium????”

Ok.for Real.

I have never been this excited to share what I feel in my cricketing emotions as I play – with anyone.

Why?

Because – I know she’s freaking going to Understand every bit off it. She also is genuinely interested – and I can easily read it that it isn’t just because she looks at me as her inspiration. Its more like, you know like player to player, sharing experiences.

And so I do – I share every bit off the experience that I went through in my emotions on my first test debut, ever since the first ball was bowled to me, highlight all my moments to her until the time the test ended on day 5 and I was awarded the player of the match and its strange that even though I can’t see her face – just by her tone, her ahannn..wow…oh my god then what’s..in between..i know that I have her full attention, like she’s literally listening onto every word off it. Minutes later once I am done I ask her to tell me all about her experience and she excitedly narrates it all out to me too – until the very point how she was in a crazy happy overwhelmed speechless daze too when she got the player of the match award, and I listen on keenly too – because I am captivated way beyond my imaginations right now.

As I keep responding to her in between because off her my genuine intrigue – the Imaginary Image of her playing continues to Flash through my Head. And now, I can’t wait to see her Game – actually. Or maybe – it’s the fact that I can’t wait to see her playing in her cricketing avatar. Like with the entire Gear – Jerseys, Helmet, all padded up at the Crease. Even the image that just flashed through my head of her in that avatar – intrigued/fascinated me greatly.

Please Note.I most definitely am going to watch the Telecast/Highlights of last night’s game once I am back to the Hotel.

I also don’t know how many minutes have passed – as we have sat here talking to each other – this way.

Time’s Flying.

I don’t care.

All I care about is the fact – that Never Have I Ever – felt This Good to be around Someone, I have just met.

Once she finishes telling me all of that and I congratulate her once again for it all supportively , all of a sudden she bursts into laughter and I ask looking back at her– “ what happened??”

She says through her laughter – “ oh god..skipper blue…now that I just narrated it all out to you…I so have to tell you…you won’t believe how much I troubled Jess this afternoon during our workout…I mean I made her run for her life…like for her breathe indeed….you know because of the way she made me run in between the wickets for those 4 runs in the 48th over…”

I chuckle as I ask – “ really?? Go on tell me about it…and know what? we do that too…as in in the team we take each others cases this way back in the gym time too sometimes…”

She asks – “ really?? Ok? hear me out…ok maybe you can face me for this…because I am going to try to imitate Jess’s crazy expressions as much as I can”

I grin as I turn around to face her, happy that I was going to get to look at her for a bit and she starts to enact it all out to me and by the time she is done, we are both laughing holding onto our stomachs and minutes later I ask – “ you really are close to her aren’t you??”

She pauses in her laughter now and our eyes lock and she nod – “ yes oh yes…I love her to bits..shes my BFF too…you know we play domestic for Delhi and North zone together too so shes basically like my perpetual room- mate on ever tour…”

I ask – “ really?? Always? Is she your room mate on this tour too??”

She nods – “ yes really and yes she is my room mate on this one too, but yes there was this one time she wasn’t, on our first ever international tour as we joined in the team, we weren’t each others roomies, I got roomed up with Sheena Di and Jess with Harpreet Di..ok? so its like mostly Mira Di and Jharna di will get sole alone rooms officially and Harpreet di gets one allotted too offcialy since shes the VC of ODI and Cap of t20…but she just tells them all the time I don’t want a sole room anyway…and shares with one of us players instead…some senior players sometimes get alone rooms too…”

OK .

WAIT.

I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THIS.

I ask suprised– “ really? Only Captain, Vice Captain and some senior players get sole rooms on tours??”

She nods – “ oh yes Skipper Blue , I know you have that surprised expression on your face because you all get sole rooms right…as in majority of the team right??”

I nod.

Ok.i wasn’t aware that there was a Disparity in this Too.

This is Not Ok at all.

I state immediately – “ ok this isn’t kool or ok at all..it should be the same for you all too like it is for us…haven’t you all ever spoken to the BCCI about this? Bring it up no??”

Her eyes widen immediately as she states with a grin – “ no no..please Skipper Blue, we love it…i mean most of us…it would be really boring otherwise you know…like right now only Mira di and Jharna di have the separate rooms in Holiday Inn…rest all of us are sharing, and infact Mira di and Jharna di …they all also just chill out with us all the time, like you know they keep visiting and hanging out with us all , like I told you they kind off keep it all stitched together…and infact all thanks to that first tour when me and Jess got roomed up with Sheena di and Harpreet di…its like they made us feel so comfortable , our transition from the domestic team happened so smoothly all thanks to our amazing seniors for real, not once have me or Jess ever felt like weird you know…so its all kool on that spectrum..”

Ok I am surprised that she is so Content and Kool about this, and I think I can use the moment to subtly inquire about a fact that I am getting inquisitive about too and I ask – “ really??you really feel all kool about it for real?? What about privacy? I mean on the times you or Jess want to talk to your boyfriends….”

Her phone beeps and she looks into it as she states – “ ok its Jess..she’s got a long life this one..wait up…just gotta text her back”

She hasn’t answered me yet.

And I want to know her answer.

I ask casually – “ so I guess Jess would anyway have a good equation with your boyfriend anyway since you guys have been so close…and vice versa too right??

She chuckles as she states shrugging her shoulders, typing into her phone – “ no ya…skipper blue, so see…apparently boys these days are not interested to have girlfriends that plan to dawn sweaty sporty jerseys all their life…I guess…I mean atleast the ones iv met till now…and it’s the same for Jess…hence that’s not a problem for me and Jess at all, since there isn’t any boyfriend in the picture for either of us….”

MY INSIDES ARE GRINNING.

STUPID BOYS.

Well maybe I should say – Thank God For those StUPID Boys – instead. I do thank my stars – that she is Single.

Ok.

So her phones been continuously beeping now and her attention is in it completely as she states - “oh… its Mira di again now, she’s checking up on me again, oh well Sheena di is messaging now too …they are all very protective about Jess and Me, since we are the youngest in the squad no….wait ill just reply to them…”

I see her type into the phone animatedly and grinning to herself and I ask, wanting to know now – “ really? Youngest? How young?”

My guess is that she would be around 21 maybe. Which is 7 years younger to me. Please note once more – that I have never had a conversation as amazingly awesome as this one with any girl ever in the First Go.So I guess – age really isn’t a Factor when it comes to being able to Communicate Freely and Naturally?

She’s still typing into the phone as she states – “ actually if you ask exact, its like I am the youngest because Jess is like technically a month older to me..i am 20 years 6 months to be exact…will turn 21 this August, Skipper Blue…”

Ok.so I was Close.

I will turn 28 in three months. So we are like 7 years 3 months Apart.

Hmm – well that most definitely doesn’t make a difference to me in my Head. As in – I am still as Captivated/Charmed/intrigued/Smitten/Mesmerised by her – before that Age information came to light.

She’s still got her attention in her phone as she states – “ oh shoot, Harpreet di is messaging me too now…guess they are all done with their PS Sessions and are wondering where I am now…”

Oh yes, so we have the PS thing in common too and I state – “ ohk so we have another thing in common too Khushi…I love to play PS Too…”.

She instantly looks up from her phone now as her eyes widen and she states , surprised – “ nooooooooo wayyyyyyyy…………”

I chuckle over how adorable her grin is – “ yessssssss wayyyyyyy…khushi…”

Our eyes lock now on reflex and I admit – “ I am so glad to bump into you this way Khushi…I mean…as bizzare as the situation was…I have had a very very good time talking to you…”

I spot nervousness flash through her eyes immediately now as she stammers – “ Skipper…Blue…you are very kind…I mean..i..i…”,and her phone rings – now with a Call.

Damm.

Why wont her phone stop ringing?

She shoots me an apologetic look as she states – “ its Mira di…gotta take it…”,and she picks up the phone and she gets up on her feet now instantly and starts to walk around listening and I get up too on my feet and I hear her say in a reassuring voice to her Captain – “ yes Mira Di…don’t worry..i am ok…yes…just on my way back …I know you get jittery if me or jess are out late…what????????????????? its almost midnight????? I didn’t realise…yup I know…ok…ill be back now…seven minutes maybe?? Yup sure…don’t worry…thanks di…”

OH NO.

She’s gotta leave Now – I guess.

But I am happy to know that Mira watches out for her team players this way on international tours.

Khushi hangs up now and she states giving me a polite smile – “ ok…so…Mira di..gets really nervous and protective over Jess and me, especially if she knows we are out alone or something…and its nearing Midnight now…so ill take your leave then Skipper Blue…it was really nice to meet you too…bbyee...”,and she waves a bye at me.

Ok.

I need to see her Again.

I need to be sure that I am going to see her again.

I also need to take her contact details.

I say immediately as I step up towards her just as she was stepping to walk out – “ hey…wait…just a second…”,and that instantly surprises her as she looks up at me and I look down at her and our eyes lock again and I swear to god – I think I could look into her eyes all night, right now.

But to my sheer disappointment she immediately looks to the side breaking our eye lock, and says nervously , as she walks past my side and starts to walk – “ actually I have never been out alone this late into the night by myself Skipper Blue, usually Jess is always with me when we chill out on walks after dinners etc on our tours…and its literally just seven minutes to Midnight now…so I really need to get back quickly now…”

I walk up next to her as I state – “ ofcourse Khushi…ill walk with you to the common spot I need to take back too, before we need to diverge on different roads to make our ways to our hotels…”

She looks at me sideways and smiles and nods and then looks ahead and I ask, walking next to her – “ I know you will be busy training and practice during the day Khushi…but…will you see me tomorrow? Right here? This spot…same time possibly?? Around 945pm??

She pauses in her tracks for a second and looks up at me surprised as she asks – “ you want to see me again???????”

I nod and I grin – “ yes…ofcourse…I want to know all about that remainder off your insipiration list too…”

She chuckles as she states – “ ok…yeah…ill see you here tomorrow…same time…”

I admit honestly – “ and since its me whose kept you out here until late into the night…I kind off need to know that you’v reached back to your hotel safe and sound…should I walk you there??”

Her eyes widen as she looks up at me sideways again and we continue to walk – “ no no…no…Skipper Blue…don’t worry at all..ill be ok…”

I ask – “ ok , then share your contact details with me maybe, and text me when you reach back safely? Would that be ok??”

She halts in her tracks for a second again and gives me a puzzled surprised look as she has a glint of shock flash through her eyes too but she silently nods and we exchange contact details as we resume our walk and I save her number instantly.

Minutes later, we reach that spot where the roads are diverging to our respective ways and Khushi stops in her tracks as she looks up at me nervously and she asks – “ I want to say something Skipper Blue..can i??”

I nod – “yes…please….”

She takes a deep breathe – “ so…you know how there a lot of things in common in between of us…theres one more thing in common that we have, that I would like to talk to you about tomorrow when I see you…”

I ask inquisitive – “ really? What common thing??”

I spot nervousness flash through her eyes now as she states – “ I am sorry, I cant talk about it to you right now…ill explain…later tomorrow??and until then can you please tell no one, that you met me tonight?? Like no one at all….i won’t be telling anyone about it too…not even Jess…please??”

WHATTTTT?

Ok this is a first too.

No ones ever asked me to keep an Encounter – a Secret Ever.

Why doesn’t she want to tell anyone that she met me?

I am kind off Bummed that she doesn’t want to talk about me to Jess even.

I think shes spotted the confusion in my eyes and she states immediately now – “ look…I am sorry…once again…I don’t mean to offend you at all…i…i…”,and she pauses, because her phone rings again.

She shoots me an apologetic look as she picks it up and states – “ yes Jess…yes…soon..im literally like just five minutes away….”, and once she hangs up, she says shooting me another nervous look – “ im sorry…I gotta go now…ill explain tomorrow…pakka se…”

Even though I am confused the hell out of my head right now, I chuckle because of the way she said – Pakka se.Its way too adorable.

I ask smiling – “ really? Pakka se??”

She shoots me a nervous smile as she states – “ yes pakka se and now the look on your face tells me that you are just about to pull my leg again, Skipper Blue…so im leaving now…byeeeeee….”,and before I can say a word out, she turns around in her heel and sprints away – leaving a very amused, puzzled, mesmerised, and Smitten and Bewitched me behind.

I keep my eyes on her until her sprinting figure is in my line of vision and I guess now I know what that Man would have felt Like.You know the one who got Smitten by this girl he met at a ball and she left around Midnight – leaving him with a glass slipper in one of those Disney Tales?

Everyone – I have a little Sister.She obviously grew up watching Disney movies and being fascinated by these tales. I remember this one because I remember her requesting a 7/8 year old me to read it out to her out of those little picture books, very often back in our childhood days.

But since this was so Long ago – I obviously have difficulty recalling the name of that Tale.

Wait.

Lets ask Google.

I quickly Google the theme.

Dang it comes Up in a Second.

Cinderella.

I chuckle to myself as I resume my run to my hotel too , putting the Hoodie back on my Head too.

So.

I totally feel like I just had an Encounter with a Modern Day Cinderella – Version Helmet and Bat.

Ha!

You know since Google just showed me a picture of Disney’s Cinderella dressed in a blue gown too.

Well – Khushi wasn’t dressed in Blue – but she is a part of a team which we call – Women in Blue.

EVERYONE – I think Anjali’s Happy in love energy , acted like some Crazy Sparkling FairyGodMother’s Magic Dust for Real.

I mean what’s wrong with me???????

Never have I ever – felt this way before.

But it feels good though.

I continue with my sprint to the Hotel but in the back of my head, I am waiting for Khushi’s text. I obviously need to know for real that she’s reached safely.

A couple of minutes later as I am steeping into my Hotel Lobby.My phone beeps.

Its Her.

Her : Skipper Blue…since you asked, just texting to let you know that I reached all safe and sound about three minutes ago. Good Night to You.

I quickly text back : thank you khushi for texting me.i have reached too.Good night to you. Sleep well, you know since you have intense training and practice tomorrow.

I get a reply in a second.

Her : thank you Skipper Blue.i hope you sleep well too.Bbbbbbye.

I grin to myself happily as I make my way up into the Elevator.

Well – I wasn’t going to Sleep right now anyway.

Why?

Because I had to watch a one some Captivating Cinderella.Version Helmet and Bat – play a kickass Game of Cricket with her Bat - on Screen.

Ha!

Just Can’t wait to see Her – Play.

Also.

I can’t Stop Grinning – for Real.

I truly have been Struck By a Fortunate Stroke of Serendipity – Indeed.

I mean cmon..everyone…You All Tell Me - if this isn’t a Fortunate Stroke of Serendipity – then what is???????????