Chapter 35

Helloooo everyone…

Surpriseeeee Guysssss!!!

Ok I am back with a 11k plus Superlong update.

All this Covid-19 virus scare has kind off changed my travel plans now!!!

Anyways I shall let you all dive in without further delay!

And I have given an note in the end about the further plan on Updates – which shall be on alternate days until the end of next week atleast.!

Okkk guys head on In.

………………

Chapter 33 – STUMPED

FIVE DAYS LATER - 20th Feb

CHANDIGARH – JW MARIOTT - 10PM

Arnav's POV

SO YESSSSS!!!

We arrived in Chandigarh this afternoon from Dharamshala, where we Won the Second ODI.

South Africa won the First ODI here in Mohali,in a nail biting THRILLING victory.It had been a thrilling game of Cricket and even though the result was not in our favour...it was a Memorable Game.

So in the last year as a cricketer, I think I have really evolved on the emotional end that is attached with my Game..so you know how earlier I would worry too much about the result?? And beat myself over it by telling myself that I could have probably taken a extra run or saved some runs on the field or probably dived up higher to take a Catch Out – well I kind off don't do this to myself anymore and by just mentally controlling myself from going on this negative criticism kind of trip within has kind off really helped me evolve, adapt and improve my game in every aspect.

And I make it a point to tell myself every time before I step onto the field that I was going to give it my best,enjoy playing the game that I Loved,and learn and adapt to conditions on the field positively and then look back at the game with a positive attitude in my head with my complete focus on being able to find solutions that could help me improve and evolve further rather than focusing on the problem that happened. I have kind of learnt to focus on getting my attentions and energies in finding positive solutions and working towards them and I have realised that it’s a much smoother approach to kind of help one evolve ,adapt to change and improve as a individual in any field – I mean in the sense that it feels like half the battle is won in the head if you focus your energies and channelize it positively in helping one innovate suitable solutions to one’s issues...for their is no point in focusing on just the Negative. I mean ofcourse it is importat to understand why a underlying issue or a problem occurred, but what I mean is there is no point in just focusing on the issue or the problem because that way it will soon become a mountain out of a molehill – instead if one focuses finding solutions and strategies in working your way around these issues and problems – one would be in a much smoother and a peaceful and a sorted place in their head.

And so with this positive approach and my focus on just being Happy and enjoying myself on the field as I Play the Game I Love has kind off done Wonders for Me.And to add to that the fact that just by getting my mind to channelize all my energies towards constructive analysis(not critical – I have learned now that there is a very thin line in between the two – we often shift very easily from constructive anlaysis to negative criticism which doesn’t kind off help as it starts to pull one down mentally), so what I mean is that by focusing on a constructive fair analysis of my very own performance has helped me improve a lot in my shot taking techniques and timings and my patience on the field as I outplay crucial overs and focus on taking strategic calculated shots based on the situation of the pitch and the bowler in front – and this approach towards my very own game in my head has kind off helped me evolve in terms of my adapting techniques on the pitch as well.

And Ofcourse – I have to Thank One Very Important Person who has kind off been there for me all through it all in the last year being so subtly supportive, encouraging and empowering at the same time, the one who kind off triggered all these realisations in the first place – My Sunshine.

On that Note – I quickly leave my Sunshine a text on whatsapp.We have been texting and chatting and talking all day as sual as much as time persmits but no..she wont come on the video call today!! She says – hoodie guyyy …your time 1130 Pm please.Well because she wants to ring in my Bday with her surprise on the Video Call.

Me : Love,you have 90 minutes.You promised we will connect on videocall bang on my time 1130PM.and I honestly cant wait..what is this surprise??????like I LITERALL CANNOT WAIT!!!!

My phone beeps immediately.

Her : oh hoodie guy...just you wait please...dont ask me for any hints..I have digested this for like over two months five days..let me pull this off please.

Me : hahaha...ok fine Love...that’s the only reason why I agreed to your point about not getting on the videocall with you all day today!And I miss you seeing you so much already.You often forget that my need for You exceeds your Need for Me Sunshine!

Her :that made my heart go all aww..well I think we are pretty much equal on that spectrum Arnav..you need me and I need you.PERIOD.and yes Love no video call until then because my face will give me awayyyyyy!!!and I cant risk me spilling the beans in Excitement.. ok just 90 minutes...let me prep up things ya I have lot to do before I connect with you..that’s what I am busy in...now let me let me...and you prepared to be surprised the daylights and moonlight out of your head Hoodiieee guy.

I grin as I reply : I CANT WAIT!!!! I am with Cap in the Library Bar of the Hotel chatting and catching up as usual..hes stepped out for a phone call.Just sipping on my drink and thinking about you in the meanwhile as usual.you know you are my favourite Passion.

Her : Arnav…goshhh…please stop with insitigating all these earthquakes in my being right now..so not the right timing love..you have no idea what I am busy with.and oh wait but really??? What were you thinking about me?that I definetly want to know ya.text text fasssstt.

I grin.

Me : So I was thinking about how you are sooo good for me too Love.about how youv been there for me subtly and been so supportive and empowering that its helped me evolve and grow into a better sportsperson altogether.AND YOU SAY I AM THE MAGICIAN.YOU ARE NO LESS.YOU ARE LIKE THE HERMOINE GRANGER OFF MY LIFE.

HAHAHA…I KNOW GUYS – I JUST REFRENCED A HARRY POTTER TERM TO HER..HAHA I HAD TO ASK GOOGLE FOR HELP.SHE’S SURELY GRIINING FROM EAR TO EAR ENND AS SHE READS THAT BIT.

MY PHONE BEEPS.

Her : ohoooo wow….Hermoine Granger and all huh? Someones been looking up on Harry potter online…I love that…and but wait Hoodie guy...thank you first for that...but you know what to be honest...all of that is mostly Just You ya..as in youv reached where you are today because of all your hardwork and grit Love..and I am so proud off You..like Literally!!

Me : and you gotta be Insane to think that it’s just because of me.You have a big hand in this Love.

Her : ohhh pleaseeee nooo.. okk let me finish up things here and I will connect with you Soon.I am very excited about this myself.Carnage kisses Love.

Me : Carnage Kisses.

I smile as I put my phone aside and I see Cap walk up to me and take his stool next to me on the bar and he sips on his drink and I ask on reflex – “ all ok Cap??”

He grins – “ yes yes all ok ASR...just the usual catching up with the wife and daughter time...because the little one will be sleeping now..I will catch up with the Missus later on in an hour or so..”and he pauses as he gives me a wink – “ were you texting with Khushi just now?”

I grin as I say – “ Ofcoursee Cap..who else..that girl drives me insane..you know the things I do for her Happily..she’s apparently planning to surprise me for the bday and she wont get on a video call all day until our time 1130..”

Cap grins – “ I have heard so much about her that I cannot wait to meet her myself...me and Ravi keep talking about it...and you don’t even show us a picture..”

I grin – “ that’s because I want all of you to see her in person..and soon Cap..very soon...”

He Nods with a heartfelt smile – “ okkk...and she’s been good for you ASR..that I can see..”

I nod – “ ohhh yesss that’s true Cap...she’s wonderful for me..everything about her inspired me to another level...to be honest to you most of my strategies on the pitch kind off get inspired by her positivity as a person on reflex..so you know the idea of surprising the bowler with a compliment for a killer delivery in the middle of the game to take them by surprise that helps ease the energies on between us on the pitch so that the next ball he bowls kind of swings in my favour??”

Cap Grins – “ so that you are able to time and shot the next ball exactly the way you want..??”

I grin – “ exactly..its a strategy that I came up with while thinking about her...she channels things very differently and positively all the time..and it kind of rubs on me...you know and I understand why waste double the energy being negative about something when you  an tackle it with double power positively..”

Cap grins – “ well I love it...I lovee the sportsperson you have grown into in the last one year ASR and Coach is happy too...he really is very happy with your performance..”

I grin and wink at him as I sip my drink – “thank you so much Cap and I know..Coach told me that over dinner Cap…and but you know what..i still am in awe of your excellent two stumpings last game that kind off was the turning point of the game...how do you do this Cap?? It’s like you are the king of stumpings and the best wicket keeper iv seen..”

Cap grins – “ well to be honest a lot of stumping comes naturally to me by the quickness in my reflexes..and to tell you the truth..sometimes even I wonder..oh did I just pull of that stumping successfully..”,and he paused as he winked – “ ohh but you don’t fall to stumpings ASR..your reflexes are super fast too ,you always manage to get your foot on the line in time..”

I wink at him – “ so you know the only reason why I don’t get stumped often is because you and me Cap play for the same team..”

We share a hearty laugh now.

And I say with a smile – “and the only two times I have gotten out to a brilliant stumping is by you in the last years IPL...”

Cap Winks – “ well I was thrilled when I pulled that off honestly...you knew it then and there didn’t you??it was on my face.. because I know how difficult it is to get you out that way..”

I nod with a grin – “totally...”,and right then we see Ravi and Kunal walk in to the bar and they join us too and we start chatting and catching up with each other as usual.

And oh on that Note – Ravi and Anjali are kind off talking to each other regularly now it’s like they are not together but they are kind off openly communicating to see if things can be rekindled in between them positively or if it’s all been lost already due to time and angst in between of them.

Well I just want them both to be Happy and it is up to them to decide whether they want to be Together for good or go their separate ways.

I now chuckle on reflex on the joke Kunal has just cracked at a funny encounter with a fan in the hotel lobby and I look at the time on my phone on reflex.

70 More Minutes to me getting to know about MY Surpriseee.

I CANT WAIT.

I CANT FREAKING WAIT.

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

Khushi’s POV

Cape Town -755 PM

Five More Minutessss!!!

GOSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

ONLY FIVE MORE MINUTES UNTIL I GET ON THE CALL WITH MY HOODIE GUY AND START TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN KEEPING FROM HIM FOR TWO MONTHS FIVE DAYS.

DUDE!

INSANE!

DO YOU GUYS EVEN KNOW THE AMOUNT OF DIGEINE TABLETS I HAVE CONSUMED IN THE PROCESS.

LIKE I MENTIONED LAST.

PLANNING SURPRISES IS NOT MY THING AT ALL YA.

OKKK I QUICKLY CHECK ON EVERYTHING – LITERALLY EVERYTHING IS SET – HIT WICKET YOUR TONGUE IS ALL SET TO OPEN TOMORROW MORNING AT 10.00AM WITH A LITTLE POOJA AND THEN WE OPEN SERVICES FROM 1130 AM – AS THE THIRD ODI MATCH BEGINS IN BETWEEN INDIA AND SOUTH AFRICA IN MOHALI, INDIA.

GOSHHHH!! ITS LIKE I AM SO SO SO EXCITED.

I LOOK AROUND THE AMBIENCE WITH LOVE – AND I LOCK UP THE FRONT DOOR SAFELY AND SECURELY.

I JUST GOT OFF A CALL WITH DIYA AND RAHUL AND UNCLE AND AUNTY AND THEY ARE SO EXCITED.

VARUN, JACK , STACEY – THEY ALL JUST LEFT LIKE FIVE MINUTES AGO..AFTER HELPING ME SET UP FINALLY.

WE HAVE HAD TO MAKE A LOT OF CHANGES OBVIOUSLY – THERES BEEN SOME CICIL WORK AND THEN OFCOURSE THE ENTIRE INTERIORS HAVE BEEN REVAMPED.

SOOO GUYS – THE PLAN IS TOO NOW HEAD UP AND START TALKING TO HOODIE GUY AND REVEAL THINGS TO HIM STEP BY STEP – SO THAT BANG BY MIDNIGHT I GET DOWN THE STAIRS TO HIT WICKET MY TONGUE AND SWICTH ON THE LIGHTS TO SURPRISE THE DAYLIGHTS AND MOONLIGHTS OUT OF HIS HEAD.

YIPEEEEEEEEEEE!! I AM SO SO EXCITED.

OKKK KHUSHIII.

RUSH UP…RUSH UP FAST!!

THIS IS IT!

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH GUYS!

I walk into my Studio and I quickly change into a Navy deep blue colour tube top over my skinny fit denims(yess…ok…call me crazy…I picked out plain tube tops for myself in like every damm colour..hoodie guy loves them on me ya…)

And right then my phone beeps.

Its him ofcourse.

Him :Sunshine..its 1129pm.

I grin to myself as I write : good to connect in a minute love.

I quickly tie up my hair , just the way he loves it and I pick up the empty strips of all the digiene tablets that I had collected and place it on the table next to me…pour myself some piping hot coffee and I adjust myself on my dining table.

AND I CALL HIM.

FINALLY.

I SEE HIS GRINNING AND EXCITED FACE FILL THE SCREEN.

I grin too equally excited as I say – “ hey you my hoodie guyyyyy…”

He winks at me as he says – “ dammit…just look at you…I am telling you I am going to freaking drive you insane when I see you…you are unleashing all this sweet torture on me on purpose Sunshine..”

I chuckle now as I say taking a sip off my coffee and I feel some coffee broth on the side of my lips and I wink – “ ohh hoodie guy…you know I do not feel like using a tissue to wipe this coffee broth off..wana help me..”

He groans and glares at me mischievously as he says raking his hand through his hair  – “I am going to kill you for this..”

I wink and take a tissue and wipe off the broth myself as I say – “ kill me all you want Love..kill me all you want..”

He grins and he says – “ ohh cmon now get to my surprise already…you have no idea how iv held on to my patience Love..”

I grin now and take a couple of sips off my coffee and I say picking up all the empty strips of the digene tablets in my hands and I flash it to him and I see his eyes widen amused as he asks – “ whats that??”

I say sheepishly – “ just flashing all the empty strips of digeine tablets I have had hoodie guy in the past two months in order to cope up with the nervousness of keeping this from you…”,and I pause as I say honestly – “ you know I hate to keep anything from you Love..”

He gives me a heartfelt smile as he says – “ yes Sunshine, that I know…and I also know if you do keep something for me..you kind off have a reason in your head that your heart tells you that you gotta keep this from me for my sake..as in I know that…like right now…I know whatever you have kept from me is because you wanted to give me this surprise right??”

I nod and my eyes have now welled up as I ask softly – “ you know right..if I will ever keep something from you its like its not easy for me too but I will tell you about it when the time comes…you trust me on that right Arnav?? You know I love you so much that sometimes its like I keep things from you as and when they happen in that time because I don’t want to worry you at that point…you understand don’t you?? I hope you don’t misunderstand my motives Love…my motive is never to hide anything from you…it never will be..”

He nods and he says softly – “ I can never misunderstand your motives Sunshine..for I know if there is anyone in this world..who thinks of me first before ones very own self its you and you do know it’s the same for me too right???”

I nod frantically as I say – “ yes Love…and that Is why you have agreed to this clause of us not seeing each other in real time…for me…thank you so much for that once again Arnav..”

He grins and winks – “ well to be honest..i’d do anything for those killer Love Letters from your Cloud Arnav…do you have any idea how many times I have read it already???”

I grin and I say – “ I loved writing that to you…”,and I pause as I add softly – “arnav…I also want to tell you that just this morning a thought came to my head Love..and it made me think that all this that is happening..its kind of got a strong reason as in its fated by destiny perhaps..”

He asks on reflex – “ what reason????”

I say honestly – “ its making us stronger isn’t it?? The roots of our Love are rooting in stronger than before and I feel like this is happening so that when I finally enter into your world by your side, I am not overwhelmed in any negative way whatsoever…you know what I mean don’t you?? Until you..its like iv always been so private about my personal life and I still am to a great extent but what I mean is …you are a public figure and an international celebrity…when this comes out…its like its going to be a huge shift for me right like in every way…and so I think all this time of these months not seeing you in real time is also kind off helping m prep myself for all those contingent liablities..because for the world…who don’t know our story or me - you are and always will be Burj Khalifa and I am the ground floor love, and I know that the courts of social media will not budge from making me see this point when we come to light…and honestly I don’t really care anymore..because for you..i can face anything..but its like right now all of this is in my head..and sometimes the impact of when it happens in reality might just catch me off guard right as and when it happens..so that is why I think all of this is destined to happen..as in all this time being apart in real time is strengthening us in a way that when we stand together..nothing can make my feet falter..you understand what I mean don’t you love?? I hope you don’t misunderstand what I am trying to say…”

He gives me a soft smile as our eyes lock intensely – “ Sunshine..like I said before…I can never misunderstand you..and to hell with people have to say…love…I always tell you you gotta see yourself from my eyes one day and you will know that its like you are the skyscraper Sunshine…for you have no idea how rare and precious you freaking are..but ok..the point you are trying to make..I understand what you mean, and to be honest I am deeply touched because I know how much all of this overwhelms you but for my sake you are preparing yourself for it all in your head…it means a lot to me Love and know that I will never let your feet falter, because I will be right by your side holding your hand..always…”

I smile and say softly – “ oh and you know what…I had this come up in my head like fifteen minutes ago..like I have a new name for you as in you know to that list of my hoodie guy, my atlantic ocean, my burj khalifa, my dumbledore …”

He grins – “ another name???now what fascinating thing have you come up with haan??”

I grin – “ well this one is quite basic and simple…I feel these days because of the importance of internet and mobile networks in people’s lives…as in you know how we can’t do without it at all..and specially in our case…its like we swear by it…so I think I want to tell you that you are my WIFI and 4G TOO..love..for I can’t do without you even for a second..”

He chuckles now and he says – “ Sunshine…how do you even come up with these things..its freaking amazing…”

I grin – “ no ya seriously…its like people should tell each other that these days – I love you like I love my WIFI…”

He chuckles and our eyes lock and he says in an intense tone – “ ok but Sunshine, id like to steal that name off your list…I mean…call you my WIFI instead..if that’s ok…you know since its got a rhyming connotation with the word Wife…”

I HAVE BLUSHED TO A SHADE OF THE DEEPEST SHADE OF RED POSSIBLE.

THIS HOOOODIIEEEE GUYYYY!!!!!

He grins and he winks – “ what my Sunshine is speechless now??”

I nod.

He asks – “ okkk so can I have that name then?? Just nod Love..”

I nod.

He grins – “ I am going to store your name as My WiFi now…you know like change it from My Uber Girl..”

I nod.

I AM SSOOOOOOO HAPPPYYYYYY.

I drink a glass of water quickly and I now instruct my voice box to start functioning as my eyes fall on the time, it was his time 1142PM already…and I had to start talking now and I take a deep breathe as I speak – “so first thing out..i want you to promise me that you will not get mad at me for this…I mean for the first part of what I am about to tell you Love…please promise…for I know you will not like it that I kept this from you for so long..”

He looks at me puzzled and he now sits up a little straight on the bed from his relaxed lying position on the bed and he says – “ you know I can’t be mad at you…and I promise to try not to be mad..but that look on your face tells me that you are worried about my reaction to this…”

I nod – “ yes I am..but I coudn’t tell you initially because if I told you this I would have to reveal the surprise I was planning…it was like a chain affect…so..i hope you will forgive me for this…please listen to everything I say very carefully ok..and I am about to tell you everything as and when it happened…”

He nods as he says – “ go on Khushi…please…”

I take a deep breathe as I say – “ let me have another glass of water Love..and I shall start…”

He nods.

And I take down another glass of water.

This was It.

……………………………..

ARNAV’S POV

OK THEN.

SO THE FACT THAT SHE WA NO NERVOUS WAS STARTING TO MAKE ME LITTLE NERVOUS.

WHY WOULD I BE MAD AT HER???

SHE KNOWS – I CAN NEVER BE MAD AT HER.

THEN WHY IS SHE SAYING THAT?????

I WAIT FOR HER TO FINISH DRINKING HER WATER AND I SEE HER TAKE A DEEP BREATHE NOW.

I gesture to start talking now and she gives me a nervous smile as she says – “ so Love….you know that day over two months and five days ago when I asked this off you as in us not seeing each other in real time and then I asked you to marry me?????you remember?? We were so happy and I told you that I was going to tell Asher, Zain and Zara about it at the Big Bus office?? And that’s what I did I told them about it all expect for the fact of us deciding to get married by my bday because that as I told you I am still keeping a secret from my side of the people..because I want them to know that when they see you in real..”

I nod with a smile – “yes Sunshine…I know that…you’v told me this…and ofcourse I remember…it was the happiest day of my Life…you freaking drove me insane with so much happiness that my bat fired some crazy carnage at the firoz shah kotla that day…”

She grins and her eyes have now welled up and she says – “ I love you so muchhh Arnav…”

I ask on reflex – “ why are your eyes welled up Sunshine…”

She gives me a smile through her welled up eyes and she wipes a tear from the corner of her eye, that was threatening to fall and she takes a deep breathe as she says – “ so…after I finished telling Zara, Asher and Zain about it all Love…I was jumping up and down in happiness…it was like I was so happy and at peace…and then I get a call…”,and she paused as she sips on water now.

AND SOMETHING BY THE LOOK ON HER FACE TELLS ME THAT SHE WANTS TO CRY A LITTLE.

I look at her worried as I ask on reflex – “ why do you look like you are going to cry Khushi…pleaseee talk to me now dammit…tell me…”

Her eyes are moist as she says – “ well these are just natural tears Arnav…let them flow…its got a meaning behind it all..you will know soon…”

I nod.

She takes a deep breathe as she says two lone tears leaving her eyes, which she wipes as she give me a smile through them – “ so well on that Call was Rahul…and he tells me that there was a accidental fire in daddy’s restaurant as in – in the kitchen a couple of hours ago…and that everything was burned down…as in they could save all the staff members that were prepping up for lunch as in no one got hurt…but my daddy’s restaurant, the one I dreamed of buying back and for hich I was working so hard day and night – that restaurant was ashed now…for it was completely damaged and burned down in the process…as in while they were busy evacuating the people which was priority ofcourse…the fire raged so bad that it kind of just burned down…Love..”

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT??????

WHATTT THE FREAKING HELLL????????????????

GOD WHY?????

WHY TO MY SUNSHINE????

I CANT BELIEVE THIS.

I look at her shocked and dazed as I ask sure my voice was shaking – “ your daddys restaurant is gone?? Completely burned out???khushi…gosh…”

She nods as she wipes two more tears off  her each eye – “ well…in that moment Zara asked me immediately if I wanted to talk to my hoodie guy…but then you were just starting out with the match and would be out for eight hours and I would never disturb you ever in the middle of the game Love..so…I just…”

OK.

NOW I WAS MAD.

WHAT THE HELL?

SHE THINKS A GAME IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN HER???

I am sure my tone was a little stern as I say – “ dammit Khushi…you are the most important to me…damm the bloody game….and I hate that you didn’t call me..i hate it..i freaking hate it..”

She sighs as she rubs her hands over her face and then she looks into my eyes – “ don’t be mad please...please hear me out first Love…and I know I am very important to you and I know if I would have called you or told you about this…you would have flown down straight to me then and there…and that would make me feel only guilty love…I cant have you leave your duty as a national player for me…you are worshipeed as a demi god in the country where cricket is a religion..and I will never want to be a distraction…I want to be your strength love..not your distraction or weakness…”

HOW DOES SHE DO THIS??

LIKE I AM MAD AT HER BUT AT THE SAME TIME I AM NOT MAD AS WELL – AS IN I UNDERSTAND – IN MY HEART – I DO.

SHE’S A WIZARD SURELY.

I rub my hands over my face in distress as I say – “ Sunshine…you cant do this to me ever again…please….dammit…I wanted to be there for you…ii cannot even imagine what you must have gone through in that moment of time..”

She sighs – “and you were with me Love…you were with me in every thought… wait…theres a little more that might make you a little more mad at me…I want to finish getting that out…”

THERES MORE?

I take a deep breathe and I ask her to go on and she says – “so then I ask Asher, Zain and Zara to just take me there..and once they do…and im just all dazed and zapped in Zara’a arms wondering why this happened to me, and when we finally get there and I get out to see my daddys restaurant all burned out and the burned and black structure that remained and that everything inside was now burned to ashy fumes..all those memories I was after…it was all gone…and I wanted to touch the walls for one last time for myself…Rahul and Zain tried to stop me but..i asked them to let me and then just as I touched those walls…it was like I went through so much of emotion in a jiff of that second as I closed my eyes and I couldn’t stop crying…and I went into a full on panic attack…its like I was shaking and trembling to another level and I was dumb and dazed with shock…they rushed me to the hospital ofcourse where I was sedated with medications for like four to five hours…and also given some drips in the meanwhile…dr Priya took care of it all…”

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT THEEEEEEEE????????????????????????????

JUSTTTT WHAT THE FREAKING HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL????????????????

I glare and gape at Khushi and I brush my hand through my hair helplessly as I ask – “ you were in the freaking hospital for five hours because of a major panic attack..and you tell me about it now??Khushi…what the hell dammit?? You just cant do this to me..please…”

She wipes two tears and she gives me a soft smile – “ ohoooo…you were playing a game ok…and then everyone will say South Africa cheated Love…”,and she paused as she asks softly judging by my expression – “ im sorry…are you very mad at me?? Please don’t be mad..because I was fine Arnav…that’s what I am coming too..please hear me out…don’t be mad…”

I sigh as I admit frustrated – “ freak ya Sunshine, I am not mad at you love…I mean its not your freaking fault…I am just mad at the situation and at the fact that I couldn’t be there for you Love…”

She says softly – “ you were there..you are always there with me Arnav..and now..listen to this very carefully…”,and she paused as she took a sip of water and then continues – “ In those moments when I was in that full fledged panic attack..i experienced a very deep moment and it was like your face wouldn’t leave my head as I remembered my last text to you in which I wrote that for you my dumbleodre I shall always remember to switch on the light, no matter how dark it is..and right then literally In those moments I felt like I saw a vision of my daddy waving a bye at me and then of mom and krish just as I saw them last on the airport..and it felt like this was my daddy’s way of telling me to move on now …to kind of let go off his dreams and make my own dreams now…it felt like this happened to me for a strong reason Arnav..it was as if my gone family was telling me to start letting go off all that pent up grief and move on in Life happily and not look back…and it felt like in that moment as I experienced a switch in between two very strong emotions of love and grief..it felt like that it happened for a reason….the emotion of grief was obviously because of what had happened and the emotion of Love was obviously because of You…and it was so intense that moment that I cant explain…I keep telling you..you are my magic and I mean it in every sense…for when I woke up in the hospital five hours later..i felt very calm and composed Arnav…like I wasn’t grieved or something…for I realised in that moment that you were my destined catharsis love…and I also felt like a phoenix actually..”

OKKK…I AM TAKING IT ALL IN.

I AM MOVED BEYOND EXPLANATION.

DID SHE JUST CALL ME HER DESTINED CATHARSIS?? (I KNOW ALL ABOUT WHAT CATHARSIS IS – I READ IT UP ONLINE AFTER SHE MENTIONED ALL ABOUT DR Priya’s idea to me that day)

I ask on reflex – “a phoenix??”

She gives me a soft smile as she says – “ A PHONEIX is a mythical creature that represents transformation and rebirth in its fire Love and it’s a powerful spiritual totem of strength and renewal in the sense that it truly never dies rather it is an immortal creature continuously rising from the ashes…and do you know another crazy fact in the harry potter world dumbledores all time favourite companion was a phoenix Love and his name was Fawks..”,and she pauses now as our eyes lock and I am sure mine are swimming with all this intense emotion as I am speechless and she says – “and who do I say is my Dumbledore…you…so it totally felt like all those moments happened because it was supposed to be a turning point in my life in the form of my destined catharsis – which is You…my love..”

I AM FREAKING SPEECHLESS.

I INSTRUCT MY VOICEBBOX TO START FUNCTIONING.

THANK GOD IT LISTENS.

I say sure my voice is all hoarse with emotion – “ Sunshine…i….”

She gestures me to let her go on and she says – “ I know I know…you don’t know what to say…and you don’t have to say anything yet…please hear me out…please…”

I nod.

She continues – “ so in that moment I totally felt ok all because of all the powerful love I feel for you within…its like as I told you…it can heal me…it will heal me..this Love…our Love..will heal me…and…that is what its doing Arnav…”,and she paused as she speaks with a smile thorugh her tears – “ for when I came home to Rahul’s that day for they wanted me to stay with them after the episode..and I had agreed ofcourse…you know what my crazy heart finally guided me to do????”

I ask with a silent speechless gesture – WHAT?

She understands it ofcourse and she grins now and winks at me.

HOW IS SHE GRINNING WHEN I AM SPEECHLESS WITH ALL THIS HEAVY EMOTION.

She sips on her glass of water and then she looks into my eyes as she says – “my heart guided me to freakig switch on the bloody tv and finally get around to watching the Match…and that’s what I did Love…I saw you live on TV…as in the match…your last epic over with Bangladesh….that day…I saw it all…and my heart glowed….i was so happyyyy Love…I was so happy…”

WAIT.

WHAT????????????????????

WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY???????????????????????????

SHE SAW THE MATCH????

LIKE LIVE ON TV???????????????

SHE SAW ME PLAYING ON TV????????????????

MY HEART HAS OFFICALLY BEEN STUMPED AND I THINK ITS STOPPED BEATING FOR A BIT.

I DON’T KNOW HOW TO FREAKING REACT.

She grins at me as she says with a chuckle – “ well, Rahul , Diya and uncle , aunty ‘s expressions were pretty much the same when I told them I want to see the match and Rahul was all like he literally came and knocked on my head being like what just happened in there and I told him it was adestined catharsis Rahul which made him think I am a crazy donkey who has lost her marbles…but you understand don’t you love???its like all that love that I feel for you kind off took over the grief in that moment of time and it totally made me feel like that I could honour my daddys and krish’s love for the game and you..in a positive way too..and that’s what I decided to do since then…and I have been seeing you live on Hotstar ever since Love…like every match..without fail….and it makes me very happy to see you so happy and content on the pitch Love…”,and her eyes well up with a lot of emotion as she says – “ for you always with love my hoodie guy…there isn’t anything in the world I wouldn’t do…”

I AM STUMPED.

I AM FREAKING STUMPED TO ANOTHER LEVEL.

SHE’S BEEN WATCHING ME LIVEEEE ON TV EVER SINCE???????

MY VOICE BOX HAS OFFCIALY CRASHED.

She grins as she says – “ well I know you are speechless just nod Love…just nod if you are understanding all this what I am saying to you…you get it don’t you???”

I NOD.

I GET IT.

I FREAKING GET EVERY BIT OFF IT.

I HAVE TO THANK ALL OF THE HEAVENS ABOVE FOR BEING BLESSED WITH A LOVE SO TRUE AND PURE AND POWERFUL.

She continues with a smile now – “ and your Love Hoodie Guy..its magic because it empowers me…and it continues to do so..and I have been working on this…you know after I woke up in the hospital…Dr Priya told me that I should take some medications for a day or two since it was such a shock for me…but you know what I told her..i told her I don’t need any medicines…for deep within I knew I was going to channelize all this Love I have in my heart for you and let it help me heal myself…and that is what I have been doing…like I said..i need you..in the ways I cant begin to word…I love you dammit..i love you so so so much…”

SHE HAS FREAKING STUMPED ME AGAIN.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY GUYS.

And right then her eyes lock with mine as she whispers – “ Happy Bday Hoodie Guy…Its your midnight now…I wish you all the happiness, all the success, all that you wish for Love..always…”

OKKKK.

I HAVE TO GET MY SELF TO START REACTING.

I fill myself two glasses of water that I dunk down immediately and I look at her totally overwhelmed and my eyes are obviously welled up and I say honestly – “ you have freaking Stumped My heart Sunshine…I just don’t know what to say….you have been watching me live since then?? Like you watch me play??? Like really????and you tell me that right the second my bday rings in…dude…I had never expected this surprise..goddamit..i am so overwhelmed and happy right now…”

She grins and winks at me as she says – “ ohh wait..this is just the start of the surprise..Love…”

MY EYES WIDEN AS I ASK – “WHATTTTTTTTTTT???? THERES MORE?SUNSHINE YOU ARE DESTROYING ME YA…”

She grins as she says – “ and now if you will allow me to go on…I need to take you down with me to the Café…”

I look at her puzzled but I nod nonetheless.

And just as I see her plug her earphones in and shes taking the stairs down and she says – “well love, so that day…my crazy head came up with an idea..its like daddys restaurant was gone now…and I was going to move on from it now…because I know that’s what daddy wanted and that is why this happened…so all that I had been saving and earning up all this while…I told Rahul that I want to be able to invest it all with him in this café…you know because I live here and it is also where I first met you so…then…I asked Uncle if I could revamp Chai and Coffee with my new idea and invest all that I have in it too…”

I look at her puzzled as I ask – “ what new idea??? And so you mean Chai and Coffee was undergoing a complete revamp and not renovation???”

She nods excited as she says – “ yes Love…and its what iv dunked myself into for all this time…like its been crazy setting this up from scratch because I had to make so many changes to get this up…and this is what your main surprise is…because I slated this to get inaugurated tomorrow at 10 am with a little pooja..because its your bday…it was like a deadline in my head..”,and she paused as she spoke – “ ok hoodie guy close your eyes for just two seconds please…open them when I ask you too…”

I DO AS I AM ASKED..BECAUSE I AM STILL STUMPED ANYWAY.

Two minutes later her chirpy voice comes through and she says – “open your eyes hoodie guy…”

And I do.

But I see its all dark and I say – “ Khushi..i cant see a thing…its dark…”

Her voice comes through – “ well that’s because you will see it now…Happy Bday to You My hoodie Guy..”,and with that I see light fill in my screen and I think she has switched on the lights and I feel my eyes widen in shock and daze as I take in the ambience of what I see – for this is not the Chai and Coffee I had walked into the very first time – this looks like a full fledged cricket themed café as I spot wallpapers dunked with cricketing history and cricketing players and the facts and stats of ICC and then I hear her voice come through – “ you are seeing this aren’t you Hoodie Guy???”

My voice shakes with emotion as I say – “ yes…Khushi..”

And she now starts to turn around the phone in a 360 degree angle as she says – “ look Love…all the walls have been dawned up with cricketing history…all you famous players…and teams…look that’s you and your team’s image all blown up on that section of the wall and then there are ICC facts and then see…you see there…that’s like one sectioned of seats for South Africa…and this the other side is for India…and see look at the round tables for the stand beneath them is designed like a hardcore bat and the chairs back have a 3d design of a pitch and the name of a different cricket ground from around the world…and look we have also revamped the entire serving counter and its all about cricket too …the menu on the panel behind…we’v named all our drinks and dishes based on cricketing terms…and wait let me show you my favourite section…see that little stepped up cocooned huge round tables in those entire stepped up sections we have named it as Tables Dedicated to Cricketing Conversations and look at that clock on the wall Love – under it its written FSTDTCC – remember once I messaged you long ago – it stands for Fixed standard time dedicated to cricketing conversations and now look onto the side Love…we have a huge projector screen…for we will be screnning the matches Live starting with the 3rd ODI between India and South Africa tomorrow…Love…”,and she pauses and she flips around the screen and her happy overwhelmed face comes in to fill my screen as she says – “ Happy Bday Hoodie Guy….and welcome to HIT WICKET YOUR TONGUE..for that Is the name I have kept for my cricket themed café…you know since we have that thing in between of us the code that we use hit wicket my heart…so yes..thats the best name I could come up with for my new venture …well as in mine and Rahul’s and Uncle’s..although my share is very little because of the proportion of my investment …but Rahul and Uncle have given me full control on this as in to run it the way I like it..and the way I want it..its like I had diya and aunty redo the entire bakery menu and wev got in amazing snacks and drinks now and not just that like proper meal menu’s too as in for lunches and dinners and we have also got to license to serve in beer’s and mocktails..since you know it’s like all the crowd would want to shift from coffee to beer in the night as they watch the matches Live..and we are now going to be opened until 1130 pm..…”,and she now pauses as I see her pull up a chair in one of the round tables and she takes a seat and she now wipes a happy tear out of her eye as she says – “ now you know why I had to have all those digenies…its like I was dying to tell you right there on that day that Arnav I saw you live on TV and it made me so happy and that I was now going to see your every match…and that my next two months wil go in setting up a cricket themed café Hit wicket your Tongue…Goshh Arnav…you have no idea how this positive channelisation of he powerful love I feel for you has helped me through this…its like setting this up made me feel like as if I am remembering daddy and krish happily now and also at the same time being close to You and all this Love that I feel for you has freaking been no less than Magic for me Love…”

OKKKKK THEN.

IF I WAS STUMPED BEFORE – ITS LIKE I AM STUMPED A MILLION TIMES OVER IN THIS MOMENT.

DID SHE FREAKING JUST INVEST ALL THAT SHE HAD EARNED AFTER HER FAMIL’S PASSING INTO SETTING UP THIS AMAZING CRICKET THEMED CAFÉ???????????????? AND SHE CALLED IT HIT WICKET YOUR TONGUE??AND SHE HAS BEEN WATCHING ME LIVE ON TV FOR TWO MONTHS NOW AND IS NOW GOING TO RUN THIS CAFÉ HERSELF AND WATCH EVERY MACHTCH SCREENED ON IT????????????

CAN ANYBODY PLEASE GIVE ME SOME WORDS THAT I CAN SAY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE RIGHT NOW?????

I HAVE NO WORDS.

MY BEING IS STUMPED.

MY HEART IS STUMPED.

MY VOICE IS STUMPED.

MY HEAD IS STUMPED.

I HAVE BEEN STUMPED WITH CARNAGED LOVE TO ANOTHER LEVEL – THE HIGHEST LEVEL PROBABLY.

Our eyes have now locked in this intense emotion and she now whispers softly – “like I said…you were with me in those moments…because in all that grief I felt…the love I felt for you shone over and made me be able to do all of this and pull this off…and I have been talking to Dr Priya too love as in 15 to 20 minutes over phone…just giving her a general heads up of how I am coping up and I am taking no medications whatsoever..and I just want you to know that she is very happy with me…she says at this rate…I shall be able to conquer all my fear and phobias too…Love…”,and she says softly – “I know you are still speechless…but I can read that emotion in your eyes its giving you away…Arnav…I love you..more than you will ever know..”,

I finally instruct my voicebox to function as I say honestly – “ Khushi…I am speechless..like I am Stumped to a different level…I just don’t know aht I can say to this…only you can have it in you to channelize your energies of grief into something like this…and its like..i don’t know what to say..Love…”

She smiles – “ I could do it because its you…anything for you my love…anything…and I think all of what happened..happened because it was meant to lead me to this…to accept the fact that everything about you was always meant to be my destined catharsis..love…always…its twisted I know…but that’s how we are fated to be Love..”

I rub my hands over my face in all this overwhelmed and happy emotion as I ask still unable to believe it all – “ you see me every match now?? Like you see me?? DID YOU FREAKING JUST INVEST ALL THAT YOU HAD EARNED AFTER YOUR FAMILY’S PASSING ALL OF IT THAT YOU WERE SAVING TO BUY BACK YOUR DADDYS RESTURANT…YOU PUT ALL OF IT INTO SETTING UP THIS AMAZING CRICKET THEMED CAFÉ???????????????? AND THEN YOU CALLED IT HIT WICKET YOUR TONGUE??AND YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING ME LIVE ON TV FOR TWO MONTHS NOW AND ARE NOW GOING TO RUN THIS CAFÉ YOURSELLF AND WATCH EVERY MATCH SCREENED ON IT????????????”

SHE NODS IN A POSTIIVE FRANTICALLY.

And she says – “ well we have hired more staff ofcourse as in…so many of Varun’s friends wanted to come onboard..there is such a huge excitement about this already Arnav around the block..you know weare expecting a full house tomorrow and ofcourse after college I will be looking after this and then continue with my Uber though and have varun, Stacey and jack and others take care until closing…and after college finishes in June..i will get into this full time on the weekdays…rest of my schedule remains the same..hoodie guy…”

I grin now as I say – “ UNFREAKINGBELEVABLE SUNSHINE…YOU ARE AMAZING…I CANT BELIEVE THIS..I JUST CANT BELIEVE THIS..LIKE FREAKING BEST BDAY GIFT EVER IN THE 29 YEARS OF MY LIFE LOVE…AND I AM STILL STUMPED…LIKE ITS STILL SINKING IN ALL OF THIS..HAPPINESS THAT I AM FEELING RIGHT NOW IS STILL SINKING IN…”

And she grins now and she winks as she says flashing the menu card to the phone – “ see there’s your favourite Coffee on the menu..i have named it ASR’s UpperCUT Coffee Shot…”,and she paused as she now showed me the food dishes in the menu and she spoke – “look at that your favourite chicken steak and veges..i had to have it on the menu..i have named it ASR’s Yorker Chicken Steak – you know since you are getting so good with your death bowling and Yorkers now…”

I look at the menu and the names of the dishes I can see and I can spot the entire menu is designed with cricketing terms and players names and their favourite shots being decoded into food items and I say overwhelmed – “ Sunshine…stop…you are going to kill me ya with all this emotion…”

She grins now and gives me a wink – “ okkk fine…theres one thing more…only one more thing…but for that I need to go back up…”

THERE IS MORE??????????????????????/

OK.

THEN.

MY HEART IS GOING TO STOP BEATING IN ALL THIS HAPPINESS FOR SURE.

I see her close the lights now and she’s rushing back up to the Studio and she’s grinning at me as she says – “ you know its freaking worth it..all your expressions have been freaking worth the wait…I am loving it…and you say you are stumped…you know when am I stumped Love…when I see you on TV rotating your bat in between those tense overs and looking right where I wrote you that secret coded message…that is what kills me with happiness…”

OHHH GOD.

SHE SEES IT ALL.

SHE FREAKING SEES IT ALL.

I CANT BELIEVE THIS.

I JUST CANT BELIEVE THIS.

AND I GESTURE TO HER WITH MY HAND THAT MY VOICEBOX HAS CRASHED AND SHE GRINS NOW AS SHE ENTERS THE STUDIO AND SHE SAYS – “ OK WAIT..TWO SECONDS..IM SWITCHING OFF THE VIDEO CALL TO VOICE CALL…”

I groan as I say – “ Sunshine nooo please…I need to be with you right now..”

Her chirpy voice comes through – “ yes me too…just give me a second Love…”

I ask on reflex – “ what are you upto now??? You should be freaking behind that magical jail…what do you call it??”

She – “ Azkaban…haha…very funny…”

And next minute she says – “ ok close your eyes please…and only open them when I say so…”

I CLOSE MY EYES.

And two seconds later her voice comes through – “ tada…..open them…and look at me…”

I OPEN MY EYES NOW AND I AM SHELL -SHOCKINGLY HAPPILY STUMPED AS I SEE HER.

GODDAMITT.

SHES ON A MASSIVE CARNAGE MODE TODAY.

SHES GOING TO KILL ME WITH HAPPINESS.

AND SHE TWIRLS AROUND IN FRONT OF ME NOW AND I AM OVERWHELMED LIKE ANYTHING.

OH AND WHAT DO I SEE??

MY SUNSHINE DRESSED IN A REPLICA OF MY INDIAN BLUE CRICKETING PLAYING JERSEY WHICH HAS MY NAME AND PLAYING NUMBER ON IT.

GODDAMIT.

SHE’S WEARING MY JERSEYYYYYY!!!

She winks at me now as she places her hands on her waist dramtically as she says – “ well I saved this for the last…so guess what this is our uniform as in we have to mandaly wear cricket players jersey over our jeans in the café and I shotgunned yours ofcourse…and you have no idea how much I had to fight with Varun for your jersey he was like you only just started watching the games and I have been ASR’s biggest fan forever..and then when the fighting didn’t work I blackmailed him emotionally saying that I want ASR’s jersey because daddy and Krish loved him so much…please varun..pretty please..and ofcourse he wasn’t going to say a No to that…”,and she is now doing a happy dance as she says – “ see this is what I shall be wearing everyday now in my café duty time Love…and you know what everyone knows like that I am your crazy biggest new fan around the block…well they all think its got a lot to do with daddy’s and krish’s love for you…only if they knew…that its because this ASR – the vice captain of the Indian cricket freakin team is a magician and has cast a magical spell of Love over me in such a way that he has turned me into a old school Juliet who is head over heels in Love with him…just look at me ya Arnav…look at all the things I want to do in your Love..insane right…”

OK.EVERN THOUGH I AM STUMPED WITH OVERWHELMING EMOTION I CHUCKLE NOW BECAUSE OOF HER ADORABLE DRAMATIC ANTICS.

I ask on reflex a minute later after we share a warm and a happy laugh and an intense eyelock – “ Khushi…love are you ok though?? I mean all of this…are you sure this is ok for you as in to …”

She completes the sentence for me – “to dive into everything cricket…well yes yes…”,and she pauses as she gives me a heartfelt smile – “ love…its like that day all that happened..like I said it transformed me ok…it was needed…and I am more than just ok..for setting this up was kind of giving me the happiness that is really starting to magically heal all that pent up grief…I mean the mark of the wound will always remain Love for they will always be a part of my being so will everything that happened…but I am going to hold onto it positively now Love…there’s more power in that…I have realised that…and I am feeling so much better with doing this…I assure you that..”

I say immediately – “ sit down will you please???”

She does sit down on her bed and I look straight into her eyes as I say intently – “ you have freaking stumped me Sunshine today…its like I don’t know what to say yet…I love you dammit…I love you so godammit much and I don’t even know from where to begin to start thanking you for all these beautiful things youv done love…godammit…just someone give me the right words that I can say to you right now…”

Our eyes lock in an intense eyelock as she says softly – “ you don’t need to say anything Love…I can see it on your face and in your eyes..”

I grin now as I admit – “ youv freaking surprised the daylights and moonlights out of my head right now..”

She winks – “ well about time I return the favour…now you know what I felt when you surprised me on those two times by coming to see me…”,and she pauses as she adds softly – “ I am sorry that I cant get on a plane yet love…but I am working on all of that too Love…”

I say immediately – “ Khushi…please don’t rush your head into anything more take it easy ok step by step…you already have so much happening love..all of this is a drastic change that you are coping up with..and I don’t want it to overwhelm you in a negative way at all…and for that..I don’t care even if I have to wait an year more to see you…please take your time..i am right here for you always…just take your time..and keep me posted and updated on how you are feeling…the day you will feel that you are ready to see me as in you feel like youv dealt with all that you had set out too..i will be there in front of you…you know that..”

She nods now happily with a smile – “okkk don’t worry ..i am doing absouletly fine coping up really well with it all well my bday is the deadline I have given myself in my head for sure…”,and she pauses as she speaks softly – “ happy bday once again Love…”

I take a deep breathe as I say – “ thank you Sunshine…”

And she smiles now as she says – “ ok hoodie guy you please sleep now you have a match tomorrow and your uber girl needs to do atleast two three hours of uber..need to keep saving up still.. I have lot of plans for hit wicket your tongue until November…and look at all the cricketing schedule…its going to be amazing for us business wise and then even the t20 world cup is in south Africa…”,and she pauses as she gives me a wink – “and I shall be watching you my love…when not on the projector screen then on hotstar and when not on hotstar incase I am in class then cricbuzz…”

I grin now and I ask – “so you have the opening tomorrow??”

She grins – “ yes yes slated to open just in time for my hoodie guys bday and thankfully everyone worked with me head on to hit that deadline because most of them are your crazy fans anyway…”,and she pauses as she adds softly – “ I have a little pooja in the morning, where it will be just us as in the team and uncle aunty Rahul diya etc and some of other members from Chai and coffee other branches Love…and then we open…and I am skipping college tomorrow anyway and I guess asher, zara and zain will come by in the evening..Zain did say that they would watch the match here with us..”

I grin now and I say – “ so you know tomorrow when I am playing its like I will have the thought in my head that you are watching…”

She grins and winks – “ yes Love…”

I wink at her – “ ohh Carnage…massive carnage at your country’s bowlers then tomorrow…”

She winks at me – “ oh reallyyyyyy????”

I grin – “ oh really…”and all of a sudden the screen goes blank and she says – “ love that’s Rahul calling just to check on things for tomorrow again…ill just speak to him…why don’t you sleep now…and I am sure you have missed calls from family too…speak to them before you sleep..and I will just get to Uber…speak to you in the morning Love…Carnage kisses…”

I grin to myself as I say – “ carnage kisses love…”

And we hang up.

BUT GUYS.

I AM STILL CLEAN BOWLED AND STUMPED AND HIT WICKET – LIKE ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

AND I HAD TO RETURN THE FAVOUR.

I HAD TO.

I quickly get on a call with Mom , dad and Anjali on conference and after speaking to them for a bit (I do not tell them about all that Khushi has done for me I want to tell them face to face and I shall be seeing them soon anyway – because we go back to Delhi after this ODI as the T20 series begin)

Minutes later, as I hang up, I freshen up for the night and lie down in bed and I am literally still feeling overwhelmingly STUMPED..”

I recall everything that had just happened in between of My Sunshine and me and I can’t contain my Happiness.

I THINK WE ARE WAY BEYOND OLD SCHOOL ROMEO AND JULIET.

I quickly text her.

Me : hey you my wifi..I don’t think I will be able to sleep Love.my heartbeats racing SO FREAKING FAST.

My phone beeps in a second.

Her : oh love.so are mine..but you have to sleep right and get adequate rest as you have a eight hour ODI game tomorrow otherwise everyone will say South Africa cheated(she adds a wink emoticon).

Me : what have you done to me Sunshine! I feel as carnaged as Romeo right now.

Her : haha…really?? Ok love I am getting into the car got my first pick up…please sleep how about you just think of me hugging you close like I did when we chilled in that hammock on the caravan camp site months ago…you remember?

I grin as I write : yes ofcourse I remember Love and now as that memory floods through my head..i think I shall be able to sleep now.

Her : Carnage kisses to you too Love – for your bday as Carnaged one as those crazy 80 minutes we kissed madly embraced into each other on my terrace ladder when you came to see me on my b’day.

JEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ SUNSHINE STOP!!

I grin to myself as I write : jeezzz sunshine stoppp…or else I am not going to get any sleep at all…and what I would need is a freaking long cold shower.

Her : hawwwwwwwwwwwww!! I cant believe you wrote that…shameless you are yaaa…sh sh…I need to drive My Hoodie guy…now let me…I love you ok? Now sleep.(and I get a line of hearts and kisses) please make a do with this virtual kisses for now.i promise to be very fair when its time to redeem your stock in real time.a promise to you on your bday Hoodie Guy.

Me : goddamit Sunshine…you are crazyyyy..and I am nuts about you ya!

Her : and I am nuts about you – you know that! Nowwww cmon sleeepppp…we both have a big day tomorrow.

Me : ok text me as usual.

Her : ofcourse.Much Love Hoodie Guy.happy Bday to you once again.

Me : I love you Dammit.Goodnight to you.be safe on the road please.

Her : Always!(I get a line of heart and kisses again)

I put my phone on the side now and on charge and I lie down in bed and close my eyes.

I AM SURE I AM GOING TO SLEEP WITH A IDIOTIC GRIN UP MY FACE TONIGHT.

SO YOU KNOW LIKE LAST YEAR SHE GIFTED ME KRISH’S FAVOURITE TOSS COIN AS A BDAY GIFT AND FIREFLIE-D MY HEART ONTO ANOTHER LEVEL AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT I HAD EVER RECEIVED.

WELL – TRUST MY SUNSHINE TO KIND OFF TOP EVERY BLOODY EMOTION SHE MAKES ME FEEL.

NOW I KNOW HOW MY HEART AND SOUL KNEW WHEN THEY SAW HER THAT SHE WAS THE ONE!

THEY FREAKING GAVE ME A HINT ON THE VERY FIRST DAY!!

AND NOW THAT I LOOK BACK TO THAT MOMENT A YEAR AGO – IT TOTALLY FEELS LIKE THAT IN THAT MOMENT OF TIME AS I HAD LEFT CHAI AND COFFEE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND DECIDED TO COME AND LOOK FOR HER ON THE SECOND DAY – SOMETHING WITHIN ME HAD BEEN STUMPED ON THAT VERY DAY ITSELF !!!!!!!!!!!!!

THAT IS WHY I FELT THAT NEED TO COME LOOK FOR HER!

IT WAS TOTALLY LIKE THAT MY HEART AND SOUL KNEW – THAT SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE IT WANTED TO SURRENDER ITSELF TOO LIKE THAT SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT IT WOULD GET HAPPILY STUMPED BY EVERY FREAKING DAY – THAT SHE WAS THE ONE – MY ANSWER TO FREAKING EVERYTHING – BECAUSE IT KNEW THEN AND THERE PROBABLY AND IT UNDERSTOOD – WHY IT HAD NEVER WORKED OUT OR FELT THIS KIND OFF INSTANT CONNECTION WITH ANYONE ELSE.

BECAUSE MAYBE WITH HER IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THAT INSTANT CONNECTION THAT I FELT IN THE FIRST AGO – I HAD NO LOGIC THEN TO SUPPORT WHAT I FELT AND I HAVE NO LOGIC NOW – BUT I KNOW WHAT I FEEL OR FELT – I TOTALLY FELT IN THOSE 5 INITIAL DAYS THAT IT WASN’T ABOUT THE LENGTH OF TIME YOUV KNOWN SOMEONE – IT PROBABLY WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THAT INSTANT RECONGNITION AT SOME CRAZY UNCONSCIOUS LEVEL – AS IF WE KNEW EACH OTHER.

AS IF – SHE WAS MY DESTINED SOULMATE.

YES!!!!

THAT’S WHAT SHE IS!

SHE SAYS – I AM HER DESTINED CATHARSIS.

AND I SAY – THAT SHE IS MY DESTINED SOULMATE.

AND I WAS DESTINED TO FIND MY WAY TOWARDS HER AND THAT IS WHY BY THAT SUDDEN CHANCE – I WALKED INTO CHAI AND COFFEE THAT DAY!!

AND PROBABLY SOME PART OF MY SUBCONSCIOUS MIND KNEW – THAT SHE WAS THE ONE WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO – STUMP MY HEART AND FILL MY LIFE WITH THE PUREST MAGIC OF LOVE.

AND BOY WAS I STUMPED????????????????

I WAS STUMPED BEYOND IMAGINATION.

FOR SHE WAS THE ONE WHO MADE MY HEART COME TO LIFE.

SHE WAS THE ONE WHO MADE MY LIFE COME TO LIFE IN THE WAYS I COULD NEVER IMAGINE.

AND HOW DO I EVER THANK LIFE AND GOD ENOUGH FOR BLESSING ME WITH HER?

NAHH.

I HAVE SAID IT BEOFRE – AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.

I CAN NEVER THANK THE GODS ENOUGH.

IT SHALL NEVER BE ENOUGH.

……………………………..

TADAAA!!!!Let me know what you guys think.

Please ignore editing errors as I haven’t proofread.

And guys I shall be giving alternate days update – so expect an update on Sunday night or Monday morning – since because of Coronavirus my travelling plans have changed and I am sticking to stay in my family home for another week since there are no cases around here and I am not travelling back to Bangalore, which is where I live because there are some cases going around there so with young kids I have decided to just be here for a bit until the situation settles – and so I shall try to give updates on alternate days guys surely!

Thanks for all the love and support as always.

Much Love Guys.

Always.

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