Vritika made her way across the field, her steps a little faster as she caught sight of Rohit practicing with his teammates.He was doing a few warm-up stretches,  clearly already in the zone.

"Rohit!"

"You're early!" he said, clearly impressed. "Didn't expect to see you before the game even started."

"Of course! Didn't want to miss a single second," she said, grinning. "Just wanted to wish you luck before you start. I know you're going to give Kolkatta a tough time today!"

"Thanks." Rohit grinned at his best friend.

With a last thumbs-up, Vritika made her way to the stands, finding the perfect spot right by the boundary line.

The game started soon. But it went downhill even faster.

Mumbai had suffered one collapse after another, and the scoreboard looked grim—100 runs still needed, and most of the solid batsmen were already out.

The crowd was buzzing, with Kolkatta supporters already beginning to celebrate, but Vritika wasn't ready to give up on him just yet.

Her heart raced as Rohit took his place at the crease.

She could see Rohit's jaw set in determination, but she also knew the pressure he must be feeling. 

She cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, "Come on, Rohit! You can do this!"

He glanced up at her cheer, and a faint, determined smile crossed his face. He adjusted his gloves, tapped his bat on the crease, and took his stance.

The bowler charged in, and Vritika held her breath as the first delivery came hurtling toward him. Rohit swung with precision, and the ball sailed over the fielder's head, racing to the boundary for a four. 

Hope fluttered in the crowd's cheers.

The score inched up, but the gap was still huge. When the bowler sent down a short ball, Rohit swung, connecting powerfully—and the ball flew over the boundary for a six! The crowd erupted, and Vritika jumped out of her seat, clapping and cheering as loudly as she could.

Every time he looked her way, she raised her hands in encouragement, shouting, "Just a little more, Ro! You've got this!"

Boundaries began to flow as he sent the ball to all corners of the field, each shot reigniting the hope in the Mumbai supporters.

Finally, as the score neared the target, it was the last ball.

Still there were three runs needed for victory. 

The bowler charged in, and Rohit swung. The ball sailed through the air, clearing the boundary for a massive six!

The crowd erupted into a frenzy. 

Vritika jumped up, screaming with joy, as Mumbai had pulled off the impossible. Rohit's teammates ran onto the field, swarming him with shouts of victory and pride. In moments, they'd lifted him onto their shoulders, carrying him across the field like a hero. 

Through the crowd, Vritika pushed forward, her heart racing as she made her way toward him. As his teammates finally set him down, she couldn't hold back any longer and ran straight into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug.

"You did it, Ro!" she exclaimed.

"I told you I'd give you a show worth watching, didn't I?"

She pulled back, beaming up at him. "More than that! You were incredible! Ro, I'm serious—today was something else! The way you handled those bowlers, especially under all that pressure, was incredible! You should really think about focusing more on batting. I mean, I know you're already an amazing bowler, but with batting like that? You could easily be unstoppable! Just imagine if you started training in batting just as much as bowling! You'd be twice the threat on the field, and think of how many more games you'd win for Mumbai! You could probably become one of the best all-rounders out there if you wanted...."

"She's right you know."

Both Rohit and Vritika turned in sync, their eyes widening in shock. 

Standing there, calm and composed as ever, was none other than MS Dhoni himself. The legend was watching them with a small smile.

Rohit felt his heart skip a beat, and Vritika's jaw dropped. The two of them stood there, completely starstruck.

"I watched that last over, and you didn't just bat under pressure—you led the entire game. Not everyone has the guts to do that, especially in the finals. Keep that up, and you'll go a long way." 

Rohit stood frozen, eyes still wide. Vritika's hand flew to her mouth, and she glanced between Rohit and Dhoni, as if trying to process that this wasn't just a dream.

"Keep working hard," Dhoni added, clapping Rohit on the shoulder with a proud nod. "We could use more players with that mindset. "

Rohit managed a shaky nod."Th-thank you, sir," he stammered, hardly able to believe his cricket idol was right there, praising him.

He paused, glancing at Vritika before looking back at Rohit. "And listen to your friend. It might just be good advice," he added with a grin. With that, he turned and strode off, leaving the two of them still rooted to the spot, watching in stunned silence as he disappeared into the crowd.

"OH MY GOD! Did you see that? MS DHONI JUST TALKED TO YOU!"

 Without thinking, she jumped up and down on the spot, drawing the attention of nearby fans. "I can't believe it! You were just praised by a legend! This is insane!"

"Yeah." Rohit was still in shock.

"No, seriously!" Vritika exclaimed, "Promise me you'll focus more on your batting now! You've shown you can handle the pressure, today proved it! I mean, if someone like Dhoni believes in you, you can't let that go to waste! You need to take your batting seriously—no more just bowling!

"But I'm a bowler, Ritz..."

"Forget that!" she interrupted, grabbing his hands in hers. "Promise me, Rohit! Focus more on your batting! You could be unstoppable! Just think about it!"

Rohit looked into her eyes, seeing the passion and belief reflected back at him. The way she was practically bouncing on her toes made it hard to resist. "Okay, okay! I promise!" he finally relented, laughing. "I'll work on my batting. Just stop shaking me like that!"

Vritika grinned, pulling him into a quick hug. "Yes! I can't wait to see you take your game to the next level! You're going to crush it!Now when are you going to give me a party?"

Rohit chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Let's go celebrate together," he suggested, but before he could say more, his teammates surrounded him, cheering and lifting him into the air in a raucous celebration.

"Rohit! The hero of the day!" one of them shouted.

Vritika watched with a warm smile, knowing he deserved every bit of the spotlight. "Go on, celebrate with them! You earned it!" she encouraged, stepping back to let him enjoy the moment.

Rohit turned back to her. "I will! But I'll call you and pick you up on Tuesday for dinner, alright?"

"Deal!" Vritika replied, waving as he rejoined his teammates.

Vritika walked back to her hostel after the game, her heart brimming with pride and excitement for Rohit. She knew he deserved all the praise coming his way, and as she settled at her desk to study.

He's really going to focus on batting now! she thought with a smile. She was so grateful for MS Dhoni for praising him for that and it had been the final nudge he needed. Thank goodness for that, she mused, laughing to herself. She had been telling him the same thing for ages, but it took Dhoni's words to make him actually listen!

Settling into her studies, she pushed away the thrill of the day. 

When Tuesday finally arrived, Vritika couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves as she got ready. She'd chosen a simple pink outfit, nothing too fancy, but enough to feel put together. As she slipped on her shoes, Aisha lounged on her bed, watching her with a mischievous grin.

"So, lunch with the famous 'hero of the day,' huh?" Aisha teased, raising an eyebrow. "This is getting serious, Vri. Are you two finally going to admit you like each other?"

Vritika rolled her eyes, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Aish, it's not like that! We're just... celebrating his win. That's all. And you know na he's just my friend."

"Mhm, sure," Aisha smirked, crossing her arms. "But just a little warning—you might want to keep an eye out. A lot of girls in college have had their eyes on him ever since that match, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of them decided to 'casually' bump into him today."

"Oh, please," Vritika replied, brushing it off, but Aisha's words lingered. "Rohit's my friend. He's just being nice, and I'm happy for him."

"Still," Aisha said with a shrug, "don't let your guard down. You never know when someone might swoop in. Not everyone's as nice as they seem."

 "Thanks for the advice, oh wise one. I'll keep it in mind."

"Good," Aisha laughed, watching as Vritika gave herself one last look in the mirror. "Now go have fun—and remember, if he does something cute, you'd better tell me everything!"

When Vritika heard the rev of Rohit's bike from outside, her heart skipped a beat. She quickly grabbed her purse, threw on her shoes, and headed down, finding him waiting with a big grin as he leaned casually on his bike.

"Ready, Ritsz?" he asked, offering her a helmet.

"Always," she replied with a laugh, taking the helmet and hopping on behind him. They zoomed through the streets watching the city blur past while she held onto the friend who'd always been there for her.

They arrived at a cozy little restaurant Rohit had picked out—a quiet place away from the crowds, perfect for catching up.

They placed their order—two plates of pasta and a side of fries to share. The conversation turned to lighter topics as they waited, Rohit telling funny stories from practice and Vritika sharing tidbits about her studies. They settled at a corner table, scanning the menu as they laughed about the game. 

"So ready to finally go home?" Rohit asked.

"I really am. I miss everyone so much, especially Virat. But it's strange—I've also gotten so used to life here now, with all the studying and... well, friends like you," she added, giving him a playful nudge. "What about you though? Aren't you going home?"

"This is my home Rits."

"No, I mean back to your parents."

Rohit shrugged. "My parents are busy with their work, and I think they feel I'm better off here, closer to my training facilities. So, I'll stay with my grandfather. He's great company anyway."

"But don't you miss them? I mean, it must be hard not going back, especially when everyone else heads home for the break."

Rohit gave a small smile. "I do, of course. But I've gotten used to it. Besides, Dadaji is always there for me, you know? He's the one who pushed me into cricket in the first place, so we kind of have this connection."

Vritika reached out, resting a hand on his. "That's amazing, Ro. Not everyone has that kind of bond. And you know, if you ever feel like you need family around, you've got mine too. My parents, Virat... they'd love to have you over. Waise bhi Delhi kaha dur hai."

"Thanks, Ritz," he replied. 

After a while, Vritika excused herself to head to the restroom, leaving her bag on the chair. As she walked away, Rohit leaned back, taking a sip of his drink and glancing out the window.

Moments later, a girl from a nearby table slid into the seat Vritika had left, flashing a bright smile. She was dressed stylishly, her hair falling in perfect waves, and she looked at Rohit with unmistakable interest.

"Hi, Rohit, right?I am Makira" she said, "I saw you at the match the other day. You were incredible!"

Rohit offered a polite smile, a bit caught off guard. "Uh, yeah, thanks. It was a tough game."

She leaned in slightly, her eyes never leaving his. "Tough, but you made it look effortless. Honestly, I think you were the best player on the field."

Rohit chuckled, glancing down at his glass. "Thanks, that means a lot."

The girl smiled wider, clearly encouraged. "So... are you celebrating the win alone? Because I'd be happy to join you," she said, her voice flirtatious.

Before he could respond, Vritika returned, spotting the girl in her seat. She paused, taking in the scene with raised eyebrows, before clearing her throat.

"Excuse me," Vritika said, a polite smile on her face, though her eyes held a hint of something sharper.

The girl looked up, surprised, and then stood. "Oh, didn't know you were here with someone!" 

"Oh, I didn't know you were with someone. I was just chatting with Rohit about the match."

Rohit looked between the two of them. "Yeah, we were just talking," he said quickly, eager to diffuse any awkwardness. "Vritika, this is Makira. She was just saying nice things about the game."

 "Nice to meet you, Makira," she said, her tone friendly but with an edge. She slid back into her seat, trying to project an air of calm confidence.

Makira's smile faltered for just a moment. "Nice to meet you too, Vritika right?" she said. "I just wanted to congratulate Rohit on his performance. He really was the standout player."

"Thanks," Rohit replied, still looking a bit flustered. "It was a team effort, though."

"Of course," Makira replied, her gaze still lingering on Rohit. "But you were the one who made the difference."

Vritika felt a surge of irritation as she watched the way Makira leaned toward Rohit, her hair falling perfectly over her shoulder. "So, do you come to all the matches?" she asked, trying to sound casual but unable to keep a hint of defensiveness out of her voice.

"Not all, but I try to catch the big ones," Makira said, winking at Rohit "I'm a big cricket fan. It's hard not to be when you're surrounded by so much talent, right?"

Vritika fought to keep her expression neutral. "Definitely," she said, stealing a glance at Rohit, who was looking increasingly uncomfortable. "So, what else do you like to do besides watching cricket?"

"Oh, I love shopping and going out with friends. You know, the usual. Don't you go out shopping Vritika?"

"Vritika here is great at academics and studying—she's got her future all figured out."

"Sounds boring," Makira quipped, her gaze still on Rohit. "What's life without a little fun?"

Vritika clenched her jaw. "Life's about balance," she said pointedly. "Fun and responsibility can coexist."

Makira gave a slight laugh, brushing off Vritika's words. "Well, it was nice meeting you both. I guess I'll leave you to it, I should probably let you two enjoy your meal."

Rohit cleared his throat. "Yeah, that would be great."

 "Good luck with everything, Rohit. I'm sure we'll see each other again. How about this Saturday?" Makira stood, giving Rohit a lingering look.

 "Uh, this Saturday?" he repeated, clearly thrown off.

"Yeah, a couple of us are going out to celebrate the end of the tournament. You should come. It'll be fun."

"I will see if I am free."

Makira's smile grew, and she tossed her hair back. "Great! I'll hold you to that," she said, giving him a quick wink before finally heading back to her table.

Rohit nodded, visibly relieved as the girl walked away. 

"Making new friends, are we?" Vritika teased suppressing a pang of something...weird in her chest.

Rohit rolled his eyes. "Please, she just wanted to talk about the match."

"Right," Vritika said.

As much as Vritika tried to brush it off, she couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling that had settled in her chest. 

She knew it was silly—Rohit was her best friend, her confidant. Yet, she couldn't help the nagging sense of something else. 

"You okay, Ritz? You're awfully quiet now."

She forced a smile. "I'm fine! Just... thinking. Didn't expect to come back and find you so popular. I mean, I can't blame her; you were amazing out there."

"Come on, it was nothing. You know you're the only person whose opinion actually matters to me."

"Well, good," she said with a grin, "because I'd hate for you to let all that flattery go to your head." She nudged his arm playfully, and he laughed. Soon they finished the lunch and Rohit dropped her to her hostel afterward.

As the 12th board exams began, the campus atmosphere shifted completely. Late-night chatter turned to whispers of formulas and essay outlines, and everyone seemed buried in textbooks, highlighters in hand, cramming last-minute notes.

Vritika, ever the diligent student, had her own study schedule pinned to her wall, breaking down each subject into precise time slots. The exams were intense, but she was prepared—well, almost.

The day before the science exam, her phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see Rohit's name flashing across the screen.

"Hello?" she answered, barely glancing up from her notes.

"Ritz, help!" he groaned on the other end. "I don't know anything. I swear, not a single word of this makes sense. At least do something to make me pass!"

She couldn't help but laugh. "Rohit, it's the night before the exam! You were supposed to study way before this."

"I know, I know," he sighed, sounding genuinely distressed. "But I just don't get it. All these diagrams and theories are swimming in my head. I'm done for if I don't get some help."

"Rohit, you'll be fine. I know you studied a bit, at least!"

"Studied?" he huffed. "Trust me, I opened the book, but it's like staring into a foreign language. I need your help, Ritz. Just enough to make me pass. Please?"

"Alright, alright. I'll help. But you better focus, okay? I'm not letting you flunk."

"Yes, ma'am!" he replied, sounding more hopeful. "I'll do whatever you say, promise."

"Good," she said, already mentally reviewing the most critical topics. "I'll explain the basics first, and then we'll go over the important stuff that's likely to come up. Just... don't panic!"

Rohit sighed in relief. "You're my lifesaver, Ritz. Thank you. Really."

They spent the next couple of hours on the phone, Vritika patiently guiding him through concepts, breaking down equations, and even making him laugh to ease his stress.

After weeks of intense studying and sleepless nights, the exams were finally over. Late that night, Vritika was busy packing her bags in her hostel room, excitement bubbling up inside her as she prepared to head home.

Once she had everything packed, she lugged her bags outside, taking a deep breath of the cool night air. She pulled out her phone, planning to call an auto rickshaw to the railway station.

"Need a lift?" Rohit appeared, a wide grin on his face as he approached, effortlessly picking up her bags.

"Rohit! I was just about to call an auto," Vritika replied, surprised but pleased.

"I'll drop you to the station. Come on, let's go," he said, placing her bags in front of his scooter.

"Wait, don't you have someone to hang out with?" Vritika asked, raising an eyebrow as she climbed onto the scooter behind him.

He furrowed his brows, a look of confusion crossing his face. "Who?"

"You know, that girl who asked you to hang out with her after dinner," she prompted, trying to jog his memory.

"Kaun?" he asked again, glancing back at her.

"Rohit! The girl with the stylish hair! When we went to lunch together, kya tha uska naam?" 

"Accha woh...uska naam tha woh... woh nahi woh kida ghumta rehta sir ke baju main, kaan main awaj karta?

"Machhar?"

"Arey nahi. Woh macchar see thoda bada rehta..."

"Makkhi?"

"Haaan, Makkhi!....aisa hi kuch naam that uska....Maki..Makira!"

Vritika burst out laughing, clutching her sides. "Makira! Right, how could I forget!" she teased, barely able to contain her giggles. "So that's what she reminded you of, huh?"

"Well, bas aise hi yaad aa gaya."

Vritika rolled her eyes playfully. "You're unbelievable, Rohit Sharma. At least you remembered the name."

"Naam main waise bhi kya rakha hai. The only names worth remembering are of those jo sacchi main important hain."

She felt a warmth spread in her chest at his words but tried to play it off, rolling her eyes. "Tum toh bilkul impossible ho," she said, settling behind him on the scooter.

"And yet, yahi impossible insaan tumhe railway station drop kar raha hai."

As they reached the platform, Rohit helped Vritika lift her bags onto the train, carefully stacking them in the overhead compartment.

"So... when will we meet now, huh?" he asked, his voice light, though his gaze lingered.

Vritika smiled, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Probably after the JEE ," she replied, trying to keep her tone equally breezy, though she knew she'd miss him. "Or sooner if you decide to take a break from all that practice and come visit."

"We'll see about that. You know, I'm pretty busy being the next cricket sensation and all." He flashed a playful wink but then glanced away, looking almost shy. "But, honestly, let me know when you're free. I'll figure something out."

"I will, promise."

As the train whistle blew, Rohit gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Take care, Ritz. And call me once you reach, alright?"

Impulsively, she took a step forward, and he immediately opened his arms, pulling her into a warm, familiar embrace. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against hers.

The train whistle blew again, louder this time, and they reluctantly pulled apart. 

"See you soon, Vritsz" Rohit said, offering her a warm smile that made her heart flutter.

"See you, Ro," she replied.

*****