"Sometimes unexpected encounters bring unexpected blessings."

"Are you following me?" He asked.

"I can say the same about you! First you meet me on the plane and now the hotel! Surely this can't be a coincidence!" I said with confusion.

"I promise I'm not following you! My team is staying at this hotel." Bumrah stated.

"Apparently, the company I'm expected to work for chose this hotel for my stay too. Lovely!" I said with a giggle.

"Well its a pleasant coincidence! Manik will be thrilled to know you're staying in this very hotel!" He said excitedly.

"Yeah about that, can you please not tell Manik I'm staying here?" I requested.

"Why? Is everything okay between you guys?" He questioned.

"Yeah, all's good! I want to surprise him." I replied.

"Of course! I won't mention anything then." He said with a smile.

"Thank you!" I replied.

"You're welcome! Now I would love to sit and chat but it's already 2 am and I am so tired. There's a match tomorrow night so I need to be well rested." He said as he picked up his bag and proceeded to leave.

"Of course! You need to be on duty in case anyone needs a massage prior to the match, right?" I said as I too gathered my things.

"Yeah, Of course! Totally need to be there for the massage!" He said with a giggle and turned to leave.

"Bye!" I said as I waved at him.

"Bye!" He replied.

What is my life right now? A week ago I wasn't talking to Manik and suddenly when I decide to talk things out with him, he goes to a different country and I'm sent out behind him. Same country, same city, same hotel, what were the chances? Maybe this is a sign. I feel the need to see him as soon as possible. He's probably asleep by now but I'll go see him in the morning. He's going to be thrilled to see me here. Well, atleast I hope so because the last time we met, we were not on the best terms.

I soon made my way to my hotel room and it was the most beautiful room. It was like a mini apartment. There was the bedroom and bathroom of course. Along with that there was a small lounge area and a small kitchen too. Whoever I'm working for has definitely gone all out. There was also a balcony which faced the beautiful garden of the hotel.

I was so tired I decided to hit bed straight away. I freshened up and changed into my pyjamas. I then decided to check my emails before going off to sleep incase Doctor Sharma had emailed me any details about my job. When I opened the folder, I saw an email from him. Apparently, the company heads were going to meet me tomorrow in the hotel restaurant at 10:00 am to explain my job to me. Finally, I will find out why I'm here. Once I replied to Dr Sharma, I messaged my parents, Navya Di, and Alya that I had reached safely and then I headed off to sleep.

******

It was 9:30 and I was ready for the meeting. I wore maroon pants with a white jumper and loosely curled my hair. I put minimum make up on in an attempt to conceal my eye bags due to the lack of sleep. There was still half an hour left so I decided to head down to the reception and inquire about Manik's room. I could've messaged him but I decided it would be nice to surprise him.

"Good morning ma'am, how may I help you?" The receptionist asked with a big smile.

"Hi, I just wanted to inquire which room Mr Manik Malhotra is staying in. He's here with the Indian Cricket Team." I asked in hope for a positive answer.

"Are you a relative ma'am?" She questioned.

"No, I'm a friend!" I'm replied.

"I'm sorry Ma'am but it's against our policies to share any information about our customers unless they are a family member." She explained.

"Is there no way I can meet him?" I requested.

"Unfortunately not ma'am. It would be best for you to call Mr Malhotra and ask him yourself." She suggested.

I want to surprise him! Phone karungi toh surprise ki waat lag jaygi!

"Okay, thank you!" I said with a half smile as I turned to leave.

"Hey, maybe I can help?" I heard a familiar voice.

"Oh my god, am I glad to see you? I'm so confused. There's so much happening. I don't know where to start." I said nervously as I saw the person.

"Come with me! It'll all make sense." He said with a smile and I followed him.

******

13th February 2020, 7:00pm

It's the first T20 match of the tournament against New Zealand. Cricket season has began! I'm my happiest when I play cricket but today I felt a void. There was something missing and I know exactly what that was.

Nandini

I can't stop thinking about her. That girl will drive me nuts. Ever since our conversation after Ziva's party, I haven't stopped thinking about her. I like her so much! I have never felt for anyone the way I feel for her. I wanted to meet her before we left India but unfortunately it wasn't possible. I wish I could meet her soon. I really wish.

"Kiski soch mai paray ho?" I hear Virat say as he nudged me.

"Jhoot bolu ya sach?" I said as I stared at nothing in particular.

"Even if you lie, I can read the truth on your face!" He said proudly. He knew me too well.

"She drives me insane yaar! I can't stop thinking about her!" I said with a sigh.

I didn't need to mention her name, Virat knew pretty much everything about me. Sometimes I felt like he knew me more then I knew myself.

"I understand Manik but you need to focus. It's our first match of this series and securing a win will be a big boost for our team. We need every player to focus." Virat said in an attempt to motivate me.

"Yeah Virat! Don't worry, I promise you my 100% concentration." I said with a smile.

"That's more like it! By the way seeing as you missed the last half of the group meeting earlier on today, I need to update you on somethings." He said.

"Oh yeah, go ahead. Also, sorry I left early. Zoya bhabhi had scheduled a video meeting with one of the brands I'm working with, and I didn't realise the times were going to clash." I said in an apologetic tone.

"No problem. Okay so Bumrah isn't playing today, coach wants to give him some rest. His leg has just gotten better. He wants to save him for the more crucial matches. So Deepak Chahar is coming in his place. I want you and Rohit to start today. What else is there?" He said as he mentally ticked off the things from his invisible list.

"Virat it's toss time. You need to get to the field." We heard our coach say as he came into the changing rooms.

"Yes coach! Coming! Chal Manik, I'll see you in a bit. Get ready!" Virat said as he got up to leave.

"Yup! Soch kai choose karnaa if you win the toss." I said with a smirk.

"Of course! It's my first time as captain, any more tips sir?" Virat said sarcastically.

"Nikal yahaan sai!" I exclaimed.

"Teri toh!" Virat said he hurled a punch towards me.

"Boys, behave! Virat, hurry up!" The coach said a little loudly to which we both silently giggled.

"Sorry, I'm coming. I'll deal with you later Mannu!" He shouted as he ran out of the changing rooms.

"We'll see cheeku!" I shouted back.

I then got ready and waited for the toss results. We were batting first so I quickly put on my pads and helmet and went to the pavilion where the rest of my teammates were. I collected my bag and walked on to the crease with Rohit.

"All the best boys!" I heard Virat say to which I mouthed a thank you and Rohit smiled.

The match started off pretty well until Rohit was balled out on 43. We were now 83-1 from 9 overs. Virat came next and hit a few boundaries. Unfortunately for us, the timing of one of his shots went wrong and he was caught out by Kane Williamson on 54. We were now on 145-2 from 17 overs. Rishab Pant came on next and he was balled out. The bowler was currently on a hatrick. Things were not going well for us. Hardik came on next and I smiled a little. Hardik was a big hitter and that is exactly what we needed right now.

"Kuch bhi karo but out mat honaa!" I said as I walked up to him.

"Don't worry bro! We've got this!" He said as he winked at me and right he was because on the next ball he hit a six, and then a four, and another six. On the fourth ball of the over, he hit the ball towards the boundary but it was not timed well. It was saved by a fielder in the far end but we decided to take a run. I made it to my end in good time but then I heard a loud scream. I turned around to see Hardik lying on the floor grabbing onto his legs.

"Shit! What happened?" I said as I ran towards him.

"He made it to the crease in time but his leg got tangled with the bowler and he tripped." The umpire explained.

"Bro tu theek toh hai naa?" I asked as I bent down on my knee.

"Do I look fine to you? Where's the physiotherapist?" Hardik screamed in pain.

"Of course! Guys send Tim, now!" I said loudly. I was stood near Hardik when I saw our coach approaching us with a petite figure. The figure did not resemble the muscular figure of our Physio Tim, but it was rather the figure of a petite girl. A figure I could recognise from miles away.

"Bro, is it just me or is that a woman walking with coach?" I whispered to Kane Williamson, New Zealand's captain.

"Manik, are you serious?" He asked with confusion.

"Yes, tell me it's Tim walking over with the coach." I stated.

"You really need to get your eyes checked mate! It's a woman walking with him and a beautiful woman I must say." He replied with a smile.

Kane was a gentleman. He said what he meant and not because he was trying to flirt but rather because he loved complimenting people.

"That she is!" I replied with a smile. I was smiling at the sight in front of me and a few moments later the reality sank in! Shit! This is a reality! What the hell is she doing here? She walked closer towards us and immediately attended to Hardik. She did not once look at me, her focus was on Hardik entirely.

"Lift your leg up slightly! Try moving it." She said softly.

"I can't! It pains too much!" Hardik winced in pain as she lifted the bottom half of his trousers and felt the bruised area. She sprayed some heat spray and asked the stretcher to be called.

"We need you off the field right now. It may be a sprain or a tear. We can't find out until we've done some scans." She explained to Hardik.

"Not again yaar! It's not even been six months since I recovered from the previous injury." Hardik said he punched the ground out of irritation.

"Bad luck I guess!" She replied as she got up and finally turned to look at me.

"Nandini" I mumbled.

It was her, she was here in front of me. I wasn't imagining it, but what was she doing here? Why am I not aware?

"What's going on?" I further said.

"Might just be a sprain or it could be a muscle tear. We won't know until we've done the scan." She replied with her professional tone. I knew that tone very well, that was her Doctor at work tone as I like to call it.

"That's not what I meant." I stated.

"You should stop standing so wide when taking a shot, you may pull a muscle. Try keeping your legs slightly closer and it'll decrease the risk of an injury. Good luck with the rest of the match!" She said with a smirk and then turned to leave.

"What the? Nandini.... Unbelievable!" I muttered as she walked away.

What the hell is going on? She's working as Team India's physiotherapist! Where the hell is Tim? Why is she here? Why is she ignoring me? Why do I not know anything? There was only one person who could tell me everything, Virat! He had to know about this. After all the cricket board had to share all information about the team to the coach and captain. If Virat knew Nandini was joining us, why didn't he tell me sooner?

There was a lot going on in my head but my main focus was to finish this match off. Jadeja came on after Hardik had to leave and we both finished the match off in style. In the last two overs, we both made 30 runs together. As soon as the match finished, I ran towards the pavilion where Virat was sat with the rest of the players. I expected Nandini to be there too but she wasn't.

"Well done bro, you were amazing out there!" Rohit said with a smile as he patted my back and I smiled back.

"Really well played. I didn't even need to play today, you handled everything!" Dhoni said as he hugged me tight.

"Mahi bhai, you will always be a crucial part of the team whether you play or not!" I said as I hugged him back.

"Stop buttering me!" He said as he came out of the hug.

"I'm being serious!" I stated.

"Chal, get changed now! You smell of sweat!" He said as he pinched his nose.

"Mahi bhai, seriously?" I said with a sad pout.

"What? I only speak the truth!" He said as he lifted his collar to which I giggled.

"Well done man! You were amazing!" Virat said as he came and hugged me.

"I need answers! Now!" I whispered in his ears.

"About?" He said with a confused face as he left the hug.

"You know exactly what!" I said as I folded my arms.

"Okay fine but after the match. It's a long story." He said as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Fine! You all have a lot of explaining to do!" I said with a frown.

"Don't pretend like you weren't happy seeing her working alongside us!" Virat said to which I gave him a half-hearted smile.

"After what happened the last time, I'm not sure how to react." I said as I walked off into the dressing room. Virat knew exactly what I meant, it was a sensitive topic and he knew I didn't like talking about it so he left me alone.

I locked myself in one of the showers and placed my body under the strong force of the water. Dear God, please don't let history repeat itself. Please!

Few minutes passed by and I remained that way. A sudden knock broke me out of my trance.

"Manik, are you in there? Hurry, we need to be back on the field in 10 minutes." I heard Rohit call out. I wiped the unknown tears that had made their way down and mumbled an okay to him. I quickly came out of the shower, put on a fresh pair of clothes, and prepared myself for the rest of the match. As I walked out of the changing rooms and towards the field, I saw Nandini having a discussion with the coach. I wanted to speak to her, I wanted answers, an explanation maybe. I just needed to speak to her. History cannot be repeating itself. It just cannot.

A/N: Chapter 28 updated! Hope you all enjoyed it! ☺️💕 Sorry for the late update, I was super caught up with uni work. Have a great weekend ahead. Lots of love xxx