"Nandini, we need to talk!" I said as I walked up to her. She was having a conversation with our coach.

"They're waiting for you Manik. Games about to start!" Coach said as he saw me approach them.

"Coach, 2 minutes please!" I requested.

"Manik, no! This can wait!" He said as he gestured towards me and Nandini.

"Coach please! It's important!" I almost pleaded. It was so important for me to talk to Nandini.

"2 minutes and that's it!" He said sternly as he left.

"Thank you!" I replied.

"Nandini, what's going on? Why are you here? What's all this?" I threw all my questions st her. I needed answers soon!

"Manik, calm down! I'm just as shocked to be here as you are. I'll explain everything after, I promise. Please just calm down and focus on the game." She said softly.

"After after after! Everybody's saying they'll explain to me after! First Virat, and now you! Why are people playing with my emotions yaar?" I said as I threw my hands in disappointment.

"Manik it's not that deep! It's a long, complicated story and this is not the time for it! I told you naa, I'll explain after the match!" She explained further.

"Fine!" I said irritatedly and turned to walk away.

"Good luck!" She replied as I turned and gave her a 'are you serious?' look.

The rest of the match went by in the blink of a second. We managed to get some early wickets and by the 14th over, New Zealand were all out. Once the match finished, we waited around for the post-match presentation in which I received the man of the match award from my incredible batting. Despite winning the award, I felt restless. I wanted to run to get my answers. The presentation soon finished and I headed towards Nandini but I was soon stopped by Virat.

"Manik, we need to talk!" Virat whispered.

"Not now Virat, I need to speak to Nandini." I replied.

"I hold more answers then her. Come!" He said as he grabbed my hand and we walked towards one of the empty conference rooms.

"Before we set off for New Zealand, Our physio Tim had a family emergency come up. He couldn't join us, he had to fly back home to England. We needed a physio as soon as possible as we were required to leave for New Zealand the next day. Coach was panicking! We didn't know where to get a physio at such short notice and then I remembered about Nandini. She had treated you when you had that leg injury. She's a doctor and also specialises in physiotherapy. She seemed perfect for this role. I spoke to the board about her and considering the amazing reputation she has in the medical field, they agreed." Virat started to narrate the story.

"Why didn't you inform me Virat?" I questioned with a hurtful tone.

"I couldn't! I wasn't allowed to say anything until it was confirmed that she was joining us. I wanted to tell you, I promise! But I couldn't. In the meeting we had before today's match, I shared the news with everyone but you weren't at the meeting. After that, I didn't get a chance to tell you anything. I'm sorry you found out like that!" He said softly as he placed his hand on my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me.

"Virat, do you realise how messed up all this is? Nandini shouldn't be here! She shouldn't be working with us. Last time something like this happened, the outcomes were bad! Virat, I don't want to go through all that again. I love Nandini, I love that girl so much and I don't want to risk losing her!" I confessed in front of Virat as unknown tears made their way down.

"Manik I understand. I really do! But it's not necessary that things have to be the same every time!" Virat said as he took me into a comforting hug.

"I don't know Virat. I don't know!" I mumbled.

"Manik, speak to Nandini. You'll feel better." He said as he patted my back gently.

"I have to! Where is she right now?" I said as I broke the hug.

"She's headed to her room. 304, her room number! Go speak to her and please be calm." He said as I headed towards the door.

"Hmmmm, thanks!" I replied.

"You're welcome!" He said as I left the room.

The hotel was located next to the stadium so it didn't take me long to reach. Within 5 minutes I was outside Nandini's hotel room waiting for her to open. After knocking two times and seeing no response, I proceeded to knock a little louder. She opened the door with her headphones around her neck.

"Manik?" She questioned.

"What took you so long?" I said as I caught my breath. I didn't realise I had been running this entire time.

"I had my headphones in. I couldn't hear, sorry!" She replied softly.

"It's okay. Can I come in?" I asked.

"You don't have to ask." She said with a smile as she moved out of the way to let me in.

I headed inside and she gestured me to take a seat on the sofa and so I did. She sat on the seat opposite me and started to fiddle with her top.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked quietly.

"I didn't know!" She said as she nudged her shoulders.

"Seriously?" I questioned.

"Manik, everything happened so suddenly. That day you sent those flowers, I wanted to speak to you. I rang you that afternoon but you didn't pick up. When you tried calling me back, I was in an operation. When I came out of the operation, I saw your note with the flowers, the several missed calls, and the messages you left me. By the time I saw all that, it was too late! You were on your way to New Zealand. After that, My boss, Doctor Sharma, told me he's signed me up for a placement abroad. He didn't tell me any details apart from the fact that I had to leave the next day. I trust him so I agreed. Believe me when I say this, I found out I was going to New Zealand when I was on the plane." She narrated the entire situation in one breath.

"So you agreed to a work placement without knowing any details about it! Who does that?" I said mockingly.

"Manik he told me he would email me the details but he didn't. I trust my boss though and so I took this risk." She attempted to explain herself.

"Why didn't you get in touch once you get here?" I further asked.

"I don't know. I guess I wanted to surprise you. I'd met Jasprit Bumrah on the flight here and I bumped into him again at the hotel. That's when I found out team India were staying here too. When we got here, it was very late in the night so I thought I'd get in touch with you in the morning. I tried to find out your room details but the receptionist wouldn't give it. After that, I was about to literally ring you and dump the whole surprise idea when I bumped into...."

"Who?" I interrupted.

Flashback:

"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 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. We made our way to a corner table in the cafe. There was already a man sat there and he looked very familiar.

"Nandini, meet our coach. Ravi Shashtri!" He said as he introduced us.

"Lovely to meet you sir!" I said with a smile as I extended my hand for a shake.

"The pleasure is all mine Doctor Murthy! Virat has praised you a lot." He said as he shook my hand firmly.

"I hope they were all good things!" I said as I nudged Virat who was stood next to me. Yes, it was Virat whom I bumped into at the reception desk.

"Have a seat Doctor Murthy!" The coach said with a smile.

"I would love to sir but I have a meeting here soon with the company that I'm doing my work placement with." I explained politely.

"Well Nandini, that company is us! Team India!" He said as he gestured to himself and then Virat.

"What?" I asked in shock. This was all too much to taken in.

"Yes! We are the ones who have offered this job placement to you." Virat explained as he gestured me to sit down.

"But why? How? Why was I not aware of this earlier? What role do I play in team India?" I loaded them with questions as I tried to process the information myself.

"Nandini, calm down! Firstly, the reason why you weren't aware was because of press issues. We had to keep it all a secret until it was confirmed you were on board with us. We've called you all the way here but you still haven't exactly accepted this placement. If the news was leaked to the press but you denied this job offer, it would cause too much problem." The coach explained.

"Okay I understand that, but what role do you want me to play for team India exactly?" I asked with confusion.

"Well our team doctor and physiotherapist Tim had a family emergency come up and he couldn't join us here in New Zealand. We needed someone to cover him as soon as possible and you were the first person to come to my mind. You are familiar with a lot of the members of team India and your reputation in the medical field is fantastic! So we felt you were the perfect match for this role." Virat explained the entire situation to me.

"Okay, so it's starting to make sense now, but I've never worked in the sports field before. My experience is only limited to hospitals and medical camps." I expressed my worries. I didn't feel like I was the right fit for this job.

"But you've treated sports injuries before right?" Virat said.

"Yes, but this is different!" I explained.

"Is it though Nandini? Besides, you're getting a chance to work in a new setting." Coach Shashtri said.

"I don't know! I love working in the hospital. This is a big decision to make." I said worriedly.

"Nandini it's not permanent. It's only temporary. Please, you joining us would mean a great deal for us. We have a match tonight and we really need you there. There's only so much the assistant medic can handle." Virat requested. I understood their issue but I wasn't ready to commit to something I had little knowledge about.

"Virat I..." I tried to explain but he interrupted me.

"Please Nandini! If not for Manik, or for me, then for team India, for our country." He said with a puppy face. God, is Anushka the actor or Virat? So much nautanki he does.

"Virat, don't play the emotional country card with me!" I said irritatedly.

"Please!" He pleaded, the puppy face still visible on his face.

"Okay fine! I'll need the entire teams medical history before the match. Will that be possible?" I said finally giving in.

"Of course. I've already spoken to Tim. He's emailed all the relevant documents and is willing to do a video call with you today to explain the details." Coach Shashtri said with a smile as I finally accepted the job.

"Perfect! I'll speak to Tim and take it from there." I replied.

"Thank you Nandini. This means a lot for us." Virat said excitedly as he took me into a hug.

"Woah, you're most welcome!" I replied as I hugged him back.

"We'll just need you to fill some forms out and then you'll officially become a part of team India." Shashtri sir said as he opened up a file and passed it to me with a pen.

"Never had I thought this would happen." I said I started to fill the forms out.

I filled all the forms out and then passed them onto Ravi sir.

"Congratulations Doctor Murthy, you are officially a part of team India. We'll have your kit sent to your room along with other essentials." He stated.

"That sounds great!" I replied.

"Right, enough business! Let's order breakfast now! I'm starving!" Virat said as he opened up the menu.

"I'll have to skip breakfast. I need to go and get these forms processed. I'll see you in the evening Nandini and Virat I'll meet you for practice soon." Ravi sir said as he gathered his things and got up to leave.

"Yes coach! Bye!" Virat replied and I too waved him a bye.

"Such a nautanki you are man!" I said as I playfully hit Virat on his shoulder.

"Ouch! How am I a nautanki?" He said as he rubbed his shoulder.

"Acha? What was all the 'if not for Manik, if not for me, then for team India' about?" I said mimicking his tone.

"Everyone gets emotional when it comes to their country so I knew you would too!" He said as he nudged his shoulders.

"What was the need to mention Manik in front of the coach? He's probably thinking all the wrong things?" I said worriedly.

"Acha? Like what?" He said with a smirk.

"Like, like you know what!" I said as I started to blush.

"I don't know what!" He said cluelessly.

"Stop! You're such a tease!" I said as I started to look through the menu.

"It was always Manik teasing me with Anushka. Now I have the chance to take revenge and I will happily grab that opportunity." He said with a giggle.

"Haan toh go tease Manik!" I said playfully.

"Manik koh tease karu yaa tumhe, it's all the same!" He said with a smirk.

"You're impossible! Let's order breakfast, I'm starving!" I said giving up.

"Good call!" He said as he started to search the menu.

Flashback ends:

Nandini's P.O.V

"Wow! So much has happened in the mater of 24 hours!" Manik said.

"Tell me about it!" I replied.

"But Nandini, why did you accept this job offer?" He questioned.

"Isn't it simple Manik? The team really needed me and if I refused then I would be doing injustice to myself and my profession!" I replied honestly.

"But Nandini they would've found someone! You should've said no! You can't be here working with me! It'll ruin everything." He said irritatedly.

"Manik, what's wrong with you? How is it going to ruin anything?" I questioned. He was making no sense.

"You don't understand Nandini!" He said frustratedly as he ran his hand through his hair.

"Then make me Manik. Explain to me why I shouldn't be working with you." I said as I turned him to face me.

"It's, it's complicated! Just say no to this offer. Quit! Please!" He said as he held my shoulders.

"Manik, you can't tell me what to do. This is my decision!" I replied as I jerked his hands off me.

"Nandini tum samajh nahi rahi ho, you have to leave. I'm booking you the next flight to India, you're leaving!" He said as he pulled his phone out to dial a number.

"Manik! Get a grip of yourself! I thought you'd be happy to have me here. We'd get to spend more time together but you want me to leave? I'm sorry Manik Malhotra, but I am not leaving. This is my job and I am not leaving until my contract finishes." I said sternly. No matter what we had going on between us, he had no right to make any decision on my behalf.

"Nandini stop being stubborn!" He said irritatedly.

"You're the one being stubborn!" I said as my irritation levels started to rise. Just then Manik's phone rang and he picked it up frustratedly.

"Hello? Now? Okay, I'm coming!" He said as he answered the phone.

"I have to leave but we're finishing this conversation later." He said as he put the phone in his pocket and turned to leave.

"If it's going to be you repeatedly telling me to quit then I am not interested in carrying this conversation forward." I said sternly.

"I don't have the time for this!" He said as he turned around to look at me once more and then headed towards the door.

"Excuse me? I don't have the time for your bullshit either!" I shouted as he left my room.

"What the hell is wrong with this man? Unbelievable!" I said as I threw my hands in frustration. I had such high expectations of our meeting and he has just gone and destroyed every single expectation. You are so hard to understand Malhotra, so hard!

A/N: Chapter 29 updated! Really sorry it's late but I hope you all enjoyed it. I wrote a long update to make up for the wait. ☺️
Also, during this worrying time, I hope you are all well and safe. Sending lots of love and positive vibes your way. ❤️