Nandini's P.O.V:

It's 6:00 pm and I am waiting in Manik's room for him to be ready for the party. It's more of a little get together over dinner than a party. The team have a match tomorrow so having a huge party wasn't the best idea. However, Manik over here is getting ready like he's going to the oscars or something.

"Manik how much longer? You've spent the past half an hour trying to style your hair only for it to look the same as before." I whined.

"Same? Really? You don't pay attention to the finer details in life." He said as he carried on styling his hair.

"Finer details my..." I said irritatedly only to be interrupted by the cause of my irritation.

"No swearing!" He shouted.

"Just hurry up or I will go by myself." I said with gritted teeth.

"It takes time to look this hot you know." He said with a smirk.

"Seriously Manik I'm leaving!" I said as I proceeded towards the door.

"Aray stop, I'm nearly done I promise." He whined like a child.

"Two minutes, not a second more." I said sternly. He knew I was irritated so he made sure he was ready within two minutes.

"Look I'm ready and the two minutes aren't even up yet. Now cheer up Nandini, a frown doesn't suit you!" He said as he hugged me from the back.

"I'm sorry for getting so irritated. I just don't like being late." I said as I rested my head back against his chest.

"You're not late Nandini. The party starts at 7, it's 6:45 right now. We have plenty of time. So cheer up!" He explained.

"Okay okay but Manik I'm so nervous about today." I said as I turned around to face him.

"Why?" He questioned.

"I'm just worried everyone will react weirdly. What if they think I got this job because we're together? What if they think I'm a distraction to you? What if..."

"Calm down! Firstly, you are one of the best doctors in Mumbai, you don't need me to get you any jobs. Secondly, this job is temporary and you got this because of your hard work. In fact, we weren't even dating before you got this job. So stop worrying about that and Nandini you are not a distraction. If anything, you're my motivation. Most of the team mates have an idea about us and they all love you. So stop worrying and let's go enjoy this night." He reassured me and I suddenly felt calm.

"You have a way with words Mr VC. You just made me feel so much better." I said with a smile as I pecked him on his cheek.

"A pleasure Doctor, now shall we?" He replied as he extended his hand forward.

"We shall!" I replied as I placed my hand in is.

And so we did, hand in hand, by each other's side, we made our way to the open terrace restaurant of the hotel which had been booked for the dinner party.

"Are you ready?" Manik asked as we stood near the entrance.

"Let's do this!" I said confidently.

We walked inside hand in hand, like we decided, and as expected everyone stared at us. Some smirking because they already knew about us, some shocked, and some confused.

"Manik? Are we missing something?" Shikhar Dhawan said as he walked up to us.

"You've all met Doctor Nandini Murthy right? Well today I would like you guys to meet Nandini, my Nandini!" Manik said proudly as he pulled me closer to him.

"You're dating?" Yuzi asked.

"Yes!" Manik said while I simply nodded. I was feeling shy, Nandini Murthy was feeling shy, what?

"So she's your girlfriend?" Rohit said with a smirk. Okay, I swear he had an idea about us so why is he teasing us?

"I guess!" Manik said as he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. He was feeling shy, Manik Malhotra was feeling shy. What does love do to a person?

"She's our bhabhi?" Bumrah said in excitement.

"Too far fetched!" I exclaimed to which everyone laughed.

"Finally you guys decided to tell everyone, we're so happy!" Anushka said with her chirpy smile.

"This calls for a double celebration!" Virat said as he hugged Manik. Everyone came and congratulated us one by one. They were all so accepting towards us. This felt good!

The rest of the evening went by smoothly. We all had dinner together, enjoyed each other's company, and celebrated love all around us. I was so nervous to share our relationship status with them but like Manik said, they're family. They accepted us wholeheartedly.

2 days later:

It was the last one day match between India and New Zealand. India had batted first and now it was time for India to bowl. I hadn't paid attention to the playing 11 due to a hectic schedule. So I wasn't sure who was playing and who wasn't. Second over into the match and India took a wicket. Everyone was celebrating and I was eager to find out who took the wicket.

"Who took the wicket?" I asked Hardik who came inside the dressing room.

"Boom boom Bumrah!" He said excitedly.

"Who?" I questioned.

"Jassy, Nandini! He's back in style!" He said as he grabbed a bottle of water.

"Is he new? Have I ever met him?" I questioned.

"What's wrong with you? Of course you've met Jassy, Jasprit Bumrah? He was at the party last night too." He said.

"That's Bumrah, the team's masseuse. Who's this bowler Bumrah?" I asked with confusion.

"What are you on about? The team's masseuse is Ashish and Daniel. Bumrah isn't the team's masseuse." He stated.

"What? But I met Bumrah on the flight here and he introduced himself as the team's masseuse. Even Manik confirmed that he's the team's masseuse." I explained.

"Oh my god Nandini. They've played a prank on you. Bumrah is currently the world's best bowler. The same Bumrah you met on the flight here." He clarified everything.

"But why did he lie to me?" I questioned.

"Ask him for yourself." He said as he nudged his shoulders.

"I will. I can't believe he fooled me like this and Manik didn't even bother to correct me. Let the match finish, then I'll see to them." I said irritatedly.

"Nandini, when you confront them please call me. I don't want to miss out on the entertainment." He said with a giggle.

"Focus on the match, plenty of entertainment there!" I said as I stormed out of the dressing room.

"Good luck Manik and Bumrah!" He said with an evil laugh.

I went and sat in the dug out area with the coach and a few other players. The match was going well but I was just not able to concentrate. I can't believe Bumrah lied to me. It was the 40th over and Bumrah was balling. The batsman hit the ball towards Bumrah and he tried to catch it but ended up hurting his finger instead.

"Nandini you need to go and check on him." The coach said as soon as the incident occurred.

"On it coach!" I said as I grabbed my bag and ran towards the field.

"I don't think I've fractured it, I think it's just a sprain." He said as I approached him and started to inspect his fingers.

"This is what happens when a masseuse tries to play cricket." I mumbled loud enough for him to hear.

"What? I'm not a masseuse." He said.

"That's not what you said on the plane." I stated.

"Oh shit yeah. I forgot about that, I'm sorry that was just a joke." He explained.

"Does it look serious?" Manik said as he approached us.

"Just a sprain but let's not risk it. Bumrah, you need to come off." I said.

"I have two overs left to bowl. The team needs me. I'm not going off." Bumrah insisted.

"Nandini, what's the matter? Is he okay to play?" Virat said as he joined us.

"It's a sprain Virat but he can hurt it more if he carries on bowling. He needs to come off and have this bandaged. If he carries on playing, there's a risk of a fracture. I don't think it's worth the risk." I explained.

"I will carry on playing until I physically can't. A sprain is not going to stop me." Bumrah said. How stubborn is this man?

"Would you rather miss the last 10 overs of this match or risk missing the next four matches? The decision is yours." I said sternly.

"Jassy, Nandini is right. You need to go. We can't take any chances. We'll call Kuldeep as your replacement." Virat explained.

"Fine, I'll go off. I still don't think it's that bad." He inspired like a child.

"Are you the doctor or am I? Come on!" I said sternly as I walked back towards the dressing room and he followed.

In the dressing room:

I was currently in the dressing room attending to Bumrah's injury. As I was wrapping the bandage I noticed he was very quiet.

"Kya hua?" I asked.

"Just thinking!" He replied vaguely.

"About?" I asked further.

"You!" He stated abruptly.

"Me?" I asked with confusion as I finished wrapping the bandage.

"Yeah." He replied.

"Care to expand?" I said.

"Well a thought just crossed my mind, it's actually quite silly, but what if you took me off the field because I played a prank on you and you wanted to seek revenge?" He replied.

"What are we? Five years old? Why would I sabotage the game because you played a silly prank on me? You're actually injured and as the team's Doctor it was my job to get you off that field to prevent further injury!" I explained, why would he even think of such a thing? I'm serious about my job and he should be aware of that.

"I know I'm sorry. Like I said, it's just a silly thought." He replied.

"It better be just a silly thought. I'm really serious about my job and you should know that. Anyways we're done here, rest well so you can play the next match!" I said with a smile as I got up to leave.

"Yes doc!" He replied with a smile.

"Listen Jasprit, why did you lie to me about yourself?" I was curious to find the answer and this was the best time to ask. He gestured for me to sit next to him and so I did.

"I don't know, it just happened in the moment I guess. I didn't plan for it. I bumped into you on the plane and remembered you as Manik's special friend. When I realised you didn't know who I was, I was a little shocked. I mean I'm not trying to sound big headed but I'm a pretty good bowler, people know who I am. As I was stepping on to the plane that day so many people recognised me, so it was a little weird when you didn't. So I thought why not play a prank. I didn't mean for it to drag this long, I completely forgot I even lied to you about my profession. I'm really really sorry." He explained everything.

"It's okay, I understand. Before meeting Manik and working with the Indian Cricket Team, I was clueless about the sport. When I first met Manik, I didn't recognise him either but now I'm slowly learning everything. I also learnt that you are not just a bowler, you are currently world's best bowler and that is a huge achievement. So I feel very lucky to be working with you." I said proudly to which we both giggled.

"Nandini, you aren't just a colleague to me you know. You're a friend, a really good friend. I enjoy your company and I admire you for putting up with Manik. I know he is super irritating so hats off to you." He stated. It was really sweet of him to be so nice to me.

"Well thank you, that means a lot. You guys have been so welcoming towards me. This team has turned into my family, and I'm going to miss it so much once my contract comes to an end. And Manik, I mean he's not all that bad but don't tell him I said that." I said with a huge smile on my face.

"I won't. By the way, would you consider applying for this job permanently if the position is open?" He asked a question which really got me thinking.

"Honestly, no. I mean it's an amazing job but I love working at the hospital and I love my patients. I mean it is so so hard, some days I run to the bathroom and cry, but the joy and satisfaction I get after treating my patients is something else. I also don't think it's ideal for me to work with the person I'm in a relationship with for too long. I'd prefer to keep my professional and private life separate and right now it is so hard to do that." The question had got me thinking but I had a clear answer for it. This job was always going to be a temporary thing no matter how many perks came along with it. I was already very attached to all the people of team India, the players, their families, the coaching staff, and I was surely going to miss working with them and being in their company. However, I know that through Manik I can still see all these people once the job comes to an end. And that my friends, is one of the perks of dating a cricketer.

A/N: Chapter 35 updated. Ahhh it has been so long since the last update. I have had the busiest few months, so I do apologise. I hope you all enjoyed this update. A huge thank you to you all for waiting so patiently for me to update. You guys are the best. ☺️❤️ I hope you're all keeping well. Hoping to update more regularly now. *Fingers Crossed* Take care and stay safe! 💕 😊Lots of love xxx