Somewhere in Mumbai,

" Maa, isse Kaho na , I can't take her on tour." Exclaimed a boy in his early twenties.

" Maa, please Shrey Bhai se kaho na ki mujhe leke jaye , even Jassi Bhai is taking Trish , and you know what the best part is I won't disturb you in your game because I will be with Trish helping her with the project. She is making a report on the scope of tourism at that National Park." His sister was in excitement when he stopped her midway.

" Mishti!! Did you say National Park? But we are not going to any national park. The nearest national park is around 250 km away from the city and last I checked with the captain and my team members , I didn't hear about any such plans." Shreyas asked astonished and that was when Mishti aka Sayesha , Shreyas's sister realised that in her overexcitement to convince Shrey she had spilled the beans.

" Bhai , Woh actually Rahul Bhai and Jassi Bhai were planning to go there after the match as you all have a break na plus Aru Di Ka b'day is coming so to celebrate it." Sayesha added.

" So, in dono ki yeh khichdi Pak Rahi h , aab me dekhta Hu , how dare these two didn't tell me . They are hiding from me. Pata nahi kese best friend h mera. Does Rish know?" Shreyas asked.

" No Bhai, I guess Rish bhaiya nhi janta . Mujhe toh yeh isliye pata h because Trish heard Rahul Bhai and Jassi Bhaiya's conversation. And if you tell them that I told you , I will tell them there is a mystery girl in your life." Sayesha said, grinning widely.

" A mystery girl in my life 🙄 really, how come I don't know about her and you know 😐 I don't know any such girl." Shreyas said getting up and going towards the balcony.

" Don't lie Bhai, I have seen those sketches you have made , which you keep with yourself in your every tour. I may not have seen the complete picture as if it were all silhouettes you made . But I'm damn sure there is someone in your life . Is she the one whom you meet during that camp?" Sayesha asked.

" No Mishti, I never meet anyone in the camp and dare you to bring this topic again. And for the game, you are permitted to travel with us. I will ask Vaani to arrange for your stay." Shreyas said a little angrily before leaving from there.

He didn't even hear what Sayesha was saying.

Sayesha povs-

I know Bhai there is someone whom you love dearly and I will find her . This is the reason why you run away from girls. If someone breaks your heart, it's not necessary ki baki bhi wahi karenge. You need to move on. And I guess I have found the perfect girl for you. I know she has feelings for you.

After leaving home , Shreyas went to the gym and started running on the treadmill still thinking about the conversation that he had with Mishti.

'Don't know why but always one thing or the other keeps reminding me of her. Life has changed so much. I have come a long way . Three years back , I was no one but now I'm one of the core members of the squad. But still I couldn't change anything which happened between us.'

Shrey was thinking all this that he didn't realize that the treadmill had stopped a long time back and he was running by himself only. He was brought back to the present by someone's voice.

" What happened Shrey, I thought only Vi and Rah are fitness freaks and can run like this but I didn't know about you" Rohit asked, smiling widely.

" No Rohit bhaiya aeshi , I was getting bored at home , so I thought I could run a bit here. B/w you are here at this time." Shreyas asked, trying to change the topic.

" I forgot my phone here so I came to take it . B/w good try at changing the topic" Rohit said chuckling. " Come I will drop you home. I don't want to find you missing tomorrow. We have to play ." He added knowing very well that something is disturbing his little brother.

" No bhaiya, no need for that." Shreyas said a little embarrassed before his vice captain and big brother.

" Who said I'm asking you , I'm ordering you , chalo mere sath " Rohit said and started dragging Shreyas with him.

Once they were settled in the car, Shreyas became quiet. Seeing him quiet Ro thought to ask him , " Shrey, kiddo is there something which is bothering you, u know na , you can always share anything with either me and Virat." Rohit said in a warm elderly brother-like manner.

But getting no reply , he turned towards Shreyas only to see him staring at something on the other side and Rohit smiled a little knowing what Shreyas was seeing.

" You know what if Vi finds out , you are staring at the roadside stalls and want to eat it. He won't spare you with his extra practice and gyming." Rohit said.

" No bhaiya I'm not staring at the food. It's just that it reminded me of someone. " Shreyas said, still staring at the food remembering a fond memory.

" Hey , let me have this Rey, it's my favourite." Said the girl.

" No means no, street food is unhealthy and you will fall sick ." Rey said.

" Please Rey, I won't and waise bhi what if I fall ill, you are there na to take care of me." Said the girl showing puppy eyes to him.

" Please Ishi, I know I will always be with you but still sometimes you will need to take care of yourself na." Rey Said .

" Jao I'm not talking to you , you are saying like my Bhaiya , even if he doesn't allow me." Said the girl made a crying face.

" Okay , you sure you don't want to talk to me . Then I guess I have to eat this tasty aloo chaat alone. Badme maat kehna , I didn't call you." Rey said taking the street food from the vendor and pretending to have a bite of it.

" No you can't do this. I wanna eat this. " The girl said, coming towards Rey to take the plate .

Shreyas made her eat one bite from his hand and immediately she started coughing.

" It's so spicy....pani..." She exclaimed .

"Mene kaha tha na, have this " Rey said, handling her , her favourite chocolates.

After sometime,

" Rey, you always keep this chocolate with you." She asked him.

" You love it so much , isliye I keep a full stock of this my sunshine." He said.

"Oho kisi ko aaj bada pyaar aa rha h " she said.

" Aap par toh roj pyaar aata h,

Hamari haar saans me aap basti h,

Pata hi nahi Chala Itne kam waqt me,

Kab aap hamari Zindagi ban gayi,

Aab toh hum aapke Bina jine ki Kalpana bhi nhi Kar sakte,

Itni mohobaat Jo karte hai hum aapse.!" He said.

" Not bad Mr . Rey...urf Mr. Shayar. Kiya shayari karte h aap,

Woh bhi shudh Hindi me,

Par Hume bhi Kuch kaam na samjiye,

Ishq toh hum bhi aapse bahut karte h,

Yeh Dil Aapke liye dhadkta h,

Yeh Dil Aapke liye dhadkta h,

Aur hamesha dhadkega,

Kabhi bhi chod ke maat jaiyega,

Agar aisa Kiya toh yeh Dil dhadakna chod dega." She said in her reply.

" Never ever will I leave you my sunshine. I have promised you and I never break my promises. Never ever!" He said.

" And still I broke my promise." He said to himself , trying to rub the tear which has betrayed him and fallen from his eyes.

" What happened Shrey you are remembering whom. I'm calling you from the last ten minutes and you are just staring at the stall. Want to have some, I promise I won't tell Vi ." Rohit said.

" Nothing Bhai, I'm remembering no one. It was a dream , a beautiful one which I myself broke." Shreyas said his voice was still not clear.

" Shrey are you crying " Rohit said instantly recognising from his voice that he was crying, not even hearing the last sentence.

" No Bhai, I'm not , Woh toh meri eyes me Kuch chala gaya" Shreyas said with his voice normal.

Rohit was going to ask him something but stopped as he heard his phone ringing.

" Yes, Vi, I got it. I'm coming home only. " Rohit said.

" No, Vi you aren't doing that alone. I'm coming, sath me Baat karenge." Rohit again said.

To be continued!

Yours
Writer!