RAGHVANSH'S POV :

I feel the goosebumps all over as the door opens revealing the place I've spent both the best and worst days of my life. National commonwealth centre for sports and gymnastics, kabaddi.

The last time I had been here was during india vs sri lanka triseries which we had lost in decider by a margin of 2 points. It was a great match regardless and they deserved to win it.

Grip of my fingers tighten around her hand which she reciprocates probably understanding my nervousness. The same familiar mats, seats, pavilion and memories.

A million memories.

I shift my eyes to Piha and squint my eyes at her mysterious smile or smirk which I cannot understand at the given moment, "Pihu, I need to know what's going on in your brain."

She lets out a breath and looks around adoring the stadium for a minute and leaves my land to cross them over her chest. A little honest smile spreads over her face, "national championship, maharashtra vs uttrakhand, final."

A surprised smirk appears as I tilt my face, "29th November 2017, the last match I played for Maharashtra."

"It was the first time I ever saw you." I look into her sparkling eyes. "I can't forget this stadium Ansh. How you scored that super 10, actually 15 points and were all over the news."

I freeze for a second before we let out a happy laughter. "You remember that much, huh?"

"Of course I do."

I switch on the lights for a little more visibility.

How could everything be the same yet so different. Turning on the heaters due to Delhi's cold weather, I hold her hand and we sit on the floor leaning against the digital boards.

"Are you tired, Piha?" She scrunches her nose and replies with a no which I do not believe at all.

I somehow manage to force to lay her head on my lap and atleast give her body some rest.

I missed this so much, I missed her so much. She allows her eyes to close for a brief second.

Raghvan, who is the prettiest woman you've seen and why is it Piha? My brain, heart and I quickly agree on that one.

I finally have her all by myself.

"Ansh, do you think soulmates exist?"

A 'huh' leaves my mouth as I catch myself staring at her again. She definitely has the randomest questions at the randomest times. Which I love like I love every single thing about her.

"Of course soulmates exist." Like you're mine. Raghavan don't get too ahead of yourself. Did I lie though?

She straightens up as her back leans over my chest. "Do you think there are some people out there who don't have one?" I know damn well who she's talking about. I feel my heart sulk at the little thought.

God has been too unfair to her already. My arms capture her waist as she fits perfectly between my legs. "Everyone does have one Piha, be it here or in the heavens. Someone who can make them a better person, who can fill the empty place in their heart—mind, just a person for their selves, someone who you can call yours and just have a little home which the world doesn't have to always understand."

"It is possible to mistake our soulmate for someone else who is not?" No eye contact. She stares into a blank space.

"There's always a second chance, isn't there?"

I see a few tears surrounding her eyes, enough for me to be concerned.

"Have you found your soulmate then Ansh?" She stares dead into my eyes—turning around.

First of all, I'm not sure if she understands that I understand her words. Piha would throw random words and I'd put them in a sentence for her.

Second of all, for her question. I have two choices : one - say no and stay friendzoned for god knows how long.

But two - say yes and maybe suffer indirect rejection and lose the chance to make her like me back before even trying. But the fact that my light guess of her having a little tiny crush on me makes me a little too bold.

And maybe fuck it up too.

"Yes."

√

Author's note :

Can we pretend like it isn't 379426 years since I last updated. I wasn't very happy with this but I def did try my best. I haven't been able to write straight romance the way I used, I just feel it isn't my thing anymore. I can't tell when I'll update next, I've been very caught up lately, but hope it'll be soon.

Let me know what you thought about this chapter!