Nalani lovingly traced her finger along the contours of Hridyanshu's torso as the gentle morning light filtered into the room. Hridyanshu lay in peaceful slumber, unaware of her tender touch. Nalani's eyes wandered to the remnants of lipstick on his face and neck, and a fond smile graced her lips as she reached for her phone to capture the endearing moment.

His hair was messy, and her crop top was near his head. Hridyanshu was holding the handkerchief in one hand. She remembers them staying at the bar until three in the morning. She doesn't know how they made it to their hotel room. She only remembers what happened after she removed her clothes. 

She blushed and looked at Hridyanshu. He was looking peaceful and happy. She placed her chin on his chest as she adored his face. There was something about him that brought her happiness and a giddiness. 

She could be anything, yet he would look at her as if she were the only thing to make him happy.  He gazed at her with adoration, making her feel like the centre of his universe. In her wildest dreams, she had never entertained the thought of loving or kissing Hridyanshu. But as she reminisced about the night they chose to express their love physically, a warm smile spread across her face.

They stood there, both feeling a mix of shyness and excitement. As they finally looked at each other, a burst of laughter escaped their lips. The night was etched in her memory. She recalls every moment vividly: the way Hridyanshu gazed at her, the tender touch of his hand, the gentle caresses, and the sensation of becoming one with him.

Hridyanshu stirred in his sleep as he felt the feathery touches of Nalani's fingers dancing on the sides of his torso. Hridyanshu hummed when she gave a gentle pat. He took another minute before opening his eyes and looking at Nalani. 

"Good morning. . ." Hridyanshu cupped Nalani's left cheek in his hand. Nalani gave him a lazy smile. "Good morning." Hridyanshu smiled, and they stared at each other before Nalani lifted her head off his chest.

"What time is it? Are you hungry?" He asked, looking at the view. Nalani wasn't wearing anything other than minimalist gold jewellery. "Yeah, we didn't eat properly last time. I want to have good food."

Hridyanshu hummed before getting off the bed. Nalani tied her hair into a bun as she walked towards the washroom. In the meantime, Hridyanshu searched for his boxers and put them on. He stepped towards the mirror and let his finger detangle the hair knots. 

"Do you have any place in mind?" he asked. Nalani made a noise. "Yes, there's a place near our hotel, and they are famous for breakfast." 

*

Hridyanshu couldn't keep his eyes off Nalani as she waited for the gelato. Nalani turned her head to see Hridyanshu's gaze. She raised her brow in question, and he smiled in return. Nalani took the gelato and paid the man. "Thank you." 

"Have a good day," The vendor replied in Italian. Nalani made her way towards the table. "What are you thinking?" She asked. Hridyanshu signed and closed the file. "I don't want this honeymoon to end." 

"We have a month. It's not going to end soon." Nalani tasted the gelato and closed her eyes in bliss. This is so good. You should try." She pushed the second cup towards him. Hridyanshu took the spoon and tasted the gelato. They had been backpacking across Europe on their honeymoon trip. 

Nalani ensured Hridyanshu didn't pack any of his dress shirts and suits. He only wore cargo shorts, T-shirts or shirts throughout the trip. They are in Italy; Hridyanshu had to answer a few calls while Nalani went cafe hopping. 

"What happened?" Nalani opened the file and reviewed the bio-data and other important details. "What's the issue now?" Hridyanshu pointed his finger at the file. "I'm not sure about this guy." 

Nalani hummed and relaxed in her seat as she held the file. She read over the details and flipped the page. "He had an injury the last season, and I'm not sure if it's a good idea to take him in the team." 

Hridyanshu finished the gelato while Nalani didn't touch hers. "And?" Hridyanshu played the video on his iPad and pushed it to Nalani's side. "He has anger issues; there are a lot of articles on him, and before the injury, his performance hit rock bottom. It was the worst in his career." 

"Wasn't he the best performance two years ago?" Hridyanshu nodded. "He was, but not anymore." Nalani didn't reply and watched the videos. Hridyanshu waited for Nalani's reply. "Do you think he is getting any treatment?" 

"As much as I know― He was in Europe taking treatment." Nalani looked at him. "Was or is? Is he in Europe?"

"Not sure," Hridyanshu replied. "Is it possible for you to know where he is?" Hridyanshu's brows frowned in confusion. "Why?"

"If he is in Europe, we will invite him for coffee. I have a good feeling that he will be good on the team," Nalani replied. Hridyanshu looked at the video and the file. "I'm not really sure about this man. I cannot risk taking him in." 

"Hridyanshu. . . You never know. There is potential, and we have time. If things go well, we can work on him and send him to therapy before the season starts." Hridyanshu smiled and nodded. "I will talk with Vidha and Kumar. If he is in Europe, let's meet him." 

Nalani smiled and picked up her gelato. "I don't want to miss him on the team. Everyone goes through a phase, but if worked properly, they can get out of it. It's just a phase." 

"Okay." Hridyanshu took the file and went through it again. This year― Hridyanshu, along with Vedant and Vidha, decided to buy Rajasthan's hometeam. Vidha was furious when the Rathods bought the team two years ago. She always wanted to invest her money and stocks in buying the home team. 

The India Premier League is set to take place next year in March. The auction would take place in the next two months. This would be their first time participating and investing their money in sports. Hridyanshu and Vidha are personally looking into every player who is going to make it to the auction list. 

"Are you sure about other teams not showing interest in him?" Nalani asked. "The insider news is true. It has been clear that no other team is interested in buying him." 

"Perfect for us. I have a feeling about him. With the right therapy, he is going to do well." Hridyanshu smiled. "Vidha has to agree with this." Nalani chuckled. "She will. Anyway, has she called you? Where is she?" 

"She is in Dubai meeting the IPL board. It's more like get-to-know-the-team owners." Nalani nodded. "Have you ever watched cricket?" she asked. Hridyanshu laughed. "Hmm, we did. But at a point, I couldn't, but Vidha, Vedant and Atulya are crazy about cricket."

"When Vidha learned that Papa doesn't own the Rajasthan hometeam, she cried for two weeks straight. You might've heard of it." Nalani laughed. "Oh yeah, I remember this. She was in sixth grade, wasn't she?" Hridyanshu nodded. 

"Yeah, she was. Papa and Mama were on edge to buy the team but it was too much effort. It required one of them to be present. At the time, mumma had opened her clothing factory. Papa was already drowning in the work. It didn't work out, and they took a step back. Vidha was sad about it, but she came around."

"Now that we are older and she spoke with Papa and Mama multiple times before we all came around to support her." 

"She's going to be the best team owner or supporter." Hridyanshu took a bite of Nalani's gelato. "I only hope for her to support the team not fall for one of them." Nalani laughed. "You never know mister. And you cannot stop her from falling for a player." 

Hridyanshu gave a slow nod. "I don't want to think about it." The next one hour they spent talking about the different places they have in mind.

*

Hey everyone! How is everyone doing? I've got something on my mind. I've never been to a cricket match in my life, but this year I've decided to go. Although I don't know much about cricket, I've fallen in love with the vibrant energy of the crowd, the athleticism of the players, and the overall excitement of the matches.

Did I say one of the cricketers had actually winked at me?! It was a Wattpad scene! My mind has already cooked enough storyline for me to publish on Wattpad, and I really want to write sports romance! It will be an Indian sports romance. Which I'm so excited about. What do you all think? Will you guys read it if I publish it?! 

Let me know in the comment section! Don't forget to comment!!!

Love you, babes! Muah ;)