The next day, Aditi woke up with excitement bubbling inside her. As she prepares for the shoot, everything feels surreal, like a dream. Winning a pageant has opened a new chapter in her life and she can hardly believe how far she has come.

With a warm smile, she began her morning routine, choosing her outfit and styling her hair. Before the preparation, she takes a moment to reach for her phone. Her fingers hovered over the screen as she types a good morning text to Ishan, wishing him luck for his practice.

She hopes he can feel her support through text. As she hits send, warmth filled her heart, knowing that even from afar, they are cheering each other on their respective journeys.

As she finished, she suddenly felt motivated. She headed to the shoot location where she is greeted by the ongoing activities. Photographers adjusting their cameras, stylist organising outfits and makeup artists preparing their palettes.

As she poses in front of the camera, she let her joy and happiness shine through.

—

Ishan finishes packing his kit bag with a mix of excitement and anticipation. Just when he is about to keep his phone away, Aditi's text catches his eye. A smile spreads on his face as he reads her words of encouragement, feeling grateful. It amazed him how someone he has never met can motivate him so deeply.

He quickly typed a reply, wishing her all the best for her shoot and letting her know how much her message means to him. With energy, he grabs his gears and heads to the lobby, where his teammates were. The thought of their next match in Delhi crosses his mind and it fuels him with determination.

He arrived at the lobby, greeted by his teammates. They exchanged friendly banter and shared laughs. After a few moments of light hearted chatting, the made their way to the bus, their conversation still continuing.

Ishan's laugh was the loudest, echoing in the bus and receiving smiles from his teammates. He is known as "team ki jaan" for lightening the mood with his silly jokes and energy. As they drove towards the practice ground, he kept the atmosphere lively.

His understanding nature made him approachable and his teammates often went to him not just for laughter but for support when they needed it. In that moment, surrounded by friends and laughter, Ishan felt a sense of belonging knowing that they were all in this together.

—

As the dressing room filled with the smell of makeup, Aditi felt ready for the shoot. She glanced at the mirror and adjusted her hair, applying final touches to her makeup.

The soft lighting and colours created a  warm atmosphere, making her feel at home. She could hear the chatter of the team around her and it made her smile. With a final look in the mirror, she stepped out of the dressing room.

She was greeted with camera flashes again. As she settled down for a small interview before the shoot, Aditi felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Reflecting on her journey, she thought about the hard work and moments that led her to this point.

The interviewer asked her about her experiences and Aditi shared stories of challenges overcome and milestones achieved. Each conversation reminded her of the support she had received from everyone.

The interview then came to an end and she walked over to the shoot area, her heart racing with excitement. She sat on a chair, practicing her pose as the photographers adjusted the lights and equipments.

As the first click of the camera echoed through the studio, Aditi felt a surge of confidence. With each shot, she enjoyed the moment as the flashed continued, capturing her confidence.

—

At the practice ground, Ishan stepped into the nets, the scent of freshly cut grass filled the air. As each ball was bowled to him, he felt a surge of excitement coursing through his veins. With every delivery, he focused.

When the first ball came towards him, he swung it perfectly, the crack of the bat felt like a cheer. The ball went flying outside the ground. As the session continued, he lost himself in the rhythm of the game. The joy of batting, the thrill of hitting boundaries and the camaraderie of his teammates made him feel alive.

—

At night, both of them arrived at their respective hotels, the day's events still swirling in their minds. Aditi freshened up and then settled in to catch up with her friends and family. Laughter and warmth filled her room.

After a while she excitedly dialed Ishan as she waited for him to pick up. When he answered with a casual "hey," she felt a wave of happiness wash over her. They chatted about their days and she listened as he shared his plans.

Ishan mentioned that he would be leaving for Delhi for the upcoming match and Aditi could hear the excitement in her voice.

He expressed how thrilled he was that their team was currently in 5th position, in need for just a few wins to secure their spot in Qualifier 1. As he spoke, Aditi imagined the energy of the crowd and how hard he had worked to get to this point.

"Wow, hit a six at each ball. Go out there and have fun." Aditi said, her tone playful.

"Let's make it happen! I'll try to hit those sixes and entertain you." Ishan replied excitedly.

Aditi asked him. "When is your flight?"

Ishan chuckled a bit and replied. "In a few hours, around 2 o' clock."

"Oh wow, that's early! You better pack your things." Aditi teased but genuinely wanting him to be prepared.

Ishan laughed and shot back. "Stop acting like my parents. I can handle my packing." There was a lightness in his tone, filled with amusement.

They both knew she was just looking out for him and it felt good to keep things light between them, in the middle of busy schedules.

"Alright, I guess I need to pack all my things now." Ishan said with a playful sigh.

"Okay. But just don't blame me if you end up packing last moment. So hang up and go now." Aditi's voice was light and teasing.

Ishan huffed and said. "You are so mean for this. You don't want to talk, no?"

Aditi could hear the annoyance in his voice and it made her smile. "I didn't mean like that! I want you to pack your things quickly, that's it." Her tone was playful but there was a sincerity behind it.

A/N:-

I know this one was a bit short and mostly about their daily routines and conversations, but the next parts will be exciting.