As Aditi walked around a dressing room, a player emerged from the locker room, wiping his face with a towel.

"Hey!" He said, approaching Aditi.

Aditi turned around, being cautious but got relieved when she noticed the team logo on his jersey. Her expression turned puzzled, as he looked familiar yet she couldn't quite recognise him.

"Hi." Aditi replied, her voice tentative.

He tossed the towel on the chair at his side and spoke. "You must be Aditi, right?"

Aditi's eyes widened as she slowly nodded, surprised at how he knew her.

"Mayank," he said, pointing to himself. "Ishan's teammate. He has told me about you."

Aditi smiled a little. "Really?"

Mayank nodded. "Yes! Nice to meet you."

As he introduced himself, Aditi's memory sparked. "Mayank! Yeah, Ishan told me about you too."

She smiled warmly. "Your bowling was incredible today. That last over was thrilling."

Mayank smiled, pleased. "Thanks, Aditi."

Aditi's hesitation was subtle but Mayank noticed.

"Are you looking for someone?" He asked, his tone friendly.

Aditi nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, I was hoping to meet Ishan."

Mayank's expression turned knowing. He glanced around the room, ensuring no one was listening.

"I can help you find him," he said. "But, first let me check."

Aditi thanked Mayank, following him to the locker room. She stood behind him, slightly embarrassed about their height difference.

Mayank peeped inside the room, then turned back to Aditi with a reassuring look.

"He is inside." He said. Aditi's heart skipped a beat, anticipation building but before she could get inside, Mayank announced her presence.

"Ishan, dekh," Mayank said. "Someone's here to meet you."

Ishan's voice responded, curious. "Who is it?"

Mayank gestured Aditi to enter. Her heartbeat became rapid as he heard Ishan's voice. As she stepped inside, Ishan's eyes locked into hers, surprise and delight etched on his face.

Ishan rushed over to Aditi, enveloping her in a hug. Despite the fact that it's their first ever meeting in person, they both felt like old friends. She had been nervous about this moment, worried that Ishan might be surprised at this sudden meet. But all her confusion washed away as Ishan held her close.

As they hugged, Aditi inhaled the scent of his cologne and felt the softness of his shirt. He then released her to look at her with genuine delight.

Mayank watched from the doorway, a wide smile on his face. He was happy that Ishan and Aditi finally met but he couldn't help feeling a bit awkward witnessing their intimate moment.

To distract himself, Mayank nervously scratched his head, his eyes darting around the room. Ishan and Aditi suddenly became aware of their surroundings.

Ishan turned to Mayank, a mix of understanding and invitation on his face. "Mayank, aa idharr. Waha kyun ho?"

Aditi nodded, her smile inclusive. "Yeah, please stay."

Mayank's awkwardness dissipated, replaced by warmth. "Thanks guys."

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Ishan's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "This surprise visit...how did you plan this?"

Aditi's face lit up, voice filled with enthusiasm. "I wanted to surprise you, and you are here, at my hometown as well."

Ishan listened, captivated as Aditi shared every detail. His expression softened, voice filled with amusement. "This means everything..yaar bata deti na main khud aa jata bulaney."

Aditi's heart swelled. "Surprise kaise hota phir?"

Mayank chuckled. "Ishan, your batting was so smooth today. Now I know the support behind it."

Ishan playfully rolled his eyes while Aditi giggled. The three shared a laugh, filling the room with warmth.

Mayank then stepped backwards, grinning. "Excuse me, need a cool drink." He winked and exited the room, leaving Ishan and Aditi alone.

Ishan's expression turned tender and curious. "Stay for a while, will you?"

Aditi's smile faltered as she remembered her friend waiting outside and joining her family for dinner.

She gently explained. "I am sorry but my friend is outside. And I have to leave early to get home."

Ishan nodded understandingly. "Milte hain baad mein," he said, his eyes sparkling. "Come to our next match. I'll arrange ticket for you."

Aditi smiled, her eyes shining. "No need, focus on your next match. I'll cheer for you from afar."

Ishan's face lit up with appreciation. "Good luck wishes is what I need from you. Thanks."

Aditi promised Ishan to call him soon. As she exited the locker room, she spotted Mayank leaning against the wall, looking slightly exhausted.

She walked over to him, genuine concern on her face.

"Mayank, thanks for letting us have this moment." Aditi said with a smile.

Mayank smiled in return. "No problem. You are good for Ishan." He then pushed off the wall, standing up straight as his eyes sparkled.

"I'm happy that Ishan has found someone special. It's great to see him smile."

Aditi smiled a bit, detecting a hint of jealousy at his voice.

"But I am happy for him." Mayank added quickly, his tone turned introspective.

He suddenly went silent.

"Mayank, are you alright?" Aditi asked, concern etched on her face.

Mayank's gaze refocused on Aditi. "Yeah, I was just thinking...if we could be friends too."

Aditi sighed and smiled gently at him. "Kabhi kabhi itne unpredictable ho jaate ho. Of course, we can be friends. I would like that."

Mayank's face lit up with a smile, feeling lighter at Aditi's friendliness and kindness.

Ishan stepped out of the locker room to go to the field for the post match conference. His eyes scanned the corridor until they landed on Aditi and Mayank. Curiosity sparked on his face as he walked towards them.

"Kya chal raha hain?" He asked, his tone light.

Mayank's smile faltered for a moment before he recovered. "Kuch nhi. Just telling her how grateful you are for having her." He said, his voice casual.

Aditi's eyes met Ishan's, a hint of amusement dancing in them.

Their conversation was interrupted by Rohit and Hardik's booming voice, echoing in the corridor.

"Ishan aur Mayank, kidhar ho?" Rohit yelled from a distance.

Aditi's eyes widened, suddenly aware of the time and situation as she understood they all need to leave. Moreover, she didn't wanted to be caught like this from the players.

"I should go," she said swiftly. "Tum dono bhi jao conference mein."

Ishan nodded understandingly.

"Thanks guys, again." Aditi said, smiling and hurried away to the other side.

Ishan's gaze lingered on Aditi's retreating figure, a bit of disappointment on his face. He felt a bit bad that he couldn't spend some alone time with her on their first meet.

Rohit's voice cut through Ishan's thoughts, making him come back to reality.

"Ishan, Mayank! Chalo. Media wait kar rahi hai bahar, conference ke liye." Rohit said, voice laced with urgency.

Ishan nodded, feeling a surge of annoyance at the interruption. He turned to Hardik, whose expression was stern.

"Jaldi, jaldi!" Hardik emphasized, snapping his fingers.

Mayank ran a hand through his sweaty hair, already moving outside.

—

Aditi returned to the stand, her face glowing with a smile. Her friend's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she spotted her, her eyebrows furrowing in anticipation.

"Did you find the locker room?" Her friend asked.

Aditi nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, his teammate helped me find him."

Her friend's curiousity piqued, she leaned in closer. "How was the meeting?"

Aditi's face glowed even brighter.

"Amazing! Ishan is so welcoming and sweet in real life."

Her friend's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

"I want to meet him too!" She exclaimed.

Aditi swiftly held her hand, her expression apologetic.

"Abhi nhi. We need to leave. They are already late for the post match conference."

Her friend's face fell.

"But the guard said one person at a time and now it's my turn." She reasoned.

Aditi's grip on her friend's hand tightened.

"I know but we can't interrupt them. We will meet them once we come here again." Aditi explained.

Her friend sighed. "Theek hain. But promise me next time unse milaaogi." She requested.

"Promise!" Aditi said, reassuringly.

Aditi and her friend headed back to the bus stand, the hum of the evening traffic filling the air. As they walked, Aditi glanced at her watch.

"Already 9:00." She murmured.

Her friend nodded and said. "Time flies when you are having fun."

Aditi smiled, pulling out her phone.

"Mumma ko bata deti hoon ki aa rahi hoon."

She dialed her mom's number.

"Mumma, I am heading back home now." Aditi said.

Her mother's voice was warm on the other side. "Be careful, beta. Aaram se aao."

They both found their bus and boarded it, settling into their seats. As the bus pulled away after some minutes, their conversation erupted into a excited chatter.

"I still can't believe I met him!" Aditi exclaimed.

Her friend grinned and said. "Tell me everything."

Aditi started the vivid recount of her meeting with Ishan.

"His smile is even more captivating in person." Aditi said, with animated gestures.

As Aditi shared the moment, her friend's eyes sparkled as she listened to her.

"Sounds like you two really connected." She observed.

—

Aditi stepped into her home, greeted by the warmth of her parents's welcoming smiles. Her brother was eager to hear about her meeting with Ishan. After exchanging pleasantry greetings, Aditi excused herself to freshen up, her excitement still lingering.

As she stepped into her room, Yash joined her.

"So, kaisa laga Ishan se pehli baar mil ke?" He asked, his voice tinged with amusement.

Aditi's face glowed.

"Amazing!" She exclaimed. "Woh bahut down-to-earth hain. Uske teammates bhi. Laga hi nhi first time mile ho."

"Looks like someone's smitten." Yash teased.

"Bhaiya!" Aditi almost yelled while he just walked out of her room, chuckling.

—

After dinner, Aditi settled into her cozy bed, her exhaustion evident. She reached for her phone and typed a text to Ishan.

"Hey, hero! It was great meeting you today. And an amazing match too. Loved every moment of it."

Her thumbs hovered over the screen before hitting send. Too tired to wait for his response, she placed her phone aside and snuggled under the blankets, her eyelids grew heavy.

As she drifted off to sleep in the soothing silence of the night, a gentle smile lingered on her lips.