Ishan arrived at NCA in Bangalore, weary from traveling. The coaches and his teammates greeted him warmly.

"Today's the rest day. Begin from tomorrow." They advised.

Ishan checked into a nearby hotel, collapsing onto the bed. Just as exhaustion washed over him, his phone buzzed.

Aditi's text illuminated the screen. "Main bhi aa gayi hoon. Apni label team ke saath."

"Chalo milte hain. Par kaha?" Ishan asked.

Aditi suggested several secluded restaurants. They both finally settled on one, its location promising a peaceful evening.

"Bastian, yaar. Yaha aake waha nhi gaye toh kya faayeda?" Aditi said.

"Haan, toh theek hai. Main aa jaunga waha." Ishan said.

As Ishan showered and dressed, anticipation coursed through his veins.

"Aj kya hoga?" he thought.

—
Bastian Hotel.

Ishan arrived at the restaurant, relieved to find it serene and uncrowded. Thanks to Swami, who got ready and dropped him in time, after a few curses at each other, of course. He chose a cozy table, his eyes fixed on the entrance, anticipating Aditi's arrival.

Time slowed as he waited, his heart beating faster with every passing moment. Then, Aditi walked in, radiating elegance in her black dress. Ishan's breath caught.

Aditi's face lit up with a warm smile as she spotted Ishan. She waved and he mirrored the gesture, his hand trembling slightly.

As she approached, Ishan rose, his pulse racing.

They embraced, holding each other tightly. The warmth of their bodies reliving memories of cherished moments.

"God, I missed this moment." Ishan whispered, his voice trembling.

Aditi's gentle squeeze conveyed her shared longing. Their hug lingered, creating a more deeper connection between them.

As the parted, Ishan's eyes roved over Aditi's face, drinking in every feature.

As they settled down into their seats, Aditi's gaze tenderly swept across Ishan's face, noting the telltale signs of exhaustion. Dark circles under his eyes and his smile, though warm, hinted at a deeper weariness.

Her heart ached, seeing the weight of his struggles etched on his face. For now, she chose not to pry. Instead, letting their conversation flow lightly.

"Kitna acha lag raha hain tumse dobara milke." Aditi said.

Ishan's eyes lit up. "Mujhe bhi."

Aditi really wanted to ask him about his mental fatigue. Her inner voice whispered, "Not yet, usse saans toh lene do."

She sensed the fragile balance between Ishan's guarded struggles and his desire to open up.

As they ordered their meals, Aditi's hand brushed against Ishan's. The spark of contact sent shivers down their spines. Ishan's eyes met hers. In that moment, Aditi knew she had to tread carefully.

Her eyes sparkled as she asked. "Tumhari team kaisi hain?"

Ishan's face relaxed, a genuine smile on his face. "Sab theek hai."

Aditi's gaze intensified, her words infused with sincerity.

"Tumne iss IPL try kiya, Ishan. It wasn't your season but you were amazing!"

Ishan's smile faltered for a moment, vulnerability flickering in his eyes. Then, he simply looked at Aditi, his gaze holding a depth of emotion.

In that silence, Aditi sensed the turmoil he'd faced. Her words had touched his heart, reassuring him that  someone believed in him.

Ishan's eyes locked onto hers, a silent "thank you" passing between them.

After sometime, they finished their meals and had all the lighthearted conversations, to lift up Ishan's mood.

Aditi's voice softened, though she hesitated. "Kaise feel kar rahe ho tum, Ishan?"

Ishan stared at her blankly before saying. "Bahut accha. Chinta mat karo."

Sensing his tone, anyone would understand he's lying.

Aditi smiled and encouraged him to open up. "Ishan, sirf mein hoon. Yaha tum safe ho, chalo batao kya hain. Main sunungi aur samjhungi tumhe."

Ishan's gaze dropped. "Kya main seriously isse deserve karta hoon? Kitni chinta hain bechari ko meri," he thought. "I'm glad yeh mere saath hain warna mera kya hota."

Slowly, he began to open up, his words spilling out like a pent-up storm.

"Tumhe toh pata hain ki world cup loss ka dukh sabko hua. Mera pehla world cup, aur usme bhi substitute tha."

Aditi listened, her eyes never leaving his.

"Aur, pichle saal bhi kai matches mein I got benched. Kya maine itna travel iske liye kiya tha? Mujhe lagta hai it was for nothing." his voice cracked.

Aditi's heart ached, witnessing his pain. She felt giving him the world that he deserves.

"Mujhe useless feel hua." Ishan confessed, his frustration boiling over.

"Mujhe criticism mila, ki main domestic nhi khel raha hoon aur IPL ki taiyari kar raha hoon. Aisa is liye kyunki  tab mujhe apne upar doubt tha."

Aditi nodded.

"IPL tak maine socha sab theek ho jayega but mera form itna kharab raha ki kuch nhi kar paya aur team mein bhi bahut tension bhara mohol rehta tha." Ishan said, his eyes locked onto the table.

There was a moment of silence, which felt comforting to both of them. Ishan felt a bit lighter after finally sharing his inner turmoil.

"Hardik bhaiya ki personal life mein bhi problems chal rahi hain." Ishan revealed.

Aditi narrowed her eyes, curiousity building. She couldn't help but ask.

"Problems? Kya hua?" she asked, concern etched in her voice.

Ishan sighed and revealed. "Natasa bhabhi ke saath unki kuch baate ho rahi hai. I didn't bothered him further."

Aditi nodded and frowned. She couldn't imagine Hardik going through all these. Professionally and personally. It was wonderful how he was handling himself.

She looked at Ishan again as he began venting out again. "Bahut difficult hain yeh feeling se bhaagna ki I'm good for nothing."

Aditi widened her eyes. Since when did this cheerful man turned so hopeless? She held his hand, offering comfort. Ishan looked down and smiled a bit.

"Ishan, tumhare mann mein aur jo bhi hain, sab bolo." Aditi said enthusiastically.

Ishan's eyes met hers, his vulnerability exposed.

"Mujhe anxious feel hota hain future ka. Contract gaya, sab mujhse aage nikal jayenge aur main..kya pata dobara khel na paaya." Ishan's voice trembled.

Aditi couldn't say anything, she was too stunned to see Ishan so vulnerable. But she understood that sometimes it's okay to not be strong.

Ishan's gaze lingered onto hers, a sense of relief washing over him. In that moment, Aditi saw the depths of his turmoil.

His words poured out like a torrent. Each sentence heavy with frustration and despair as he unleashed the burden he'd been carrying for so long.

"Main apne ap ko hamesha question karta hoon. Kya main khelne laayak hoon? Kya meri team mujhpe trust bhi karti hai?" his voice cracked, emotions exposed as the weight of his insecurities threatened to consume him.

Aditi suddenly asked him. "Acha, abhi kya karna chahte ho? Practice ke plans hain naa?"

Ishan, randomly replied, with a shaky voice. "Ghar jaana hain mujhe."

Aditi paused and took this as an opportunity to lighten up the mood a bit. "Aao,Mere paas. I'm your 'ghar' no?"

That sentence did made Ishan smile a little but didn't completely took in her meaning behind.

Aditi then sighed and said. "Chalo, chodo. Mujhe batao ab sab."

As Ishan's words spilled out, Aditi's grip on his hand tightened. She didn't judge, she didn't try to fix anything. She simply listened, her heart beating in sync with Ishan's and her soul resonating with his pain.

"Usse bas apni problems share karna tha kisi ke saath, baaki uske contract waapas laane ka kaam usse hi karna hain. I am glad I could be there for him and listen to him." Aditi thought.

As his words poured out, his voice trembled, betraying the fragility of his emotional state. Aditi looked at him, her heart racing with anticipation. She sensed the dam was about to break and Ishan's composure would crumble.

And just then, it happened.

Ishan's head dropped, as tears burst forth, streaming down his cheeks like a river of pain. The sound of his cries echoed through the room, a cry that shook Aditi to her core.

Without any thought, she rose up from her seat and enveloped Ishan in a warm, comforting hug. Her arms wrapped tightly around him, to not let him go ever.

"Koi baat nhi. Main hoon yahan." Aditi whispered, her voice barely audible over Ishan's ragged breathing.

As she held him, Aditi felt Ishan's body tremble, his tears soaking her shoulders. She didn't knew what to do or say. Words seemed less against the depth of his pain.

"Main samajh nhi paa raha hoon kya hoga ab. Meri team ko trust nhi hain mujhme." Ishan said, his voice cracking.

Aditi's grip tightened, her voice was a gentle whisper. "Tum strong ho aur capable ho. The whole world is behind you, Ishan."

Her hands caressed her back, offering comfort. She felt an overwhelming surge of compassion. Her heart ached, witnessing his vulnerability.

"This moment, is what intimacy actually means. Not just physical closeness but emotional support." Aditi thought.

She bit her lip, the pain distracting her from the sob that threatened to escape her mouth. Unbeknownst to her, tears had began to roll down her cheeks, mirroring Ishan's pain.

But Aditi quickly composed herself, wiping away her tears with a subtle swipe of her hands. She wouldn't let her emotions flow, not now, when Ishan needed her strength and support.