Chapter : 3

Rishav's POV

"... You play really well Rishav," M.S Dhoni said to me.

"Thanks, sir, it's an honor coming from you," I responded, a genuine grin plastered over my face.

"Will you play for the Indian Cricket Team?" Dhoni asked me.

That knocked the breath out of me.  He then stretched his hand out for me to shake. I reached out for it...

"Rishav, wake up you lazy ass!" a familiar voice boomed through my ears.

Ooh. Dhoni cursing me? That's odd.

But just then I narrowed my eyes open and found Sameer standing beside my bed, his arms crossed on his chest and a frown etched on his face.

"Go away. It's a Sunday," I grumbled and covered my eyes with the pillow to shut out the brightness of the room.

"Exactly. I think you had someone to pick up from the airport?" he asked with a sigh.

Airport? Oh, Ravi's sister!

I quickly shot up from the bed and glanced at the wall clock. It said 6:10 AM. The airport was about half an hour away and I had to reach there before 7:00 AM. Ravi trusts me. I can't let him down.

Jumping off the bed, I rushed to the bathroom and freshened up as fast as I could. Taking a quick shower, I changed into whatever T-shirt and jeans that I grabbed.

Brushing my hair roughly with my fingers, I quickly checked the time once again. It said 6:35 AM.

Damn, I'll be late.

I turned on my heel and made my way to the living room where I could hear Mom's melodious voice and the harmonious tunes of the sitar from my parent's bedroom. Mom used to practice her vocals every morning and I was used to it. Dad was perched on the dining table, reading the newspaper and Sameer was talking to someone over the phone, his eyes were fixated upon some papers in his hands.

Grabbing my bike keys from the counter, I strolled out. The weather was pretty good with the birds chirping around but I didn't have time to take notice of the beauty around me.

Putting my helmet on, I kick started the bike. The traffic was pretty thin since it was a Sunday morning and everyone was enjoying it.

Almost everyone.

I parked the bike in the airport parking lot hastily and rushed up to the arrival terminal. I checked the time on my phone and cursed mentally when it showed 7:14 AM.

I tried and pacified my over-reactive consciousness by telling that I was only late by 14 minutes. She might be around here. I checked the text Ravi had sent me the previous night. It was her name texted to me : Ananya Sharma.

That idiot could've just sent me a picture of hers. But no, Ravi Sharma always needs to do things according to his consent and wishes, only to make a bigger mess. 

I scanned the place, hoping to find someone who looked like a 16-year-old, but failed miserably. I even tried and asked every girl I met in the terminal by questioning if she was Ananya. My hopes eventually perished when every girl shook her head in negation.

Sighing, I leaned back on my bike and kept my eyes open at the entrance in case I spotted some confused teenage girl with luggage bags.

Time flew by and it was 9:10 AM. My stomach grumbled angrily in protest as I had had nothing this morning in my hurry. My phone went off, indicating a call. The ID flashed Ravi's name. I gulped and picked it up with fumbling hands.

"Hey man, what's up?" Ravi asked in his usual tone.

"Listen, I have been waiting at the airport for like hours and your sister is nowhere," I complained, hoping Ravi doesn't flip out and start lecturing me about how irresponsible I am that I lost her.

"Is it? Let me check out with her... give me a moment," Ravi said and hung up.

I waited with my feet tapping the granite floors fretfully and my phone buzzed again in a moment. I picked up Ravi's call.

"So?" I asked him, my heart pounding with anxiety.

"I'm really sorry, Rishav. Ananya is already home. She said you were taking too long to arrive so she took a taxi and went home by herself," Ravi explained.

I paused for a while, trying to keep my calm with deep breaths. I had to get up early to pick her, I had to drive till the airport like a maniac for her and what did she do? Took a taxi and swiftly reached her palace. What does she think of herself?

"Rishav, you there buddy?" Ravi's voice brought me back on Earth.

"Yeah," I mumbled and hung the call up.

Ananya Sharma.

The little Princess  who thinks everything magically gets fulfilled immediately. 

______