𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐫 - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Akshara POV:
It would be lie if I say that I am not enjoying here. Himachal Pradesh is really a great place to visit. From past three days we are here and will literally did almost activities now. Anika being the youngest and most excited person didn't failed to show her energy. We did paragliding, hiking, other more activities.
Right now it's 3 in afternoon, everyone is still sleeping due to our shopping, we literally walked around whole Dharmshala. but here I am again drowned in the same thoughts or you can say overthinking session. But I can't help it. Ok just stop it I need to wake them up.
We are going to stadium for the match of India. Actually it was Nitya, Nikhil and Anika's idea to go for match as it's today itself. Because of papa they even got tickets of the match which is god knows why but they worth lakhs. Like for one ticket price is of a lakh. By showing players they are looting people's money.
Whatever it's not like we are gonna watch it everyday and I think I am already fan of Virat Kohli, he was literally hitting balls like some piece of paper which was just flying in air. And how Anushka ma'am support him is so cute.
I knocked on Nikhil's room and after few minutes he come out rubbing his eyes. "Match ke liye jaana hai bhul gaye" I said. "Oh Haan! Mein ready ho jaunga Nitya aur Aditi ko bhi ready hone ke liye kaho nhi toh woh ek ghante lagega unhe tayar hone me" he said making me chuckle in response.
"Haan mein unhe uthane hii Jaa rhi hun" I mumbled before walking to my room where the three of them are sleeping while chatting with eachother.
Shaking Aditi slightly was enough to break her slumber. She looked at me confused as I showed her the time she nodded with still confused face, "pagal match dekhne nhi jaana" I asked to which her eyes slightly widened and she said "shit! are we late?" I shoke my head in deny, "Nitya ko bhi uta" I said turning to my khumbkaran.
"Anika, uto.. Anika" she snuggled into pillow hiding her face. "Anika hum late ho jayenge uto na.. match dekhne nhi chalna" I said as n hope she will react like typical fan who jerk open their eyes at the mention of their favourite players but no she is Anika who loves her sleep more than herself.
So without having any other option is splashed some droplets of water on her face. "Kya di.." she whined "chal uth tayar bhi hona hai"
🍂
The bustling energy at the Dharmashala cricket stadium was palpable as I, Aditi, Nitya, Nikhil, and Anika made out way toward the VIP seating area. Decked in a blue jersey to support Team India, Nikhil , Nitya and Anika were eager to witness the thrilling India vs. Australia match.
The crowd roared with excitement, and the group’s spirits were high as we found our seats, thrilled to be part of the live audience for such a massive match.
I held a hot cup of coffee in my hands, my eyes glued to the field, enjoying the intense atmosphere. As the match progressed, the stadium erupted in cheers when Rohit Sharma stepped up to bat. Every shot he played was a spectacle, and the energy was electric.
Suddenly, Rohit connected with a powerful shot, and the ball rocketed straight toward the VIP section. Before I could react, the ball smashed into my hands, sending coffee cup flying, the hot liquid spilling onto my lap. A sharp pain shot through my left hand as I winced in pain, dropping the cup and clutching my wrist. The camera zoomed in, capturing my pained expression.
The commentator's voice filled the stadium, "Ohh hoo! Lajawab shot by Rohit, but unfortunately, it hit a young girl in the stands. Hope she is okay."
The camera kept cutting back to me, showing me wincing in pain, with the commentators and fans growing concerned. Aditi immediately pressed a cold water bottle which she was carrying to my hand, trying to soothe the sprain.
As the first innings ended, one of the stadium staff approached me with a message. “Rohit Sharma would like to see you,” the staff member informed me with concerned look.
Aditi, who was still pressing the cold bottle against my reddened hand, stood up with me, concern etched on her face. Anika joined us, while Nikhil accompanied Nitya to the restroom for safety.
Together, me, Aditi, and Anika made out way toward the dugout. As we approached, Rohit Sharma, the guy who hit me, walked up to me with a sheepish, apologetic expression. His eyes darted to my hand, which had turned a worrying shade of red.
“I’m so sorry, yeh bilkul galti se ho gaya,” Rohit said, guilt evident in his voice as he gently examined my hand.
“It’s okay, it’s not your fault,” I replied replied with a soft smile, though the pain was still unbearable.
“Oh no, it looks really bad,” one woman said, who was standing nearby, commented as she inspected the injury with concern. “Pain ho raha hai?”.
Before I could respond, Ishan Kishan appeared out of nowhere, his face full of worry. “Ohh, Akshara Bhabhi, are you okay?”
At the mention of “Bhabhi,” both me and Shubman—who had also walked over—froze. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and we both instinctively closed our eyes, silently groaning as if wishing the ground would swallow me whole.
The team, who had gathered around by now, frowned in confusion.
“Wait, Bhabhi? Ishan, yeh kya bol raha hai?” another man asked according to my weak memory I think he is Shreyas Iyer as Anika told me, he raised an eyebrow at Ishan’s words.
With his usual mischievous grin, Ishan nodded enthusiastically. “Haan, yeh Shubman ki fiancée hai. You didn’t know? Abhi kuch dino pehle rumors clear hue na un dono ke baare mein.”
The entire team erupted into playful teasing, their confusion quickly turning into a full-blown banter session.
“Shubman ki fiancée? Aur humein ab pata chal raha hai?” Hardik Pandya smirked, elbowing Shubman now don't ask how I know his name, having little sister who knows everything about cricket, she literally made me memorize everyone with showing pictures so if I met them in future I shouldn't embarrass myself. “Bhai, yeh kab hua?”
Shubman, who was now turning slightly red, tried to brush it off coolly, but the playful teasing only intensified.
“Aree, Shubman! Shaadi ki planning kab se shuru ki?” Surya Kumar Yadav chimed in, grinning from ear to ear. “Aur bataya bhi nahi?”
“Chup chup ke shaadi ki tayari kar raha tha. Hain na, Shubman?” he is Siraj who teased Shubman, winking at me, I was trying to hide my laughter.
Shubman rubbed the back of his neck, visibly flustered. “Kuch chup chup ke nahi, yaar. Tum sab ko batane ka plan tha,” he muttered, but the teasing wouldn’t stop.
“Plan tha, but ab Ishan ne sab expose kar diya,” Surya Kumar Yadav chuckled, his voice filled with amusement.
I couldn’t help but smile at the banter, despite the throbbing pain in my hand. Aditi and Anika watched the playful scene unfold with amusement, while the team continued their light-hearted teasing.
“Shubman, bhai, humme shaadi ka card jaldi bhej dena,” Shreyas said, giving him a friendly pat on the back. “Aur Bhabhi ke haath par dhyan rakhna. Tumhari batting ke saath saath yeh bhi tumhari zimmedaari hai ab.”
Shubman finally let out a small laugh, shaking his head at his teammates’ antics, but his eyes softened as they met me, I gave him a reassuring smile despite the situation.
“Well, one thing’s for sure,” Rohit said, clapping his hands together, “Yeh match yaadgar ban gaya hai!”
The entire team laughed, and though my hand still throbbed with pain, the warm camaraderie and teasing made the moment much lighter. Even in the middle of the chaos, I felt a sense of belonging and joy, knowing I was now part of their circle—and Shubman’s life in a much more public way than before.
After the playful banter with the team had subsided, Shubman quietly led me to the stadium's medical facility. His usual confident demeanor was replaced with a more serious, concerned expression as he glanced at my hand, now bandaged with care.
The doctor quickly examined my left hand and applied some soothing ointment on the sprain. “You’re lucky it wasn’t a fracture. Just a sprain, but you’ll need to rest it for a while,” the doctor advised, his tone professional. “Any other injuries?” he asked, looking up at me.
I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Shubman before nodding reluctantly. Shubman’s brows furrowed as concern deepened in his eyes. “What else, Akshara?” he asked softly.
I sighed before admitting, “Some of the coffee spilled... on my waist, a little bit.”
Shubman’s face tightened, and the doctor immediately asked me to show the area. I hesitated but then lifted my t-shirt slightly to reveal my waist, where the skin had turned an angry shade of red from the hot coffee.
The doctor’s eyes widened a bit. “Ohh, this is quite red, worse than I thought. How did you endure this without saying anything?” he asked, his voice full of concern.
I gave a weak smile, trying to downplay the pain. “I didn’t want to make a fuss.”
Shubman, standing silently beside me, I can sense his worried expression as the doctor carefully applied ointment to the burn. His eyes stayed glued to my waist for a moment, taking in the extent of the injury. His concern was palpable, but he didn’t say anything—his silence spoke louder than words.
When the doctor finished applying the ointment, he looked at me. “You’ll need to keep this clean and avoid wearing tight clothing around the area. It should heal fine in a few days. But if the pain worsens, visit doctor”
I nodded, thanking him quietly, while Shubman remained by my side, still lost in his own thoughts. As we stepped out of the medical facility, he gently placed a hand on my uninjured arm, his voice soft and filled with concern. “Next time, let me know sooner, okay?”