CHAPTER 13 – THE UPPERCUT 2.0

Same Day – 530 PM

Khushi's POV

It finished putting on my maroon lip stain and looked at my reflection in the mirror and I was kind off surprised by my very own look – because I hadn't dressed up in forever, that was because of my hectic and busy lifestyle in between of my jobs , I didn't have much time to party anymore.

Ocassionaly,I did really enjoy dressing up a little every now and then.

When mom was alive, she'd fuss over getting me ready before a house party with friends etc or for a date night with Armaan.(when we were dating in the past).

And I used to love that time with her.

I missed her.

I wipe the tear that was threatening to fall my eye now and I smile at my reflection ; mom was probably grinning up there at seeing me finally dress up for a little party time after ages.

Honestly, this was like the first party I was attending after their passing.

And I probably would have given it a pass if it hadn't been a celebration for Diya's birthday.

Diya was important to me and I wanted to be there for her on her happy occasion.

I walked over to the little study room ,and opened the suitcase with moms stuff in it and I picked out her favourite bracelet and crystal studs and put it on and I look at my reflection in the mirror and I smile on reflex.

I had chosen to wear this maroon colour off shoulder crop top which had a sweetheart neckline cinched in the front and worn my high waist black jeggings to compliment the same but because it was a crop top, a little bit of my midriff was visible in between the gap from my top and my high waisted jeggings.

Id worn this combination because this was the last outfit mom had helped me pick up, with the thought of me having to wear it that upcoming get together at university, last year.

That was also the last I had shopped for myself actually.

I stepped into the maroon colour stiletoes mom had picked up for me to go with this, and I take a deep breathe and close my eyes and I remember Mom's excited expression when id tried out this combination in the shop in front of her.

She had been super excited about how well the whole look complimented me.

For You - Mom

I hoped she was watching over me and was happy that id finally gotten around to wearing this.

I enjoyed wearing make up too once in a while, I did use a bb cream for myself on a daily basis with just some nude colour gloss or matt lip stain, but I did indulge in going a little bit more heavy with my cover today, keeping in mind the make up look mom had talked to me about on the way back home after shopping.

For you – Mom.

Shed also said that if I tied my hair up into a high pounytail – it would really accentuate the whole look, and I picked up hair into it and I was kind off confused whether I should go ahead with this or not because anyway this top was off shoulder and with a sweetheart neckline, I felt like tying my hair up would bring too much attention to my neckline and shoulderblades.

Maybe that's why Mom suggested this because she never let go off any occasion to dress me up to remind me that even though deep within I felt like a tomboy, with a little bit of effort into dressing up – I definetly didn't look like one , and was delicate and graceful and feminine.

It used to irritate me sometimes back then and I used to tell her all the time to just let me be and just walk into parties and dates in my jeans and tshirts.

But she would request so adorably to let her dress me up atleast occasionaly and id give in.

Ironical – how Life turns around.

Here I was dressing up in the combination mom had chosen for me, wearing the same make up look shed advised, tied my hair up the way shed talked she would help me do and it was the same me, but she wasn't here.

She was gone to a place never to return.

I feel a tear well up in my eyes again and I frantically bat both my hands in front of my eyes because I do not want to get that masacara running.

I smile at myself again and I pick up my clutch and adjust a couple of my strands from my hair on the sides of my ears to fall carelessly and I make my way out.

I was actually kind off late.

Well, technically the party was not going to begin until later, but everyone had already gotten together at Rahuls for the match.

I think he had arranged some projection screening in the backyard.

He was crazy no when it came to cricket.

And India was playing Sri Lanka in that 3rd odi crucial game.

Diya's bday party would only begin once the match was over.

It was scheduled to finish by 11pm IST which was our time 730PM.

I get into the Uber, which today I was using as just my ride to Rahul's and my thoughts finally drift to Hoodie Guy.

I hoped he was enjoying himself out there.

I had no clue what was going on in the match, uptil now.

But I knew id hear about it the minute I stepped into Rahul's.

I wasn't going to watch the game though, I just couldn't get around to that yet.

But I would hear.

I smile to myself as I start driving.

But from where should I even begin talking about this 'thing' in between of Arnav and Me.

I felt good.

He made me feel really good.

I looked forward to just being connected with him all the freaking time.

And I think im starting to fall for him fatser than I had anticipated.

Technically, it was almost a month now to us knowing each other – I mean It would be tonight.

But it didn't feel just like that at all.

It totally feels like I have known him for a long long time.

How is possible to feel this instant pull towards someone whom youv only known for technically just a month and also specially when that someone – lived and belonged in another world from mine.

How was it possible for me to start falling for him in the ways I was starting too – despite all these differences my mind keeps warning me about here and there in between?

But it was happening nonetheless.

I shouldn't probably do this to myself, my mind tells me, but then I cant help but ask it to shut up when it beings up that thought in my head, because of what I was feeling within.

All these ferris wheels, Columbus rides, and roller coaster plunges and spins were not starting to feel really really good.

They'd seemed a little alien and strange at the start, because id never felt anything like this magnitude ever.(Not even in my two month dating adventure with Armaan.)

And here just in one month of this 'thing' going on in between of us, I was already now kind of accustomed to this theme park rides operating in the pit of my stomach everyday.

Everytime we texted, or called or video called, the theme park in my stomach would start its operation irrespective of the time and place I was in.

Was I getting myself into too much trouble??

I don't know.

All I knew that it felt good.

It felt so good.

So maybe this feel good factor is what I should keep enjoying until the rides lasted.

Because I was sure I was just blessed with a temporary time limited ticket into this theme park experience that Arnav was making me feel

Because sooner or later – hed realise that I was just Khushi from the other side off his life and world and so until then I just had to make the most of the time I had in here.

I would face the consequences later as and when they came.

..............

7.00 PM

I stepped into the kitchen as I asked Raima aunty (rahul's mom) if she needed any help with the arrangements for dinner.

Aunty grinned – " no khushi beta..its all done...anyway I don't think these boys are going to have any appetitie left after all these snacks and popcorn and drinks theyv been having.."

I nod – " you are right about that aunty..",and I asked on reflex – "diya's cake ready??"

Raima aunty smiled– " yes it is...baked it myself but we will only get around it after that game is over..look at those boys they cant get their heads out of that screen..",and then she scowls – " I just don't understand the craziness though..i mean its just a game right, I keep teliing that to your uncle and Rahul..look at how much he troubles diya because of his love for the game.."

Right then diya walks into the kitchen and she kisses raima aunty on the cheek – " thanks Maa, but to be honest its not a trouble anymore, because I got a perfect eye candy to crush over these days.."

I bite back my smile as I opened the fridge to pick out a beer and I heard Raima aunty ask – "really??"

I used the opener to open the beer and I leaned against the fridge and sipped the Budweiser and I heard Diya say dreamily – " ASR Raima maa..he is so so handsome.."

Raima aunty nodded – " oh yes that boy is really handsome..",and she paused as she asked with a wink – " and does Rahul know that his fiancée is now crushing on his favourite cricketing player..?"

I continued sipping my beer, enjoying their conversation.

Diya winked back at aunty and then at me too – " yes but I think he loves cricket more than he loves me..so he has no problems..hes just happy that im now accompanying him in watching..."

I chuckled at that.

And right then Armaan enters the kitchen,and I turn around instanty, pretending to get something from the fridge because I was kind off avoiding talking to him ever since id come, and id also caught him looking at me a couple of times in between as I sat in the patio in the backyard with my back to the project screen.

Diya eyes aunty and they both walk out the kitchen leaving me all alone in there and I decide to make my way out too and I close the fridge and just as I do I see armaan standing right there and I ask – " do you need something??"

He smiles – " yes, a beer.."

I smile at him and I ask – "corona or budweiser?"

He smiled as he leaned against the kitchen counter – " I still prefer a corona.."

I take out one for him and hand it to him and he speaks looking at me – "and I also wanted to tell you that you look absolutely gorgeous tonight khushi.."

Ok.So now I was embarrassed.

How do I react to that?

I think he caught onto that because he spoke immediately – " hey..i don't mean to embarrass you or something..just take that as a compliment from an old friend.."

I give him a polite smile – " thank you..."

And right then we hear a lot of disappointed screams from the out and Armaan walks to the door of the kitchen and he exclaims in disappointment – " oh no..we just lost two wickets in the 48th over..goddamit.."

And he paused as he looked at me and I spoke – "cmon go on..go watch it.."

Armaan smiled – "atleast come to the patio and sit like you were sitting with your back to the screen...if that's ok?"

I nod, and I follow him out and I sit myself on the patio bench with my back to the screen, but I can hear it all clearly.

So The Match.

That was happening in between of India and Sri Lanka in India.

So from all that I heard ever since I stepped in here,apparently,Sri Lanka had won the toss and chosen to bat first and put up a high total of 305 for India to chase.

And India pretty much had it all in control until I had walked into the kitchen because they were like around 265 at 45 overs and with just 5 out – Cap had just gotten out but hoodie guy was still batting.

And I hear Rahul's panicked voice now which was way too loud – " what the hell..another catch out..whts wrong with them..that shot just didn't carry through Ravi's bat..."

I hear Armaan's panicked voice – " 279 – 8 and we need 26 runs to win with just 7 balls to go with only twi wickets remaining...god we had this game.."

Rahul's panicked voice – "and we have the bowlers coming in, but ASR I still there..we still have hope guys as long as he is there.."

I hear Uncles worried voice now – " ok calm down all you boys...you make so much noiseeee ..just keep quiet everyone..hushhh and nobody gets up from their spot if you want india to win.."

I hear Rahul say – "dad..really??"

Uncles voice – " really Rahul..its a stupid superstition of mine but it always worked.."

Rahul – " yeah dad as if..india is going to win just because you want us all to si tin pin drop silence in the..",and he pasued and I could hear him groan – " there..a dot ball..now 26 bloody runs in 6 balls..impossible..look at sri lanka already celebrating their victory.."

Uncles voice came in louder – " boys trust me..calm down..pin drop silence increase the volume of the commentary..and just focus with your hands folded and we will win..ASR that boy is still there no..you never know in cricket Rahul, its never over until the last ball...and hes had such a good game..look at him batting since three hours twenty minutes..anchoring the innings for the team..."

I smile to myself as I hear that, flipping through a magazine.

I was the only one sitting on the bench now with my back to the projector

Everyone else had crowded around the screen.

I now hear Diya speak – " ok guys ASR is now on the crease..lets do what Dad says..its my bday guys..cmon...get to your seats and quite..."

Finally there was a husshhh and the volume was increased as I now hear the commentators voice fill in through the back – "Look at that in the middle of the pitch,as ASR asks for a change of the bat, and hes waiting for it to be brought to him and whilst he waits he has a little chat up with his team mate on the other side probably telling him that he would be keeping the strike, because he knows he can pull this off his bat..hes at 90 himself, batted slow and steadily through out the innings keeping his wicket in place, and anchoring the Indian innings.."

Another commentators voice fills in in my ears – " yes but 26 runs in the last 6..is difficult.."

The first commentator - " yes, but not impossible..remember that can be 6 sixes too..who can forget Yuvraj's Singhs epic six sixes in a row in that match against England..it could happen a decade ago..it can happen again today.."

The commentator chuckles– " oh yes..and if this man pulls it off..he will be worshipped tonight..they might as well open a cricket temple in his name.....hes a fan favourite anyway.."

The other commentator chuckles – " yes indeed..and look in comes his bat and look at that..some words are being exchanged in there by the man whose given him his bat..is that a special message being passed on to ASR from the Indian Captain and Coach from the dugouts..could be because they know he can do it..we know he can do it..but will he do it for his team today..is the question...",and he pauses – " hold your breathe ladies and gentleman , ASR puts on his helmet again and rotates his bat in his hand and takes position, and here comes the first ball of the last over.."

OK.So now I stop fliiping through the magazine and focus looking at the page in front of me with my eyes whilst my ears were focused on that commentary.

The commentator – " oh...that was an excellent delivery, ASR couldn't time his shot, but he could have taken one run but he doesn't,as he gestures the batsmen to stay on the other side of the crease..he knows hes got more chances of winning this if he continues being on strike, a risk hes got to take..because that's a dot ball now, and india has to get 26 runs in just 5 balls..look at the sri lankan captain he is happy with that dot, he has sent in his best bowler for the last over but not to forget ASR has a lot of game experience with this bowler.."

The other commentator – " yes you are right about that..they play for the Mumbai team together in the IPL..lets see if ASR is going to read and anticipate the next shot.."

Ok.So suddenly I literally hear not even a hush in my surroudnings everyone is literally pin drop silence.

The commentator – " here comes the second ball...",and the tone of his voice raises as he exclaims – " and that has been hit away in a gorgeous Uppercut by ASR staright into the air right into the stands for a six....the crowd at Wankhede has just come back to life with that shot off his bat",and I hear the crowd erupt in cheers in my surroundings too.

I hear Uncles urgent voice – " ohoooo you boys..again making so much noise..see I told you pin drop silence and we will win...quiet everyone now..."

I chuckled.

But everyone hushed.

Pin drop silence again.

The commanetators voice rings through , excitement evident in his voice– " and look at that ..is that a six????????????????????????? Yesssssssssssssss it isssssssss...........ASR smashes the ball into the air again into the stands across the boundary line in his Cap's signature helicopter shot....thats 12 out of 26 for India..and ASR gets to 102 with that..but he hasn't paused to celebrate the moment..he knows theres a bigger aim to focus on right now..India need two more sixes and a double"

Before the crows erupts around me again Uncles voice comes in – "last three balls everyone, please....no noise at all..."

No one literally makes a noise.

Another commentator – " or maybe three sixes..you never know..look at the excited faces of the Indian team in the dug outs they know he can do it.."

"Here comes another ball....",and theres a pause as I hear the voice again – "and yes ladies and gentleman flung into the air again in a beautiful shot for a...six....ASR has sent Wankhede roaringgg, for that's 18 now..but India still need 8 runs to win, 7 for the draw..."

"hold your breathe ladies and gentleman...this shot has to be a six again if India's favourite hero on the crease has to ease that pressure on himself on the last ball..."

"here it goes..."

And I close my eyes automatically in anticipation.

I couldn't look at the magazine page anylonger.

And I hear – " ohhhhhhhhhhhhh yessssssssssss....thats the most beautiful uppercut shot iv seen in a while...even better than the one he just hit a few balls ago...flung straight into the stands for a six....look at at that...the crowds gone beserk..literally beserk..and the Indian team in the dug out is on their feet and clapping for that brilliant batsmen who is making impossible possible tonight...look at the exhilaration on their faces...india now just 2 runs away from a win and one run for a draw..the bowler is devastated..he cant believe his perfect delivery was smashed into the stands by his Mumbai team mate..what a beauty..what a beautiful uppercut that was..."

Uncles voice roars in – "ok dare anyone get up from their seat now or make a noise..see im telling you all it wasn't a supersitition.."

I cant help but chuckle.

The commentators voice comes in – "and the last ball comes in ladies and gentleman...",and there was a pause, "...and the last ball is smashed away through the fielder into the boundary cover in an amazing pull shot by the man of the hour for a Four...and india wins it..and wins it in swag and styleeee....the crowds gone beserk and so have we in the commentator box...what a victory...look at the way the team has run and proppled over ASR..he didn't even remove his helmet yet in celebration..."

And finally the crowd in my surroundings erupts into cheers and victory and I finally turn around to see them all gone beserk and hugging each other and I cant help but smile as I see Armaan and Rahul jumping with the rets of his friends in a group jumping jacks style