Abundance of overacting and bad plots

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Dedicated to: docsujata

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Aaruj’s POV

There is a rule in the game of cricket. It’s called Duckworth-Lewis.

It can turn the tables around.

When I held my first cricket bat few years ago, I felt invincible. But do I feel the same right now,not so much. Why ? Cause the girl I love the most has a brother who has never been so fond of me and now he hates me even more.

But he has a reason this time -a legit one.

See if I caught my sister getting all romantic with my arch enemy i would lose my cool too.

********************

Three hours ago:

Nia’s POV

“I need that ‘6 months Free Ice cream voucher’, Aaruj”I told him with all seriousness I could muster.

“At any cost.”I squeezed his both shoulders for further emphasis. I hardly succeeded in pressing my fingers through his cricket jersey clad muscles though.

He is looking so handsome in his cricketer mode right now. The red and white coloured jersey brings out the colour of his eyes even more. And it’s not just the outer appearance, his zest and passion for the game makes him look like some kind of Zeus of cricket.

“How about making it a 12 months free Ice cream voucher?”He smirked and rubbed my nose with his.

Eskimo kissing,are we?

“Drool worthy offer Mister.”I said getting all flustered with his intense gaze on me.”I know you can but I want to win this on my own.”

He gave me an amused look in return.

“Okay. Not entirely on my own but you will just have to win this match and your contribution is done.”I explained in a sing song voice.

“No pressure at all.”Aaruj said sarcastically.

“I love you jersey number ten.”I weaved my hands around his neck.

“I love you too purple top.”He said looking at my clothes while trying to match up with my declaration.

“It’s Lilac.”I retorted smartly.

“Another colour in my vocabulary that I would never recognise.”He said shaking his head. Then he suddenly made a thinking face.

“Whatcha ya thinking?”I mimicked Isabella from Phineas and ferb before I could stop myself.

I need to stop binging on that show and get out in the world more often.

“Just so you know I am more of a team Doofenshmirtz.”He said making his point.

Aaruj and his undying love for cartoon villains.

“That’s what you were thinking?”I gave him a confused look.

“No silly. I was thinking I will win the match but what’s in it for me?”He asked wiggling eyebrows.

“You get to flaunt the trophy. You get to feature on our weekly college podcast-Royal sports. You get some more female specimen pining for you as if the current number is not that significant.”I listed down all the things I could think of.

“See it’s a win-win situation.”I smirked.

“It’s all material stuff. I want some love...some love is all I want.”He said bending closer towards my face.

“I like the original song better Mr. Copycat cricketer.” I swatted his hands which were about to engulf me.

He made a pout in return.

It’s just not fair when a guy pouts and looks ten times better than you while doing it. That’s why I opt for peace sign in all my goofy pictures.

“Fine.”I accepted giving into his charms.”Just a peck on the cheek.”

“I treat my cheeks equally woman. If you want to peck one and leave another then don’t peck them at all.”he said dramatically.

“Fine drama queen.”I huffed inching closer towards his cheek but suddenly I backed out."What if anyone sees us. You are in here since so long. Your team mates might walk in on us any minute.”

“I told them I need some alone time before game. I do it everytime. They won’t doubt anything.”He assured me.

“But..”I was cut off before I could talk.

“Nia Subhash, do you want to peck these cheeks or not?”He asked faking a serious demeanor.

“Yes sir.”I said while giving him a  quick salut.

“Then come here.”he pulled me closer and I pecked his cheeks one after another while a familiar voice boomed in the room.

“Are you so scared of losing that you won’t come out of your rabbit hol...”The voice stopped mid sentence.

Within next few seconds, Aaruj was toppled over the bench in his dressing room.

“You jerk. How dare you?You know she is my sister. You didn’t have to go to this extend to win you bast**d.”Mayank was seething with a rage I would have never imagined him to posses.

“This was between you and me. How dare you touch her?”with this he punched Aaruj right in the face.

He only winced but did not fight back while I stood there like some stupid statue.

“Are you okay Nia?”Mayank asked noticing the state i was in.

I was so confused that I didn’t even answer him.

I just kept looking at Aaruj and his now bleeding lower lip. As if upon reading my mind he assured me with his eyes that he was fine. But I believed to think otherwise as the lip started swelling a bit already.

Mayank caught our little exchange and threw another punch at Aaruj.”You jerk stop looking at her. This is the last time you are within a perimeter of my sister. I swear if you even...”

“We love each other.”I finally confessed cutting him off and losing my former statuesque state.

“Nia you don’t know him. He and his friends are the worst. I have heard their stories of bullying people. Baccha Tula Nahi mahiti kiti danger ahet he lok?”(you don’t know how dangerous these people are,baby sis.)”he said cupping my face.

“Mala evdhech mahiti ahe ki to majhyavr khup prem karto.(The only thing I know is that he loves me so much.)”I said meeting Mayank’s eyes.

“He is only doing this to spike me. To get even with me. I know him since years Ni. Don’t fall for this pretence.”he said shooting daggers at Aaruj.

“I love her Mayank. This is not some game for me.” Aaruj finally spoke and in that moment I loved him even more. His eyes met mine for a fleeting moment and I saw fear in them but I knew it’s a good kind of fear. The one which makes him uncomfortable thinking he might lose me and even in that serious situation, all I wanted to do was hug him. To tell him that I totally believed him.

“You loser.” Mayank leapt at him bringing both of them down to the floor. He started throwing punches again but I tried yanking him away.

He didn't even budge.

Still I tried doing it in vain.

“Mayank leave him.”I yelled as it was the only option left.

“Nia he will spill the truth soon. Just you wait and watch.”with this he threw another punch at Aaruj but I intervened and instantly regretted my decision.

“Ouch”I shrieked as the pain registered on my right arm.

Mayank and Aaruj stopped in their tracks. Then both of them stared at me with all the concern in their eyes.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you Ni. You know that right?I am really sorry. Let’s go put some ice pack on your arm.”Mayank said grabbing my hand.

I gently removed my hand from his grip and looked at Aaruj.”You owe him an apology.”

“I am not going to apologise to anyone.”Mayank said,his voice rising a bit.

“Nia go with him and apply some ice pack. It will hurt so much if left unattended.”Aaruj said but it only made the matter worse.

“Don’t you dare talk to my sister again.”Mayank warned him.

“I am afraid I can’t do that cause I love her.”Aaruj declared his love again.

“You bast**d”Mayank started his parade of profanities as he stomped in anger towards Aaruj.

“Enough Mayank.”I yelled surprising myself with the way it echoed in the merely occupied dressing room.

Mayank stopped and turned to look at me.

“It’s my life and I get to decide who i fall for. I have decided to be with someone and you have to respect that person even if you can’t see eye to eye with him.”I said in a decisive manner.

“Ni stop throwing your life away like this. I care for you and I will do anything to keep you away from any harm. This guy is not good for you. I am not letting him ruin your life.”Mayank said meeting my eyes squarely.

“What are you? My parents? Stop interfering in my life.”I said those words and regretted instantly as I saw hurt in his eyes.

“I thought I was your big brother. But I guess I was the only one who thought like that.”He replied and walked out of the room.

As I stood on verge of almost crying I decided to turn my attention towards Aaruj."Next time someone punches atleast try to dodge them,will you?”

I was seething in anger.

“He has every right to punch me Nia.”He said trying to justify Mayank’s behaviour.

“I am gonna tell Sasha about us.”I blurt out all of a sudden. I am tired of hiding this from the people I care about the most.”I finally let the tears roll down my cheeks.

“Hey! He will come around and so will your friends. You will see sweetheart.”He said cupping my cheeks.

Then he kissed my forehead.”Now let’s go we have a match to win and some Ice packs to apply.”

“Next time please say something more than just a plain I love her.Try to be more creative you know.”I tried making the situation a bit lighter.

“Oh! but I do love you.”He declared again making my heart flutter.

******
As the match continued, I tried assuring myself that everything will go back to normal soon.

Mayank will stop being mad at me eventually. Sasha will come around. Pranjal will not give me a hard time cause he already knows I love Aaruj.

I was brought back from the train of my positive thoughts by Sasha.

"Dude don’t you think Mayank is being extra edgy today towards that jerk Aaruj.”Sasha noticed.

I felt like a deer caught in headlights.

“Yeah. They have that jani dushman thing going on.”Pranjal agreed with her.

“Why are you obsessed with that movie?”Sasha made a face.

“I am obsessed with watching movies that have abundance of overacting and bad plots.”Pranjal explained.

“Dude that’s so twisted.”Sasha replied and stuffed her mouth with some popcorn.

She talked to me with her mouth full.”Dude, are we invited to your free ice cream thingy cause looks like your brother is about to lose the bet.”

“I will think about it and let you know.”I faked a smirk as I remembered Mayank’s hurt face again.

“Jeete bhi nahi aur hawa mein udd rahe ho.(The impending win has already gone to your head huh?)” Sasha said trapping me in a deadlock. I only chuckled in return.

Then we all immersed ourselves in the match.

Mayank’s team the Aurelian tigers had scored a total of 159 for us to chase.

The match now reached to a nail biting situation we needed 30 runs from last three overs.

“Go Aurelian Tigers !”The girl sitting few seats away from us cheered. She belonged to the opposite clan.

“Tigers?More like pandas. What’s with the black and white dress code and the black patches under those eyes.”Sasha criticized earning few chuckles from the Royal Khiladis' supporters.

“Oh please. Mayank looks hot in any kind of outfit.”the other girl bragged and her friends supported her with whistles and claps.

“You know he has a girlfriend right?”Sasha retorted trying to burst the poor girl’s bubble.

“So?He will break up with her eventually once he realises his worth.”The girl said.

She is definitely daydreaming.

“He is very much in love with his girlfriend.”I tried to butt in into their conversation.

“Nia atleast you be the wiser one. Let’s enjoy match. The drink break is about to end soon.”Pranjal told me.

“Go back to watching match you lover of plotless movies.”I retorted for no reason.

“Ouch.” He feigned hurt as he clutched his chest.

“Sorry Pranjy but this girl is getting on my nerves.”I confessed.

“One two three four. Mayank hain mere dil ka chor.(Mayank is the thief of my heart.)”The girl turned a full on cheerleader as the teams made their appearances on the ground again.

“Five six seven eight...Mayank is already committed so Behen tu koi aur dekh.(Find someone else girl)”Sasha countered.

Soon a full blown war of words ensued. 

I knew Sasha was indulging into it just to spike the other girl. But things were getting out of hands.

“Eleven twelve thirteen fourteen...Mayank mera Hoga bas baki hai thode din.(Mayank will be mine in few days.)”

“When will this lame cheer war stop?”Pranjal pulled his hair. He was growing frustrated with a passing minute.

“Hopefully when they reach upto hundred.”I replied in defeated manner.

“Will you guys stop it?”Pranjal asked both girls as he couldn't take it anymore.

“But it was so much fun.”Sasha said making a pout.

“Sasha sit down!"He ordered and then turned towards the other girl.

”And you? Mayank ki Meena kumari (A bollywood actress)you too keep quiet. Can’t a guy watch this match in peace.”

She looked so scared that she sat down and pretended to focus on the ongoing match now.

Before even a minute could pass the girl whispered to Sasha."Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”Sasha whispered back at her.”I am Sasha and this is Nia. She is Mayank’s sister.”

The girl looked in an awe as she was introduced to me.

“I am Divyansha.Sorry for what I said earlier. It’s just that I like him a lot. I didn’t mean for him to break up with his girlfriend. It happened in the spur of a moment.”She said in sweet manner.

“It’s okay.”I whispered back too but soon realised Pranjal was shooting daggers at the three of us.

Match was at a very crucial moment. Royal Khiladis still needed 20 runs to win from 7 balls.

Aaruj hit a six and completed his half century.

He pointed his bat at the stadium where I was sitting and I blushed like I had tomatoes for cheeks.

“Since when this guy became such a softy. Wait! He is actually smiling at us.”Sasha said eyeing him with suspiscion.

“Sasha,...” I was interrupted before I could tell her the truth. The crowd was booing at someone on the field.

I focused on the ground only to realise that few players from Aaruj’s team had gathered around him.

“What happened?”I asked Pranjal trying to muster all the strength I could.

“Foul play. That Devesh from Mayank’s team hit Aaruj on head with a ball.”Pranjal replied in an angry manner and soon softened as he registered the look on my face.

“Is he okay?”I asked trying hard to speak but it came like just a whisper.

“Nia he will be fine. He is not going to lose his life just because of a ball.”Sasha said and got back to checking her phone.

I glanced at the field again but the crowd around Aaruj still hadn’t lessened. On the contrary, it kept getting bigger and bigger as the coach and other team mates also joined in.

I looked at the screen to have a good look at him but in vain.

Pranjal kept squeezing my hand in assurance. But I was hardly in my senses anymore. Before I could understand what I was doing I found myself running towards the ground. Sasha yelling my name in the distant. Pranjal trying to stop her. It all felt like some voices in the background.

I reached towards the crowd and made my way through it. Everyone started moving aside and finally I saw him.

He was lying on the ground holding onto his wounded head and trying his best to convince his coach that he was fine.

He finally noticed me and stopped talking. He had a noticeable bump on left side of his forehead. Even though he was wearing a helmet the ball had found it’s way to penetrate through through it.

When he gave me his signature killer smile,I could no longer hold myself together. The day had finally taken it’s toll on me.

I  crouched down to where he was and hugged him. The crowd had gone so silent and I guess everyone was now looking at us.

But nothing mattered in that moment. All I could see was Aaruj was hurt and I felt responsible for it.

“Please tell me you are okay?”I sobbed into his jersey tshirt.

“I am. sweetheart. ”He assured me.”Look at me. You understand what this means right.We are out in the open now.”He said pushing a strand of stray hair from my face.

“Aaruj I think you should head back to the bleachers.”his coach Mr. Narwekar interrupted him.

“No. I want to play. Need to win match for a free Ice cream voucher.”He looked at me with a genuine smile.

Before I could protest he got up on his feet and gave me a hand, helping me up.

“Are you sure you can play?”I asked.

“Heck yeah.”He kissed me on the cheek and then walked towards his place on the pitch.

The umpire shot me an impatient look so I walked back to my place in the bleachers.

“Wow. That was so romantic.”Sasha said sarcastically as she came face to face with me. Her face was neutral but her eyes spoke volumes.

“Sasha we can talk about this later.”Pranjal tried to intervene.

“Pranjy I need to handle this on my own.”I told him squeezing his shoulder.

“Tell me Nia. How long have you guys been fooling behind my back? You and that jerk. I thought you were my best friend dude. I trusted you.”She yelled at me.

I thought I was ready for this confrontation but it still hurt. The disappointment in her eyes reminded me of a look Mayank had given just a few hours ago.

“Sasha i was going to tell you.”I felt so helpless.

“If what you just did was your way of telling me then I get it.”Sasha said.

”See the problem with me is when I love people I give them all I have and I always end up regretting. Those jerks don’t matter to me. You did. You were my family dude and you chose him over me.”She said looking anywhere but at my face.

“I am not choosing anyone. I love you both.”I huffed.

“But you did choose when you decided to hid your relationship with him.”Sasha retorted.

“Pranjal let’s go.”She told him as he stood there quietly.

But he didn't budge.

“What?Oh right. Your loyalties are with her.Offcourse they are. Why would anyone choose Sasha right?

Nia didn’t.

And you won’t either.”She wiped the tears and stormed off towards the exit.

“Go with her.”I forced Pranjal.

“I am not going anywhere. She needs to value your happiness over some stupid rivalry.”He said firmly.

“Pranjy I seriously have had the worst day ever. I am worried about Sasha. Please help me here. I am one argument away from having a nervous breakdown. Please.”I begged.

His stance relaxed and he engulfed me in a bear hug. “We will be together again Nia. You,me and Sasha.”with this he walked away.

“God!!! you are a trainwreck. You hurt your own friends too.”Vishakha said not hiding the mirth in her eyes. She was enjoying this.

She was definitely eavesdropping before.

Who appears out of a thin air like that?

”I don’t know what he saw in you but what I know is soon he will realise that you are no good for him. You might have succeeded in separating him from his own best friends but honey I am in for a long run. I won’t budge until I throw you out of his life plain jane.”She threatened.

“His friends?”That was the only word I could notice in her vampish monologue.

“You can’t be that dumb. Seriously? He left his best friend for you.”She enlightened.

And then all of the past situations kept rushing back to me. How he avoided topic of Jay. How he gave excuses when I told him to spend some time with his gang.

I was brought back from the reverie when the speakers boomed in the stadium announcing our victory.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net