AUTHOR'S POV:

"DEVANSH... DEVANSH... DEVANSH!"

Crack!

"And it's another blazing six by the Fire himself!"

"Hooooo... Woooohoooo!"

The stadium roared with excitement, the entire crowd on its feet, chanting his name. Devansh stood at 95*, just five runs away from yet another century in his illustrious career. At only 26, his achievements already surpassed those of many legends.

As the next ball soared toward him, he swung his bat with precision and power. The crack of willow meeting leather echoed through the air, and the ball soared over the boundary like a shooting star. Another six!

The stadium erupted. Cheers filled the night sky as fans jumped in joy. Not only had Devansh secured his century, but he had also led India to a glorious victory.

On the other side of the city,

a girl sat on her balcony, nestled in the comfort of her pajamas, her hair tied up in a messy bun. The evening breeze played with the loose strands as she remained engrossed in her book, her fingers idly tracing the pages.

"Aarvi!" her mother's voice called from inside.

"Yes, Mum?" she responded without lifting her gaze.

"Come have dinner."

"Yeah, coming," she replied, shutting her book with a soft thud before stretching her arms lazily.

Leaving her cozy nook behind, she stepped into the dining area, where her father sat in front of the television, eyes gleaming with excitement as he watched the cricket match.

"See, Aaru! We won the match again!" he exclaimed, his joy unmistakable.

"Wow, congratulations, Dad," she said with a small smile, walking toward him with no enthusiasm.

Aarvi had never been one to enjoy watching matches.

"You know, Aaru, I don't see many players these days as brilliant as Sachin, Dhoni, or Virat. But this young guy he's something else!" her father remarked, his gaze fixed on the screen as Devansh received the Player of the Match award.

"Oh, that's nice," she replied absentmindedly, her focus drifting to her phone.

"Look, there he is, receiving the award!" he urged, hoping to catch her interest.

Half-heartedly, Aarvi lifted her head, but just as her eyes landed on the screen, an advertisement took over.

"Oh, yeah, I see. He must be a good player," she remarked, feigning interest as she returned to her phone.

Her father shook his head with a chuckle, amused by her indifference. Just then, her mother's voice rang out again, summoning them both to dinner. With that, they left the living room, heading toward the dining table.

At Night,

After dinner and a lighthearted chat with her parents about her first year in MBA, Aarvi stepped into her room. She was pursuing an MBA not just for the degree but to first gain experience in the corporate world before venturing into something of her own. A consistent topper throughout school and college, she had always been every teacher's favorite. Yet, not a single classmate truly liked her.

It wasn't because she was arrogant or unkind far from it. Aarvi simply preferred silence, finding solace in her books rather than fleeting friendships. Deep down, she feared the inevitable people leaving.

She had given her best to friends before, only to be used for notes, for help, for convenience. And when she was no longer needed, they had walked away without a second thought.

Now, she chose solitude over heartbreak. She had one friend who truly mattered, but distance kept them apart, limiting their conversations to weekend calls and an annual meeting.

Sitting on her bed, Aarvi gazed out of the window where the moon hung in the vast night sky, glowing softly. She lay down, eyes fixed on its serene brilliance, allowing its quiet presence to comfort her. Slowly, sleep began to claim her, her eyelids growing heavy.

"I wish... someday, someone would come into my life not to use me, not for their own gain, but simply to stay... just stay... forever," she whispered, perhaps to herself, perhaps to the moon. But as the last word slipped from her lips, it faded into the stillness of the night, lost in the air as she drifted into deep slumber.

In Devansh's Room

Devansh owned houses in both Delhi and Bangalore, but he spent most of his time in Bangalore, living alone. His parents remained in Delhi, and though he tried to visit them at least twice or thrice a year, he always longed for their presence. Time and again, he pleaded with them to move in with him, but they would brush it off with a familiar excuse reminding him that his cricket career kept him traveling across states and countries. They joked that if he truly wanted them to stay, he should get married and bring home a daughter-in-law, someone to keep them company.

But Devansh despised that conversation. It wasn't that he had never thought about marriage or that he was opposed to love. Rather, it was the weight of relationships, love, and commitment that terrified him.

After a long, exhausting day, he stepped into his bedroom, fresh from a shower. With a quiet flick, he turned off the lights. The last match of the series had wrapped up, and for the first time in weeks, he had a break a brief respite before the grind resumed.

Drawn by the quiet of the night, he walked out onto his balcony and settled into the large swing. The city stretched before him, its skyline glowing under the silver touch of the moon. Yet, despite the beauty around him, a hollow loneliness settled deep in his chest.

He had teammates who were more than just colleagues they were companions on the field, his brothers in arms. But off the pitch, when the game ended and the crowds dispersed, he was alone. Always alone.

He rarely attended parties or club nights, only making an exception for grand celebrations. Otherwise, he preferred solitude.

Leaning back, he closed his eyes, letting the night breeze kiss his damp skin. When he opened them again, his gaze lifted toward the moon, its glow soothing yet distant.

"Maa says that God has destined someone for each of us. But how do you recognize that person? What if I trust again, only to be betrayed like before? I would rather spend my life alone than risk falling apart all over again. My career is finally gaining momentum I can't afford to let my mind crumble. No... I don't think I can ever promise commitment to anyone."

With a weary sigh, he lay down on the swing, its sturdy frame holding his weight with ease. Yet, his tall frame spilled over its edges a fitting metaphor for his life, always feeling just a little out of place, never fully contained.

Next Day in the College!

Aarvi was seated in the middle row, somewhere in the center bench, when the professor entered the classroom. As he stepped inside, the students promptly greeted him before settling back into their seats.

"I have an important announcement for you all," he said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.

Aarvi had been focused on her notebook, but at his words, she lifted her head, giving him her full attention.

"Our college will be hosting a grand fest, and we have the honor of welcoming a very special chief guest-someone who also happens to be the trustee of this institution.

I'm certain many of you are great admirers of him," he announced with a pleasant smile.

"Who, sir?"

"Who, sir?"

"Who, sir?" The classroom buzzed with curiosity as several voices erupted at once.

"That," he said with a knowing smile, "will be a surprise."

Excitement rippled through the students as they nodded eagerly.

Believing the announcement was over, Aarvi returned to her book, immersing herself in its pages.

"And," the professor continued, "our college topper, Aarvi Kaur, will have the honor of presenting the memento and bouquet to him."

At the sound of her name, Aarvi's head snapped up in surprise, her wide eyes locking onto the professor's gaze.

Slowly, she rose from her seat, hesitation evident in her every movement. A silent plea flickered across her face, hoping-just maybe-he would change his mind.

"Sir... me?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Yes, Aarvi, you. Any problem?" His tone was unreadable, devoid of emotion.

Aarvi had always been an obedient student, so despite the apprehension swirling within her, she shook her head and nodded in quiet acceptance.

So here is the first chapter . I hope It will get enough love. This is slow burn story so progress will be done. And yes as it's not all about soft romance so if you will not like any of it just ignore that!

Love from the author ❤