If I Had A Love Story - Chapter 9



Chapter 9

The first few drops of rain evaporated as it hit the ground. Four needed of the last ball. My eyes scanned the ground for gaps. My teammates cheered from behind.

"Would it be a slower ball?"
"Would it be a wide? Should I hit it or leave?"
"Should I close my eyes and just swing?"
"Should I hit the ball the same way I hit the previous?"

A flurry of these questions impinged into my mind as I took stance. The bowler was starting his run up. As he took his last stride and I was ready to face it, Diya entered into my thoughts. Moments later, there was celebration, the stumps were uprooted and held high.

I crouched with my bat supporting me lost, still figuring out how I had missed that ball totally. I could have whacked those full tossed balls out of the park any day but I didn't that day. The captain from my team rose and claimed that it was a no ball because it went above the waist height. After a long heated argument, he convinced the opposition that it was a no ball after all. Fuming, the bowler went back to bowl the last ball again. We rooted the stumps again. I went back to the crease even though I knew it was a legal delivery. Three runs needed now. I walked towards the non striker.

"Back me up" I said to him bumping fists and bats. He nodded.

This time I remained calm and composed discarding all thoughts and focused on the ball. My eyes were set on the bowler's grip. We erupted in joy as I smacked the over pitched final ball sending it sailing over the bowler's head. After retrieving the ball from the bushes, we left for our homes.

By the time I arrived home, it was too late and my stomach was growling after a great game. There was nothing on table except for yesterday's rice (There's no food for people who come late was my mother's rule). Pretty much used to it, I ate the rice without much fuss. I finished eating and went to wash my hands. I washed my plate and hands and it took me a few more moments to realise what I had done. I had absent mindedly put the food waste right into the sink instead of the bin. Luckily my mother was not around or I would have been subjected to her fury, I picked it up and put it into the waste bin.

I was now becoming more and more absent minded consumed by the thoughts of her. We chatted daily but deep down a part of me missed her presence terribly. "Am I crushing on her?" My mind refused to accept that proposition. My heart whispered a "Yes". Ignoring the whispers, I fixed my mind to enjoy the holidays.

I woke up yawning. My watch showed 7:00 AM. It was the first day of my third year. After the breakfast, we were busy discussing about the first staff we would be facing that academic year. For the first time, I was actually worried about what I would be wearing for the class. I ran through different shirts and finally selected a yellow checked shirt. I stood in front of the mirror adjusting my hair as my roommates ridiculed me that didn't bother me the least. New hostel, new room and a new route to the department but the same old roomies.

As soon as I entered the class, my eyes sought Diya instinctively among the 57 in our class, not noticing my friend who had greeted me. Not finding her, I made my way to the second bench and got settled. I was looking impatiently at my watch. It was twenty minutes past ten. Her voice hit my ears like melody. I turned towards the door. Diya entered into the classroom. She was apparelled in a french rose coloured chudi with intricate flower patterns and her silver jhumkas looked so ravishing just because it was on her ears. Now both of our eyes locked and she waved a Hi! gleaming. I waved back. As she added her smile to her attire I was under the comprehension that I was looking at the most beautiful sight in the world. None of the professor's words reached my head that day, it was already saturated with thoughts of her.

I was unable to sleep that night. "Am I ill?" I touched my forehead. I was perfectly alright, physically at least. "Am I losing my mind? I asked myself. I had no answer. I was clueless to the multitude of questions that propped in my head. It was the first time, I was craving for someone's presence so much. Instead of embracing those feelings, I was trying to eliminate them as if I was infected by a dangerous virus. My heart was already in love with her, only my mind did not realise that.

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