The Strings Of Heart

6

Sitara POV

"Tell me one reason why I'm here." I groaned as I removed my head cap.

"Your sweating so much," Tanaz said.

"Have long hair like me and you will know why I'm sweating so much." Gaurav laughed before cheering for the Indian team.

There were nine boys and one girl from our school to watch the match (India Vs Australia). I'm least interested to be here but Kabir... That i***t chose me and Fr. Francis was hell-bent on sending me here.

I don't understand why he was so stubborn sending me here against my will. At least Gaurav is here to keep me company.

"What do you think about it?" I turned my head to see Rajan or Rahul I don't know his name properly asking me about the match. He turned his head looking at me before looking back at the ground. I stay quiet not at all interested in replying.

"Why are you asking her? I don't think she knows about cricket." Tanaz joked and others joined him. idiots...

I maybe disliked coming here that doesn't mean I dislike the game or I don't have knowledge about the game.

"India won the toss, they thoughtfully chose to field first. I think that's a good thing as you will be able to have an idea of how many runs to make to win the match." I started explaining with a lazy expression on my face.

"Bumrah is doing the excellent bowling, it's not easy picking up four wickets in three overs. The last match India scored 358 and looking at Australia's score they will make it till 190 or so. I believe our team can cross the mark." My gaze is on the field watching the players.

"Wow!" I heard them but didn't care to see their reactions. Dumbidiots...

Surprisingly the stadium is filled with people. I didn't think people would come to watch a test match but I was wrong. As it is Saturday, the cricket fans are here. Indians love cricket, they are die-hard fans. One of them is my mum. She loves cricket which is why I know the sport very well.

"Beauty with brains," Gaurav said handing me a cold drink. I shook my taking the cold drink from him.

"When we will be returning?" I asked him.

"Tonight after the meet and greet. We will be staying back for dinner then leave by nine I guess."

It was a seven-hour journey from our school to the stadium. We reached early in the morning and got ready in a hotel. Mrs Gupta and Manav sir are our guardians here.

I slept all my way here and will be doing the same while returning. I turn my head to see Manav sir taking pictures of Mrs Gupta who is posing leaning against the railing.

"Didn't know that Mrs Gupta is a photoholic," Gaurav mutters.

"True, she has been clicking photos of each and everything non-stop. Poor Manav sir, he is her designed photographer," Tanaz spoke, stepping closer to Gaurav. I put my cap back leaning against my seat.

•

"Kabir was really good and cool. He scored a century!" Gaurav said excitedly as I munched on my sandwich. 

Indeed he was good, he didn't waste a ball and I observed he has good correspondence with his teammates which is important. I'm not gonna voice out my thoughts though...

"Okay everyone, form a line to meet your favourite players. Don't make a joke of yourself." Manav sir said gesturing all of us to stand in a proper line. Before joining the line I threw the sandwich wrapper in the dustbin and grabbed a Fanta off the table.

"I'm excited to meet Ms Dhoni, Sachin, Bumrah..!" Gaurav exclaimed holding on to my hand. I brought a camera so that I can store this happy memory of Gaurav meeting his idol.

"Don't worry yarro(mate), I got my camera to capture your fan moment," I told him.

As we walked into the room, there were few VIP fans taking autographs from everyone. I ain't sure about talking to anyone.

As everyone rushed to their idols I stood there in the middle like a sour thumb. My eyes searched for any person and I found the one. A smile formed on my face when I saw him standing near the meet and greet holding with a bored expression as no one went over to him to talk with him.

I walked towards the Shreyas guy, he is the newbie of the Indian cricket team and not many know about him.

"Hey, congratulations," I said outstretching my arm for a shake surprising both of us.

"Thank you." He shook my hand with a happy smile. Then it became quiet for a few seconds before I asked.

"You will be playing for test matches and IPL?" I asked him.

"I'm playing for ODI's and twenty20 international. For now, will be playing in Delhi capitals in IPL," he spoke gently with a pleasant smile.

"That's surprisingly impressive!" I say because I didn't know about this. I mean he just started playing and made his way to the big matches. That's really impressive.

"Let's take a picture, I want to bark about it in the future showing it to my cousins," I say calling Gaurav. He laughed nodding my head.

"You are something huh." I posed for the pictures.

"Obviously, in four to five matches depending on your performance, people will start hyping you. You know how crazy Indian's are for cricket and cricketers. You will become famous, I'm more than happy to be clicking a picture with you." I tell which made him laugh again.

"But you don't like to congratulate or click a picture with an already famous one." We turned to see Kabir walking towards us.

"To me they are outdated," I say smugly before turning to Shreyas.

"It was nice meeting you."

"Hope to meet you in future." He said hugging me briefly. Gaurav pulled me towards Dhoni. So that I can click his pictures.

"I'm nervous and excited," Gaurav said holding my hand in a tight grip as we walk towards Dhoni.

"It will pass, just don't say something stupid."

"Kick my leg or pinch if I start saying something stupid."

"Sure."

We met the cricketers, spoke with them. Mostly it was Gaurav who spoke and I stood there listening to them. I clicked his pictures, he clicked mine. Then someone clicked our pictures together with all the cricketers. Even with Kabir, I took two snaps as I don't want to be too cold towards him.

Manav sir is beaming with happiness as he spoke with all the cricketers and their mentors. Mrs Gupta didn't know much about them but she took pictures with everyone so that she can show her husband and in-laws.

"My father-in-law is a huge fan of cricket. I don't know who is his favourite but it would be great watching his expressions if he saw these photos." Mrs Gupta said as we all went to the restaurant where our dinner arrangements are done.

"Who is your favourite Mrs Gupta?" Some guy asked her.

"Kabir... Our Kabir." She replied.

"She knows only him because he is a graduate of Hebron," I muttered under my breath.

"Kabir looks interested in you," Gaurav whispered so that no one can hear our words.

"Intrest my foot." I'm grumpy because I didn't eat my food properly.

"Haha..." Mrs Gupta kept on talking about Kabir and how happy she is to come here while I kept following them. If I know the location of the restaurant I would've left.

"Mam, how long is it going to take to reach the restaurant?" Gaurav asked.

"Two minutes," Manav sir replied.

"Sir is Kabir going to join us for dinner?" Rahul guy asked.

"Not sure, he will be having dinner with his team but he may join us later." I looked around the people in the hotel who are wearing the team India jersey.

"Seeing everyone I think we won't be leaving soon," Gaurav said. I nod my agreeing, the boys and even Manav sir seemed to enjoy the environment so it is obvious that we are going to stay here and start our journey back in the mid-night.

"This way," Manav sir said as we enter the five-star hotel. The boys awe entering the hotel. rs Gupta starts clicking the pictures as we follow Manav sir who decided to lead the way.

"This hotel is damn man," Gaurav said.

"Gaurav, click a picture of us walking," Rahul asked. I hand the camera to Gaurav and walk slowly to match their walking.

"It is a buffet system, don't make a fool out of yourself. Grab your plates, in a line go and fill your plates," Manav sir said as we entered the hall.

We nod our heads and go grab the food. I look at the menu grabbing a plate. I go to where they have pizza and pasta. I had Indian cuisine in the lunch, I will go for Mexican or Italian for dinner.

"They have your green apple tea," Gaurav said.

"Where?"

"To the left."