Emperor Of Cricket

May 9, 2019

Two days had passed since RCB's dominant win over Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1, securing their place in the IPL Final. With the big match still three days away, May 9 was a scheduled rest day for the players—no training, no team meetings, just a chance to relax.

At exactly 8 AM, Advay Rai picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number.

The call barely rang twice before Ananya answered.

"You're calling early," she said, her voice still slightly groggy from sleep.

Advay smirked, leaning back against his pillow. "And you picked up instantly. Were you waiting for my call?"

Ananya scoffed. "You wish. Why are you calling this early?"

"It's my rest day," Advay said casually. "Figured I'd see if you wanted to go out somewhere."

There was a pause. "You're asking me out at 8 in the morning?"

"I like to plan ahead," he replied smoothly. "So, what do you say?"

Ananya hummed, pretending to consider it. "Hmm… fine. Where are we going?"

"I'll tell you when we get there," he said. "Be ready by 10. I'll pick you up."

"So mysterious," she teased. "Alright, 10 it is."

Advay hung up, stretched his arms, and got out of bed. He took his time getting ready, eventually settling on a dark green cashmere full-hand T-shirt, paired with a well-fitted denim. It was effortlessly stylish yet relaxed, perfect for the day.

He checked himself once in the mirror before grabbing his keys and heading down to the hotel's private parking. His red Porsche 911 Turbo S gleamed under the morning sun, the sleek lines of the car reflecting his personality—fast, controlled, and undeniably powerful.

Sliding into the driver's seat, he started the engine, the deep hum of the Porsche filling the quiet space. With a slight smirk, he pulled out of the parking lot.

10 AM. Time to pick up Ananya.

Advay pulled up in front of Ananya's house at exactly 10 AM, the low growl of his red Porsche 911 Turbo S cutting through the quiet morning air. He leaned back slightly, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as he waited.

A minute later, the front door swung open, and Ananya stepped out.

She was wearing a long-sleeve floral dark green maxi, the soft fabric flowing around her as she walked down the driveway. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, a few loose strands framing her face.

For a brief second, Advay simply observed her.

The color matched his shirt. Again.

A smirk tugged at his lips as he rolled down the window. "We really need to stop doing this, Pandey."

Ananya raised an eyebrow, amused. "Doing what?"

"Matching outfits." He gestured toward her dress, then at his own dark green cashmere T-shirt. "People are going to think we plan this."

She let out a small laugh as she opened the car door. "Maybe the universe is trying to tell you something, Rai."

"Or maybe you just need to stop stealing my color palette," he shot back smoothly.

She rolled her eyes but smiled, sliding into the passenger seat. As she adjusted her seatbelt, she glanced at him. "So, where are we going?"

Advay shifted the gear, pulling the car onto the road. "You'll see."

Ananya huffed but didn't push further. Instead, she leaned back in her seat, the soft scent of her perfume filling the car as they drove off into the Bengaluru streets.

As the Porsche 911 Turbo S roared down the streets, Ananya glanced at Advay, the wind from the slightly open window making a few loose strands of her hair dance against her cheek. "You're really not going to tell me where we're going?"

Advay smirked, shifting gears effortlessly. "Nope."

She huffed, shaking her head. "You love doing this, don't you?"

"What? Keeping you guessing?" He shot her a sideways glance before turning back to the road. "Absolutely."

Ananya rolled her eyes. "You're impossible, Advay."

His smirk didn't fade. "And yet, here you are, willingly sitting in my car."

She crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed. "I didn't have much of a choice, did I?"

"Of course, you did," he countered smoothly. "You could've said no when I called you this morning."

She paused for a second before muttering, "Whatever."

Advay chuckled, then casually added, "By the way, we really need to stop matching outfits."

Ananya looked down at her dark green floral maxi, then back at his dark green cashmere T-shirt, realizing just how coordinated they looked. She sighed. "Yeah, this is getting weird."

"I said that earlier, but you ignored me," Advay pointed out.

She turned to him, tilting her head. "Maybe it's just meant to be."

Advay raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "Careful, Ananya. Someone might think you're flirting with me."

She scoffed but didn't deny it. Instead, she leaned back in her seat, watching him with an unreadable expression.

After a few seconds, she tapped her fingers against the car door. "So, is this Porsche all looks, or does it actually have some speed?"

Advay chuckled, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. "You're questioning my car now?"

She smirked. "I'm just saying… I expected more. Feels kind of slow."

Advay glanced at her, then back at the open road ahead. "Hold on tight, Ananya."

And with that, he pressed down on the accelerator, the Porsche roaring to life as they sped toward their destination.

As they walked toward the entrance, Advay reached into his pocket and pulled out two black masks. He handed one to Ananya without a word.

She took it, raising an eyebrow. "Going undercover, are we?"

"Unless you want people stopping us for pictures every two minutes," he replied, adjusting his own mask over his face.

She nodded, slipping hers on. "Fair point. Let's blend in then, Mr. Celebrity."

They stepped inside, the cool air of the aquarium greeting them as they entered the dimly lit, blue-hued corridors. The first section was filled with large glass tanks, showcasing vibrant schools of fish swimming effortlessly through the water.

Ananya leaned slightly toward one of the tanks, watching as a clownfish darted between coral. "Finding Nemo in real life," she murmured.

Advay smirked beside her. "And here I thought you'd be the kind of person to get bored in an aquarium."

She shot him a look. "Excuse me, I have depth. I can enjoy things beyond shopping and movies, you know."

"Good to know," he teased.

They continued moving through the different sections—stopping occasionally when something caught Ananya's attention. At one point, they stood before a massive glass tunnel, where sharks and stingrays swam overhead.

Ananya tilted her head back, watching as a large hammerhead shark glided smoothly above them. "Wow… this is actually kind of amazing."

Advay, standing beside her with his hands in his pockets, nodded. "Told you."

She rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright. You were right. Happy now?"

"Very," he said smugly.

After spending nearly an hour touring half the aquarium, they finally stopped when Ananya's stomach let out a quiet but very noticeable growl.

Advay smirked. "Was that you, or did one of the fish make that noise?"

Ananya gave him a flat look. "Shut up."

He chuckled, nodding toward a sign. "Come on, let's grab something to eat."

They walked over to the aquarium's cafeteria, a cozy spot with large windows overlooking an artificial pond filled with koi fish. After ordering their food, they found a table near the window, the afternoon sun filtering through softly.

Ananya took off her mask and sighed. "Finally, some food. I was starting to think you'd make me walk around the whole place before letting me eat."

Advay leaned back in his chair, smirking. "That was the original plan. But I figured you'd get too grumpy."

She narrowed her eyes. "You're pushing it, Rai."

"Am I?" he asked, completely unfazed.

Ananya sighed but smiled as their food arrived. "Let's just eat before I change my mind about spending the day with you."

Advay chuckled as he picked up his fork. "Too late for that, Ananya."

After finishing their lunch, they spent the next few hours exploring the rest of the aquarium. They walked through sections filled with jellyfish that glowed under blue lights, stared at giant sea turtles drifting lazily in their tanks, and even stopped by a touch pool, where Ananya hesitated before finally reaching in to touch a starfish.

By the time they finally stepped out of the aquarium, it was 6 PM, the evening sky painted in shades of orange and pink. The warm breeze ruffled Ananya's ponytail as she stretched her arms above her head.

"Okay, I'll admit," she said, turning to Advay. "That was way more fun than I expected."

Advay smirked, unlocking his car. "So you've said about five times today. You don't need to keep surprising yourself, Ananya."

She rolled her eyes, getting into the passenger seat as he slid into the driver's seat. As he started the car, she leaned back, looking thoughtful.

"You know, I think I like stingrays the most," she said suddenly.

Advay raised an eyebrow as he pulled out of the parking lot. "Stingrays? Not the sharks?"

She shook her head. "Sharks are cool, but stingrays are so... chill. They just float around, minding their own business. Plus, they look like they're always smiling."

Advay chuckled. "I was sure you'd pick something more dramatic. Like jellyfish."

Ananya made a face. "Jellyfish are weird. They don't even have a brain."

"So basically like some people we know."

She snorted. "Exactly."

A comfortable silence settled between them for a few seconds before Ananya glanced at him. "Okay, what about you? Which one was your favorite?"

Advay thought for a second before answering. "Sharks."

Ananya smirked. "Of course. Always going for the aggressive, dominant one."

He shot her a sideways glance. "They're not just aggressive. They're calculated. They don't waste energy on things that don't matter."

She tilted her head, considering that. "Hmm. So what you're saying is, sharks remind you of yourself?"

Advay smirked. "Maybe a little."

Ananya laughed, shaking her head. "Figures."

The conversation flowed easily as the city lights began to flicker on. The day had been unexpected, but somehow, it had felt effortless—just like every moment between them.

After the aquarium visit, Advay glanced at Ananya as they drove through the city, the evening lights casting a soft glow through the car's windshield.

"Hungry?" he asked casually, one hand on the steering wheel.

Ananya turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Again? We literally ate a few hours ago."

Advay smirked. "That was lunch. This is dinner. There's a difference."

She pretended to think for a moment before shrugging. "Alright, fine. But this time, I get to pick the dessert."

"Deal."

He drove them to an elegant but cozy restaurant, a place with dim lighting, soft instrumental music, and a warm ambiance. It wasn't overly fancy, just the right amount of classy without being overwhelming.

They spent the next couple of hours enjoying their meal, the conversation as effortless as it had been all day. From teasing each other about their weirdest childhood habits to debating whether stingrays actually smiled or not, the time flew by faster than either of them realized.

By the time they were back on the road, the clock had struck 10 PM.

The city had quieted down, the once-busy streets now mostly empty except for the occasional passing car. The hum of the Porsche's engine was the only sound breaking the silence as they approached Ananya's house.

Advay pulled up near the entrance, cutting the engine. Neither of them spoke immediately.

Ananya unbuckled her seatbelt but didn't move to get out just yet. Instead, she turned slightly toward him, her features softened by the dim glow of the streetlights.

"Today was nice," she said, her voice quieter than usual.

Advay leaned back against his seat, tilting his head slightly as he looked at her. "Told you you'd like it."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. You win this time, Rai."

For a moment, there was only silence. Not the awkward kind—just a quiet, unspoken understanding between them. The air felt different, heavier in a way that neither of them addressed.

s Ananya placed her hand on the car door handle, Advay spoke again, his voice quieter this time.

"Can I ask you something?"

She paused, turning back to face him. "Yeah?"

For the first time that night, Advay hesitated.

His fingers twitched slightly at his side, his usual sharp confidence wavering for just a second. He wasn't nervous—not in the way most people would be—but for once, he wasn't sure how to say what he was thinking.

Ananya, noticing the rare flicker of uncertainty in his expression, took a small step closer. "What is it?"

Advay exhaled lightly, running a hand through his hair before finally meeting her eyes. "I don't know how to say this without sounding like an idiot, so I'm just going to say it."

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That's usually how the best things are said."

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but it faded just as quickly. His green eyes locked onto hers, steady, serious.

"I don't know what this is between us." His voice was calm, but there was something raw beneath it. "But every time I'm with you, it just… feels right. It's not forced, it's not complicated—it's just easy. And I don't want to pretend like I don't feel that."

Ananya's teasing expression faltered. Her fingers curled slightly around the edge of her sleeve as she listened, her usual playful demeanor replaced by something softer.

Advay continued, his tone quieter now. "I don't do things just for the sake of it. Whether it's cricket, business, or life—I don't waste my time on something unless it means something to me. And you… you mean something to me, Ananya."

She swallowed, caught off guard by his honesty.

His lips twitched into a faint smirk as he added, "So, I guess what I'm asking is… would you be my girlfriend?"

For the first time all evening, Ananya didn't have a witty comeback.

She just stood there, looking at him, the city lights reflecting in her dark brown eyes. The air between them felt different now—heavier, charged with something unspoken yet undeniably real.

For a moment, there was silence.

Ananya just stared at him, her dark brown eyes searching his face as if making sure he was serious. Then, to Advay's surprise, a slow smile tugged at her lips—soft, knowing, and just a little exasperated.

She shook her head, letting out a small laugh, before finally saying, "I've been waiting for you to ask since our first date, you idiot."

Advay blinked. "What?"

Before he could react, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm, effortless hug.

For the first time that night, Advay froze. He wasn't the kind of guy who got caught off guard often, but right now, with Ananya pressed against him, her arms around his back, her head resting lightly against his shoulder, he felt something shift inside him.

Slowly, he exhaled, his hands moving up to wrap around her waist as he pulled her in.

The street was quiet, the city around them fading into the background. It was just the two of them, standing there in the soft glow of the streetlights, holding onto something that neither of them had planned for—but somehow, it felt inevitable.

"Took you long enough," she murmured against his shoulder.

Advay smirked slightly, his fingers resting lightly against her back. "I like to take my time."

Ananya huffed but didn't pull away. "Yeah, well… next time, don't."

He chuckled, his grip tightening slightly. "Noted."

As Ananya finally pulled away from the hug, she looked up at Advay, her smile lingering. "Well, I should go before my mom starts thinking I've run away or something."

Advay smirked, his hands slipping back into his pockets. "Yeah, wouldn't want that. Explaining to Chunky Pandey why his daughter disappeared would be a little difficult."

Ananya rolled her eyes but took a step back toward the gate. Just as she reached for the handle, she hesitated. Then, before Advay could react, she leaned in and pressed a quick, soft peck on his cheek.

It lasted barely a second.

By the time Advay registered what had happened, she was already turning away, pushing the gate open.

"Goodnight, Advay," she called over her shoulder, her voice laced with amusement.

And before he could say a word, she disappeared inside, leaving him standing there, stunned for the first time that night.

Advay blinked. Once. Twice.

Then, a slow smirk curved on his lips as he ran a hand over his jaw, shaking his head.

"This girl…" he muttered to himself, before turning around and walking back to his car, the faintest hint of warmth still lingering on his cheek.