The aroma of Chitra's cooking filled the air, a comforting counterpoint to the nervous tension that had lingered since Vidhur's arrival. They sat around the table, each picking at their food, making polite conversation about anything but the elephant in the room. Vidhur, stealing glances at his father, could almost see the unspoken apology hanging in the air.Finally, mustering his courage, Vidhur spoke. "Dad," he began, his voice tentative, "will you come watch my cricket match?"His father met his gaze, a flicker of emotion crossing his face. "No, Vidhur, not this time," he said gently. "But the day you play for the national team, I'll be there in the front row, cheering you on louder than anyone. That's a promise."A smile, hesitant at first, bloomed on Vidhur's face. Relief washed over him, warm and sweet. His father's words weren't exactly what he'd hoped for, but they held a deeper meaning. It was a vote of confidence, a silent acknowledgment of his dreams. "Yes, sir," Vidhur r
The euphoria of victory slowly subsided as Vidhur found himself surrounded by reporters and well-wishers. He shook hands, signed autographs, and offered polite replies, all the while searching for a specific face in the throng. Finally, he spotted Haneesha's parents and Vineel, their beaming faces reflecting his own joy.He made his way towards them, weaving through the crowd. "Congratulations, Vidhur!" boomed Haneesha's father, clapping him on the back. "You were phenomenal! We're so proud of you!""Thank you, uncle," Vidhur replied, a grin splitting his face. "It means a lot."Haneesha's mother, a warm smile etched on her face, chimed in, "We told Haneesha she wouldn't regret missing this. Now, she'll have to hear about it for years to come!"Vidhur's smile faltered slightly. "Actually, about Haneesha..."He hesitated, suddenly unsure how to continue. Vineel, sensing his predicament, cut in smoothly. "Don't worry about her, Vidhur. She's probably watching the replay at home, kicking
The world seemed to tilt on its axis as Isha pulled away from the kiss. Her heart, a frantic drum solo moments ago, had gone eerily silent, replaced by a numbness that stole her breath. The air, heavy with the aftermath of their stolen moment, carried the faint echo of his cologne, a tantalizing reminder of his presence.Perhaps neither of them truly knew the impact of that kiss. It was a stolen spark, a shared secret amidst the roar of the crowd. But for Isha, it had ignited a firestorm of emotions, leaving her breathless and bewildered.A few minutes stretched into an eternity as she stood there, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. Then, as if on cue, the heavens opened up. The first fat drops of rain spattered against the ground, quickly escalating into a downpour.Vidhur, watching her retreating figure until it disappeared into the crowd, finally let out a shaky breath. A wave of emotions washed over him – relief, exhilaration, and a touch of apprehension. He had taken a chance, and
Vidhur took a moment to share with his parents about his observations regarding Haneesha and Vineel. He spoke of how Haneesha has been a great study partner for him and how Vineel seems to have grown close to him.In response, Vineel's parents extended a personal invitation to lunch for Haneesha's family. Meanwhile, Haneesh's family had already made plans to depart for Shimla the following morning.The next day, as Haneesha and her parents, Keshav and Anuradha, along with Vineel, arrived at Vidhur's home, they were warmly welcomed by Chitra and Rishi, Vidhur's parents.As Chitra and Rishi observed Haneesha, they couldn't help but wonder about their son's insights. Sensing their unspoken questions, Haneesha discreetly signaled them not to inquire further. Acknowledging her silent message, they exchanged glances and decided to respect her privacy, opting to keep their curiosity at bay for the time being.As Vidhur and Vineel engaged in casual conversation, their parents joined in. Chitr
Rishi's hand tightened around Chitra's. "No, Chitra," he said firmly, his voice low. "Let him play. Let him see what life is all about, the tests it throws your way. Let him face difficulties, learn how to navigate them, how to find his own happiness. That's how a man builds himself."Chitra understood his reasoning, but her heart ached for their son. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She wanted nothing more than to sweep him into a comforting embrace, but Rishi's words echoed in her mind.Seeing her silent struggle, Rishi pulled her into a side hug, his warmth a source of strength. "I know it's hard," he whispered, "but I think we should leave soon. Otherwise, I might change my mind."Haneesha, sensing their turmoil, offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Aunty," she said gently. "I'll call you, write letters, keep you updated on Vidhur's progress."Chitra managed a weak smile, her heart heavy but a flicker of hope rekindled. She leaned down and softly pecked Hanee
The library erupted as Haneesha's yell shattered the studious silence. Everyone's eyes turned to Vidhur, who shrank under the sudden spotlight."Stop it!" he hissed, his voice tight with frustration.Haneesha, fueled by a mix of pain and indignation, only yelled louder. The librarian, a stern woman with a booming voice, bellowed for silence, sending shivers down everyone's spine.Vidhur, feeling the weight of a hundred judgmental stares, bolted towards the exit. His escape attempt was thwarted, however, when he clumsily knocked over Haneesha's bag."Aha! Aha!" Haneesha shrieked, clutching her injured hand. "My bag! My books and my hand, aaaaah!"The librarian's voice once again echoed through the hall: "Silence!"Vidhur, trapped, reached for Haneesha's hand, dragging her outside before she could unleash another earsplitting scream."Okay, okay, stop it, yaar," he pleaded, desperation coloring his voice. "I'm so sorry."Haneesha, still fuming, turned her back on him. "Stupid! Idiot!" s
Dear Vidhur,I'm a huge fan, especially of your left-handed batting! It's like you have a hidden power, a potential that burns bright inside you. Only you can truly grasp your dreams, their beginnings and ends. Even if you share them with others who nod and say, "Sure, maybe that'll happen," that shouldn't matter. Your dreams are yours, not theirs. Don't let their opinions or judgments hold you back.Instead, focus on their support, even if it comes from a place of love. This dream, this vision you hold, isn't for them to understand completely. You hold the compass, you know the destination, you know your own limitless potential. There's no need to explain or prove anything to anyone else.This journey is entirely yours. You need the space within you to be free, open to new possibilities. Make sure nothing clouds that space, make sure the dream remains pure and wholly yours.I can't wait to see you become the incredible cricketer I know you can be. Honestly, I've never felt this way a
As the hustle and bustle of the goodbyes subsided, Haneesha found herself standing alone in the corridor outside Vidhur's house. The rain, a relentless companion throughout the day, had finally begun to ease, leaving behind a cool, refreshing breeze.She closed her eyes, the memory of the day replaying in her mind – the stolen kiss, the unspoken emotions, the lingering touch. A blush crept up her cheeks as she imagined Vidhur's arms wrapped around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder, a gesture of intimacy that sent a thrill through her.Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her, and she whirled around, her heart pounding in her chest. But the corridor was empty. Disappointment washed over her as she realized it was just a figment of her imagination.Vidhur, standing a few feet away, watched the scene unfold with a raised eyebrow. Her sudden twirl, the blush on her cheeks, the fleeting look of disappointment – it all painted a picture of a heart yearning for a connection.He gav