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2nd April, 2019
"How's it going?" Asks Mahi Bhai as I remove my knee pads.
I hesitate for a few seconds before answering "It's going well, Bhai. I followed your instruction of defending whe-"
"Ruturaj, you know I'm not talking about cricket."
I study his face. He studies mine. I let my facade fall.
"It's not that I miss her every second but when I do, it's intense. Most of the time, our schedules clash with each other so we are not able to talk much on calls or see each other. I am trying my best but so far it has been much more difficult than I had anticipated."
I take a breath. He nods in understanding.
"I miss her, Mahi Bhai. A week apart has felt too long. I never thought I would say this but I can't wait to get back to Chennai. Chennai feels like home..."
When I bring my gaze to him, I see him hiding a smile. Heat rises in my cheeks as I realise that I've been unusually elaborate about my feelings today.
He puts his hands on my shoulders as his expression turns a shade serious telling me that he understands it all too well.
"How did you deal with the distance?" I ask hoping for a Mahi Bhai special strategy that could lessen my agony.
He smiles a little, "All my strategies failed in front of the maddening hold of distance. Believe me Ruturaj, there's no one way or one method that is certain to help you. But it gets better with time. Going away for you, and sending you off for Kriti, both will get less painful eventually."
I nod. He releases me from his hold.
"Excited for tomorrow's match?" He asks, knowing the significance of an MI Vs CSK match for me.
"I am."
He surprises me by grinning sheepishly. I blink. MS Dhoni doesn't grin like that out of the blue.
I shake my head. Old habit of reading too much into someone's actions.
******
"Nikkkaaaaarrrr ki bacchhhiiiiii." I watch as Nandish and Nikhar break into a run to reach the hotel room first and claim the bed of their choice.
I, Billo and Meghna, Nikhar's cousin, look at each other. Billo breaks into a run after her Mumma. We laugh.
"Nandu yaar, I'm 25, twenty five, do you get it! Stop ruining my beautiful name by calling me... underwear!!!" I faintly hear Nikhar's protest as they disappear into the lobby.
"So, first time in the city of dreams, huh? How are you feeling, Kritika?"
"Yes Akka. Please call me Kriti and I'm feeling lovely. The city's quite energetic. Looking forward to our time here."
