The Googly of Fate||ICT IMAGINE||

Lost in the London Labyrinth

For-   Chandnaa77

*****

The disappointment of the IPL season clung to Shubman like London fog. He trudged down the cobblestone street, head hung low until a flash of sunshine – a familiar face – broke through the gloom. It was Chandhana, his childhood schoolmate, a vision of warmth amidst the grey.

"Chandhana?" Shubman's voice held a surprised lilt.

Chandhana stopped, her brow furrowing slightly in concentration. Then, a smile erupted on her face, as bright as a double century on the scoreboard. "Shubi! Is that really you?"

Relief washed over Shubman. A friendly conversation was exactly what he needed. He closed the distance between them, a hesitant smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, it's me. Long time no see!"

"Too long," Chandhana agreed, her eyes twinkling. "What are you doing all the way here in London?"

Shubman sighed, the disappointment flickering in his eyes again. "Taking a break," he muttered, scuffing the toe of his shoe against the pavement.

Chandhana's smile faltered for a moment, then understanding dawned. "IPL blues?" she asked gently.

Shubman grimaced. "Something like that." He wasn't about to share every detail of his self-doubt with a childhood friend, but the sympathy in her eyes warmed him nonetheless.

"Well, a break sounds like a good idea," Chandhana said brightly. "Though, I must say, it's a bit strange seeing a cricket superstar strolling down the streets of London like a regular bloke."

Shubman chuckled, a genuine sound that surprised even him. "Just Shubman today, thanks."

They fell into conversation easily, reminiscing about school days, stolen glances across the classroom, and whispered secrets. Chandhana, ever the studious one, was now a doctor, her eyes shining with the quiet satisfaction of a healer. Shubman, on the other hand, spoke about the highs and lows of cricket, the roar of the crowd, the pressure to perform.

"I actually saw your last match," Chandhana admitted, a hint of pink dusting her cheeks. "You were brilliant with that six over long-on."

Shubman's eyebrows shot up. He hadn't expected that. "Really? You watch cricket?"

Chandhana laughed. "Not religiously, but I do enjoy a good match sometimes, especially when a certain childhood friend is playing."

Their eyes met, and a comfortable silence settled between them. It was then that Shubman, emboldened by a strange sense of ease, blurted out, "So, uh, Chandhana, how about we explore London together? You seem to know the city better than I do."

Chandhana hesitated for a moment, then a playful smile curved her lips. "Shubman, with those puppy-dog eyes and that killer dimple combo, how can I say no?"

*****

Towering over them, Buckingham Palace stood as a testament to history. Chandhana, bundled in a woolen scarf against the crisp London air, regaled Shubman with tales of her university days.

"Honestly, I was such a fresher back then," Chandhana chuckled, her breath misting in the cool air. "Couldn't tell the difference between a tube and a bus, nearly got lost in the British Museum for hours."

Shubman, captivated by her animated stories, couldn't help but compare her tales to his own experiences. He longed to share anecdotes from his world, the camaraderie in the locker room, the thrill of a winning shot.

"You wouldn't believe the pranks Abhishek pulls on Ishan," Shubman chuckled, his voice warm with nostalgia. "And Rohit Bhaiya's captaincy lessons are legendary."