My brother's best friend

Chapter 14

The very first match of the cricket tournament was scheduled for tomorrow and the VJN was very excited. The cricket stadium, which was usually quiet and deserted, was now filled with spectators who felt that they need to cheer their team, not that it was helping very much.

Everyday, the cricket team reached the ground at 5 am and practised late, with no particular regard to the lectures or their attendance. Karthik and his gang took it upon themselves to mock the cricket team and reduce their confidence as much as they can. On the other hand, Sunaina and her group suddenly developed a fad for cricket, and we can say that, due to the abnormal amount of time she spent in the ground, and tried to spend with Sameer. Mohit Rana and his own group of toppers were busy mocking Sameer and the college's fascination with cricket, which they considered as a dimwitted game and encouraged chess tournaments instead. Girls too started spending too much time gossiping about the college cricketers and their muscles, with inclination towards the captain.

As for the families, Nanu had instructed Ramdhari to include good amount of nutritional food like fruits, vegetables and juices in Sameer's diet. Munna and Pandit were also getting the nutrition in his diet, since they practically lived at Sameer's house. In the Aggrawal household, Rakesh was busy boasting about his son's position as the vice captain of the cricket team of the second best college of Ahemdabad while Taiji and Tauji were busy in countering his boasting with large amount of taunts about his income and their generosity to him and his children. Chachaji and Chachiji were genuinely happy for him and Chachiji took special care of Arjun's daily glasses of milk and intake of fruits, hiding it from the prying eyes of Taiji.

Naina, Preeti and Swati also spent larger amount of time in the cricket ground, in order to cheer their brother and his friends. Most of the time however, Naina and Swati were busy in staring at Sameer and Munna respectively, keeping in mind that they need to hide this fact from them.

It was one day before the big match and the entire gang was in the Red Rose. The three boys were eating Samosas, while Sameer was having a sandwich, as instructed by Naina, who told him to focus on his nutrition. The others didn't listen to her advices, but Sameer did, so he found himself having sandwiches instead of the daily delicious meal. Naina too settled for sandwich today, to give company to Sameer who didn't really like the snack that much. Preeti and Swati were still munching their masala dosa, with no regard to Sameer, Naina or nutrition. It was a relief that Sunaina and Mitali didn't join them for two days, since they felt that they were distancing themselves form their friends. The gang was obviously very happy about it, because they were tired of their tantrums and extreme focus to style and fashion.

Every second, girls were coming to Sameer for wishing him luck, and assuring him that they will come to cheer him tomorrow. Naina was extremely annoyed by all this and glared at those stubborn girls. Inhe zyada hi tension hai Sameer ki. She huffed and concentrated on conversing with Preeti and Swati about what they will wear tomorrow, not at all bothered to eat her meal. Sameer was thanking two girls, when he noticed that Naina wasn't eating her sandwich. He can't blame her, he didn't like it either, but she still had to finish the blasted sandwich. He won't let her starve herself. He finished thanking them and nudged her,

"Kuch aur mangwadu tumhare liye. Mujhe pata hai ki yeh khaane mein accha nahi hai, par khaana toh padega na"

Naina was extremely pleased that he was finally concentrating on her. Waqt mil gaya mahashay ko. She then spoke,
"Nahi mujhe accha laga bas woh dhyaan Kahi aur tha.", she lied.
"Jhooth. Itna bekaar sandwich kisi Ko pasand aa hi nahi Sakta. Accha main ismein ketchup daal deta hoon, phir toh accha lagega na"

Naina's eyes brightened at the mention of ketchup and she nodded immediately. Sameer too smiled and slowly smeared ketchup on her sandwich and watched intently as she enjoyed it's taste. His were focused on her perfect rosy and plump lips. They looked so delicious, so inviting, so kissable...