(Week 2)
This was it-the final basketball match. Years of sweat and sacrifice had led me here, and I wasn't about to let this moment slip away. Not even for my own brother's engagement.
The day my family went to see my soon-to-be sister-in-law, I was fighting my way through the semi-finals. I couldn't be there, but I made sure to call him. He had Nihal-his best friend, our second brother-by his side, so I knew he'd handle everything just fine. Nihal, the calm and responsible one, was the same age as my brother. There was a two-year gap between us, but thanks to those two, I'd made it this far.
They had my back when my father didn't. While my father wanted me to follow my brother's path into the business, but I had other plans. It wasn't that I rejected the family business-I just wanted to chase my dream first. That dream took me to London after graduation, into relentless training, roster cuts, fierce competition... and escape.
Escape from her.
It wasn't unrequited love. I knew she had felt something too. But just when I had gathered the courage to confess, everything fell apart. Now, I don't know if I still like her or if I just hate her.
Maybe both.
After the girl-seeing ceremony, my brother, Arnav called, telling me everything about Aadya. The name felt vaguely familiar, but I didn't think much of it. I hadn't even seen her picture yet. I figured I'd wait-meet her in person at the wedding. My brother Arnav believed in love after marriage, in fate, in things falling into place. Maybe Aadya was just like him. Maybe they were perfect for each other.
After the semi-finals, my team and I celebrated at a bar-drinks, laughter, the taste of victory in the air. Like always, some girl made her way over to me, all coy smiles and flirty touches. They always did. They saw the fame, the success, the athlete.
But I wasn't interested. Never have been.
Kamil, my so-called best friend, sauntered over with a smirk. "Still hung up on her, huh?" He waggled his eyebrows at me.
I shot him a death glare.
"Oh, don't kill me with that look, man," he teased. "At least not before admitting the truth."
"I'm over her," I said flatly.
"Sure you are." He folded his arms. "Then why aren't you even entertaining these girls?"
"Because I'm not interested."
"Oh yeah, totally not interested." He exaggerated air quotes.
I clenched my fist, ready to wipe that smirk off his face, but my phone rang, saving him from getting punched. Rolling my eyes, I walked away to answer-it was Arnav.
"You free now?" he asked.
"Yeah, why? Need some flirty lines to use on your fiancée?" I teased.
"Oh, look who's talking! The guy who's never had a girlfriend is suddenly a romance expert?"
I groaned. "Fine, fine. What do you want?"
"Tomorrow, we're picking out the engagement rings. Be available when I call-I want your opinion."
"Yeah, sure," I said, then smirked. "By the way, we made it to the finals."
"Hey, bro, congrats!" Nihal's voice cut in from the other end.
I frowned. "Why the hell are you at our house?"
"Uh, excuse you, it's my house too," Nihal shot back.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I muttered, chuckling. Honestly, my parents might as well adopt him at this point.
Then, out of nowhere, he blurted, "Vihaan, I found mine."
I blinked. "Found what?"
"My girl."
"WHAT?!" Arnav and I yelled in unison.
"Wait, even you don't know about this?" I asked Arnav.
"Nope. First I'm hearing of it."
I turned back to Nihal. "When? Where? How? And who the hell is she?"
"You'll find out at the wedding," he said smugly.
"You-!" I clenched my jaw. "You better not keep me in the dark, you bastard!"
"Bye, Vih," he said lazily before the line went dead.
I stared at my phone. "That motherfu-" I muttered under my breath.
Shaking my head, I headed back to the party, where Kamil was busy flirting with a group of girls, flashing them his signature cocky grin.
Typical.
After a while, we all made our way to our rooms. I should've been exhausted after the long day, but my mind wouldn't settle.
For some reason, I wanted to see her.
I didn't even know what she was doing these days. After that night, I had completely cut myself off from knowing anything about her. No updates, no accidental glimpses, nothing.
And yet, tonight, the urge crept back in.
No. Don't go there again. I shut my eyes tight, forcing the thought away.
With a deep breath, I willed myself to let it go. Eventually, sleep won.
-
The next morning, my phone buzzed with an incoming call from Arnav. I groaned, blindly reaching for it.
"What, bro? It's still early," I mumbled, voice thick with sleep.
"EARLY? It's fucking noon! GET UP, you lazy shit!" he yelled.
My eyes shot open. Noon? Shit. Did I really oversleep? Yeah. Damn it.
"I'll call you back in five minutes," I said quickly, hanging up before he could yell at me again.
After freshening up, I called him back-this time on video since he wanted my opinion on the engagement ring.
"Did you pick a ring yet?" I asked, towel-drying my hair.
He was mid-conversation with someone. A soft voice responded, "It's okay, go ahead."
My hands froze. That voice.
The same voice I hadn't heard in four years.
"Arnav, who was that?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Oh, just one of Aadya's friends," he replied easily.
No way. It wasn't just any friend. I knew that voice.
My chest tightened. A sharp, sudden pull gripped me-one I hadn't felt in years.
Something I'd buried deep that night, four years ago, clawed its way back to the surface. I forced myself to breathe, to blink, to act like I hadn't just heard the ghost of a memory.
Shaking off the thought, I refocused. "So, show me your pick."
He held up a sleek yet elegant ring. I gave my approval, and with that, the call ended.
Wearing a black muscle-fit tee and gray joggers, I tossed my phone aside. The veins on my forearms stood out as I clenched my fists, jaw tight.
Still unsettled, I grabbed my gym bag and headed out.
Time to clear my head.
🥀
"He chased dreams to erase her, only to realise she was still the one thing he couldn't outrun"
Author's Note:
And just like that, Vihaan's life was once again heading straight into chaos. Stay tuned for more drama, questionable decisions, and an unhealthy amount of denial. 🤭😂
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Things are starting to get intense, aren't they? 👀 Stay tuned for more drama, romance, and revelations! Let me know your thoughts-I'd love to hear them. 💙
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