Author’s POV

After their playful walk to the rooms, Harman and Abhi finally arrived at her room. The moment the door clicked close, Abhi didn’t hesitate to plop onto the bed, as if it were his own personal throne. He grinned to himself, looking very pleased.

Harman rolled her eyes at him, shaking her head, but she was secretly amused by his antics. He had this way of making everything seem casual, making her forget about the mess in her own head.

As she went about packing a few things, Abhi smirked, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

"Yaar, yeh jo tum dono ka love story ban rahi thi na, uske saath yeh Shubman ka awkward tension... Perfect."

Harman turned around quickly, her face flushing slightly.

"Stop it, Abhi! You're embarrassing me!" She grabbed the nearest pillow and hit him across the head, her frustration bubbling up.

Abhi dodged it playfully, laughing, "Aah! Is it because of Shubman, or are you embarrassed that you’re catching feelings? Kya scene hai?"

Harman groaned, looking at him like she wanted to strangle him, but she couldn’t help the small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Just stop it. You're impossible!" she huffed.

Abhi, being the shameless troublemaker he was, mocked her dramatically,

"Arre, I’m just helping you. Agar main nahi hota na, toh tum dono ek dusre se kab tak baat karte? Tum toh apne aap ko hi confuse kar rahi ho. I’m just making sure it happens!"

Harman narrowed her eyes and grabbed another pillow, ready to throw it.

"You’re so annoying!" she said with a fake scowl.

Abhi smirked, leaning back comfortably on the bed.

"You’re blushing, darling. Kabhi apne feelings ko itna clearly express kiya tha?" He teased, watching her cheeks flush even more.

"Tum enjoy karti ho, na? Shubman ke paas aise..."

Harman turned bright red, quickly looking away.

"I’m not enjoying this! And stop making it weird!"

She threw him out of the room with a flustered expression.

"Out! Just go!"

Abhi, chuckling to himself, ran out, but not without his final shot.

"Yeh jo confusion chal rahi hai na, bas pyaar ka first stage hai, darling. Aage bohot fun hai!" he yelled playfully as he left.

-----------

The door shut behind Abhi, and Harman stood there, leaning against it, feeling oddly quiet. Her thoughts raced, but she kept telling herself the same thing.

It’s just a crush. He’s a celebrity. It’ll pass. We’re not a match, not at all. Nothing is happening here.

But somewhere deep inside, her heart knew something different. The way her chest fluttered whenever Shubman smiled at her. The way his presence seemed to take up all the space in her mind. She couldn't lie to herself forever.

She sighed heavily, closing her eyes for a moment.

Stop overthinking, Harman. You're just here for a seminar, a few days. Tomorrow you'll fly back to Delhi and life will go back to normal.

But even as she told herself that, her mind couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe it wouldn’t.

---------------------------

Meanwhile, Shubman sat in his room, staring out at the cityscape from the large window, lost in thought. The day had been strange. Fun, yet frustrating. He couldn’t ignore the way Abhi and Harman interacted — so comfortable, so easy.

It irritated him more than he cared to admit. The way they laughed together, how Abhi could make her smile so effortlessly. And Harman… She wasn’t just any girl, was she?

He stood up and paced around the room, trying to focus on his thoughts.

She’s leaving tomorrow, right? he reminded himself, trying to convince himself it didn’t matter.

But for some reason, his heart thudded at the thought of her walking away. What if this was the last time they saw each other? Would they ever meet again? Would she even think about him?

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the unease.

Shubman, what are you even thinking? She’s not into you. She’s here for the seminar, for Abhi, for the match. You’re just… a player she met once.

But even as he thought that, something felt wrong. The thought of her leaving, of them never meeting again… it didn’t sit right. It felt like something unfinished, an unanswered question.

He sat back down on the bed, his mind still restless, and tried to shake the feeling.

Whatever it is, just don’t think too much. Focus on cricket.

But even as he tried to push it all aside, his thoughts kept wandering back to her. To Harman. To the way she smiled when she looked at him, the way she seemed to light up when they spoke.

Ugh...... I'll go mad

---

Both of them were in denial, each in their own world. One trying to keep the walls up around their feelings, the other still unaware of how much they were already starting to matter to each other.

But destiny had its own plan — one that couldn’t be stopped, no matter how much they tried to fight it.

___________________________________________

Later ,

The dinner was a mix of laughter and subtle tension. Abhi, as usual, made sure to keep the atmosphere light with his teasing, but his attention was divided. He kept watching Shubman and Harman, carefully observing their interactions, reading between the lines. It was clear to him that something was brewing between them — even if they hadn’t fully realized it yet.

As they sat at the dinner table, enjoying their meal, there were moments — fleeting moments where their eyes met, where their hands brushed, and where the conversation dropped into a comfortable silence. It was as if Harman and Shubman were lost in a world of their own. Yet, Abhi was always there, teasing, keeping things light, but underneath it all, he couldn’t ignore the tension simmering between the two.

Then, suddenly, Shubman’s phone rang.

The name on the screen caught Harman’s attention immediately: Sara. The pit in her stomach tightened. She hadn’t heard that name in a while, but she knew who she was — Shubman’s girlfriend or ex may be . Or at least, that’s how it was rumored. The girl who was often in the news with him, the one who everyone thought he might end up with.

Harman’s heart sank a little. She smiled stiffly, but inside, her mind raced with thoughts of them being together, of their past, of how perfect they must’ve been as a couple.

Abhi noticed Harman’s shift in mood immediately. He gave her an assuring glance, a silent message that he knew. He could see the confusion and the hurt in her eyes, but he wasn’t about to let it show. He had to be the best wingman, and right now, that meant keeping her focused on the now, not the what ifs.

Shubman, seeing that his phone was ringing, excused himself and walked to the other side of the room to take the call. Harman watched him leave, but her thoughts were filled with images of him laughing with Sara. Her heart twisted. She tried to shake it off, but she couldn’t stop the feeling that perhaps there was something still there between them.

As Shubman talked on the phone, Harman’s gaze kept shifting between him and Abhi, her emotions at war. Abhi noticed the quiet sadness settling on Harman’s face, the way her shoulders tensed as if she were trying to hide her feelings. He could see that she was hurting, and although she tried to mask it, Abhi knew better.

"Everything okay?" Abhi asked softly, his voice low but full of concern.

Harman looked at him, then quickly averted her eyes.

"Yeah, I’m fine. Just… tired," she said, though her voice lacked its usual energy.

Abhi didn’t buy it for a second, but he let it go for now. He leaned in closer, offering her a small reassuring smile.

"Don’t worry, Harman. It’s just a call. It’ll be fine."

---

Meanwhile,

He stepped aside, walking towards a quiet corner to take the call. As he saw the name on the screen and his face tensed, he didn’t want to get into any conversation with Sara right now, especially not in front of them.

"Why did you call?" he asked, trying to keep his voice neutral, though there was a hint of annoyance in his tone.

Sara’s voice came through, calm and steady, "Papa wants to talk to you." She sounded sincere, and for a moment, he forgot everything around him.

He smiled and nodded, "Alright, I’ll talk to him"

As he spoke with Sachin sir, he managed to keep his smile on the side, talking about the finals and the upcoming game. His mind, however, was elsewhere, flicking over to Harman, wondering if she noticed his conversation with Sara. Did she think there was something still there?

When Shubman finally ended the call and walked back to the table, Abhi’s gaze was sharp, catching the slightest flicker of discomfort in Shubman’s eyes.

--------------------

Abhi watched Shubman return from his phone call. There was something different about him — his smile had faded, and his eyes didn’t quite meet Harman’s. Abhi saw it — the jealousy, the frustration, but also the uncertainty. It was all right there, hidden behind the mask of calm.

As Shubman sat down, Abhi couldn’t help himself. He looked at Shubman with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "Important call, huh?"

Shubman raised an eyebrow, confused by the sudden comment. He muttered, "Yeah, something like that."

Abhi smirked, "Very important, I’m sure."

The tension grew for a moment, but it was quickly diffused when Harman’s phone rang. It was her mother calling, and she quickly picked it up.

"Hello, Mumma," she answered, trying to hide the frustration she felt from the moment ago. "Yeah, we’re fine. We’ll head back tomorrow. No, no, don’t worry. I’m with Abhi."

Abhi, hearing the conversation, took the phone from her hand, his tone playful yet protective.

"Hello aunty, yeah  everything’s fine. Don’t worry. We’ll be back in Delhi tomorrow, safe and sound. Harman’s in good hands, promise." His eyes met Shubman’s, his smile slightly tightening.

"She’s with me. I won’t let anything happen to her."

There was a moment of silence as Shubman processed the unspoken challenge in Abhi’s words. But the tension quickly passed, and Harman’s mom, reassured, hung up.

Abhi handed Harman the phone with a mischievous grin.

"Aunty trusts me more," he teased, and Harman, despite her unease, chuckled.

"Of course, why wouldn’t she?" Abhi continued, leaning in slightly. "Don’t worry. You’re safe with me,darling ." There was a hint of seriousness beneath his playful tone, as if warning Shubman not to get too comfortable.

Shubman, listening to all this, could feel his stomach tighten. The way Abhi was so casually protective of Harman made him question his own position in her life. Maybe he really didn’t belong there, he thought.

The dinner proceeded in a tense but familiar rhythm. Laughter, some teasing, but underneath it all, there was a quiet pull between Harman and Shubman, while Abhi kept pushing them together — and yet, kept them apart.

---

Later, as they headed back to their rooms, Abhi noticed the way Harman seemed a little distant. She was quieter now, her eyes lost in thought. He knew the call had affected her more than she let on.

"Everything alright?" he asked softly, genuinely concerned.

Harman forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

"I’m fine, Abhi. Just tired, that’s all."

But Abhi knew better. He pulled her into a quick hug, comforting her in the only way he knew how. "Forget about it. Tomorrow, we leave for Delhi. Life will be back to normal. Just enjoy the moment, alright?"

Harman sighed, allowing herself to relax in his arms for a moment. She looked up at him, her voice small but grateful, "Thanks, Abhi."

Abhi smiled, teasing, "When this handsome man’s with you, what else do you need huh?"

Harman laughed softly, punching him lightly in the arm.

"Stop it. But thanks."

"Goodnight," he said with a wink, before walking out of her room.

---

On the other side

Shubman sat alone in his room, replaying the evening in his mind. Why had it felt so weird? He thought. The moments with Harman, the way she laughed and looked at Abhi, the way she had almost seemed lost in her thoughts.

She’ll be leaving tomorrow. The thought of it gnawed at him. What if he never saw her again?

He leaned back against the bed, unsure of what he was feeling. The restlessness didn’t fade, and he wondered if things could ever be simple between them.

---

Both Harman and Shubman lay in their respective beds, thoughts tangled, emotions confused. Neither had any idea how much their worlds were about to change.

___________________________________________

The early morning air was crisp as the sun slowly rose over Ahmedabad, casting a warm glow over the city. The hotel lobby was quieter than usual, the stillness almost mirroring the emotions in the room.

Harman stood near the entrance, her bags packed and ready for the journey back to Delhi. She had tried to calm her thoughts, but the tug in her heart wouldn't let her.

Was it just a fleeting moment? she wondered. A simple meeting, a beautiful memory that will fade with time?

She glanced around the lobby, her eyes searching for the one person who had unknowingly made her heart race and her thoughts scatter.

Shubman was already there, standing by the elevator, his own luggage ready to go. He looked different this morning — distant, almost as if he were carrying a weight, but his eyes never left her. Harman tried to smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Abhi walked over, interrupting the heavy silence. "Ready to go?" he asked, his usual playful grin on his face.

"Yeah," Harman nodded, trying to sound enthusiastic, though her heart wasn’t quite in it.

Shubman glanced at her, his gaze lingering a little too long. He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Abhi was already talking. "Don’t worry, Harman. We’ll be back to Delhi soon. It’s not goodbye, just a little pause."

Harman didn’t respond, her eyes flickering away from both of them, her heart pulling in different directions.

She hugged Abhi tightly. "Thanks for everything," she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady.

Abhi, sensing the weight of the moment, smiled softly. "Anytime, baby . I’ll be waiting for that next adventure."

She turned to Shubman, her breath catching in her throat for a second. There was something about the way he looked at her — a silent question in his eyes, but he didn’t say anything.

"Goodbye, Shubman," she said quietly, forcing a smile, but she couldn’t shake the tightness in her chest.

"Yeah, take care, Harman." His voice was soft, almost too soft. His smile, though, didn’t quite reach his eyes.

They all walked towards the exit, but the tension was palpable. Harman couldn’t help but glance back at Shubman one last time before stepping into the car that would take her to the airport.

-----------

On the Flight to Delhi

Abhi and Harman settled into their seats, the plane beginning its journey into the skies. Abhi, ever the optimist, could sense that something was off. Harman was quieter than usual, her gaze distant.

"oye," Abhi said softly, breaking the silence. "You’re thinking too much, aren’t you?"

Harman looked at him, offering a small smile. "Just… wondering if it was all just a brief encounter. Maybe I should let it go."

Abhi tilted his head, his expression serious for once. "You can’t live your life by 'what-ifs.' If you care about someone, you move forward — one step at a time. Destiny will sort it out."

Harman sighed, her hands clasping tightly in her lap. "I just don’t want to get hurt, Abhi. What if it was just a fleeting moment, nothing more than a beautiful memory?"

Abhi leaned back in his seat, eyes scanning her face. "Life is full of moments. Some stick, some don’t. But if you let every moment pass by out of fear, you’ll never get to experience anything. I want the best for you, Harman. And maybe... just maybe, this is only the beginning."

Harman didn’t respond immediately. She looked out of the window, the clouds passing by, her thoughts drifting back to Shubman. Could he feel the same way?

---

(Other side

Shubman sat in his own seat on the flight to Mumbai, his mind racing. His thoughts were consumed by Harman, by the way she smiled, by the way she looked when their hands brushed, by the moments they shared — fleeting, yet unforgettable.

But there was a feeling gnawing at him. Something had shifted overnight, something he couldn’t explain. He hadn’t wanted to say goodbye. He didn’t want her to leave. But why? He had only known her for a short time.

The thought lingered, pulling at him as he looked out the window, watching the city slowly fade into the distance. Will I see her again?

The uncertainty gripped him as he thought back to their brief interaction. There had been something there — something real. But would it be enough? Was it a one-time meeting or the beginning of something more?

The way he’d felt an odd sting of jealousy when he saw Abhi and Harman together, all of it added to the confusion in his heart. Did I miss my chance? Was she just a fleeting encounter in my life?

Shubman didn’t know the answer. He only knew that the thought of never seeing her again felt unbearable. But what could he do? She was going back to Delhi, and he was returning to Mumbai. The distance between them was widening, and he had no control over it.

---

As the flight neared Delhi, Harman leaned back in her seat, her thoughts swirling. She had spent the entire flight trying to push away the idea that her heart was tied to something she couldn’t control. Abhi had tried to cheer her up, to make her laugh, but the sadness lingered. She kept wondering, What now? What if it was just a beautiful memory, and nothing more?

She glanced at Abhi, who was lost in his own thoughts for a moment. He caught her eye and gave her a reassuring smile. "You’ll be fine," he said softly. "No matter what happens, you’re stronger than you think."

---

(

As Shubman sat on his flight, he stared out the window, his heart heavy. The city lights of Mumbai were slowly coming into view, but his thoughts were far from the buzzing city below. They were with her — Harman.

His heart felt like it had been pulled in a million different directions. The thought of never seeing her again left a bitter taste in his mouth. He wasn’t sure what was happening, what he was feeling, but he knew one thing for sure — he didn’t want this to be the end.

As the plane began its descent into Mumbai, he closed his eyes, mentally replaying the moments they had shared. Will fate give us another chance? Or is this goodbye for good?

---

As the plane touched down in Delhi, Harman exhaled, her heart still heavy. She looked over at Abhi, who was already getting ready to deboard, his usual cheerful self.

She forced a smile, but her mind kept drifting back to Shubman, to their shared moments in Ahmedabad. Could it have been something more? Was there hope for a future, or was this the end of the road?

As she stepped off the plane, she told herself to stay grounded, to let things unfold as they would. Maybe it was just a meeting, nothing more, she thought, but deep down, she knew her heart wasn’t ready to let go just yet.

___________________________________________

will the meet again??