The palace was oddly silent at this hour maybe because Jasmine wasn't around to fill the silent void building inside me.

Aap se mohabbat honi lagi hai

She is falling in love with me

Her words keep ringing in my mind. I had never been this proud to learn another language. I learnt Russian out of necessity, mostly because I didn't want to choose a language that would have too many students. Russian was perfect for me, since most people preferred Spanish or French.

Learning Hindi on my own was a different experience. I only understood small words and I always couldn't differentiate the meanings

But I still understood what she meant

Even if I hadn't learned Hindi. I would have figured it out — because of the emotion held in her eyes.

‘Love doesn't have a language’, they said.

She made me believe it.

I wasn't exactly heading anywhere — I was just wandering. Trying to walk off the restlessness that came from thinking about her. Again and again.

I wanted to confront her. Ask her to repeat it again. But the moment those words left her lips — I lost my sense entirely.

I spent the whole day thinking about it, replaying her words in my mind. I wondered if she was going through the same turmoil as me.

Would asking make her recoil or confess?

A wince escaped my mouth, when I stubbed my knee against the kitchen door. The impact sent a sizzle through my bone — it was a metal door after all. I blinked, rubbing my knee. How many times had this happened? ?

“What happened?” A sharp voice calls out.

I quickly straighten up and look ahead. Jasmine's father was walking towards me with a concerned look. “Nothing Sir, I wasn't paying attention while walking” I admit, embarrassment creeping in.

He lets out a sigh that expressed his disappointment “You should watch your steps, check if you scraped your knee”

I nod, still wincing internally. I watch him get back inside and quickly follow behind him carefully. A unique flare of familiar scent surrounds me, I slightly peek over him — watching him stir the tea.

It smelled just like the way Jasmine makes it.

It wasn't just the tea, it was her favourite — especially when her father made it. I remember her swearing that no one made better tea than him.

“That smell amazing” I comment, hovering near the counter awkwardly to get a glimpse of his special process of making tea.

He glances at me before turning back to the stove.

Did that come off too casual?

I was still figuring out the right tone to use around him.

“Actually, I was wondering if…” I trail off, testing the waters “If you could teach me how to make it?”

He pauses the spoon mid-stir, looking at me with a raised eyebrow, full of suspension “You want to learn how to make chai? Why?”

“For Jasmine!” I blurt out. Maybe not the best approach, but it was the truth “Back in Sydney, we mostly just use tea bags. She talks a lot about your tea a lot — she says no one makes it like you. She used to miss it a lot. I thought maybe I could try. At least come close whenever she misses it?”

There is a long moment of silence. His gaze stayed fixed on me, thoughtful — measuring, maybe. Then a smile tugged at the corner of his lips “You are brave”

I blink “Is bravery required for making tea?” my brain functions differently with each of her family members

He laughed, waving his hand in denial “Not that. I mean, for asking that. It felt like you were implying you would be taking my daughter away and making that tea as compensation for whenever she misses me”

I froze at his words, I didn't realize that my words sounded like that.

“I wouldn't do that. I would never bring such thoughts in my mind” I reply quickly, regaining my sense

Take her away from her home? Never.

“You better not” He warns, though his eyes stay soft. He gestured me to come closer “Come. First rule of making a chai? Making it from your heart”

I stepped up behind him while he explained to me the procedure from the beginning. I feel myself relaxing in his presence but his previous words clash in mind as a warning.

I nod, watching and learning intently. Asking questions in between, some about the tea and a few about — her.

And he answered them all

“There's no special recipe of mine” He confessed, while straining the tea into cups. Every moment of his is slow, practiced and perfect “It's about making it with love, and the calmness when I see Jasmine smile at first sip”

I grab a tray, helping him arrange the cups. “You will understand how she likes it, more sugar, a bit of ginger and the perfect colour” He says.

I nod “Noted”

I step forward, grabbing the tea to take it to others when suddenly — a sharp, loud crash echoed through the palace. The noise made me flinch, and I quickly placed the tray back on the counter.

“What was that?” I ask, already stepping away from the counter.

He looks at me, his eyebrows furrowed in surprise “A vase maybe? But it was too loud”

It definitely wasn't a vase

Without another word, I jog out of the kitchen and rush upstairs. My heart thumped harder against my chest as my mind imagined the worst-case scenario. I cross the corridor towards the upper living room where — Jasmine was supposed to be, and where the crashing sound came from.

I push open the door and the sight in front of me was pure chaos

Jasmine turned to face me, her mouth open in mid-gasp, eyes wide. She remained frozen in place, but before she could react, I was already holding her — checking for any injuries

“Are you alright?”

She blinks, letting out a sigh of relief “Yes, I am”

I breathe out in relief, my eyes sweeping over to the room. A huge broken window, glass scattered across the floor. A red ball lay in the centre, along with several shattered bulbs from the chandelier above. 

At the centre of the room stood Veer, rubbing his temple like this wasn't new to him. Beside him was a woman — hair swept back, dressed in a chic suit. Veer's other hand was gripping hers, shielding her halfway with his body. They were extremely close to the chandelier’s debris.

Her expressions were calm, though mostly unimpressed, as she subtly slid a piece of glass away from her heel. She yanked her arm out of Veer's grip, earning a glare from him.

Mira

Veer had announced yesterday that Mira would be coming today to meet everyone — mostly the cousins. She had already met others and was supposed to meet Jasmine here.

“I am so sorry!” A very guilty looking Nikhil peeking through the door. Holding a cricket bat that explained the whole situation. “Is anyone hurt?”

“Yeah! that window and the chandelier” Veer snarls, gesturing towards the damage. 

Jasmine's father entered soon after. It didn't take him more than a minute to piece the situation together. He first made sure everyone was fine before turning to lecture Nikhil about how old he was, yet still behaving like a child.

Jasmine looked at me with a mix of shock and barely contained laughter “As scary as it was, it was still so fun! I was just talking to mira when that ball flew in, broke the window, smashed against the chandelier and fell down!”

I let out a sigh “That almost gave me an heartattack” I muttered under my breath, rubbing her arm and pulling her closer.

Her expression softens, she clenches my shirt “I am sorry for worrying you. It was so unexpected but I am fine — we were away from the glass”

I nod, my gaze softening at her reassurance. I cup her cheek, feeling her lean into my touch.

“No one got hurt, luckily. Bhai and I are used to it, Nikhil bhai always had the most dangerous hits. Don't worry” she adds

“Yeah and he is paying for it” I reply, glancing at Nikhil who is still having an earful from her  father.

“He deserves it” Veer comments, stepping around the glass with Mira

Behind them, the door creaks open again and Nyra slips in, squeezing past as quietly as possible so she wouldn't be noticed by Nikhil or Jasmine's father.

She hurried towards us, stopping a few steps away  “So sorry. I told Nikhil I am not good at this stuff but he just wouldn't listen! If I bowled more gingerly then, this wouldn't have happened! I am really sorry!”

Yesterday when we came back from our bike ride. Nikhil introduced his girlfriend to the family at lunch — Nyra, I just know her name and the fact that she has a shy personality. She barely uttered any words or tried to interact with anyone.

“It's alright. He just couldn't sit quiet for too long, I don't blame you” Jasmine assured her.

Veer rolls his eyes, keeping his hand on Jasmine's shoulder to stop her “Still doesn't cover his mistake. Anyone could have gotten hurt”

“But they didn't. Let it go” Mira cuts in sharply, giving Veer a side-eye. She turned to Nyra, her expressions shifting to a brighter one — giving her the most welcoming smile “It's not your fault, men are always wrong with their aim” She says to Nyra but her meaning was clearly aimed at Veer.

Veer scoffs, crossing his arms "At least we aim somewhere, right?”

Nyra blinks in surprise, her eyes flickering to Veer and Mira as their words began to spark. Jasmine gives me a knowing look — only we know about their contract marriage.

The unspoken — or rather, the screaming tension between them.

Nikhil finally managed to free himself from Jasmine's father. Without a warning, he pounced on me from behind, making me almost stumble into Jasmine. I tighten my grip to ground myself before shrugging him off

Why is this guy so clingy with everyone?

“Okay, it's old news now. Why don't we create some memories that will be recalled as history?” He suggests, pointing dramatically at the sky outside

Jasmine raises an eyebrow, already skeptical with the idea “And what's this ‘history’ you are talking about, your highness?” She asks with a hint of mockery

He steps back, grabbing his bat like a sword “Cricket. Boys versus Girls”

✄┈┈

“I don't think I can do this” I mutter, already feeling hot under this volcano-like sun. “Come on, it's just a fun game!” Nikhil exclaims while polishing the ball like it's a trophy. Kabir nods in agreement “Yeah, it's to lighten up. It's been ages since we all played. You will have fun”

I sigh, fanning the front of my t-shirt — Jasmine's idea to change into something comfortable was a blessing because today is really hot. My eyes darted to the girls who were prepping up with sunscreen, drinks and whispered plans while the boys were practicing shots.

I wasn't sure which side was chill and which was over confident but according to Kabir, almost all of them are good players.

And here I was, knowing nothing

It wasn't embarrassment I was worried about —  it was the game itself. The way these people were taking this ‘fun match’ so seriously is making me uneasy.

What if Jasmine gets injured?

What if she has a sun,stroke?

What if she faints?

She is already suffering from low iron.

What if—

“You wanna try batting first?” Kabir’s voice cuts in my thoughts.

I glance at the bat like it's a death sentence, then back at him. “No no, I don't think I am good at this” I quickly, shaking my head. I didn't wanna even be a part of this at all. Basketball? Sure but Cricket? It's not my cup of tea.

Kabir sighs, keeping a hand on my shoulder with a knowing look “Look, as a guy to guy — Jasmine loves cricket. Here, we say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but in her case, it's cricket. Make a few nice hits and she will love it”

I stare at him in disbelief. Was he seriously giving me this tip? Why? Because he knows that Jasmine ‘liked’ him? —  yeah past tense to be noted and underlined.

“Thanks for the advice” I reply, my tone coming out harsher than intended. He raised an eyebrow. “Oh okay. just saying. But if all our players are out, then you’ve gotta come in” he reminded me before heading over to the stumps.

Nikhil had already reminded me of the made-up rules for the game — six balls per over for each bowler, and two overs per batsman if they weren’t out. Only one batsman would play at a time. Catching or hitting the wicket meant you were out. If anything got broken, you were out. No LBW. Sixes and fours were counted according to the roped boundaries.

The teams:

Boys: Kabir, Nikhil, Veer, Kunal, Me

Girls: Maya, Nyra, Mira, Jasmine and Stella

Liam was our umpire, he took an easy way out.

Sonia had opted not to play, choosing instead to hang out with Charlie and her newly adopted cat, Ginger. She seemed very fond of her new companion, constantly coming up with questions and hypothetical scenarios I had to answer — just in case anything happened.

Not that I was complaining. But Charlie? Charlie was openly hostile about the new cat in the house.

“Let's start!” Liam calls out.

Maya stepped up, ready to bowl the first ball to Kabir. As soon as the ball left her hand and flew to Kabir, the loud tap of the ball against the bat was enough to send it flying across the boundary.

Nikhil yells in celebration at our first success while the girls groan in annoyance. Liam confirms it as a sixer and Sonia adds the runs to the scoreboard

We were just sitting quietly in the lounging area while waiting for our turn. But watching Kabir play, it was hard to believe we would get a chance anytime soon. Nikhil was cheering for him with full enthusiasm while Kunal sat silently with a blank expression — though I noticed his eyes darting towards Mira from time to time. She didn’t spare him a single glance.

“Kabir! You are going to be the man of the match!” Nikhil announces when Kabir hits another four. He was bouncing on his toes with excitement.

Suddenly a white towel came flying cross the field and smacked Nikhil right in the face. He freezes in his spot, the towel sliding down into his lap.

“Better” Nyra smirks, watching her boyfriend’s dumbfounded expression. She flips her short hair in a taunting gesture towards him before turning away to focus on fielding. The girls burst into laughter — no one has expected Nyra, out of all people, to react like that.

Nikhil stands up, crumbling the towel in his fist like paper and tossing it aside “Umpire! This is violence during the game!”

Liam raised an eyebrow at the attempt to call foul play, but before he could speak, Stella stepped forward. “It’s not! He was yelling and disturbing the players”

“I was cheering — that's not forbidden. But throwing towels at opponents is!” Nikhil shots back.

Maya scoffs, folding her arms “She threw the towel to put out the fire under you — because you were popping like a popcorn in cooker”

Nikhil gasps dramatically  “You heard that Umpire! She is insulting me mid-game! That deserves a penalty!”

“It doesn't. It's just a reply of defence. Right, Umpire?” Stella asks, her tone filled with sugarcoated words as she turns to Liam.

Each person here has noticed how Stella was looking at Liam with those ‘obey me or else’ eyes. Liam clears his throat “No penalty! Back to the game!” He declares

Nikhil grumbles under his breath before sitting back down, sulking. His cheering was notably calmer now.

After a while, when Kabir had made 30 runs, it was Nikhil’s turn. He walked onto the field with full confidence — chest puffed out, head held high.

He was out on his fifth ball.

How?

Nyra was bowling against him. At first, he hit a couple of great shots, but she quickly figured out his rhythm. On the fifth ball, she pretended to stumble mid-bowl. Nikhil got distracted, moved towards her to help and in the split second the ball hit the stumps directly.

This time, Nikhil didn’t ask for a review or a penalty. He silently accepted his defeat.

“Sweet Defeat huh?” I ask as he sat beside me and handed me the bat.

He lets out a sigh, leaning back against the seat — with a smirk tugging on the corner of his lips  “Sweet Victory” he corrects. I stand up, taking the bat but not before noticing his gaze lingering on Nyra — still celebrating her first wicket.

Even if we win this match, we already lost long ago.

I walk toward the stumps, my palms already sweaty. I have been praying silently for the past twenty minutes that I wouldn't have to bat. But clearly, the cricket gods hate me.

“Will you lose your wicket for me?” She murmurs softly, still pretending to fix the stumps.

I raise my brow at her words, noticing the mischievous look on her face “Lose for you? Why? So you could brag about this for the rest of our lives?”

“Something like that”

I smirk “I have already lost to you a million times. Can't I win just this once?” I ask teasingly.

Truth is, even if she didn't ask, I would have given up my wicket just to see her smile like that.

A muffled giggle drifts over, making me glance to the side. Stella is just a few steps away, wicketkeeping. The moment our eyes meet, she quickly looks up and starts whistling, staring at a completely imaginary bird in the sky.

She tilts her head, pretending to think “What's the harm in losing again? You seem experienced at it”

I place my hand dramatically at my heart, feigning hurt “Wow so much faith. I have never gotten this motivated” I reply sarcastically.

Jasmine turns to me, keeping her hand on her hip “So, are you gonna be a gentleman and let me win?”

I shrug my shoulders, “A gentleman, yes. But a pushover? No. You should wish for your man’s victory, not his surrender. If you play well then surely you will get my wicket”

“My Man?” She repeats with a teasing glint.

I meet her gaze, drinking in her features — in the warm sunlight “Just starting the obvious”

Her lips curves into a pout, I bite the inside of my cheek to compose my expressions. A rare sight from her and a dangerous one for me

“Oh you wait and watch” She huffs, flipping her hair in an exaggerated manner while walking away — giving me a whip of her scent

I inhale sharply, closing my eyes for a moment. I tighten my grip on the bat, reminding myself to focus. I nod, rolling my shoulders and getting into position.

Jasmine stands across from me with a determined expression tossing the ball from one hand to other “Don’t blink” She calls out “You will miss me taking your wicket!”

“Don't wink” I shoot back “You will make me forget we are playing!”

Her smirk deepens, she takes a short run and sends the ball flying.

I have no idea where the ball landed or how it landed — but the wink she threw at me right after? hit me square in the chest. Sending a spark through me that I am sure showed on my face.

I stay frozen, still processing what just happened. While the girls burst into celebration — my gaze drops to the fallen stumps.

Oh

Nikhil and Kabir are staring at me like I just dropped a baby. Kabir shakes his head, while Nikhil rubs his face in disbelief.

“I told you this isn't for me” I grumble, making my way back to where I belong

"At least Nikhil tried. You could have at least pretended?” Liam says, jogging over to me. I roll my eyes “You are in no position to tell me that when you got bribed by certain blue eyes” I point out.

His eyes narrows “Leave this field in two second before I decide to give your team a penalty”

“Yeah yeah” I mutter, picking up my pace.

Forty-six runs. That's what we managed to make. Only Kabir and Kunal were able to play well.

I don't think I needed to say who won.

The girls played brilliantly — Jasmine and Maya were the ones who carried most of the runs. But the real reason for their victory? Their strategy was flawless — distracting us, using our love for them as a weapon against us.

Perfect strategy.

Yet in the end, none of it stung. Because what I saw and will always remember was Jasmine’s smile when they won. The way her face lit like the first day of spring. The way she laughed with M

aya and Sonia, spinning barefoot on the grass, her hair catching with the wind.

The golden sunset surrounded her like it had been painted there just for her — turning her skin into a soft, glowing canvas.

Her eyes glistened with joy and in that moment I realized that everything was worthy when it's her.