63.

                                    

                                          
The team was leaving a day after the finals and were supposed to reach Delhi to meet the prime minister and leave for their respective homes. 
"Should I book a ticket for Mumbai from Delhi so that we can meet ." Karan asked Teja on call.
"No . You can go to Bengaluru. I was planning to come there to see you. "
"Are you sure. Will my doctor girlfriend get leaves from her work." Karan teased.
"You are taunting me ." Teja asked and glared at him.
"I wouldn't dare. "
"Yes , you won't." She said rolling her eyes. "And yes I will manage my work, no need to worry about it."
"So when are you planning to come."
"I have not decided yet. I will inform you once I book my tickets. "
"Fine ."
"Please come fast." She said making a puppy face." I have missed you enough. "
"Missing you more. Can't wait to be with you. "
"See you soon."
.
.
.
As planned the team reached Delhi and were welcomed by media and paparazzi who , as trained , were asking the stupidest questions.
"How does it feel to lose the finals ?"
'Marvelous' Karan thought to answer but didn't dare to say out loud. 
He could only imagine the obnoxious headlines that would fill the day afters newspaper, if he said so.
"Are you going to meet the prime minister" Another one asked.
' Nhi, Madhubala se.' Karan thought again.
This time though it felt like Ruturaj heard him as he suddenly looked at him , shook his head and smiled.
Karan smiled back. Brothers telepathy it was.
The reporters kept on asking questions but didn't get any answers.
.
. 
.
After their meeting with the prime minister, they all started leaving for their house. 
"Come along with us to Mumbai. You can meet Teju and then leave." Ruturaj said to Karan.
"I was planning to do something like this , but Teju said that I should rather directly go to Bengaluru and she will come to meet me. I think she will come tomorrow morning."
"Oh, that's great then. "
"Okay, we will leave now. See you soon." Ruturaj said.
"Bye . "
"Give our regards to uncle aunty, and Teju." Sayli said.
"Sure ."
.
.
.
Karan reached Bengaluru by evening. He wasn't expecting any media waiting for him at the airport as the paparazzi culture was not popular in the south. 
Also , it wasn't that he was returning with the world cup. They lost the finals and along with it all the celebrations and attention that would have followed. 
' It wasn't our day ' Karan said to himself to reason their loss.
But he stepped out of the airport only to find cameras waiting for him. 
He stopped in his way and looked around to spot his driver who was supposed to pick him up. 
He soon spotted his driver who ran towards him, took his luggage and went towards the car that was parked infront.
Karan on the other hand took slow steps and gave polite nods to the cameras. 
He was going to open the door of the passanger seat when he saw someone sitting on the rear seat. 
He only had to squint and look at it for a few seconds to know who it was.
 
A genuine smile appeared on his face this time and not the fake one which he was giving to everyone since the last two days.
He opened the rear door, sat in the car and quickly took her in a hug.
"I managed to surprise you this time." Teja said as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Yes you did." He said. 
Seconds later he saw camera flashes from the corner of his eye . He instinctively kept his hand on her head and pulled her closer. 
"Krishna bhaiya, let's go." He said to his driver and the car rode off.
On the way to Karan's home, "I thought that you will come tomorrow." He said and crossed his fingers with hers . 
"You thought so because that's what I told you. Sorry for lying , but I really wanted to surprise you. "
"Apology accepted ." He said and kissed the back of her hand. "I missed you. "
"I know." She said averting from him. 
The felling she felt were too strong. It was overwhelming and at the same time made her emotionally weak. 
She would have cried if she looked at him any longer. 
 
But she knew it was not the right time for it. 
Karan was disheartened by the world cup loss. Didn't matter how hard he tried to look unaffected, he could not deceive her.
They sat in silence , holding hands. Karan rested his head on her shoulder and they both closed their eyes.
They were only a few minutes away from his home when Teja called Karan to see if he was asleep.
He hummed in response and adjusted his head more comfortably on her shoulder.
"You know right that we all are really proud of you. " Teja said.
When Karan didn't say anything for next few seconds, she continued. This time her tone, more telling than asking. 
"We all are proud of you. 
I am so proud of you. 
The way you give your everything and even more to the sport is clearly visible.
 Your determination and truthfulness is inspirational, and I am not saying this because you are my boyfriend, but because that is the only fact. 
You have so worked hard till now, which is the reason why you are where you are today. You did get rewards for your dedication. 
Yes , this time it didn't turn out how we all wanted it to. But it's fine. It was not our day. 
But remember that nothing is going to waste. If not today, then tomorrow. And if not tomorrow, then maybe the day after , you will be again rewarded for your efforts. 
And most importantly, always remember that you are not alone. I will always be there for you. 
Always. "
Karan hummed again while wiping down his lone tear. 
Teja slightly turned to look at him . 
Seeing his tears, she caressed his cheek from her free hand and then ruffled his hair . 
Karan opened his eyes and tried to set his hair again. He also tried to glare at Teja for ruining his hair, but she was smiling at him so within seconds he gave up. 
They both were looking at each other when they heard someone snuffle. 
They looked at the driver seat and saw Krishna weeping .
"Krishna bhaiya, what happened why are you crying." Karan asked with concern.
"I am sorry, I didn't want to eavesdrop . But what Teja said made me emotional." He chuckled lightly and wiped his tears. "It's true. We are really proud of you. You played well."
"Aww, so cute"  Teja said and then chuckled along with Karan.
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Vote and comment...
Sorry for the long gaps between updates. I will try to get back on track soon. 🙏🏻
Thank you for sticking around.
Lots of love... bye.
 
🤍
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