1. CRICKETER'S QUEEN

"I didn't need to touch her to know she was already mine. My heart had claimed her the moment she walked into my world"

The match was at a turning point. If India win, they will become the top cricket team in the world. But things weren't looking great. Four wickets are already down, and the target is still far away. The stadium is tensed, the fans unsure if their team could pull this off.

Then, the crowd erupted in excitement. The energy in the stadium shifted instantly as he walked onto the field. It was the Indian team captain, Abhimanyu Raichand. The chants of his name echoed everywhere, and flags waved proudly in the air.

Abhimanyu walked with confidence, his bat resting on his shoulder as he looked around the field. He stopped at the crease, exchanged a few words with the batsman on the other end, and nodded.

Taking his stance, Abhimanyu looked focused and determined. The bowler charged in and released the ball at top speed, but Abhimanyu stood his ground. With perfect timing, he struck the ball, sending it racing to the boundary. The roar of the crowd was deafening. This was the start of something incredible.

As the match continued, Abhimanyu played with calmness, turning the match in India's favor. Every shot he played brought hope back to the fans. He wasn't just batting for himself; he was carrying the dreams of millions of people.

The crowd was wild, cheering loudly as the match reached its peak. Among the chaos, a girl walked toward her seat, holding her friend's hand as he led her through the crowd. She wore a mask, trying to stay unnoticed. Once they reached their seats, she sat down and took in the noise around her, a little overwhelmed.

"Why are these people yelling so much?" she asked, clearly irritated by the cheers.

Her friend smiled and replied, "Because Abhimanyu Raichand is batting. People are crazy about him."

She turned her attention to the field, curious to see what the fuss was about. As the match went on, she couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement. Abhimanyu's skills on the field were impressive, and soon, she found herself clapping and cheering along with the rest of the crowd.

Nearby, a group of girls started talking loudly. "Oh my God, look at his abs there are visible through his shirt. He's so handsome!"

Another girl chimed in, "He's my dream guy. I want to marry him!"

Hearing their chatter, the girl couldn't help but laugh.

Her friend leaned over and teased, "Careful, or you might end up like them by the end of this match."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. As much as she hated to admit it, there was something about Abhimanyu Raichand that even she couldn't ignore.

The match continued, with Abhimanyu batting brilliantly. The crowd cheered louder with every shot he played. During a short break, Abhimanyu removed his helmet to drink some water. That's when the girl saw his face clearly for the first time.

She turned to her friend with a small smile. "You're right. He is handsome."

Her friend laughed. "Told you! Now you see why everyone's crazy about him."

The break ended, and the match resumed. Abhimanyu walked back to the crease, calm and focused. The girl found herself watching him a little more closely now, unable to deny the charm that everyone seemed to talk about.

While Abhimanyu was batting, he hit a huge six, sending the ball into the crowd. The girl watched it fly and then turned to her friend. "Doesn't the crowd get hurt if the ball hits them?"

Her friend laughed. "It's rare. Most of the time, people try to catch the ball so they can get on TV."

She nodded, amused by the excitement around her. Watching the crowd scramble for the ball was entertaining, and she couldn't help but smile. For the first time, she started to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Just then, Abhimanyu hit a powerful six, and the ball soared into the air, heading straight toward her. She barely had time to react before the ball struck her cheek.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed, holding her face in surprise.

Her friend immediately turned to her, concerned. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

She nodded, still shocked, but managed a small smile. "I'm fine. I didn't even see it coming."

Nearby fans started laughing and cheering, and one of them shouted, "You're lucky! You just got hit by a shot from Abhimanyu Raichand!"

She slowly took off her mask, and her friend noticed a red mark on her cheek where the ball had hit.

"Oh my God, you're hurt! That looks bad. We need to get it checked before it gets worse," he said, worried.

She nodded, still a little shocked. "Okay."

She quickly put her mask back on, and they both got up. Her friend helped her through the crowd as they made their way out of the stadium. Even though it hurt, she couldn't help but think about how unexpected everything had been.

As Abhimanyu made his way to the other end of the pitch, he looked around, his eyes scanning the crowd for a moment. He then turned to his teammate, his voice laced with concern. "Did somebody get hurt?" he asked, still thinking about the ball that had flown into the stands.

His teammate, not as worried, shrugged it off. "Might be, but this kind of thing happens all the time in cricket. A few more shots and we'll win this, no problem. Then we'll be partying tonight!" he said with a grin.

Abhimanyu nodded, his focus shifting back to the game. "Alright, let's finish this," he said, determination in his voice.

His teammate clapped him on the back. "Go on, finish the match, captain. We're almost there."

The commentator's voice echoed through the stadium: "India is just one shot away from winning!" The atmosphere was tense, everyone waiting for that final moment.

Abhimanyu took his stance and with perfect timing, he hit a huge six. The ball flew high into the air, landing in the crowd. India had won!

The stadium erupted in cheers. Fans screamed, clapped, and jumped in excitement.

Abhimanyu's teammates ran toward him, full of joy, and hugged him tightly. They lifted him up, celebrating their victory together. The whole team was thrilled, and the celebrations were just getting started.

"Let's party!" all the teammates cheered, their excitement filling the air. Abhimanyu smiled and nodded, saying, "Alright, let's grab the trophy and head to the hotel to celebrate."

The whole team gathered around the trophy, celebrating right there on the field. They laughed, clapped, and high-fived each other. Some of the teammates, who were married or had girlfriends, took the chance to pose for pictures with them, proudly holding the trophy.

Abhimanyu noticed one of his teammates with his wife, talking nearby. He walked over to them with a smile and said, "Hey, let me take a picture of you two with the trophy."

The couple smiled and posed, holding the trophy together. Abhimanyu clicked the photo. As he looked at them, he couldn't help but smile too. It was a perfect moment, a victory they would all cherish. The celebrations continued as they all headed toward the hotel, eager to enjoy the rest of the night together.

■

The girl and her friend stood in front of a large gate. "If your father finds out what we did, God knows what he'll do," her friend said nervously.

"Nothing will happen," she replied confidently and sneaked inside. They started climbing the stairs to her house.

"Climbing these steps every day, I have no stamina," her friend complained, puffing as they walked up.

"Come on, hurry up," she urged, leading the way inside.

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind. "Where have you been, Ms. Rathore?" It was her father's voice. She closed her eyes, knowing there was no way to avoid the confrontation.

She turned around to face him, and he immediately noticed the mark on her cheek. "What happened?" he asked, his tone concerned.

"I fell down," she lied quickly.

Her father didn't believe her. He raised his voice, clearly upset. "What happened?"

Finally, she gave in. "I got injured while watching a cricket match."

Her father's expression hardened. "Why did you go to a cricket match without informing me?" he scolded. "You can't just go out like that!"

"What do you think of yourself?" her father yelled, clearly angry. "You went out without telling me? You're not just anyone; you are the princess of Jaipur! You can't just go to public places like that. How many times do I have to remind you of this? We have traditions in this kingdom, and you need to follow them!"

Her father's words stung, and she felt a wave of guilt and frustration wash over her. His anger was hard to ignore, and she couldn't help but feel like she was always being controlled by the rules of the kingdom.

After a few moments of silence, her father turned and went out of the room, leaving her standing there, feeling small and upset. She knew she was expected to live by the kingdom's traditions, but sometimes it felt suffocating, like she didn't have the freedom to do anything for herself.

Wanting to escape any further scolding, especially from her mother, she hurried to her room. Her heart raced as she shut the door behind her, locking it to make sure she wouldn't be disturbed. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, knowing her mother would likely come in soon to talk about what had happened. But for now, all she wanted was some peace to process everything.

Avantika Rathore, Princess of Jaipur

The only heir to the powerful Rathore family. She is known for her beauty, with long dark hair that fell gracefully around her shoulders and striking amber eyes that held a quiet strength.

She was treated like a fragile doll by her family, constantly protected and shielded from the outside world. Every part of her life was carefully planned and monitored. The palace doors were always closed to her freedom, and she was rarely allowed to step outside without strict supervision. Her family's expectations weighed heavily on her, as she was the only one who could carry on the Rathore legacy.

The palace is a mix of traditional Rajput architecture and modern luxury. Its walls were made of thick stone, decorated with intricate carvings that told the story of the family's long history. Inside, the palace was filled with grand rooms, high ceilings, and walls painted with gold.

The Rathore family was one of the most powerful in India. Their wealth came from many sources, including trade, agriculture, and industry. They ruled Jaipur with authority, and their word was law. Their influence stretched across the land, and their military power kept the kingdom safe from any threats.

The family had strong alliances with other noble families, ensuring that they remained at the top. The people respected and admired them, as the Rathores had long upheld the traditions and culture of the kingdom. But with all their power, wealth, and control, there was still one thing that Avantika couldn't control: her own life.

■

The team is full of excitement as they celebrated their big win. The hotel room was filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. Everyone was enjoying themselves, cutting cake, and chatting about the match. Abhimanyu sat quietly in a corner, watching his teammates with a faint smile. He wasn't much for loud celebrations, but seeing his friends so happy made him feel good.

Rahul, one of his teammates, noticed him sitting alone and walked over with a drink in hand. "Abhi, what are you doing here? Why aren't you celebrating with us?"

Abhimanyu looked up and shrugged. "I'm celebrating. Just... not like you guys. I don't feel like drinking."

Rahul chuckled and sat down next to him. "You? Not drinking? What's the special occasion?"

Abhimanyu smirked. "I just don't feel like it. That's all."

After a moment, rah pulled out his phone. "Hey, check this out. I wanted to show you something."

Abhimanyu frowned slightly, curious. "What is it?"

Rahul turned the screen toward him, showing a photo of a girl. She had soft, expressive eyes and a warm smile that lit up her face and sitting in a garden. Abhimanyu's heart skipped a beat as he stared at the picture, feeling his face grow warm.

"Who's this?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual but failing.

Rahul raised an eyebrow and grinned mischievously. "Why? Interested already?"

Abhimanyu looked away, embarrassed. "No, I was just asking."

Rahul laughed. "Relax, man. She's the girl who got hit by your six during the match. Remember when you smashed that huge shot and someone got hurt in the stands? That's her."

Abhimanyu's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? Her? How do you know this?"

Rahul leaned back and crossed his arms, clearly enjoying Abhimanyu's reaction. "She's the princess of Jaipur, bro. That's how I know her. It's not exactly a secret."

Abhimanyu blinked, still processing the information. "The Jaipur princess? You're kidding."

"Nope. That's her. The same girl. And from what I hear, she's fine now, so no need to feel guilty," Rahul said with a teasing grin.

Abhimanyu looked back at the photo, unable to take his eyes off it. "I didn't know... I mean, I didn't expect..."

Rahul stood up, still grinning. "Whatever you say, man. Just don't forget to thank her for inspiring that six!" He walked off to rejoin the others, leaving Abhimanyu alone with his thoughts.

Abhimanyu glanced at the photo one more time, feeling something he couldn't quite explain.

After few minthes he is in his room looking at her photo again and again. "How could someone be this beautiful?" He stared at her photo, unable to look away. "If she looked this breathtaking in a picture, how could anyone handle seeing her in real life?"

"I thought royalty only existed in stories or in movies but then I remembered. I'd hit one of them with my bat." He chuckled at his own words.

He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a shaky breath. "What were the chances? Out of all the people in the world, I crossed paths with her. Her."

He lost in deep thoughts talking to himself.

His eyes dropped back to the photo in his hands. There was something about the way she looked, those eyes. They weren't just looking at the camera; it was like they were looking through it. Through him. Hefelt a strange pull, like gravity itself had shifted and he couldn't move.

"What are you doing to me Jaan?" he muttered under my breath.

He didn't even know her before, yet here he was, stuck with this unfamiliar feeling in his chest. His world had always been predictable, controlled, but now... Now it felt like everything was spinning out of his hands. And it all started with her.

He closed my eyes, her image burned into his mind. There was a feeling he couldn't shake, this unexplainable pull, like she was drawing him in without even knowing it. Like she had some kind of power over him.

And the worst part? He wasn't even mad about it.

Soon after, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and prepared to leave the hotel. Just as he was stepping out, Rahul spotted him near the lobby and called out.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Rahul asked, hurrying to catch up with him.

"To meet the princess and apologize," Abhimanyu replied, his tone firm yet casual as he adjusted his jacket.

Rahul raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Meet the princess? Do you think it's that easy? She's from royal family, man. You can't just walk in and demand to see her. They have high security. They won't allow you win."

Abhimanyu smirked confidently. "I'm Abhimanyu Raichand. Everything is easy for me." Without waiting for a response, he turned on out of the hotel, leaving Rahul shaking his head in disbelief.

■

The room was quiet as Avantika sat in front of her mirror, carefully combing her long hair. The soft glow of the lamp lit up her delicate features, and she hummed a faint tune to herself.

Just then, she heard a faint noise coming from the balcony. It sounded like a faint knock. At first, she didn't pay much attention, assuming it might be the wind or a bird. But when she heard the noise again, louder this time, her brows furrowed in concern.

Setting the comb down, Avantika stood up and walked cautiously toward the window. She peeked outside through the sheer curtains and froze when she saw a shadowy figure climbing up to her balcony. The person wore a hoodie, making it impossible to see their face.

Her heart raced as panic set in. She quickly scanned the room for something to defend herself with and spotted a wooden stick leaning against the wall. Grabbing it tightly, she hid just behind the window, ready to hit if the intruder came in.

Moments later, the hooded figure reached the balcony, carefully climbing over the railing. He hesitated briefly, then stepped inside her room. Without thinking twice, Avantika swung the stick with all her strength, hitting the person square on the shoulder.

"Ahh!" the man yelled, clutching his shoulder in pain.

Scared by his scream, Avantika let out a scream of her own and dropped the stick. "Aah!".

Her hands flew to her mouth in shock.

The man groaned, then straightened up and pulled back his hoodie to reveal his face. Avantika's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Abhimanyu Raichand?" she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

Abhimanyu winced but managed a small smile which is almost a blush.

"Ji."

To be continued

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