Chapter 54 : The Call Up

The next morning, July 17, 2019, Advay was still scrolling through his phone when it buzzed with a call from an unknown number.

He answered, his voice calm as always. "Hello?"

"Advay, congratulations. You've been selected for India's tour of the West Indies."

For a brief second, he didn't react. His grip on the phone tightened slightly, his emerald-green eyes flickering with something unreadable.

India call-up.

It was happening.

He exhaled slowly, his voice as composed as ever. "Thank you."

After a few more formalities, he ended the call. He sat still for a moment, letting the weight of it settle. The journey from Ranji dominance to the international stage had begun.

Without wasting another second, he stood up and walked towards his sister's room. He knocked once.

Aditi opened the door, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

Advay simply said, "I got the call."

For a moment, she just stared at him. Then, her eyes widened. "Wait. You mean—?"

He nodded.

"I'm in. West Indies tour."

Aditi let out a sharp breath before grinning. "I KNEW IT! Damn, finally!" She punched his arm lightly. "I told you, didn't I?"

He smirked slightly. "You did."

Without another word, she pulled him into a quick hug before stepping back. "Mom and Dad?"

"Haven't told them yet."

Aditi grabbed his wrist. "Well, come on then, superstar. Let's go break the news."

A few minutes later, they were in the living room, where Arjun Rai sat reading the newspaper, and Alina Ivanov was sipping her morning tea.

Advay stood in front of them, his hands in his pockets. "I got the call. I'm in the squad for the West Indies tour."

Arjun lowered the newspaper, his sharp eyes studying his son. For a moment, he said nothing. Then, he nodded once. "Good."

Alina, on the other hand, stood up and walked over, placing a hand on his cheek. "I'm proud of you, my son."

Aditi grinned, looking between them. "Well, guess we all know what's next—Advay Rai in India colors. It's happening."

Advay just exhaled softly, his smirk barely visible.

It was only the beginning.

After informing his family, Advay walked back to his room, pulling out his phone. He scrolled through his contacts before tapping on Ananya's name.

The phone rang twice before she picked up.

"Rai?" Her voice was soft but curious. "Calling me before noon? That's rare."

Advay smirked slightly. "Got some news."

There was a brief pause before she asked, "Good news?"

"Yeah." He leaned against the wall, his voice steady. "I got my India call-up. West Indies tour."

For a second, there was nothing but silence.

Then—"OH MY GOD!"

Ananya practically screamed into the phone, making him pull it away from his ear.

"You're serious? You're actually in?!"

"Yeah."

"Advay! This is—this is HUGE! I knew it! I told you it was only a matter of time!"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. You and Aditi both."

Ananya was still buzzing with excitement. "I swear, I don't even know what to say right now. I mean, I knew it was going to happen, but still… hearing it for real? This is insane!"

Advay could hear the pure happiness in her voice.

"Proud of me?" he asked, teasing.

She scoffed. "Rai, I was proud of you before you even got the call. But now? Now, I'm just waiting for the day you make your debut and shut everyone up once and for all."

His smirk deepened. "That day's coming soon."

Ananya sighed dramatically. "Now I have to deal with the entire internet thirsting over 'India's new superstar' when you officially play."

Advay chuckled. "That a problem?"

"Yes, because my boyfriend refuses to post pictures with me."

He shook his head. "I'll think about it."

She huffed. "Unbelievable. Anyway—celebration dinner. When are we going?"

"You tell me."

"Tonight. No excuses."

"Fine."

"Good. Now go soak in the moment, Rai. You deserve it."

As the call ended, Advay set his phone down, exhaling slightly.

It was real now.

Just as Advay set his phone down, it buzzed again.

Ananya.

He smirked slightly before picking up. "Didn't we just talk?"

"Shut up," she shot back. "I had to call you properly. That first reaction doesn't count—I was too excited to think."

Advay chuckled, leaning against his desk. "And now?"

There was a slight pause before she spoke, her voice softer this time. "Now, I just want to say… I'm really, really proud of you, Advay."

His smirk faded just slightly, replaced by something more unreadable.

"I know you worked for this. I know how much it meant to you. And now, it's finally happening. You're playing for India."

Advay exhaled lightly, staring at the ceiling. "Yeah."

"And don't give me your usual one-word answers. I know this means more than you're letting on."

He let out a small breath, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "Maybe."

She sighed dramatically. "Ugh, you're impossible. But seriously—enjoy this, Rai. It's your moment. And I'll be watching every match."

"You better."

"I will. Just don't keep me waiting too long for that international hundred."

His smirk returned. "Oh? Setting targets already?"

"Of course. And knowing you, you'll reach them."

For a moment, there was just silence between them. A comfortable silence, filled with unspoken things.

Then she exhaled through the phone. "Alright, go celebrate. And don't forget, dinner. Tonight."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll pick you up."

"Good. And Advay?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm really, really happy for you."

His grip on the phone tightened slightly, but his voice remained the same. "I know."

As the call ended, Advay stood still for a second, letting the weight of it all settle.

Then, with a small shake of his head, he pushed himself off the desk.

Just as Ananya was about to hang up, Advay spoke, his voice quieter than before.

"I love you."

There was a brief pause on the other end.

Then, just as effortlessly, she replied.

"I love you too, Advay."

A small smirk tugged at his lips, but there was something deeper beneath it—something only she could bring out in him.

She sighed softly. "Okay, now go. And don't be late for dinner."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

As the call ended, Advay set his phone down, exhaling slowly.

Even with everything that was happening—the India call-up, the media frenzy, the expectations—this moment felt just as important.

As Advay leaned back on the couch, thinking about dinner, an idea formed in his mind. Why go to a restaurant when he could do something better?

A surprise.

He decided to bring Ananya home—his parents and Aditi were attending a partner's wedding, so the house was empty. And instead of ordering food, he would cook himself.

But if he was going to do this, he was going to do it right.

Without hesitation, he opened his SP system and used his remaining points to purchase the Michelin-star chef cooking template. The moment he did, a rush of knowledge filled his mind—techniques, flavors, precision. He wasn't just cooking dinner now.

He was crafting an experience.

By 3 PM, he grabbed his keys and drove out to get everything he needed—fresh ingredients, wine, desserts, the best cuts of meat, and a few extra things to make the night perfect.

By the time he returned home, it was 5 PM.

Rolling up his sleeves, he stepped into the kitchen, ready to turn this plan into reality.

Advay moved effortlessly around the kitchen, his hands working with the precision of a seasoned chef. Every cut, every stir, every seasoning—flawless.

With the Michelin-star chef template active, he cooked a variety of dishes—a perfect balance of flavors, colors, and textures. Appetizers, mains, and dessert—all prepared with precision.

By the time he placed the final dish on the table, he glanced at the clock. 6:20 PM.

Perfect.

Without wasting time, he cleaned up quickly, then headed upstairs.

After a quick shower, he stood before his wardrobe, picking out his outfit. A full white sweater-like t-shirt, paired with black denim. Simple yet effortlessly stylish.

Once he was ready, he grabbed his watch, slid it on, and ran a hand through his jet-black hair, letting it fall naturally.

With everything set, he grabbed his car keys, stepped out, and drove off to pick up Ananya.

When Advay pulled up outside Ananya's house, she was already waiting by the gate.

She walked toward the car, looking effortlessly beautiful in a pink floral dress, her hair tied up in a simple ponytail. She wasn't overdressed, just like him—but somehow, she still managed to take his breath away.

As she slid into the passenger seat, she glanced at him, her brown eyes filled with curiosity.

"So, where are we going?" she asked, fastening her seatbelt.

Advay smirked slightly, shifting the car into gear. "It's a secret."

She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Oh? You're planning surprises now?"

He glanced at her briefly before turning his eyes back to the road. "Maybe."

She crossed her arms, leaning back. "Alright, Rai. Let's see what you've got."

Advay just smirked, the city lights reflecting in his emerald-green eyes as he drove toward his plan for the night.

As they drove through the quiet evening streets, Ananya glanced out the window, watching the city lights blur past. At first, she didn't think much of it, but after a few minutes, she narrowed her eyes.

Something felt… off.

She had assumed they were heading to a restaurant, but the route wasn't leading toward any of the usual places.

She turned toward Advay, who was completely calm, his hands steady on the wheel, his emerald-green eyes focused on the road.

Suspicion crept into her voice. "Okay… where are we actually going?"

Advay didn't even flinch. "I told you. It's a surprise."

She folded her arms. "Rai, don't test me. Tell me right now, or I'm calling Aditi."

His lips curled into a barely-there smirk. "Go ahead."

That only made her more suspicious.

She stared at him for another few seconds before gasping dramatically. "Wait… oh my god, you're taking me to meet your parents, aren't you?!"

Advay glanced at her from the corner of his eye, completely unfazed. "Yeah."

Her jaw dropped. "ADVAY!"

"What?" he asked casually, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel.

She gaped at him. "You're springing this on me now?! I should've worn something else! I should've prepared! I—wait, hold on." She suddenly paused, realization dawning. "Why are YOU so calm?"

Advay exhaled lightly. "Because I lied."

She blinked. "What?"

He smirked slightly, finally looking at her. "My parents aren't home. I'm just taking you to my house."

For a moment, Ananya just… stared at him.

Then, she slapped his arm. "YOU IDIOT! WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?!"

Advay chuckled, unfazed as ever. "Because you kept asking where we were going."

She huffed, crossing her arms. "Unbelievable. I actually thought you were making me meet your parents out of nowhere."

He smirked again. "Would that have been so bad?"

She rolled her eyes. "Not the point, Rai."

As she settled back into her seat, she finally processed what he had just said.

"Wait. So if your parents aren't home… why are we going there?"

Advay kept his eyes on the road, his voice calm. "Because I'm cooking for you."

Ananya froze.

"Wait. What?"

"You heard me."

She turned in her seat, staring at him in disbelief. "You? Cooking? For me?!"

He smirked slightly. "Yeah."

For the first time in the entire conversation, Ananya was speechless.

As Advay parked the car in the garage, he glanced at Ananya, who was still looking at him with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. Without saying a word, he stepped out and walked around to open the passenger door for her. She raised an eyebrow but took his hand as she stepped out.

"Come with me," he said simply.

Ananya followed him through the quiet corridors of the villa, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. But instead of heading to the dining room, he led her toward a staircase at the far end of the hallway.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see," he murmured, his grip firm yet gentle around her wrist.

When they reached the rooftop, Ananya stopped in her tracks.

The entire space was bathed in the soft glow of candles, their flickering flames casting golden light across the open terrace. A round table sat in the middle, elegantly set with silverware, wine glasses, and a bottle of red. Above them, the night sky stretched infinitely, stars scattered like diamonds. The warm evening breeze carried the faint scent of roses from the carefully placed floral arrangements around the rooftop.

Ananya inhaled sharply, looking around in awe. "Advay…" she whispered.

Before she could say more, a neatly dressed worker stepped forward, placing the first course in front of them—a beautifully plated appetizer, carefully arranged to perfection.

Ananya turned to Advay, still stunned. "Wait… these are the dishes you made?"

He smirked slightly. "Yeah."

She shook her head, clearly impressed. "So, let me get this straight. You cooked all of this, arranged this entire setup, and managed to keep it a secret?"

Advay leaned back in his chair, casually pouring them both a glass of wine. "Sounds about right."

Ananya exhaled, still taking it all in. "Okay… I'm actually speechless."

"That's a first," he teased, handing her the glass.

She narrowed her eyes playfully but took the wine. As she lifted the glass to her lips, she looked at him over the rim. "You know, if you weren't already a cricketer, I'd say you had a future as a five-star chef."

Advay smirked. "Good to know I have options."

As they ate, the conversation flowed naturally. Laughter mixed with the sounds of the soft night breeze, the distant hum of the city below barely reaching them. But as the main course was served, a comfortable silence settled between them.

Ananya rested her chin on her palm, watching him. "You're leaving soon."

Advay's hand paused slightly before setting his fork down. He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Yeah."

She exhaled softly, running her fingers over the rim of her glass. "I know this is your dream, and I'm so proud of you… but it still sucks that you'll be away."

Advay didn't respond immediately. Instead, he reached across the table, his fingers brushing against hers. "It won't be forever."

Ananya looked at their hands, then back up at him. "I know. But still."

He smirked, squeezing her fingers lightly. "You'll miss me."

She rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. "Obviously."

Advay chuckled softly. "Good. Because I'll miss you too."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The wind played with Ananya's hair, and Advay simply watched her, committing the moment to memory.

Then, with a teasing glint in her eye, Ananya picked up her fork. "Alright, superstar. Let's see if your cooking actually lives up to the hype."

Advay leaned back, his smirk deepening. "Go ahead. I'll wait for the compliments."

She took a bite—and froze.

He raised an eyebrow. "That bad?"

Ananya chewed slowly, then swallowed, setting her fork down with exaggerated precision. Finally, she sighed dramatically. "Damn it, Advay. Why are you good at everything?"

He chuckled, taking a sip of his wine. "Just lucky, I guess."

She shook her head, smiling. "No, you're just impossible."

As the night went on, the stars above them shining brighter, Ananya realized something.

This wasn't just a dinner.

It was a memory—one she would hold onto long after he left.

And she had a feeling he would too.

Here's the continuation of the scene with their conversation flowing naturally:

As the night stretched on, their conversation drifted from one topic to another, effortlessly weaving between lighthearted banter and deeper discussions.

Ananya swirled the wine in her glass, leaning back slightly. "Alright, tell me something I don't know about you."

Advay smirked, setting his glass down. "That's a dangerous request, Pandey."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, come on. There has to be something. A secret hobby? A weird childhood fear? Anything?"

He tilted his head, pretending to think. "I used to be scared of clowns."

Ananya blinked before bursting into laughter. "Wait, what?! Mr. Ice-Cold Composure was afraid of clowns?"

He exhaled, shaking his head. "I was five. My sister thought it would be funny to lock me in a room with a life-sized clown doll."

Ananya gasped dramatically. "Oh my god, Aditi is my new favorite person."

Advay rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up."

Still giggling, she rested her chin on her palm. "Okay, my turn. Let's see… I once ran away from home when I was ten."

His eyebrows raised slightly. "Ran away? Why?"

She shrugged. "I was mad at my parents for not letting me get a dog. So I packed a bag with exactly three things—a water bottle, a chocolate bar, and a teddy bear—and walked out."

Advay chuckled. "And how long did your great escape last?"

"Thirty minutes," she admitted sheepishly. "I got hungry and went back."

He shook his head, smirking. "Truly a rebel."

She sighed dramatically. "I try."

They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the night air cool against their skin. The flickering candlelight cast soft shadows across Advay's sharp features, making his emerald-green eyes look even more intense.

Then, out of nowhere, Ananya asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Advay didn't answer immediately. He leaned back, tapping his fingers against his glass. "Still playing cricket. Hopefully winning a World Cup. Maybe even captaining the team."

She nodded, considering his answer. "And off the field?"

He glanced at her, something unreadable in his gaze. "Haven't thought that far."

Ananya rolled her eyes. "Liar."

His smirk twitched, but he didn't deny it.

Instead, he countered, "What about you?"

She sighed, looking up at the sky. "I don't know. I've never been the type to plan ahead. But… I want to be happy. I want to be around people who make life exciting."

Advay watched her for a long moment before saying, "You will be."

Something in his voice made her look at him. "You really think so?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

She smiled softly. "You know, for someone who claims to be all about logic and strategy, you say a lot of things straight from the heart."

Advay smirked, picking up his glass. "Don't get used to it."

Ananya chuckled, shaking her head. "Too late, Rai. I already have."

And with that, they continued talking, the night stretching on, neither of them in a hurry to leave.

Because in that moment, nothing else mattered but the two of them.

Advay continued , "actually I know where I will be (off the field ) after five years"