Chapter 63 : Rested

With the series already sealed, India decided to rest a few key players for the third T20I. Advay was among those given a break. Instead of being out on the field, he found himself in the stands, sitting comfortably next to Ananya, watching the game unfold under the bright lights.

The stadium was still packed with fans, but for once, Advay wasn't in the middle of the action.

Ananya leaned forward slightly, eyes on the field. "Feels weird, doesn't it? Watching instead of playing?"

Advay, arms crossed, nodded slightly. "Yeah. But it's good to get a different perspective sometimes."

She smirked, nudging him playfully. "So, Mr. Cricket Genius, tell me—what's happening right now?"

He exhaled, watching the bowler run in. "South Africa's bowler is trying to take the pace off, forcing the batsmen to generate their own power. The field is set deep, which means they don't want to give away boundaries. He's expecting the batsman to mistime a shot."

As he finished speaking, the batsman went for a big swing and skied the ball straight to long-on—OUT!

Ananya's eyes widened. "Okay, that was freaky. You predicted that perfectly!"

Advay just smirked. "It's not magic, Panday. It's just reading the game."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. But if you're so smart, tell me this—how should India approach this chase?"

Advay took a sip of his drink before answering. "They don't need to rush. The pitch is slowing down, so they should rotate strike, wait for the bad balls. It's about picking the right moments to attack."

She raised an eyebrow. "And if you were out there?"

He glanced at her, smirking again. "Then I'd just finish it myself."

She let out a small laugh. "Of course you would."

As the game continued, Advay found himself actually enjoying the experience—not as a player, but as someone sharing it with her.

As the game progressed, Advay leaned back in his seat, stretching his arms slightly before glancing at Ananya.

"You hungry?" he asked casually.

She turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Why? You planning another surprise?"

He smirked. "No surprises this time. Just dinner."

Ananya tilted her head, pretending to think. "Hmm… depends. Are you picking the place, or do I get a say?"

"You get a say," he admitted. "But I drive."

She grinned, shaking her head. "Fine, Rai. Dinner sounds good. But if you take me somewhere weird, I'm never letting you pick again."

He chuckled, standing up as he grabbed his keys. "Deal. Let's go."

As they walked out of the stadium, leaving behind the roaring crowd and flashing cameras, Advay couldn't help but feel that this, too, was a moment to enjoy—just the two of them, away from everything else.

Advay and Ananya walked out of the stadium, making their way to the parking lot. His red Porsche 911 Turbo S was parked neatly under the dim glow of the streetlights.

Ananya leaned against the passenger side, unlocking her phone. "Alright, let's hear it. Where are you taking me?"

Advay smirked as he opened the driver's side door. "You're the one who wanted to go somewhere specific, Panday."

She blinked. "Wait… are we actually going where I wanted?"

He started the engine, the soft purr of the Porsche filling the silence. "You sent me the name, didn't you?"

Ananya grinned as she got in. "Smart man."

The drive was smooth, the city lights blurring past them as they sped through the near-empty roads. Ananya scrolled through Instagram, occasionally glancing at him. "You know, I still can't get over the fact that you drive a car like this and don't even act like it's a big deal."

Advay glanced at her with a smirk. "Would it be better if I made a big deal out of it?"

She rolled her eyes. "No. That would be annoying. This is fine."

It didn't take long before they pulled up outside the restaurant Ananya had seen online. The warm glow of the exterior lights and the softly lit interiors gave it an inviting yet elegant ambiance.

As they walked in, the hostess greeted them with a polite smile. "Table for two?"

Advay gave a small nod, and within moments, they were led to a quiet corner table, slightly secluded from the crowd. The hum of soft music played in the background, blending with the low chatter of other diners.

Ananya glanced around approvingly. "Okay, I like it. Good choice, Rai."

He leaned back in his seat, smirking. "Technically, your choice."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah. Now let's see if the food actually lives up to the hype."

After they placed their orders, Ananya leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Alright, since we're waiting… let's play a game."

Advay raised an eyebrow. "A game?"

She nodded. "Truth or Dare."

He exhaled, shaking his head. "Seriously?"

She grinned. "Yes, seriously. What, scared?"

Advay leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Of you? Never."

Ananya smirked. "Good. Then let's play."

He shrugged, clearly unbothered. "Fine. You start."

She clapped her hands lightly. "Alright, Advay. Truth or dare?"

His emerald-green eyes flickered with amusement. "Truth."

She tapped a finger against her chin, pretending to think. Then she grinned. "Okay, what's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?"

Advay tilted his head slightly, thinking. "I don't really get embarrassed."

She rolled her eyes. "Come on, there has to be something."

He exhaled, finally giving in. "Fine. When I was ten, I got so caught up thinking about a business idea that I walked straight into a glass door. In front of my entire boardroom."

Ananya stared at him for a second before bursting into laughter. "Oh my god, no way! The great Advay Rai walked into a glass door?! That's gold!"

Advay smirked slightly. "It didn't hurt, if that's what you're wondering."

She wiped a tear from her eye, still laughing. "I wish someone had recorded that. I would play it on repeat."

He leaned forward, his smirk widening. "Alright, your turn. Truth or dare?"

She grinned. "Dare."

Advay's eyes gleamed. "Interesting."

Advay's smirk deepened slightly as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His emerald-green eyes locked onto hers, his voice effortlessly calm.

"Alright, Ananya. Your dare…" he paused for a second, letting the anticipation build. "Kiss me."

Ananya's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard. "Excuse me?"

Advay leaned back, arms crossed, completely unfazed. "You heard me."

She blinked, then narrowed her eyes. "You're ridiculous."

He tilted his head. "It's a dare, Panday. You said you don't back down."

Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to come up with a comeback, but nothing came. She wasn't expecting this. Not here, not in the middle of a restaurant.

She huffed, looking around to make sure no one was watching. Then, without another word, she leaned forward quickly and pressed a soft kiss on his cheek before pulling away.

"There. Happy?" she said, crossing her arms.

Advay simply smirked. "I asked for a kiss, not a peck."

Ananya rolled her eyes. "Be specific next time, then."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine. I'll remember that."

Just then, their food arrived, breaking the moment. Ananya quickly reached for her fork, acting as if nothing had happened, while Advay simply sat back, watching her with amusement.

As the waiter set their food down, Ananya quickly grabbed her fork, focusing on her plate as if nothing had happened.

Advay, however, wasn't about to let it go that easily. He smirked, casually cutting into his dish before glancing up.

"Alright, Ananya. Your turn. Truth or dare?"

She looked up, rolling her eyes. "Truth. I'm not letting you trap me again."

He exhaled softly, resting his chin on his hand. "Okay. When was the first time you realized you liked me?"

Ananya froze for half a second before quickly recovering, taking a sip of water as if it would buy her time. "Oh, come on. Ask me something else."

"Nope," he said, voice smooth as ever. "You picked truth, so answer it, Ananya."

She huffed, setting her glass down. "Fine. Our first date."

Advay raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "That soon?"

She sighed dramatically. "Yeah, yeah. Happy now?"

His smirk didn't fade. "Very."

She groaned, shaking her head. "Okay, my turn. Truth or dare, Advay?"

He leaned back, smirking. "Dare."

Ananya's eyes lit up. "Good." She leaned forward slightly, tapping her chin in thought before grinning. "Alright, Advay. Next time we go out, you have to wear something completely opposite of your usual aesthetic. No black, no neutral colors. Full-on bright colors. I want to see you in something ridiculous."

Advay exhaled, shaking his head. "You're evil."

She laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "You dared me to kiss you in public, so I think this is fair."

He picked up his fork again, smirking. "Fine, Ananya. But you'll regret it when I actually pull it off."

She raised an eyebrow. "We'll see, Advay."

Ananya leaned back in her chair, grinning as she watched Advay process his ridiculous fashion challenge.

"Alright, Advay," she said, resting her chin on her hand. "Your turn. Truth or dare?"

He raised an eyebrow, his smirk never fading. "Truth."

She tapped her fingers on the table, pretending to think. "Okay, Mr. Ice-Cold Composure, what's something that actually makes you nervous?"

Advay exhaled, taking a slow sip of water before answering. "Nothing, really."

Ananya scoffed. "Liar. Everyone has something."

He tilted his head slightly, then after a moment, he spoke. "Fine. I don't get nervous often, but… meeting a girl's parents for the first time is a little annoying."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Oh? Mr. Rai, are you saying I made you nervous that night?"

Advay smirked, shaking his head. "Did I look nervous?"

"No," she admitted, narrowing her eyes. "But now I know you were."

He let out a soft chuckle, then set down his fork. "Alright, your turn. Truth or dare, Ananya?"

She grinned. "Dare."

His emerald-green eyes gleamed mischievously. "Call Aditi and tell her I said she's your favorite Rai."

Ananya's jaw dropped. "Are you trying to get me killed?!"

Advay shrugged. "A dare's a dare."

She groaned, pulling out her phone. "Unbelievable." She scrolled through her contacts, tapped Aditi's name, and put it on speaker.

"Ananya?" Aditi's voice came through almost immediately. "What's up?"

Ananya cleared her throat dramatically. "Hey, so… just wanted to let you know, you're my favorite Rai."

There was a pause.

"Oh? Really?" Aditi's voice sounded amused. "What did my brother do now?"

Ananya glanced at Advay, who was watching with an amused smirk. "Nothing! I just felt like telling you."

Aditi laughed. "This is a setup, isn't it?"

"Absolutely not," Ananya said quickly, glaring at Advay.

Aditi snorted. "Riiiight. Well, I'm honored, Panday. Also, tell my brother he owes me coffee for this nonsense."

"You got it," Ananya said, hanging up. She sighed dramatically, shoving her phone back into her bag. "Happy now, Advay?"

He chuckled, completely satisfied. "Very."

She shook her head. "Alright, truth or dare, Advay?"

He smirked. "Dare."

Ananya's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Text Virat and tell him you're thinking of switching to Mumbai Indians next season."

Advay paused mid-sip, raising an eyebrow. "You want me to start a war?"

She grinned. "Exactly."

Advay exhaled sharply, shaking his head as he pulled out his phone. "You really want me to do this?"

Ananya leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "A dare's a dare, Advay."

He smirked slightly, dialing Virat's number and putting the phone on speaker. The line rang twice before Virat picked up.

"Haan, Rai, kya hua?" (Yeah, Rai, what's up?)

Advay, keeping his voice calm as ever, leaned back in his chair. "Bhaiya, I've been thinking… I might switch to Mumbai Indians next season."

There was a long silence.

Ananya covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

Then—

"Excuse me?!" Virat's voice dropped dangerously low. "What the hell did you just say?"

Ananya lost it, shaking with silent laughter as Advay kept his composure. "You heard me, Bhaiya."

"You're joking, right?" Virat's tone was still unreadable.

Advay smirked slightly. "Not really. Thinking a fresh start might be good for me."

"A fresh start—Rai, have you lost your damn mind?!" Virat sounded genuinely offended now. "You're saying this to me? To ME?! After everything?!"

Ananya was practically crying at this point, clutching her stomach as she tried to stay quiet.

Advay finally sighed, shaking his head. "Relax, Bhaiya. It's a dare. Ananya made me do it."

There was another long pause.

Then—"PANDAY!" Virat shouted through the phone. "I SWEAR, YOU TWO—"

Ananya gasped for air between laughs. "Sorry, sorry! But you should've heard yourself!"

Virat huffed loudly. "Rai, don't EVER say that again, I don't care if it's a dare. I was about to book a flight just to beat some sense into you."

Advay finally chuckled, shaking his head. "Noted, Bhaiya."

"Idiots," Virat muttered. "Both of you."

Ananya wiped her eyes, still giggling. "We love you too, Virat."

"I'm hanging up. Don't call me with nonsense again."

The call ended, and Ananya burst into another fit of laughter, clutching her sides. "Oh my god, Advay, that was the best thing I've ever witnessed."

Advay just smirked. "You realize he's going to kill both of us, right?"

She shrugged. "Worth it."

By the time they wrapped up dinner, it was already late. Advay settled the bill, and they walked out of the restaurant, the night air cool and quiet.

Ananya stretched her arms slightly. "That was good. I approve of my choice."

Advay smirked as they reached his red Porsche 911 Turbo S. "I guess you have decent taste, Panday."

She rolled her eyes, getting into the car. "Oh, please. My taste is exceptional, and you know it."

The drive back was smooth, the roads mostly empty, the city winding down for the night. Ananya hummed softly to a song playing on the radio, while Advay kept his focus on the road, his hand casually resting on the gear shift.

By the time they reached her place, it was 10 PM. The street was quiet, most houses dimly lit, and the faint hum of crickets filled the air. Advay pulled up near her gate and killed the engine.

Ananya unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to him. "Alright, Rai. Thanks for the ride. I had fun."

She pushed the door open and stepped out, adjusting her dress slightly. Just as she was about to turn toward the gate, Advay's voice stopped her.

"You know you cheated me on the dare, right?"

She turned back, raising an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Advay leaned against the car, arms crossed, his smirk faint but unmistakable. "The dare was to kiss me. What you did was a peck."

Ananya blinked, then let out a mock gasp. "Oh? So now we're getting technical about dares?"

"I'm just saying," he shrugged. "You didn't exactly follow through."

She tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. "And what are you gonna do about it, Rai?"

Ananya barely had time to react before Advay reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her closer.

Her breath hitched slightly as she stumbled forward, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest.

"Advay—" she started, but her voice faltered.

His emerald-green eyes locked onto hers, unreadable yet intense. There was something about the way he looked at her—calm, certain, unwavering.

For the first time that night, Ananya felt a little flustered.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she refused to look away. "You're unbelievable," she muttered, barely above a whisper.

Advay smirked slightly. "I told you, Panday. You cheated me on the dare."

Before she could come up with another sarcastic remark, he leaned in and kissed her.

It wasn't rushed, wasn't hesitant—it was firm, assured, and completely in control. One hand rested gently on her waist, the other lightly tracing her wrist.

Ananya's eyes fluttered shut as she melted into it, her fingers gripping his shirt ever so slightly.

The world around them—the quiet street, the dimly lit houses, the distant hum of the night—disappeared.

For that moment, it was just them.

As Ananya pulled away slightly, her breath still uneven, Advay's smirk deepened.

"You do realize that was our third kiss, right?" he murmured, his voice effortlessly calm.

She blinked, slightly flustered. "What?"

He tilted his head slightly, watching her reaction with amusement. "First was at my place. Second was in the West Indies. And now, this one."

Ananya's eyes widened slightly before she quickly composed herself, crossing her arms. "You're actually keeping count?"

Advay smirked. "Of course. Important moments shouldn't be forgotten."

She rolled her eyes, but the small smile tugging at her lips gave her away. "You're impossible, Rai."

He exhaled lightly, his emerald-green eyes still fixed on her. "Goodnight, Ananya."

She turned toward the gate, but before stepping inside, she glanced back.

"Goodnight, Advay."

With that, she disappeared into the house, leaving Advay standing there for a moment, the ghost of a smirk still lingering on his lips.

Finally, he got back into his Porsche, started the engine, and drove off into the quiet night, knowing this was only the beginning.