It's July 6th, and as the clock struck 11:30 p.m., I found myself standing on the balcony of my room, gazing up at the vast expanse of stars in the night sky. The moment allowed my mind to wander back to the past, reflecting on all the unexpected turns my life had taken. If someone had asked me just a year ago whether I could ever imagine being a part of the Indian cricket team, my answer would have been a resounding no. Back then, I was just an ordinary cricket enthusiast, passionate about the sport but far from the limelight of professional cricket. However, fate had other plans in store for me. It was a dream come true, and my heart swelled with pride as I stood there, taking in the beauty of the night. As the minutes ticked by, I couldn't help but think about my upcoming birthday. This year, it was going to be different. It was going to be special. Being a part of the Indian cricket team had given me newfound confidence and a sense of purpose.
It was around 11.55 p.m. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door of my room. Curiosity filling my mind, I made my way towards the door. As I opened it, I was greeted by the sight of all my boys standing there, grinning from ear to ear. GOAT, with his infectious smile, entered the room, followed by the rest of the gang. Confusion overwhelmed me. I couldn't fathom why they were all here in the middle of the night. Before I could ask any questions, the clock struck midnight, and a chorus of voices erupted: "Happy birthday, Tara!" How did they know? I had never mentioned when my birthday was, yet here they were, surprising me in the most heartwarming way. Sanju appeared from behind the group, holding a massive vanilla-flavored cake with the candles already lit. It was at that moment that my emotions overwhelmed me. A surge of gratitude washed over me, and tears welled up in my eyes. I had resigned myself to the idea of celebrating my birthday alone this year, but these amazing bunch of boys proved me wrong.
As I stood lost in my daydreams, the sound of a familiar voice brought me back to reality. It was the voice of GOAT. "Tara, stop dreaming," he said with a playful tone, "it's time to cut the cake." I nodded my head, wiping away the tears that had gathered during my brief escape into my thoughts. As I entered the room, everyone gathered around, their faces filled with anticipation. They began to sing in unison, their voices harmonizing with each other: "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Tara, happy birthday to you!" I couldn't help but laugh, feeling the warmth of their love filling the room. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes as I made a wish, and blew out the candles that adorned the cake before me.
Ice-god presented me with a beautifully wrapped package. Excitement sparked in my eyes as I unwrapped it, revealing an autographed bat—a precious and meaningful gift. My heart swelled with joy, and tears began to flow down my cheeks once again. Goat, always calm and composed, gently patted my head, reminding me not to get too emotional over the small gift. But to me, it wasn't just a bat. As the celebration continued, one by one, the people I loved offered me their heartfelt presents. Each gift carried its own significance—a reflection of our unique bond and the moments we had shared. This would undoubtedly be an unforgettable birthday for me.
Out of curiosity, I asked, "I never mentioned my birthday to you; how did you know?" Harpreet turned to me with a mischievous grin and replied, "That's why we have a daddy in our team." He quickly added, "Daddy told us about your birthday and how you always wanted the goat's autographed bat." I expressed my gratitude to Roby for orchestrating such a unique surprise. I admired how my teammates, even the cricketing legend himself, were willing to go the extra mile to make me feel included. Also, the GOAT said, "Tara, you are one of us; don't try to keep things private; we are here to support each other always." I smiled.
Adhi walked towards me, with his face glowing in excitement. In his hands, he held a bouquet of freshly picked red roses, their fragrance filling the room. He looked straight into my eyes and said, "Dhidhi, I love you!" Surprised but elated, I accepted the bouquet with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Adhi! Dhidhi loves you too," I replied, reaching out to take the bouquet from him. However, to my surprise, he held onto it tightly, refusing to let go. Confused, I raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you not going to give me this bouquet?" Adhi maintained a serious expression, his gaze unwavering. He said, "Dhidhi, I love you!" again. I glanced at Rachin and Zahiri, standing behind him. They nodded in affirmation, silently signaling that Adhi was indeed serious. Seeking confirmation from others in the room, I turned my head and saw their expressions filled with agreement. Suddenly, Adhi took a step closer and repeated in earnest, "Dhidhi, I love you. I want to date you!"
Time seemed to freeze as I processed his words. My palms grew clammy, my mind racing with uncertainty. Was Adhi really expressing his love for me? Was this a joke or a sincere confession? Shaking off my initial disbelief, I regained my composure and responded, "Yuck, stop joking!" I pushed everyone out of the room. Closing the door, I leaned against it, trying to make sense of what had just transpired.
I quickly realized cake was still inside the room and I should not have treated them this way. I swiftly opened the door and glanced around, only to see everyone still standing outside. I rushed in and retrieved the cake. Turning to Zahiri, I handed the cake to him. "Guys, please eat it," I said. And with that, I abruptly slammed the door shut.