The drive from Nitya's house to the hospital should've taken forty-five minutes. I made it there in twenty flat. Coach told me to inform this to Nitya as she wasn't there at the academy for the tournament. I called her to inform her this she was panicked so she requested me to pick her from her house. I might've followed the traffic rules or i might've broken them. I had no bloody clue. The entire drive was blur, propelled by panic. I and Nitya didn't speaked a word in our whole drive.

Coach said Adriti wasn't in life threatening danger, but that didn't ease the knots in my chest. I barely breathed until I reached the hospital. When we arrived, a waiting staff member ushered us in through a side exit and up to Adriti's floor. We weren't family, but apparently she was conscious and gave the permission to let us see her.

After a seeming eternity the lift doors pinged open. I sprinted into the hall. I didn't need them to tell me in which room Adriti was. I could see Aadarsh and Coach standing outside, their faces pale with worry.

Aadarsh opened his mouth, but i didn't wait to hear what he had to say before I barreled into the hospital room.

I didn't care it that was rude. I needed to see Adriti with my own eyes, or i would fucking combust. The door shut behind me. I came to an abrupt halt, my chest heaving as I stared at her.

She lay half propped up in the bed, her body swaddled in a loose white hospital gown that was almost the same shade as her pale, waxen complexion. She was hooked up to several machines, and gauze dressing covered half her forehead.

She blinked in visible shock when she saw me. "Ishaan? ,Nitya?". I almost forgot that Nitya was also with me. My lungs twisted, cutting off the free flow of oxygen.

"Hey" i whispered. "Hey" she whispers back. "Hey." I walk to her bed beside her. "Hey," she says again. "Hey." "Stop it," she says. She tries to laugh but it hurted her. So she smiled. Her smile was a shadow of its usual self. Nitya came beside me. "Get well soon! Dude I can't see you like this." She said to Adriti. Adriti smiled at her. "What happened about my game ?" She said. "Are you serious!? You're here in hospital bed and you're asking about the game ?" Said Nitya. "Exactly." I said. "How's my patient doing ?" Doctor came in the room. "Let's do a quick check." He said. "You both can wait outside till I check her I'll call you once I'm done." I and Nitya nodded and left the room.

When we went outside only Aadarsh was there. "I'll check on Adriti's parents." Said Nitya and she left. "Are you guys dating ?." Asked Aadarsh. "Huh?" "I mean you and Adriti?" I paused after hearing his question. I and Adriti weren't dating but I have feelings for her and I know that she feels the same way about me but we both are afraid to confess our feelings to each other. "No we're not. We are just good friends." I replied. "Ohh. I thought you guys were dating. I saw how panic you were and the way you look at her. Well, my bad sorry." " Don't be it's okay. And thankyou for being with her in the ambulance. It really means a lot." "Well, its not that a big deal anyone would've done the same if they were in my place." I nodded and smiled at him. "Where is coach?" I asked. "He went to the medical to buy some of the medicines." As he said this doctor came out from the room.

"Doctor, can I talk to you for a minute?" I said. I needed to ask a lot of questions to him about Adriti. "Yeah, sure come with me." He took me to his cabin and asked me to sit. "So, what are your concerns?" He asked. "Is Adriti really fine? There's nothing to worry about right ?" "No there's nothing to worry about but.." as soon as I heard the word 'but' my heart skipped a beat. "..she has to be more careful while playing. I will be giving her discharge today. As there is no fracture. But make sure you take care of her." I sighed in relief. "Sure I will." "By the way what's your relation with her? Are you her brother?" "No!" I exclaimed "I'm not a her brother. Just a... Friend." I said with calm voice. "Oh okay." I went back to the waiting room where Aadarsh was still waiting outside. "Come, we'll go to see Adriti." I said. We went to her room. As we opened the door she looked at us a smiled. "How's my best competetor doing?" Said Aadarsh. "Good, I guess." "Comeon you have to get well soon. We need to complete our remaining match." He said while laughing. "Sure. Get ready to lose again Aadarsh." She said. We all started laughing. I loved the way Adriti was laughing again and the way she was confident. "When am I getting discharged? I can't be here anymore... It's soo boring." She said. "I talked to doctor, he said you'll be getting discharged today... So don't worry you'll be home by 8pm today." She sighed "Thank God!"

"Guys I guess it's getting late. I should leave now." Said Aadarsh. "Yeah, you should go home now. And once again thankyou so much Aadarsh." I said with a smile. He nodded "okay then! Take care Adriti. I'll see you on Monday then?" "Yupp. Be prepared huh.." she said with a big smile. "Sure! Bye" and he left. So it was only I and Adriti left in the room. It soo awkward I don't even know what to speak to her. To break the silence I just asked her "Do you need something to eat? I can get you some fruits you want." "Yes. Thankyou." I nodded and ordered some fruits for her. "Where is Nitya?" "She went to check on your parents. She might've went to the station to pick them." "Ohh okay." And it was again silence. Neither of us speaked a single word. "Hey umm.... What are your plans for this Sunday?" I asked. "Nothing I guess." "So is it okay if we both go out for a dinner?" "Are you asking me on a date?" "No!... I mean... Fuck it! Yes I'm asking you on a date!" She paused for a second then she replied with a smile "I would love to come with you Ishaan." I sighed in relief. Thank God she agreed. I don't know this thing is so difficult. "Hushhh finally! So it's Sunday 8 pm then?" "Yupp. Sunday 8 pm" "I'll pick you up. Okay?" "Okay."