Page 25 of Game on, Love

I scanned the faces in the crowd, halfheartedly hoping for a glimpse of something familiar, someone who might make the night feel more… real.

But Dad wasn’t there. He hadn’t been at a match in months now and hadn’t shown up for a cricket event longer.

I could practically hear his voice in my head, gruff and proud, the same as it was when I had played my first game as a kid.

The sound of the applause softened as I walked back to my seat, my teammates slapping me on the back and smiling, but it all felt distant. I plastered on a smile, laughing at their jokes and accepting their congratulations.

But it was hard to shake the feeling that for the first time, winning felt like a reminder of the people who weren’t there.

9

Raina

IT WAS TOO EARLYto be awake, yet here I was, staring at the ceiling, trying to find the will to get up.

I wasn’t a morning person. Never had been, which was exactly why my flat had blackout blinds and why my cats always operated on my schedule. But last night, after travelling for over 20 hours, I’d waited until Kaira dropped off Lilli and Milo before passing out without closing the curtains in my room.

Now, the light filtered in my room, alongside Lilli’s incessant scratching at the bedroom door, had woken me up before it was acceptable for humans to be awake. I sighed, snuggling further in my bed that felt like an actual cloud, only for Lilli to scratch at the door again.

I looked in her direction, begging silently to wait just a minute, but she just stared back with a narrowed gaze, her tail twitching with impatience.

“Fine,” I grumbled, throwing off the covers and shivering as the cool air hit my skin. Lilli purred as if she’d just won a battle of wills as I opened the door. I frowned, looking around the room for Milo. “Where’s your brother?”

But she’d already darted out, not a single care about anything or anyone else. I sighed, quickly freshening up and grabbing my phone off the nightstand before following her to the kitchen.

The morning chill seeped into my skin, sending a shiver down my spine, and I instantly regretted not grabbing a hoodie.

By the time I entered the kitchen, Lilli was already parked by her bowl and watched me with big, wide eyes like she hadn’tbeen fed for days but I knew for a fact that Kaira took proper care for both of them.

I glanced at the clock in the oven.

06:41 AM.Ugh.

I reached for the kibble bag, filling her bowl quietly, and before I could even straighten up, she tore into her breakfast. I stroked her fur, making her close her eyes in response.

“Little gremlin,” I muttered, placing a quick kiss on Lilli’s head before straightening.

I sighed, turning to the coffee machine. If I had any hope of functioning like a normal human being this early in the morning, caffeine was non-negotiable.

The house was silent, but there was still a heaviness to it. As the coffee machine turned on with a low hum, followed by a rhythmic hiss of steam and a sharp gurgle, I couldn’t help but flinch slightly.

Too early.

Resting my elbows at the counter, I watched as the coffee poured out, the rich aroma filling the air. It was like my brain needed something so menial, so habitual, before reminding me of the reason I had cut my trip short. The next couple of days were my last days off before I had to give Hazel an answer.

As I sat at the kitchen bar chair, cradling my coffee cup, Lilli purred contentedly near my feet, already fed and settled for the morning.

I looked around the living room.

Where was Milo?

That was another thing about our new living situation. Milo, who liked to be left alone, was now a self-proclaimed owner of every random weird little spot in the house.

“Milo?” I called, slightly confused but equally concerned. He wasn’t a moving cat, but he wasn’t this elusive when food was involved. But.. nothing.

It was too early for this, so I used my next best option. Unlocking my phone, I spotted a text from Vedant.

Vedant:Thanks for the mithai. It clearly worked.