Emperor Of Cricket

Still smiling from their shared laughter, Advay and Ananya got up from their chairs and walked over to the director, who was busy discussing the next setup with his crew.

The director turned toward them with a welcoming grin, clapping his hands together. "Alright, now that you two have caught up, let's get to work."

He gestured toward the bike, then looked at Ananya. "So here's the plan for your part of the shoot. You'll be riding behind Advay. The focus is on the speed, the motion, and, of course, the grip of the MRF tires."**

Ananya nodded, listening intently.

The director continued, pointing down the track. "First, we'll shoot the clean ride sequence. Advay will accelerate smoothly, and you just have to hold onto him naturally. No need to overact—just go with the flow."

Ananya smirked slightly. "Hold onto him naturally? Got it."

The director didn't notice the playful undertone and kept explaining. "Then, we'll shoot close-ups of the tires gripping the road. For the drift shot, you won't actually be on the bike—we'll film it separately. It's all about editing magic."

Ananya nodded. "Sounds simple enough."

The director glanced between them. "Any questions?"

Advay shook his head. "Nope, let's get started."

Ananya adjusted the strap on her jacket, glancing at the bike. "Let's do this."

With the final instructions given, the crew moved quickly to set up the cameras, adjusting angles and positioning the tracking vehicles. The assistant director signaled for the stunt team to double-check everything, while the bike stood ready at the starting point, its engine softly rumbling.

Advay walked over, grabbing his helmet and gloves, slipping them on with practiced ease. Ananya followed, securing her own protective gear, a mix of excitement and focus in her eyes.

The director clapped his hands together. "Alright! Cameras ready? Sound? Alright, here we go—first sequence! Advay, you accelerate smoothly down the track. Ananya, just hold on and let the movement feel natural. Ready? Three… two… one… ACTION!"

Advay twisted the throttle, and the bike roared to life, shooting forward with precision. Ananya, seated behind him, instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist, gripping tightly as the wind rushed past them.

The chase car followed closely behind, its mounted camera capturing every detail—the way the tires gripped the asphalt, the slight tilt of the bike as Advay maneuvered through the curves, the synchronized balance between the two riders.

From the commentary booth, the director's voice crackled through the radio. "Perfect, perfect! Keep that speed steady—don't slow down too much before the next turn."

Advay nodded slightly, leaning into the next stretch, keeping his speed above 100 kmph, as the distant camera drone hovered above, capturing a breathtaking aerial shot of the motion.

After a flawless straight run, the director's voice came through again. "Cut! That was beautiful! Alright, resetting for the next take—now we focus on the close-up shots."

The crew quickly repositioned the cameras, bringing in a robotic tracking dolly that would capture the exact movements of the MRF tires gripping the road. The goal was to highlight how effortlessly the tires handled the high speeds and sharp turns.

The second take began.

Advay accelerated once again, this time the camera zooming in on the tires, showing how they hugged the asphalt even as he leaned into a controlled tilt. The dust kicked up slightly, adding a cinematic touch as the director watched the monitor, clearly impressed.

"Beautiful! We got it. Alright, now for the drift shot!"

Ananya stepped off the bike, adjusting her jacket while Advay got ready for the most technical part of the shoot. This time, he would perform the high-speed drift alone, while Ananya's part would be edited in later.

The assistant director stepped forward. "Alright, same setup as before, but this time, push the drift wider to make it more dramatic."

Advay smirked under his helmet. "Got it."

The countdown began.

"Three… two… one… ACTION!"

Advay gunned the throttle, the engine roaring louder than before. As he approached the marked section, he shifted his weight, tapped the rear brake, and yanked the handlebars slightly, sending the bike into a controlled drift.

The tires screeched against the asphalt, leaving a perfect arc of skid marks on the track. A cloud of smoke billowed behind him, the sunlight catching it just right as the tracking camera captured the moment in stunning slow motion.

The bike straightened effortlessly, coming to a smooth stop as the crew cheered in approval.

The director laughed. "That's it! That's the shot! Perfect execution, Advay!"

Ananya, watching from the side, raised an eyebrow. "Not bad, bike boy."

Advay took off his helmet, smirking slightly. "Bike boy? Really?"

She shrugged playfully. "What else should I call you?"

The director walked over, clapping his hands together. "Alright, people! That's a wrap! Amazing work today, both of you!"

As the crew started packing up the equipment, Advay and Ananya stepped aside, the energy of the day still lingering between them.

Advay leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms slightly before giving her a playful smirk. "So, how was my batting?" He paused for a second before adding, "You were there when we trashed Mumbai Indians, right?"

Ananya nodded, her expression neutral at first. "Yeah, I was there."

Just as Advay was about to respond, she suddenly grinned mischievously. "But… I didn't really notice you."

Advay's smirk faltered instantly, his eyebrows raising slightly in disbelief. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he stared at her. "What do you mean you didn't notice me?"

Ananya shrugged lightly, looking away for a moment as if she were genuinely trying to recall. "I mean, I was watching the match… but I guess I just wasn't paying attention to you."

Advay narrowed his eyes, his voice filled with mock offense. "You're kidding, right? I literally scored 137 not out. For RCB. At Chinnaswamy. Against MI. And you're telling me you didn't notice me?"

Ananya bit her lip, clearly trying to hold back a laugh. "Oh, did you? I must've been busy."

Advay exhaled sharply, his disbelief growing. "Busy doing what?"

Ananya tilted her head slightly, as if she were genuinely trying to come up with an answer. "Hmm… not watching you, I guess."

Advay's jaw dropped slightly, and he placed a hand on his forehead, shaking his head slowly. "This is unreal. The entire stadium was chanting my name, and you—sitting in the VIP section—somehow missed it?"

Ananya finally let out a soft laugh, leaning back in her chair. "Relax, I'm messing with you."

Advay blinked at her, still processing her words. "…You're messing with me?"

She nodded, her grin widening. "Of course, I saw it. The stadium was literally shaking every time you hit a boundary."

Advay let out a long exhale, shaking his head as he picked up a water bottle from the table. "You really had me there for a second."

Ananya rested her chin on her palm, watching him with amusement. "Yeah, I know."

Advay took a sip from his water bottle, still shaking his head in mock disbelief. He looked at Ananya, who was still grinning, clearly enjoying how easily she had gotten to him.

He set the bottle down, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms. "Alright, since you claim you 'did notice me'… I think it's only fair that I get your number."

Ananya raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. "Oh? And why would I give you my number?"

Advay smirked. "Because I need to personally remind you to pay attention the next time I hit a century."

Ananya let out a soft laugh, tapping her fingers on the armrest. "Oh, is that so?"

Advay nodded confidently. "Absolutely. I can't have you 'not noticing' another match-winning innings."

Ananya pretended to think for a moment, then leaned forward slightly. "Hmm… tell you what. If you score another century in the next match, I'll give you my number."

Advay's smirk widened. "Deal."

Ananya smiled playfully, but there was a slight challenge in her eyes. "Let's see if you can actually pull it off, Mr. No-Stunt-Double."

Advay chuckled, shaking his head. "Start saving my contact now. You're gonna need it after the next match."

Advay leaned forward slightly, his smirk turning into a full grin as he tapped his fingers on the table. "How about we add another clause to this deal?"

Ananya raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "Oh? And what exactly do you have in mind?"

Advay's eyes gleamed with playful confidence. "If I don't just score a century, but break the record for the fastest hundred in IPL history…" He paused for dramatic effect before continuing, "…I get your number and a dinner."

Ananya leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she studied him. "A dinner?"

Advay nodded, completely unfazed. "Yep. Your choice of place, I won't complain. But only if I break the record."

Ananya clicked her tongue, pretending to think. "And what if you don't?"

Advay chuckled, tilting his head. "Then you don't give me your number, and I'll just have to try again in another match."

Ananya smirked, shaking her head. "You're really that confident, huh?"

Advay leaned back, completely relaxed. "You tell me. Do I look like a guy who makes bets he can't win?"

Ananya sighed dramatically, then extended her hand. "Fine. If you break the record for the fastest IPL hundred, you get my number and a dinner. But if you fail, no excuses."

Advay shook her hand firmly, his grin never fading. "Deal."

As they let go, Ananya shook her head with a small smile. "I really hope the next team you play has a good bowling attack."

Advay laughed. "Pray for them, not for me."

As the crew wrapped up the shoot, the director walked over, giving both Advay and Ananya a nod of approval. "Great work, you two. That's a wrap for today."

Ananya stretched her arms and let out a small sigh. "Finally. Sitting on a bike for hours is way harder than it looks."

Advay chuckled, tossing his helmet onto the nearby equipment table. "Tell me about it. At least you didn't have to do the drifting."

Ananya smirked. "Fair point. But hey, you handled it well… 'Bike Boy.'"

Advay groaned, shaking his head. "You're really not gonna let that go, are you?"

She grinned. "Nope."

With that, they both grabbed their things and headed toward their cars. Just before she got in, Ananya glanced back at him. "Well, good luck in your next match. You'll need it if you want to win our bet."

Advay smirked. "I don't need luck. Just be ready to save my number."

Ananya laughed, shaking her head before waving. "We'll see."

With that, she got into her car and drove off.

Advay stood there for a moment, watching her leave before exhaling with a small smile. "Fastest hundred in IPL history, huh?" He muttered to himself before getting into his own car.

It looked like the next match just got a little more interesting.

As the crew wrapped up the shoot, the director walked over, giving both Advay and Ananya a nod of approval. "Great work, you two. That's a wrap for today."

Ananya stretched her arms and let out a small sigh. "Finally. Sitting on a bike for hours is way harder than it looks."

Advay chuckled, tossing his helmet onto the nearby equipment table. "Tell me about it. At least you didn't have to do the drifting."

Ananya smirked. "Fair point. But hey, you handled it well… 'Bike Boy.'"

Advay groaned, shaking his head. "You're really not gonna let that go, are you?"

She grinned. "Nope."

With that, they both grabbed their things and headed toward their cars. Just before she got in, Ananya glanced back at him. "Well, good luck in your next match. You'll need it if you want to win our bet."

Advay smirked. "I don't need luck. Just be ready to save my number."

Ananya laughed, shaking her head before waving. "We'll see."

With that, she got into her car and drove off.

Advay stood there for a moment, watching her leave before exhaling with a small smile. "Fastest hundred in IPL history, huh?" He muttered to himself before getting into his own car.

It looked like the next match just got a little more interesting.

After the long day at the shoot, Advay returned to the team hotel, feeling the exhaustion settle in. The warm shower washed away the dust and fatigue, and by the time he stepped out, he felt refreshed and ready for the evening.

Throwing on a casual black shirt and jeans, he checked his phone—there was already a message in the RCB team group chat, reminding everyone about the team dinner.

With a small smirk, he grabbed his phone and wallet before heading down to join the rest of the squad. Tonight wasn't just about food—it was about unwinding, sharing laughs, and getting into the right mindset for the next match.

As the team sat around a long table in the private dining area of the hotel, laughter and conversations filled the air. Plates of food were being passed around, and the mood was light, everyone enjoying the evening after yet another dominant win.

Advay sat near the middle of the table, quietly eating, but there was a noticeable difference—he was grinning from ear to ear, his mind clearly elsewhere.

It didn't take long for his teammates to notice.

Chahal, always the first to stir things up, nudged Umesh Yadav and subtly gestured toward Advay. "Look at this guy. He's smiling like he just got a secret bonus from the franchise."

Umesh, catching on immediately, smirked. "Or maybe… something better."

Virat, seated a few spots away, raised an eyebrow, finally turning his attention to Advay. "Alright, what's up with you? You've been grinning at your food like it just proposed to you."

The entire table burst into laughter, and Advay finally snapped out of his thoughts, blinking in confusion. "Huh? What?"

Moeen Ali leaned forward, smirking. "Come on, mate. We've been watching you for the last ten minutes, and you look way too happy for someone who's just eating dal and roti."

Advay shook his head, trying to hide his grin, but it was too late.

Chahal gasped dramatically. "Ohhh, I know that smile." He turned to the rest of the team, pointing at Advay. "Boys, our young superstar here is in love!"

The table erupted with whistles and playful cheers, some of the players banging the table in excitement.

Advay rolled his eyes, grabbing his water glass. "You guys are ridiculous."

Virat leaned in, eyes narrowed suspiciously. "So? Who is she?"

Advay sighed, shaking his head, but he couldn't stop himself from smirking again—which only made the teasing worse.

Virat leaned in slightly, a knowing smirk on his face. "So… did you meet Ananya during your shoot?"

At that moment, Advay, who had just taken a sip of water, nearly choked, coughing slightly as he set the glass down. The entire table erupted in laughter, with Chahal practically falling off his chair.

"Ohhh, look at him! Look at his face!" Chahal pointed excitedly, nudging Umesh. "He's finished. Absolutely finished!"

Advay cleared his throat, trying to play it cool, but the heat creeping up his ears wasn't helping. "What kind of question is that?" he asked, forcing himself to stay neutral.

Moeen leaned in, grinning. "So, that's a yes."

Marcus Stoinis smirked. "More importantly, how did it go?"

Advay sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew there was no escape, so he finally gave in. "Yeah, I met her. She was the co-actor in the shoot."

The table exploded with cheers and whistles, with Chahal dramatically wiping a fake tear. "Our boy is growing up so fast!"

Umesh shook his head, laughing. "No wonder you've been grinning like an idiot all evening."

Advay rolled his eyes. "You guys are acting like I just got married or something. It was just a shoot."

Virat smirked. "A shoot that's got you smiling like you just scored a double hundred?"

Advay opened his mouth to respond but hesitated for half a second—which was all the confirmation the team needed.

Chahal clapped his hands. "Game over, boys. He's gone."

As the laughter finally started to die down, Advay leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. He turned to Virat, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Wait a second… how did you know Ananya was the co-actor for my shoot?"

Virat smirked, casually leaning back in his chair. "What do you think, kid? You're a rising star, and this is the IPL. Word gets around."

Advay raised an eyebrow. "Word gets around? That's it?"

Virat chuckled before finally answering. "Fine. The RCB media team handles all commercial schedules involving our players. They told me a few days ago that you were shooting with MRF… and I might've seen Ananya's name on the contract."

Chahal gasped dramatically. "So you knew this whole time and didn't tell him?"

Virat shrugged. "Where's the fun in that?"

The team burst into laughter again, while Advay shook his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable."

Umesh grinned. "Come on, man. Admit it. If Virat had told you earlier, you would've been thinking about it the whole time instead of focusing on your bike stunts."

Marcus Stoinis smirked. "Yeah, and then you might've actually needed a stunt double."

Advay rolled his eyes, but he couldn't stop himself from smirking. "You guys are never letting this go, are you?"

Chahal grinned, slapping him on the back. "Not a chance, lover boy."