📺 Watched a big match alone for the first time and it felt weird

Last Friday I watched a big match alone in my flat in Khobar. Everyone was busy. My family had gone to Dammam for a wedding, and the two friends I usually watch with had family visiting. I made tea, sat on the sofa, and switched on the TV at 7. I was fine with it. By the 10th over I was talking to the screen and nobody was there to answer. When a wicket fell I jumped up, shouted, and then just stood there. Normally someone slaps my back. A good shot went to the boundary and I turned to say look at that. The sofa was empty. It was so quiet between overs that I could hear the fridge humming in the kitchen. I messaged the group, and 3 of them replied with a thumbs up. Very helpful, thanks. Here's the odd part. I noticed things I never see. Where the fielders were standing, when the bowler changed his field. With friends I miss all of that because someone is arguing about biryani or a cousin's job offer. Alone I could follow the plan for 2 overs in a row without anyone talking over it. It was kind of interesting, but I had nobody to tell. That was the problem. My friend Zubair prefers watching alone. He says groups ruin the last 5 overs for him. I told him about my night and he laughed for a full minute. He said, welcome to my life. I'm still going with the group next time. The noise is the whole point for me. Maybe I'll try one small match alone again, when nothing is riding on the result.

Talking to the TV, I laughed at that. My friends and I have a small ritual now. Whoever's turn it is brings the snacks, and there's a fine of 10 rupees for scrolling your phone. The money buys more snacks, so everyone wins. It took me a month to stop rolling my eyes. Now I'd be lost without it. Watching alone feels like eating dinner standing in the kitchen.

I watch alone on purpose when it's a close one. My nerves can't handle people commenting. Last month I paced the balcony for the whole last over while my brother texted me jokes. Group nights are for the boring middle part of a match, the snacks and the arguments.