Hira and Shubman bolted out of the house, the urgency of their situation fueling their every step.

Her hands trembled as she gripped the steering wheel, her mind racing even faster than the car.

The streets blurred past as she navigated the city with single-minded determination.

Shubman, sitting beside her, adjusted his cap and mask, hoping to avoid recognition.

As they skidded to a halt in front of the nearest medical store, She wasted no time.

She dashed inside, with him running behind her.

Her heart pounded as she sprinted towards the counter, the fear of the consequences of their carelessness gnawing at her.

"I need contraceptive pills," she gasped, her voice a mix of desperation and urgency.

The shopkeeper, an elderly man with a stern expression, raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have a doctor's prescription?" he asked, his tone unyielding.

Her fear spiked, her mind racing for a solution. The thought of the potential consequences of not getting the pills was too much to bear.

She reached into her wallet and pulled out a wad of cash, slamming it on the counter. "Please," she begged, her eyes pleading. "I'll pay extra."

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment before nodding and accepting the bribe.

He quickly handed over the pills, and Hira's relief was palpable.

She grabbed the package, tore it open, and immediately popped a pill into her mouth.

Shubman, seeing her distress, handed her a bottle of water from his bag. She drank it quickly, the pill going down in one gulp.

As they turned to leave, Hira stopped at the door and turned back to Shubman.

Her eyes narrowed, and she glared at him. "Don't forget to buy condoms," she reminded him sharply before walking briskly back to the car.

Shubman felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He exchanged an awkward glance with the shopkeeper, who now wore a bemused expression.

With a sigh, Shubman turned back to the counter. "One box of condoms, please," he muttered, his face flushing under his mask.

The shopkeeper handed him the box with a knowing smile.

Shubman quickly paid and walked out, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

He found Hira waiting in the car, her expression a mix of relief and lingering anxiety.

They drove in silence, each lost in their thoughts.

The reality of what had happened was sinking in, and the urgency of their trip to the medical store had left them both shaken.

Hira's grip on the steering wheel was tight, her knuckles white, while Shubman sat beside her, the box of condoms a stark reminder of their need for caution in the future.

The tension from their earlier rush slowly began to dissipate as they drove back, but she remained lost in her thoughts.

Her grip on the steering wheel was tight, her mind replaying the events of the morning. he noticed her distraction and placed a gentle hand on her arm.

"Love," he said softly, trying to break through her reverie. "How about we get some breakfast? There's a café nearby. "

Hira glanced over at him, her expression softening. She realized how tense and anxious she felt, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," she agreed, giving him a small smile.

A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of a cozy café.

The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted towards them as they entered, providing a much-needed sense of normalcy.

They chose a quiet corner table, away from the prying eyes of other people.

Shubman pulled out a chair for Hira, and she sank into it gratefully.

As they scanned the menu, the reality of the morning's events began to fade into the background, replaced by the comforting routine of ordering breakfast.

Shubman ordered a hearty omelet with toast, while Hira opted for pancakes and a chocolate smoothie.

As they waited for their food, Shubman reached across the table and took Hira's hand in his.

"I'm sorry for what happened," he said earnestly. "I should have been more careful."

Hira squeezed his hand, her expression softening. "We both should have been," she replied. "But we handled it. It's over now."

Their food arrived, and they ate in companionable silence for a while, the stress of the morning slowly melting away.

The café was a haven of warmth and comfort, filled with the soothing murmur of conversations and the clinking of cutlery against plates.

He glanced around, grateful for this moment of peace amid the chaos.

As Hira took a sip of her smoothie, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"You know," she said, "for a moment there, I thought the shopkeeper was going to kick us out."

Shubman laughed, the tension finally easing from his shoulders. "Yeah, that was pretty intense. But you handled it like a pro."

They continued their meal, the conversation flowing more easily now.

Shubman shared a funny story from his recent cricket tour, making Hira laugh out loud.

In return, Hira recounted a hilarious mishap from the first plane she flied, which had Shubman chuckling.

By the time they finished their breakfast, the weight of the earlier events had lifted significantly.

As they prepared to leave, Shubman reached for the bill, but Hira playfully swatted his hand away.

"My treat," she insisted, flashing him a grin. "Consider it a thank-you for being my rock this morning."

He smiled, his heart swelling with affection for her. "Alright," he agreed. "But I'm getting dessert next time."

With that, they left the café, the sun shining brightly as they stepped outside.

Hira took a deep breath, feeling more grounded and ready to face the rest of the day.

Shubman slipped his arm around her shoulders, and they walked back to the car, feeling more connected than ever.

She dropped him off at his practice, leaning over to give him a quick kiss.

"Good luck today," she said with a smile. He returned the smile, feeling a warmth spread through him at her support.

"Thanks. Drive safe," he replied, giving her hand a squeeze before stepping out of the car.

They waved at each other as Hira drove off, leaving Shubman to head towards the practice grounds.

As he walked onto the field, he immediately noticed the bemused stares from his teammates.

Conversations halted, and all eyes seemed to be on him.

Confused, he looked around, trying to understand what had everyone's attention.

Ishan jogged over, his phone in hand and a wide grin on his face. "Hey, man, you might want to see this," he said, thrusting the phone towards Shubman.

On the screen was a video of him and Hira running into the medical store, the urgency of their movements clear.

The caption read, "Cricketer Shubman Gill spotted in a rush at a medical store. What's the hurry?"

Shubman's eyes widened as he watched the footage. Within an hour, the video had gone viral, attracting countless views and comments.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He hadn't expected their morning's ordeal to be captured and shared with the world.

"Well, that explains the looks," he muttered, handing the phone back to Ishan.

By now, the rest of the team had gathered around, curiosity and amusement clear on their faces.

"What's the deal, Shubman?" Shreyas asked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "You in a hurry to buy something special?"

"Yeah, spill the beans," Hardik chimed in, followed by a chorus of similar questions, everyone speaking at once.

Shubman raised his hands to calm them down. "Alright, alright, everyone, calm down," he said, his voice steady but firm.

The chatter died down, and all eyes were on him, waiting for an explanation.

He took a deep breath, deciding to be straightforward. "Look, it's not as dramatic as it looks. Hira and I realized we needed to get something urgently from the medical store. It was a bit of a rush, and I guess someone thought it was interesting enough to film and share."

The team exchanged glances, some looking a bit disappointed at the mundane explanation, while others seemed satisfied.

"So, no big scandal or anything?" Yashasvi said, trying to lighten the mood.

Shubman chuckled, shaking his head. "No scandal. Just a personal errand blown out of proportion. Now, can we focus on practice?"

The teasing continued for a few more moments, but eventually, the team got back to their routine, the initial excitement over the video fading away.

Shubman threw himself into the practice, grateful for the distraction and the chance to clear his mind.

Though the morning had been chaotic, Shubman knew that he and Hira had handled the situation the best they could.

Now, it was time to focus on his training and let the media buzz die down on its own.

After dropping Shubman off at practice, Hira decided to head back to his apartment.

She had the entire day free and figured she could use the time to relax.

As she entered the apartment and sank into the couch, her eyes wandered around the room.

The sight of the messy space immediately grated on her nerves. Clothes were strewn across the floor, dishes piled up in the sink, and clutter covered every surface.

Hira sighed, knowing she couldn't relax in this chaos.

Determined to make the place livable, she changed into a comfortable pair of shorts and a t-shirt and set to work.

First, she tackled the living room. She picked up the clothes scattered around, folding them neatly and putting them into a laundry basket.

She straightened the cushions on the couch and dusted off the coffee table, putting away magazines and random items that had accumulated.

Next, she vacuumed the floor, getting rid of crumbs and dust that had gathered in the corners.

Satisfied with the living room, she moved to the kitchen. The sight of the piled-up dishes made her cringe.

Rolling up her sleeves, she filled the sink with hot, soapy water and started washing.

Plates, cups, and utensils were scrubbed clean and set to dry. She wiped down the countertops, clearing away crumbs and spills.

The fridge was next; she tossed out expired items and reorganized the shelves.

Hira then turned her attention to the dining area. She cleared the table of mail, receipts, and other miscellaneous items.

After wiping down the table and chairs, she swept and mopped the floor, leaving it sparkling clean.

The bedroom was her next stop. She picked up clothes from the floor, putting dirty ones into the laundry basket and hanging clean ones in the closet.

She made the bed, fluffing the pillows and straightening the sheets.

Dusting the nightstands and organizing the items on top of them gave the room a much neater appearance.

The bathroom required a bit more effort. Hira scrubbed the sink, making sure it was spotless.

She cleaned the mirror, removing toothpaste splatters and streaks.

The toilet and shower received a thorough scrubbing as well. She replaced the old towels with fresh ones and took out the trash.

By the time she finished, Hira was sweaty and a bit tired but immensely satisfied with her work.

Shubman's apartment was transformed from a cluttered mess into a clean, welcoming space.

After cleaning the apartment and taking a refreshing shower, Hira felt exhaustion setting in.

She fell onto the bed, sinking into the soft mattress, and quickly drifted off to sleep.

The hours passed by quietly as she rested, the apartment now a sanctuary of cleanliness and calm.

Meanwhile, Shubman finished his practice session and got a ride home from KL.

As they pulled up to his place, Shubman tried calling Hira but got no answer. Concerned, he hurried inside, wondering why she wasn't picking up.

The moment he stepped through the door, Shubman was greeted by a surprising sight.

The apartment, which had been a chaotic mess in the morning, now shone with cleanliness.

A mild, pleasant fragrance filled the air, making the space feel fresh and inviting.

He knew instantly that Hira had done this; she was always strict about keeping things clean.

A wave of relief washed over him as he walked through the spotless living room and kitchen.

He continued to the bedroom, where he found Hira sleeping on her stomach, clearly worn out from her efforts.

Her hair was slightly tousled, and her breathing was slow and steady.

Shubman let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Seeing her there, safe and sound, brought a sense of peace.

He quietly approached the bed, careful not to wake her. The sight of her sleeping so peacefully, after working so hard to clean up his apartment, filled him with gratitude and affection.

He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, whispering, "Thank you, Hira"

He decided to freshen up after a long day of practice. He took a quick shower, letting the warm water wash away the fatigue.

Once done, he wrapped a towel around his torso, the steam still lingering in the bathroom.

His wet hair dripped slightly as he stepped out, feeling rejuvenated.

Hira, meanwhile, was slowly waking up. The sounds of Shubman moving around had gently stirred her from her sleep.

As she blinked her eyes open and adjusted to the light, she saw Shubman standing there, fresh from his shower.

The sight made her heart skip a beat.

Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped slightly as she took in his chiseled upper body and defined abs.

His wet hair and the towel wrapped around his waist only added to his allure.

She could feel a blush spreading across her cheeks as she stared at him, momentarily mesmerized.

Shubman noticed her reaction and couldn't help but smirk. "Enjoying the view?" he teased, his voice playful.

He walked over to her, the confidence in his stride making her blush even more.

Hira tried to compose herself but found it difficult to look away. "You... look... sexy," she finally managed to say, her voice a bit breathless.

"Glad you think so," he replied with a wink. He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss, his smirk never fading.

"Thanks for cleaning up the place. It looks fantastic."

She smiled, feeling a mix of pride and shyness. "It was nothing. Just couldn't stand the mess."

"Well, I appreciate it," Shubman said, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside her.

He reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're the best."

She felt a surge of warmth at his words, the exhaustion from earlier melting away. "I'm glad you like it," she replied softly.

Shubman's eyes sparkled with affection as he looked at her. "I love it. And I love you." Hira's heart fluttered. "I love you too."

Sbe suddenly remembered the important conversation she had been meaning to have with Shubman.

Her heart started to race, but she knew it was time to tell him.

She asked him to put on some clothes, and once he was dressed, he joined her on the bed, sitting beside her with a concerned expression.

Taking a deep breath, Hira braced herself and began to speak.

"Shub, there's something I need to tell you," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "It's something from my past, and it's really important."

Shubman reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You can tell me anything, Hia."

She nodded, gathering her strength. "Five years ago, when I was twenty, I was in a relationship with someone who wasn't a good person. He... he forced me into things I didn't want to do. I never gave him my consent, but he didn't care."

His face darkened with concern and anger, but he remained silent, letting her continue.

"A few weeks later, I started experiencing symptoms," Hira continued, her voice breaking. "I got checked, and the result came out positive. I was pregnant. I knew I didn't want this, that it wasn't my fault. So, I decided to abort the baby."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, and she began to sob uncontrollably.

The pain of reliving those moments was overwhelming. Shubman felt his own heart breaking at her words.

He moved closer, wrapping his arms around her, holding her tightly as she cried.

"It's okay, Baby. It's not your fault. You did what you had to do," he whispered, trying to calm her.

His own eyes were moist with tears, feeling deeply emotional.

Hira clung to him, seeking comfort and reassurance. "Do you... do you still want to be with me? Even after knowing this?" she asked between sobs, her voice filled with vulnerability.

He pulled back slightly, cupping her face in his hands. He looked into her eyes, his expression full of love and determination.

"Hira Sarabhai, I love you more than anything. Of course, I still want to be with you. I want to marry you, and nothing from your past will ever change that."

He leaned in and kissed her forehead gently. "You are the most incredible person I know. I'm so proud of you for sharing this with me. And I promise, I will always be here for you, no matter what."

Hira felt a wave of relief wash over her. She buried her face in his neck, feeling his warmth and strength.

His words, his love, made her feel safe and cherished.

"Thank you, Shub," she whispered, her voice muffled against his skin. "Thank you for loving me."

He held her close, rubbing soothing circles on her back. "Always, Hia. Always."

They stayed like that for a long while, wrapped in each other's embrace, finding solace and strength in their love.

He pulled back slightly, looking into Hira's eyes with a mixture of concern and determination. "Do your parents know about this?" he asked gently.

She shook her head, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "No, I kept it hidden from them. I couldn't bear to tell them," she replied, her voice trembling.

Shubman caressed her face tenderly, wiping away her tears. "You're so strong, Baby," he said softly.

Then, a fiercer look came into his eyes. "What was the name of the boy who did this to you?"

Her tears returned, and she could barely get the name out. " Ahaan Verma," she whispered, her voice filled with pain and bitterness.

Hearing the name, he felt a surge of fury. He instantly hugged her tightly, kissing her hair and holding her close.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through this," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

"I swear to you, Hira, I will make him pay for what he did to you. I'll make sure he regrets ever hurting you."

His promise was fierce, and Hira could feel the intensity of his emotions.

Despite his anger, Shubman knew he needed to stay calm for her sake. He took a deep breath, trying to rein in his rage.

"But right now, what matters most is you. I'm here for you, and I'll always protect you."

She clung to him, feeling a mix of gratitude and love. "Thank you, Shub," she whispered. "Thank you for being here for me."

He continued to hold her, his hand gently rubbing her back to soothe her.

"Always, Hira. You're my everything," he said softly. "We'll get through this together."

They stayed like that for a while, finding comfort in each other's embrace.

Shubman's mind was racing with thoughts of revenge, but he knew he had to focus on Hira now. His priority was to make sure she felt safe and loved.

As the minutes passed, Hira began to calm down, her sobs subsiding into quiet sniffles.

Shubman kissed her forehead again, his voice tender. "Let's take it one step at a time. We'll figure everything out together."

She nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'm so lucky to have you," she said softly. "And I'm lucky to have you,"

Shubman replied, his eyes filled with unwavering love and determination. "We'll get through this, Love. I promise."

It was clear to Shubman that he needed to handle things with a measured approach, especially after hearing Hira's painful revelation.

After ensuring she washed her face to freshen up, he quietly texted Ishan, Virat, Shreyas, Rohit, and Hardik about needing to discuss something important.

His heart was heavy with anger towards Ahaan, but he knew he had to maintain composure for Hira's sake.

When Hira returned, she suggested they cook lunch together.

As they moved around the kitchen, Shubman couldn't help but smile at her playful teasing about his previously messy apartment.

"Shubbbb, your ghar is so messy! How do you find anything here?" she teased, poking fun at him.

He blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Well, I... um, I usually manage," he chuckled nervously, grateful for the distraction from the serious conversation he'd just initiated.

She laughed softly, enjoying seeing Shubman in this light-hearted moment.

They worked together, chopping vegetables and sharing playful banter in between.

"Tell me, how do you survive in this khichdi of things?" she continued teasing, nudging him gently as they prepared the ingredients.

He grinned, happy to have her around to bring some lightness into his life.

"With your help, maybe I'll finally learn to organize," he joked back, appreciating her effort to lift his spirits.

As they cooked, the aroma of their meal filled the kitchen, creating a comforting atmosphere around them.

Heyyy guys
This was the twentieth chapter the book!

Yes I also decided to add Hira's past!
And I wonder what Shubman is planning for getting revenge for his love

Anyways back to the topic
How was it?

Comment down below your thoughts and suggestions! Please don't be a silent reader

Any guesses for the next one?

Till then
With love
Yours author 🫀✨