Shubman unlocked the door to his apartment late at night, the quiet of the building contrasting with the adrenaline-fueled excitement of the match they had just played. His footsteps were soft, but the presence of his teammates, who had decided to tag along for a post-match chill session, added a quiet buzz to the space.

"Man, that game was wild," Sai murmured as they entered, his voice low to keep from disturbing anyone who might be asleep.

"Tell me about it," Hardik replied, stretching his arms above his head. "I'm beat, but a nightcap sounds like a great idea."

As they filtered into the living room, Shubman paused, noticing how still the apartment was. The usual signs of activity—TV on low, lights dimmed, the faint hum of conversation—were absent. The place was cloaked in silence.

"Where's everyone?" Abhishek asked, looking around.

Shubman frowned slightly, his eyes scanning the room. "Ashwini must've put Manvi to bed early. They're probably both knocked out."

"Sounds like a good idea, too," Shreyas muttered, stifling a yawn. "We should freshen up. I could use a shower."

"Guest bathrooms down the hall," Shubman pointed out. "I'll join you guys in a minute."

As the younger players dispersed, Shubman led Virat, KL Rahul, and Rohit—who had retired but joined for old times' sake—through the apartment. 

They exchanged knowing smiles, having been in similar situations with their own families.

"Seems like we've walked into a quiet night," Rohit said with a chuckle, nudging Shubman. "Bet Ashwini's been keeping things under control."

"She's amazing," Shubman agreed, a smile tugging at his lips. "Though, I was hoping to see her awake when I got home."

They moved towards the master bedroom, where the door was slightly ajar. The soft glow of a bedside lamp filtered through the crack, casting a warm, inviting light.

KL Rahul peeked in first, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Shubman, come look at this."

Shubman stepped forward, his breath catching at the sight that greeted him. Ashwini and Manvi were curled up on the bed, asleep. Manvi was tucked securely under Ashwini's arm, her tiny frame nestled against Ashwini's body as if she were the safest place in the world.

Ashwini's hair was spread out over the pillow, and her face was serene, the slight rise and fall of her chest the only indication of her peaceful sleep. Manvi's small hand clutched at the fabric of Ashwini's shirt, her face buried against her mother figure.

"Damn," Virat muttered softly, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. "That's a beautiful sight, man. You've got a good thing going here."

"Yeah, man," KL Rahul agreed, clapping Shubman on the shoulder. "This is what it's all about. You're lucky, Gill."

Shubman couldn't tear his eyes away from the scene in front of him. His heart swelled with affection as he watched the two most important girls in his life asleep, their faces calm and content.

"She's everything to me," Shubman said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "Both of them are."

Rohit smiled, nodding in understanding. "We know, Shubman. And you're doing right by them."

Shubman moved closer to the bed, careful not to make any noise that might wake them. He couldn't resist the urge to lean down and press a gentle kiss to Ashwini's forehead, then to Manvi's.

As he straightened, he caught sight of the book Ashwini had been reading, still open beside her. He smiled to himself, feeling a pang of tenderness.

"What book is it?" Virat asked, noticing Shubman's gaze.

Shubman picked it up carefully, reading the title. "It's one of those romance novels she loves. She always falls asleep halfway through them."

"Because she's got her own real-life romance going on," KL Rahul teased with a grin. "No wonder she doesn't need the book."

Shubman laughed softly, closing the book and setting it on the bedside table. "Yeah, well, she's got a bit of a wild imagination. Keeps things interesting, though."

Rohit chuckled, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. "And you wouldn't have it any other way, would you?"

"Not a chance," Shubman replied, his eyes soft as he gazed at Ashwini and Manvi. "They're my whole world."

"Speaking of which, you sure you're up for drinks?" Virat asked, his voice quiet as he watched Shubman's expression.

Shubman considered for a moment then shook his head. "You guys go ahead. I think I'll just stay here with them."

"We'll keep it down," KL Rahul assured him with a nod, giving Shubman a knowing smile. "Catch up tomorrow, maybe?"

"Sounds good," Shubman replied. He watched as the three retired cricketers exchanged a few more words and quietly exited the room, leaving him alone with his girls.

He carefully climbed onto the bed, positioning himself beside Ashwini without disturbing her or Manvi. He took a deep breath, savouring the warmth and comfort that surrounded him. Shubman reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from Ashwini's face.

Ashwini stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open as she felt his touch. When she saw him, a sleepy smile curved her lips. "Hey, you're home."

"Yeah, I'm home," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her softly. "Sorry, I woke you."

"It's okay," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. "How was the game?"

"Good," he replied, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "But this... this is better."

She smiled, her eyes drifting shut again as she snuggled closer to him, her arm instinctively tightening around Manvi. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too," Shubman whispered, pressing another kiss to her forehead before wrapping his arm around both her and Manvi. "I'm exactly where I want to be."

As the quiet night settled around them, Shubman lay there, his heart full. The world outside may have been filled with the noise and chaos of cricket, but here, in this moment, everything was perfect. He had Ashwini and Manvi, and that was all he needed.

The apartment was wrapped in a gentle hush, broken only by the soft, rhythmic breathing of the three who were nestled together. Shubman, feeling a deep sense of contentment, stayed still as he listened to the sounds of the night. 

The quiet was comforting, allowing him to fully appreciate the tranquil scene before him.

Ashwini stirred slightly, her head resting against Shubman's shoulder. She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze meeting his with a drowsy smile. 

"You know, I didn't expect you to come home so late tonight."

Shubman brushed a soft kiss against her temple. "I'm sorry I woke you. The guys wanted to crash here after the match. I figured you wouldn't mind."

Ashwini's smile widened, though her eyes were still heavy with sleep. "As long as you're here, I don't mind at all. And I'm glad you came home. I missed you."

Shubman's heart melted at her words. He tightened his embrace around her and Manvi, feeling the warmth and love that came with being so close.

"I missed you too. It was a good game, but this," he gestured to the peaceful scene, "this is where I truly belong."

Ashwini sighed contentedly, snuggling closer. "You're making me all warm and fuzzy inside. You know, you're not bad at this whole romantic thing."

He chuckled softly, his hand gently rubbing her arm. "Only the best for you, my love. Besides, I've had plenty of practice with you."

She tilted her head up to look at him, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Oh really? And what sort of practice are we talking about?"

Shubman's smile grew playful. "The kind that makes me want to come home every day just to be with you and Manvi. I think I'm getting pretty good at it."

Ashwini laughed softly, her eyes drifting back to Manvi, who was still deeply asleep. "You're definitely doing a great job. Look at her. She's so content. You've made a big difference in both our lives."

"I know," Shubman agreed quietly, his gaze softening as he looked at Manvi. "And I wouldn't trade this for anything. You and Manvi mean the world to me."

Ashwini's eyes grew misty, and she reached up to gently cup Shubman's face. "And you mean the world to us. I'm so grateful for you."

Shubman leaned into her touch, his heart swelling with emotion. "I'm grateful for you too. For everything. And if this is what my life looks like with you, I'm never letting go."

They shared a tender kiss, their lips lingering together in a soft, intimate connection. It was a kiss that spoke of deep affection and unspoken promises. Shubman's fingers trailed lightly along her arm, his touch gentle and loving.

As they pulled away, Ashwini looked up at him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know, you're not too shabby at making me feel special."

Shubman grinned, his eyes filled with warmth. "I try my best. And let me tell you, it's a pleasure to keep you feeling this way."

They continued to hold each other close, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. 

The only sounds were the soft breaths of Ashwini and Manvi, the occasional creak of the apartment settling, and the distant hum of the city outside.

After a few more moments of content silence, Shubman shifted slightly, making sure not to disturb either Ashwini or Manvi. "Hey, let's talk about our plans for tomorrow," he suggested quietly.

Ashwini's eyes fluttered open once more, her curiosity piqued. "What's on your mind?"

"Well," Shubman began, his voice filled with excitement, "I was thinking of planning a little outing for us. Maybe a picnic or a day at the park. Something where we can all relax and enjoy the day together."

Ashwini's smile widened, her eyes lighting up at the idea. "That sounds wonderful. Manvi will love it. She's been asking for a fun day out for a while now."

"Great," Shubman said, his hand brushing against hers. "I'll make all the arrangements. Just let me know if you have any special requests."

"I'll think about it," Ashwini replied, her voice warm with affection. "But I'm sure whatever you plan will be perfect."

As they settled back into their comfortable embrace, Shubman's thoughts drifted to the future. He envisioned a life filled with moments like this—quiet, peaceful, and filled with love. He felt incredibly fortunate to have Ashwini and Manvi by his side, and he was determined to cherish every moment with them.

"Goodnight, my love," Shubman whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to Ashwini's forehead once more.

"Goodnight," Ashwini murmured, her voice barely audible as she nestled closer to him. "And thank you for coming home."

The next morning, the sun filtered gently through the curtains of Shubman's bedroom, casting a soft glow over the room. Shubman, still asleep, lay nestled next to Ashwini and Manvi. The peaceful tranquillity of the scene was occasionally interrupted by the soft creak of the apartment settling and the faint rustle of the sheets as Ashwini shifted slightly in her sleep.

In the living room, Abhishek, Sai, Hardik, and Shreyas were the first to wake. They shuffled quietly about, trying not to disturb the sleeping occupants of the bedroom. 

Abhishek was the first to break the silence, stretching his arms and yawning. "Man, I'm starving. What do you think, should we wake them up or raid the fridge?"

Sai, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, chuckled. "We could definitely use some breakfast. I'm not sure if they're awake yet, though."

"Let's check," Shreyas suggested. "They're probably still asleep. We can be quick and get out before they notice."

The four of them made their way quietly to the master bedroom, careful not to make any noise. Abhishek, ever the curious one, gently pushed the door open, revealing the serene sight of Shubman, Ashwini, and Manvi still nestled in bed.

"Well, well," Abhishek said softly, his eyes widening at the heartwarming scene before him. "Look at this. Shubman's got himself a little family cuddle going on."

Hardik, who had followed closely behind, couldn't help but grin at the sight. "Damn, that's adorable. You can't fake that kind of peace."

Sai's eyes softened as he took in the scene. "They look so peaceful. It's nice to see him so happy."

Shreyas, peeking over Abhishek's shoulder, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but let's not wake them up. We should let them sleep in."

Abhishek, always one for mischief, couldn't resist a little teasing. "What do you think? Should we wake them up with a loud 'good morning' or let them enjoy their rest?"

Hardik shot him a look, shaking his head. "Don't be an ass. Let's just go make some breakfast and give them a break."

Abhishek shrugged a mischievous grin still on his face. "Alright, alright. Let's leave them be."

As they turned to head back to the kitchen, Abhishek took one last look at the peaceful trio. "Hey, if you see them later, tell them we're just in the kitchen if they need anything."

"Will do," Sai agreed. "Now, let's get some breakfast before we all turn into hangry monsters."

The guys moved to the kitchen, where Hardik immediately started pulling out ingredients for breakfast. "I'm thinking pancakes and eggs. That should hit the spot."

"Sounds perfect," Sai agreed. "I'll start on the coffee."

As they busied themselves with breakfast preparations, Shubman slowly stirred, his eyes fluttering open. 

He glanced at the clock, realizing it was already late morning. His gaze then shifted to Ashwini, who was still asleep beside him, and to Manvi, who was curled up snugly against Ashwini.

He sighed contentedly, wrapping his arm around Ashwini and giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. Ashwini stirred, her eyes slowly opening as she felt Shubman's touch.

"Good morning," Shubman whispered, his voice soft and affectionate.

Ashwini blinked sleepily, smiling as she looked up at him. "Good morning, love. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, I did," Shubman replied, his smile widening. "I think we've got company in the kitchen."

Ashwini's eyes widened slightly as she remembered their friends. "Oh, right! I hope we didn't oversleep."

"No worries," Shubman said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "They're probably just making breakfast. Let's get up and join them."

As they both slowly extricated themselves from the bed without waking Manvi, Shubman and Ashwini quietly made their way to the kitchen. 

The smell of coffee and pancakes wafted through the air, making Shubman's stomach growl in response.

When they entered the kitchen, they found their friends bustling around, each working on different tasks. Hardik was flipping pancakes with expert precision, while Sai was busy brewing a fresh pot of coffee.

"Morning, sleepyheads!" Hardik called out, his tone lighthearted.

"Morning," Ashwini replied, smiling as she walked over to join them. "Sorry, we're late. I hope we didn't keep you waiting."

"Not at all," Sai said with a grin. "We were just getting things started. Everything should be ready soon."

Abhishek, who was setting the table, couldn't resist one last tease. "We were starting to wonder if you two were going to sleep the entire day away."

Shubman laughed, grabbing a coffee cup and pouring himself a steaming mug. "You know us too well. We needed the rest."

As they settled at the table, Shubman glanced over at Ashwini, who looked radiant even in her casual morning attire—a simple white t-shirt and denim shorts. She looked up at him with a playful glint in her eye.

"So," she said, "how was the match last night?"

"It was intense," Shubman replied, his eyes twinkling. "But it was worth it. And having you and Manvi to come home to made it all the better."

Ashwini's smile grew, and she reached over to squeeze his hand. "I'm glad to hear that. And thank you for coming home."

"Of course," Shubman said, his voice filled with affection. "You're my everything."

As they enjoyed their breakfast together, the conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and camaraderie. 

The friends reminisced about the previous night's game and shared stories about their families. The warmth and closeness they shared was palpable, and the morning was filled with a sense of contentment and happiness.

Manvi eventually woke up, stretching and rubbing her eyes as she wandered into the kitchen. Shubman and Ashwini greeted her with smiles, and she eagerly joined them at the table, her excitement for breakfast evident.

"Good morning, sweetheart" Shubman said, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Did you sleep well?"

Manvi nodded, her eyes bright. "I had the best dream ever!"

Ashwini smiled and handed Manvi a plate of pancakes. "Well, we have a great breakfast waiting for you. What was your dream about?"

As they all settled in and enjoyed their meal together, the sense of family and friendship was unmistakable. 

The day promised to be filled with more shared moments, laughter, and the deep bonds that had been forged over time. And as they savoured their breakfast, Shubman felt a profound sense of gratitude for the life he had built with Ashwini, Manvi, and their circle of friends.

soup rant's

and here we have the ninth chapter of down bad!

they are pookies

i love them 

they're so cute

anyway comments on chapter

love, soup!