A few months had flown by since their magical honeymoon in Hawaii, and Shubman and Nila had settled into a beautiful rhythm in their lives together. 

Mornings in their home were filled with laughter, love, and the delightful chaos that came with their respective careers.

This particular morning, Nila stood in front of the mirror in their spacious bedroom, meticulously applying her makeup. 

Her hair was styled in soft waves, framing her face perfectly. She was preparing to head to the set of her latest film, where she was busy directing and overseeing the screenplay adaptations.

As she applied a touch of mascara, she glanced over her shoulder at Shubman, who was in the adjoining bathroom, getting ready for his practice. 

The sight of him—rubbing aftershave onto his jawline, his hair slightly tousled, wearing a fitted T-shirt and joggers—made her heart skip a beat.

"Babe, you look amazing," Shubman said, catching her eye in the mirror as he adjusted his collar. "Seriously, that dress is going to steal the show today."

Nila turned around, her lips curling into a smile. She was wearing a sleek, navy blue midi dress that hugged her curves perfectly, the fabric catching the light just right. 

"Thanks, love. I just want to make sure I'm camera-ready," she replied, striking a playful pose.

He chuckled, stepping out of the bathroom and moving closer to her. "You're always camera-ready," he teased, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on her cheek. 

"But just so you know, you might have a few jealous cast members today. Can't say I'd blame them, though."

Nila rolled her eyes playfully, trying to suppress a giggle. "Oh, come on. I'm sure they're not that bad." She paused, then added, "But if they get out of line, I'll just have to remind them that I'm married to a world-class cricketer."

Shubman smirked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorway. "That's right. You tell them, wifey."

After a brief moment of silence, Nila turned serious for a moment. "Are you sure you'll be okay with me being gone for most of the day? I mean, I know you're busy with practice and all..."

He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Of course! I'm proud of you and what you're doing. Besides, it's just a day," he reassured her, though his eyes held a glimmer of playfulness. 

"And I'll be busy on the field, so I won't have time to miss you too much."

She pretended to pout, placing her hands on her hips. "Oh, really? So you think you can live without me for a few hours, huh?"

"Let's not get too carried away," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "I might have to call you just to hear your voice."

Nila laughed, her heart fluttering. "Fine. But you better call, or I'll have to come looking for you at the practice grounds."

"Deal." He grinned before stepping closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Just promise me you'll send me a selfie when you get to the set. I need to make sure you're still as stunning as ever."

"Only if you send me one from the practice grounds," she shot back, smirking.

"Done," he replied, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. The kiss was sweet, filled with the warmth and affection they had for each other, lingering just a little longer than intended.

Nila pulled back, biting her lip. "Okay, I really do need to get going. The crew is going to be waiting for me," she said reluctantly, her heart aching at the thought of leaving him.

"Alright, but just so you know, I'm going to miss you like crazy," Shubman admitted a hint of sincerity in his voice.

Nila smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I'll miss you too, Shubman. But I'll see you later, okay?"

"Definitely," he said, giving her one last hug before they both began to gather their things.

As Nila picked up her bag and headed for the door, Shubman called out, "Hey, don't forget to kick some ass on set today!"

She turned around, throwing him a playful salute. "And you don't forget to hit some sixes today!"

With a shared laugh and a warm exchange of glances, they parted ways, both feeling invigorated by their love and the passion they held for their respective careers. 

Nila stepped outside, the warm sun hitting her skin as she walked towards her car. The world around her buzzed with energy, and her heart swelled with anticipation for the day ahead. 

She slid into the driver's seat, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of Shubman and their playful banter.

As she drove to the set, she replayed their morning conversation in her mind. The way he looked at her, the warmth of his touch, and the playful teasing made her smile. 

The thought of seeing him later was a bright spot in her day, giving her an extra spring in her step.

Arriving at the set, Nila was greeted by her crew, all bustling around as they prepared for the day's shoot. 

She stepped out of the car, adjusting her dress and smoothing down her hair, reminding herself to focus. As the director and producer approached her with updates, she quickly shifted into work mode.

"Hey, Nila! You look amazing today," her assistant, Aisha, called out, grinning widely. "Is that a new dress?"

"Thanks, Aisha! It's one of my favourites," Nila replied, feeling a rush of warmth at the compliment. "We've got a lot to do today, so let's make it count!"

With that, Nila dove headfirst into her work, discussing scenes, blocking shots, and collaborating with her actors. As the day progressed, the energy on set was electric, and she could feel her passion for storytelling come alive. 

The challenges of filmmaking, the laughter shared between takes, and the creative process fueled her excitement.

Meanwhile, at the practice grounds, Shubman was deep in his training, the atmosphere charged with focus and determination. 

His teammates were around him, but his mind occasionally wandered to Nila. The way she lit up when she talked about her projects, the spark in her eyes—it made him proud of her.

"Hey, Shubman, you with us?" Rohit, the captain, called out, snapping him back to reality.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm here," he replied, shaking off his distractions as he lined up for a practice drill.

As the session progressed, Shubman's phone buzzed in his pocket. During a break when he was in the gym, he quickly pulled it out to check. A smile broke across his face as he saw a message from Nila.

Nila: Just wrapped my first scene! The energy is incredible. Wish you were here!

He typed back quickly.

Shubman: I miss you! How did it go?

Nila: It was amazing! The cast is fantastic, and I can't wait for you to see it. Also, you owe me a selfie!

Shubman chuckled and snapped a quick picture of himself in his practice gear, flexing his muscles playfully before sending it back to her.

Shubman: You mean this?

nila liked the photo!

Nila: You look good!

Shubman: Just good? 

Nila: Fine, you look hot. happy?

Shubman: 🥰🥰

As he returned to practice, he felt a thrill of anticipation about their reunion later. Each moment spent away from her only made him appreciate their time together more.

After finishing up practice, Shubman headed home. He took a quick shower, letting the water wash away the sweat and fatigue of the day. 

Afterwards, he threw on a casual T-shirt and joggers, still buzzing with excitement to see Nila.

In the kitchen, he decided to whip up something special for dinner. He remembered how much Nila loved his spicy chicken stir-fry. As he chopped vegetables and seasoned the chicken, his mind drifted back to her.

Suddenly, the sound of his phone buzzing on the counter broke him out of his thoughts. He wiped his hands on a towel and picked it up. It was a video call from Nila.

"Hey, babe!" he answered, his face lighting up at the sight of her.

"Shubman!" she exclaimed, beaming from ear to ear. "You look good!"

"Thanks! Just got done with practice. How was your day?" he asked, leaning against the counter, eager to hear about her day.

"It was intense but amazing! We shot some really powerful scenes. I can't wait for you to see it," she replied, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "And I got a few really great shots today!"

"Can't wait to see them," he said, his heart swelling with pride for her. "I'm making dinner. Thought I'd surprise you with your favorite."

Nila's eyes widened in delight. "You didn't have to! But you're the best. I can't wait to eat it," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

"I know you can't resist my cooking," he teased, his smile broadening. "And I can't resist seeing you eat it."

They continued chatting, sharing snippets of their day, and laughing about the little things that happened on set and during practice.

After a while, Shubman noticed the time. "Hey, are you almost done for the day?"

"Yeah, I should be wrapping up soon. Just one more scene to film," she said, glancing at her watch. "I'll be home in about an hour, okay?"

"Sounds good. I'll have everything ready by the time you get here," he promised.

"Looking forward to it. And maybe we can watch a movie together after dinner?" she suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Only if you promise not to criticize my movie choice," he joked.

"I can't make any promises," she teased back, her laughter ringing in his ears.

"Fine, but just for that, I'm picking a rom-com," he said, winking at her through the screen.

"Ugh, you're terrible!" Nila laughed, rolling her eyes dramatically.

"Love you too, babe. Now go finish that scene!"

As the call ended, Shubman felt a rush of excitement. He had a feeling that tonight would be special. 

The delicious food, the laughter, and the cozy atmosphere—they were building a life together, and every moment was worth cherishing.

Once everything was ready, he set the table, lit a few candles, and poured some wine. The scene was set for their intimate evening, and all that was left to do was wait for Nila to come home.

With each passing minute, his anticipation grew, and he couldn't shake the smile from his face. Tonight was theirs, and he was ready to embrace every second of it.

As Shubman finished setting the table, the delicious aroma of the stir-fry filled the kitchen, mixing with the fragrant scent of the lit candles. 

He stepped back to admire his work, adjusting the placement of the silverware and fluffing the napkins to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. 

Soft music played in the background, filling the silence with gentle melodies, heightening his anticipation.

The minutes dragged on, and he found himself glancing at the clock more often than not. He picked up his phone, scrolling through social media, but his thoughts were still on Nila. 

Just as he was about to put his phone down, he saw a notification pop up.

Nila: Just wrapped up! Heading home now!

A wave of excitement washed over him. He quickly texted back.

Shubman: Perfect timing! Dinner is ready. Can't wait to see you, wifey!

He placed the phone back on the counter and made his way to the living room, grabbing a couple of pillows and fluffing them on the couch. 

He settled down, trying to keep his excitement in check, but the thought of seeing Nila again sent butterflies fluttering in his stomach.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally heard the sound of her key turning in the lock. His heart raced as the door swung open, revealing Nila standing there, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him.

"Shubman!" she exclaimed, dropping her bag and rushing into his arms. 

He caught her in a tight embrace, lifting her off the ground slightly as he spun her around, eliciting a delighted laugh from her.

"You're home!" he said, setting her back down but keeping his arms wrapped around her waist.

"Of course, I am! And wow, it smells amazing in here," she said, looking around at the beautifully set table. "Did you really cook all of this?"

"Yep! Just for you," he replied, beaming with pride.

"You're such a sweetheart," Nila said, her voice warm and appreciative. She pulled back slightly to look at him, her eyes sparkling. 

"This is so romantic!"

"Only the best for my gorgeous wife," he said, leaning in to place a soft kiss on her lips.

As they pulled away, Nila looked at the table again. "So, what do we have here? You've really outdone yourself."

"Just a simple chicken stir-fry, but I added a bit of spice, just like I know you like it," he said, winking at her.

Nila clapped her hands together in excitement. "I can't wait to dig in! You always know how to make my favourites."

"Come on, let's eat before it gets cold," he said, leading her to the table, and pulling out her chair for her like the gentleman he was. She sat down, smiling at his sweet gesture, and he took a seat across from her.

"Okay, chef, serve me up!" she teased, leaning forward, her eyes glimmering with mischief.

Shubman laughed, serving her a generous portion and then filling his own plate. "You know, I was worried you wouldn't like it. What if I messed it up?"

"Oh please, you could never mess up food! It's physically impossible for you," she said, rolling her eyes playfully. 

"And even if you did, I'd still love it because you made it for me."

"That's the spirit!" he replied, raising his glass of wine. "To us, to love, and to many more dinners like this!"

"To us!" Nila echoed, clinking her glass against his. They both took a sip, and she immediately dove into her food, savouring the flavours. 

"Mmm, this is so good! Seriously, Shubman, you're a culinary genius."

"Genius? That's a bit much, don't you think?" he said, feigning modesty.

"Absolutely not! You're talented in everything you do," she insisted, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. 

"I mean, look at you! A cricketer and a chef? You're basically perfect."

"Well, I can't let you take all the credit, right?" he teased back, enjoying the playful banter.

They finished their meals, laughter and playful jabs flying across the table, with Shubman constantly teasing her about her dramatic reactions to every bite.

Once dinner was over, he cleared the table while Nila washed the dishes. "You really don't have to do that," he said, grabbing a towel and drying the plates as she handed them to him.

"I like to help. Plus, it's just our little routine, right?" she replied, flashing him a bright smile.

"True," he agreed, admiring her from the corner of his eye. 

"And I love that we have our own little ways of doing things. It makes everything feel... well, ours."

With the dishes done, they moved to the living room, where Shubman grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. 

"So, what movie are we watching tonight?"

"How about that rom-com you were talking about earlier?" she suggested, settling down on the couch, and snuggling into the cushions. "I'm in the mood for something light and funny."

"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you!" he said, grinning as he selected the movie. He flopped down next to her, pulling her close as the opening credits rolled.

As the film played, they exchanged soft laughter at the jokes, shared popcorn, and cuddled up under a blanket. 

Every so often, Shubman would sneak glances at Nila, watching her laugh, the way her eyes crinkled, and the sound of her joy resonated with him.

During one particularly funny scene, Shubman leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You know," he murmured, "I could get used to this."

Nila looked at him, her expression softening. "Me too. Just us, enjoying the little things together. This is what I live for."

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's warmth, as the movie played on. Eventually, Nila turned to him, her expression shifting slightly. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, babe. Anything," he replied, looking at her intently.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Do you ever think about what our life will look like in a few years? I mean, where we'll be and what we'll be doing?"

Shubman considered her words, his heart swelling at the thought of a future with her. 

"Honestly? All the time. I can see us growing old together, maybe with a couple of little ones running around. Just a simple life filled with love and laughter."

Her eyes widened slightly, a soft smile spreading across her face. "Really? You want that?"

"Absolutely. You're my everything, Nila. I want to share my life with you in every way possible," he said, his voice sincere.

"God, you make me feel so lucky," she whispered, leaning in to press a gentle kiss against his lips. "And I want that too. More than anything."

As they pulled back, Shubman's eyes held hers, filled with affection. "Then we'll make it happen. Together."

As the credits began to roll, the cozy atmosphere settled around them like a warm embrace. Shubman took a moment, soaking in the sight of Nila beside him—her hair slightly tousled, her eyes still sparkling with joy from the film, and a content smile playing on her lips. 

It was in these quiet moments that he felt the strongest pull in his heart, a realization that transcended words but begged to be spoken.

"Hey," he began softly, turning to face her fully. She looked up, her expression shifting from the remnants of laughter to attentive curiosity. "Can I tell you something?"

"Always," she replied, her voice gentle and inviting.

"You know how everyone talks about home? How it's a place or a feeling?" He paused, gathering his thoughts, unsure if he could convey the depth of his feelings adequately. 

"Well, for me, home isn't just a place. It's you."

Nila's brow furrowed slightly in surprise, her breath hitching as she processed his words. "Shubman..."

"I mean it, Nila. Whenever I'm with you, I feel grounded, like everything else fades away. You are my safe space, my comfort. You make me feel at peace, even on the craziest days. You're my home." His voice was earnest, his gaze unwavering.

Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she looked down for a moment, a shy smile forming on her lips. "That's... so sweet. I can't believe you feel that way."

"It's true," he insisted, leaning closer. "I could be anywhere in the world—on a cricket field in front of thousands of fans or stuck in a hotel room during an away game—but as long as I have you, I feel like I'm where I belong."

Nila's heart swelled with emotion, her eyes glistening. "You have no idea how much that means to me. I feel the same way. You make me feel safe and cherished. You're my home, too."

He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her skin. 

"I promise to always take care of you, to make our home filled with love and laughter. It's the life I want, with you by my side."

"Shubman..." she breathed, her voice softening as she searched his eyes. "You always know what to say to make me feel loved."

He smiled, the corner of his lips curving into a playful grin. "Well, it helps that you inspire me every single day. But seriously, Nila, I want us to build a life together—our home filled with memories, laughter, and maybe a couple of little ones running around."

Nila's heart raced at the thought, warmth blooming in her chest. "That sounds like a dream," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. 

"You and me, just living our lives, creating a home together."

"Exactly." He reached for her hand, entwining their fingers. "No matter what happens, I want you to know that you'll always be my first choice, my partner in crime. I can't imagine my life without you."

She leaned in closer, resting her forehead against his. "You make me so happy, Shubman. I can't wait to see what our future holds."

With that, he closed the distance, capturing her lips in a soft kiss that quickly deepened, filled with unspoken promises and the sweetness of their love. 

Time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other, a world of their own where only they existed.

As they pulled away, breathless and smiling, Shubman felt a renewed sense of hope. "I love you, Nila. Always."

"Always," she echoed, her heart full as they settled back against the couch, their fingers still intertwined, knowing they had each other to lean on—now and forever.

I'm sobbing. Ready For It has officially come to an end. I'm going to miss them sm, like lord, I loved writing them, but I have to let go now. I'm really grateful for all the support I have received on this book. 

I hope you all enjoyed reading this book, as much as I loved writing this. Do let me know what you liked the most in this book, and let me know, if you feel like I need to improve in some or the other aspect.

Until the, with lots of love,

Supraja <3