It was 14th January 2025, and Shubman Gill was busy helping his family and friends set up for the Lohri celebrations at their newly renovated house in Chandigarh. 

The air was crisp and cold, the kind of cold that made you pull your jacket tighter and your breath visible in front of you. 

The ground outside was covered in a light dusting of frost, but the warmth of the gathering, the sounds of laughter, and the smell of food being prepared quickly made the cold seem like nothing.

Shubman, dressed in a simple yet stylish black hoodie and dark jeans, had his sleeves rolled up as he carried wood and placed it in the fire pit. 

His friends Anshuman, Gurkeeratman, and Sebastian were helping as well, clearly enjoying the task at hand, despite the fact that they were all freezing. 

They were all wearing casual jackets over their shirts, their breath visible as they joked and laughed.

His mother, Keart Gill, was supervising the arrangements from a distance, her eyes filled with pride as she watched her son so involved in the preparation. 

She was bundled in a woollen scarf and a warm sweater, making sure everything was going as planned. 

His father, Lakhwinder Gill, was outside too, assisting with the decorations and checking on the setup of the food stalls. 

Shahneel, his older sister, was running around making sure everyone had a job and no one was slacking off.

"You're a godsend, Shubman!" his mom called out from the porch, clapping her hands to get his attention. "Don't let the fire die down, okay? We'll need it for the celebrations tonight."

"I've got it, Mom!" Shubman yelled back, flashing her a smile before going back to arranging the logs in a pyramid shape, making sure the fire would catch quickly when it was lit later.

The Lohri celebration was an important event for the Gill family. It was a time to be together, enjoy the warmth of the fire, celebrate the harvest, and enjoy traditional sweets like tilgul, sesame seeds, and jaggery. 

There would be dancing later, singing, and of course, a lot of food. The night would end with the Lohri bonfire being lit, and everyone would offer prayers and throw offerings into the flames, symbolizing the arrival of longer days and the harvest season.

Shubman took a deep breath and surveyed the scene. His parents were happy, the house was full of life, and the celebrations were just beginning to take shape. Everything seemed perfect, except for one thing—Apoorva. 

He had been thinking about her ever since they parted ways at the airport a few days ago. 

They'd exchanged a few messages, but he couldn't stop missing her, and with the Lohri celebrations in full swing, it felt like something was missing without her by his side.

Apoorva had also been caught up in the festivities of Sankranti. The morning had started with flying kites, something her family had always done when they were in India, and now, the day was filled with preparations for a traditional feast at home. 

Athiya had invited her over to celebrate with her and Rahul, but even as they were helping set up for the evening, Apoorva couldn't shake the thought of Shubman.

She missed him. 

The distance felt too real now. The messages, the occasional calls, but nothing beat being close to him, hearing his laugh in person, or feeling the warmth of his hand in hers.

"Something on your mind, Poorva?" Athiya asked, noticing the faraway look in her cousin's eyes as she helped hang up streamers in the living room.

Apoorva snapped back to reality. "Hmm? Oh, nothing."

Athiya arched an eyebrow. "You're not fooling anyone. It's Shubman, isn't it?"

Apoorva hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, I guess. Just... I miss him, you know?"

Athiya smiled knowingly. "I get it. I miss Rahul too when he is away. But Shubman's got a lot going on with his family today. Let him enjoy with them. You'll see him soon."

Apoorva smiled, feeling reassured. "I know. It's just... hard."

Shubman was putting the finishing touches on the fire pit when his sister, Shahneel, came over with a hot cup of chai in hand. "Here," she said, handing it to him. "Thought you could use this."

He took it gratefully. "Thanks, Neel. I needed this."

Shahneel gave him a sidelong glance. "So, when are you finally going to admit that you're crazy about that girl?"

Shubman looked at her in surprise, his eyes widening. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, please," Shahneel said, rolling her eyes. "You've been texting her non-stop since you got here. You're not fooling anyone."

Shubman flushed but quickly recovered. "I'm just..." He stopped himself, realizing there was no point in hiding it anymore. 

"I'm really into her, di. I haven't felt this way in a long time."

She smiled, pleased with his admission. "I knew it. She's a good one, Shub. Don't mess it up."

"I won't," he said firmly, his thoughts drifting to Apoorva.

The sound of music began to play in the background as his friends and family gathered around the fire pit, everyone's energy rising as the sun began to set.

It wasn't long before Shubman was dancing with his friends and family, his heart a little lighter knowing he was surrounded by people who cared about him, but a part of him still longed for the day he could dance with Apoorva by his side, too.

"Enjoy the evening, Gill!" Anshuman called out with a grin, pulling Shubman into the circle.

Shubman grinned, his eyes scanning the crowd. For a second, he wished Apoorva could be here, with him, in the middle of the celebration.

As the night progressed and the fire was finally lit, the warmth of the bonfire reflected in everyone's faces. 

Shubman stood at the edge of the circle, watching the fire crackle and burn, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to imagine the day when he and Apoorva would share moments like this together—underneath the glow of a bonfire, with nothing but warmth and happiness surrounding them.

Back in Bengaluru, as Apoorva set up the table for dinner with Athiya and Rahul, she found herself pulling out her phone again, checking for a message from Shubman. 

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw his name.

Shubman: Wish you were here, babe. Can't wait for you to meet my family one day.

She smiled and quickly typed back.

Apoorva: Me too. Soon, I hope.

It wasn't long before she got a follow-up text from him.

Shubman: And sweetheart? Let's not let distance mess this up, okay?

She let out a soft sigh. 

Apoorva: Promise.

Shubman's message made her heart flutter. The distance between them felt easier with every word he sent her.

Later that evening, as Shubman finally sat down in his room after the Lohri celebrations, his phone buzzed with a notification. It was a post from Apoorva. His heart raced as he opened Instagram.

The image loaded, and there she was—stunning, radiant, and dressed to perfection. Apoorva was wearing a deep pastel lehenga, the intricate gold embroidery catching the light just right. 

The dupatta was draped elegantly over her shoulder, and her loose waves framed her glowing face. 

apoorvarahul

liked by aditihundia, ishankishan, klrahul, shubmangill, athiyashetty, natasastankovic, and 7462940 others

apoorvarahul sankranti vibes ✨🌸

show comments

Shubman froze, staring at the photo. His brain short-circuited for a good ten seconds before he whispered to himself, "Holy shit, she's unreal."

His fingers flew across his keyboard.

Shubman: Excuse me, ma'am, who allowed you to look this fucking gorgeous today?

It didn't take long for her to reply.

Apoorva: 😏 Permission was never sought.

He groaned dramatically, his thumb hovering over the voice note icon before giving in and recording one.

"Babe, I swear to God, if I wasn't stuck in Chandigarh, I'd be at your door right now. Like, who even looks this good in a lehenga? You're not real. You're a goddamn simulation. What is this sorcery?"

She sent back a voice note, her tone teasing. "Well, Mr. Gill, I don't make the rules. But if this lehenga had you speechless, maybe I should wear it more often."

Shubman shook his head, grinning. "Poo, you're playing dirty. This isn't fair. I'm already down bad for you."

Apoorva: Sounds like a you problem.

He typed quickly.

Shubman: Nah, this is an us problem. My heart can't take it. Also, pastel? It's over. You win. Forever.

She sent a laughing emoji, and he could almost hear her giggling.

"Shahneel, look at this!" Shubman called out, showing his sister the post.

Shahneel walked over, glanced at the picture, and gasped. "Oh my god. Apoorva's a queen. What are you doing here? Fly to her."

"Right?!" Shubman said, throwing his hands up. "I can't deal with this."

Shahneel laughed. "Okay, but for real, she's stunning. You better keep her."

"Don't I know it," he muttered, already typing another message.

Athiya leaned over Apoorva's shoulder as she scrolled through her messages with Shubman. "Oh, he's losing his mind over your lehenga pic, isn't he?"

Apoorva smiled smugly. "Completely. He said I look unreal."

Athiya laughed. "He's not wrong."

Her phone buzzed again.

Shubman: Babe, I'm serious. If there's a way to marry this photo, I'm doing it.

She snorted.

Apoorva: Lame. Try harder.

He sent another voice note. "Okay, fine. You don't just look stunning; you're actually making my life harder. How am I supposed to focus on cricket when you're out here looking like the goddess of Sankranti? Babe, I'm down astronomically. And the worst part? I don't even care."

Her heart did a little flip at his voice. "Athiya, he's so dramatic!" she exclaimed.

Athiya smirked. "That's called being whipped, darling."

Apoorva typed back.

Apoorva: Focus on cricket, Gill. I'm not going anywhere.

Shubman: Yeah, you're not, but my sanity is. You're a menace.

She sent back a selfie, sticking her tongue out playfully.

Apoorva: Better?

He replied almost instantly.

Shubman: You're impossible. I'm obsessed.

As the banter continued, Apoorva couldn't stop smiling. Despite the distance, Shubman had a way of making her feel like she was right there with him, and that was enough for now.

soup rants!!!

the seventeenth chapter is here!
did we like it?
do comment your favorite part
what do you think will happen in the next chapter?
until then
yours lovingly,

soup <3