It was one of those rare evenings when schedules aligned, and everyone could take a break from the hectic world of cricket, travel, and life. Shubman and Thalia had decided to host a party at their sprawling mansion—a celebration of life, laughter, and the bonds they'd all formed over the years.

The living room was transformed into a vibrant space for the gathering. Fairy lights adorned the ceiling, and a DJ station thumped with upbeat tracks. 

There was a mix of elegance and casual vibes, with plush seating areas, a fully stocked bar, and a dance floor ready to be conquered.

Thalia, dressed in a sequined emerald-green cocktail dress by Zuhair Murad paired with strappy gold Louboutin heels, was chatting with Ritika Sajdeh and Anushka Sharma near the bar. 

Her hair was styled in soft waves, and a statement diamond bracelet added a touch of glam. She was laughing, holding a martini, clearly enjoying herself.

Shubman, meanwhile, was in a sleek black blazer over a crisp white shirt, paired with dark jeans and black Ferragamo loafers. 

His casual yet polished look screamed effortless style. He was with Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Rohit Sharma near the poolside, discussing cricket strategies while sipping on their drinks.

"Bro," Virat said, nudging Shubman with a grin, "this is a top-notch setup. Thalia really knows how to throw a party."

"Yeah, well, it helps when your better half has taste," Shubman replied with a smirk, his eyes darting to where Thalia was standing. "She's the reason it doesn't look like a bachelor pad here."

"Good save," Hardik quipped, laughing. "Natasa would've killed me if I didn't compliment her event planning skills last week."

As the evening progressed, the group started mingling more. The dining area was filled with conversations, laughter, and the occasional loud cheer from the bar. 

Rishabh Pant was trying to impress Ridhanya's boyfriend, Aditya, with exaggerated stories of his heroic wicketkeeping. Nearby, KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty were seated together, looking every bit the Bollywood power couple as they chatted with Shreyas Iyer and his girlfriend, Trisha.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was surprisingly holding his own on the dance floor, swaying to the music with a confidence that made everyone cheer him on. 

"Come on, Yash!" Rishabh called out. "Finally showing us some moves!"

"Shut up, Rishabh," Yashasvi shot back, but he was laughing too.

At one point, Shubman made his way to Thalia, wrapping an arm around her waist as she chatted with Ritika and Anushka. 

"Mind if I steal my fiancée for a bit?" he asked charmingly, looking between them.

"By all means," Anushka said with a smile, nudging Ritika. "We were just discussing how these boys never stop talking cricket, even at a party."

Thalia giggled. "Tell me about it."

"I heard that," Rohit called from across the room, making everyone laugh.

Shubman led Thalia toward the quieter side of the room, where the glass doors opened to the patio. The cool night air hit them as they stepped outside. He turned to her, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"You're glowing tonight," he murmured, his voice low and intimate. "Every guy in there is jealous of me."

"Shut up," she said, though her cheeks flushed as she smiled. "You're not bad yourself, Mr. Gill."

"Not bad? Babe, I'm offended," he teased, leaning in closer.

Before she could respond, Ridhanya and Aditya stepped outside, grinning. "Sorry to interrupt," Ridhanya said, not looking sorry at all. "But there's a bet inside on who's the better dancer between you two."

"Oh, it's no contest," Thalia said, smirking. "I'm leagues ahead."

"Bullshit," Shubman shot back, grinning. "Let's settle this."

Soon, the whole group had moved to the dance floor, cheering as Shubman and Thalia tried to outdo each other. Tracks like Kala Chashma and Uptown Funk blared through the speakers as the couple playfully competed, with the others cheering them on.

"Okay, okay, we get it!" shouted Rishabh, nearly doubled over with laughter. "Both of you win. Can we please just enjoy the music?"

By the end of the night, the group had collapsed into the plush couches, exhausted but happy. Thalia and Shubman sat side by side, his arm draped around her shoulders, her head resting on his chest.

"This was perfect," she murmured softly, looking up at him.

"Only because you're here," he replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

The party wound down, but the warmth of their camaraderie lingered well into the night, making it an evening none of them would forget.

As the guests began to leave, the vibe shifted to something more intimate. The group of close friends lingered in the cozy den of the mansion. 

Shoes were off, drinks were set aside, and laughter softened to quiet conversations.

Thalia was seated on the armrest of a couch, her legs draped over Shubman's lap as they exchanged glances with Virat and Anushka, who were cozied up nearby. 

Natasa and Hardik were deep in a playful debate about the best movies of the year, while KL Rahul and Athiya chimed in occasionally. Ritika was showing Ridhanya and Trisha a few photos from a recent vacation, the three of them huddled over her phone.

Rishabh and Yashasvi, both still full of energy, were discussing strategies for the upcoming IPL season. 

"You've got to admit," Rishabh said, pointing at Yashasvi, "Shubman's captaincy debut was fire. That last over? Bloody genius."

"Yeah, yeah," Yashasvi replied, rolling his eyes. "We'll see how he handles the pressure in the playoffs."

"Excuse me?" Shubman interjected with a laugh, his hand resting casually on Thalia's thigh. "Have you forgotten who you're talking to?"

"Captain Saab," Rishabh teased, saluting mockingly. "We're all terrified."

Thalia smirked, looking at Shubman. "Don't let it get to your head, babe. I'm still the boss at home."

The group erupted into laughter as Shubman raised his hands in mock surrender. "I'd never dare argue with that," he said. "Smartest decision of my life."

One by one, the guests began to head out, each lingering in their goodbyes. Virat clapped Shubman on the back. 

"Hell of a party, man. You've got something special here, on and off the field."

"Means a lot coming from you, Bhai," Shubman said sincerely. Anushka hugged Thalia warmly. "You two are so good together. Can't wait for the wedding."

After everyone had left, the house felt strangely quiet. Thalia walked into the living room, surveying the scattered glasses, a few stray cushions and the faint glow of the fairy lights still strung along the ceiling.

Shubman came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You're thinking about cleaning this up, aren't you?" he murmured into her ear.

She laughed softly. "Maybe a little. But mostly, I'm thinking about how much fun tonight was."

"It was perfect," he agreed, turning her in his arms to face him. "And you? You're perfect."

Her cheeks flushed as she leaned into him. "Stop being so cheesy."

"Never," he said, pulling her closer. "I meant it. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm holding on tight, Thalia."

She smiled up at him, her fingers tracing the outline of his jaw. "I could say the same thing about you, Shub."

He grinned, his usual cocky confidence replaced by something softer. "You better. Now, come on. Let's leave the cleaning for tomorrow."

He swept her up into his arms effortlessly, carrying her toward the bedroom. "Tonight's about us."

She laughed, swatting at him lightly. "You're incorrigible."

"And you love it," he replied with a wink as they disappeared down the hall.

soup rants!

- hello everyone!

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