Sara tried hard biting back a smile but failed miserably as Shubman handed her a bouquet of Daffodils.

" They're lovely." She said with a smile.

" You're lovelier. You'll outshine them any moment."

Her cheeks coloured crimson, and it tickled him pink.

Chuckling, he got down from the car and opened the door for her.

" Thank you Mr.Gill. You're being quite a gentleman today."

" I see no harm in being a gentleman with the woman I love. Do you?"

" Yes I do. You make my poor heart race every now and then."

" And what about you making my poor heart race simply with your presence? You don't see me complaining do you?"

She blushed a furious red, lightly smacking him on his arm, causing him to chuckle again.

" So how was your weekend?"

" It went great! Simran made a very important announcement, she's getting married! Mostly by December or February. She's asked us all to get plus ones, and she also added that she wants you there for the wedding—only if you're free of-course! Alavia was grumbling the entire day because she got no plus ones. Nishita's going to get her boyfriend, Vedika has been talking to a guy, and Lysh, something's cooking between Lysh and a friend of hers."

Shubman chuckled.
" So who's your plus one?"

" Ah..." A playful glimmer played on her lips as she halted to take a good look at him.

" A six foot tall, quite aggravating, but an impossibly attractive cricketer. Oh and he has pretty eyes, and a swooning smile with dimples. He can also be quite a charming gentleman when he needs to."

His cheeks flushed red and he smiled coyly, looking down as she chuckled.

" Vaise toh mujhmein bhi bada talent hai Mr.Narcissist. Not everyone can make the Shubman Gill blush."

Trying his best to stifle a giggle, he turned away and she laughed, leaning to his side in an attempt to meet his eyes.

" So, will the Prince be my plus one for this wedding?"

" Only for the wedding? The Prince would very much love to become your plus one for the next seven lifetimes, that is, if he has the Princess' permission."

Giggling, she arched a brow at him, and then let out a dramatic gasp.
" Are you proposing Mr.Gill?"

" Do you not want me to Miss Tendulkar?"

" Who would not want you to? I would very much like it."

" Like? Not love?" Feigning sadness, he looked down, shaking his head sorrowfully elicting yet another giggle from her.

" Hey...Shubman! C'mon look at me! Shub!"

" Mm, Shub? Not Shubman? I like that." He nodded.
" No actually, I love that!"

Breaking into a smile, she smacked him again.

" Ow! That hurts!"

" Where?"

" Here." He pointed towards his heart and she laughed, shaking her head.

" You're impossible."

He chuckled.
" I wanted to ask you something quite important."

" Mhm,Go on. I'm listening."

" Does...Sir know I asked you out?"

" He does."

" Does...does he approve? Like...of me?"

" Why don't you come and ask him yourself?"

" Is he at home?"

" He should be returning soon. Ah there he comes!"

" Shubman! What a pleasant surprise! Come in, Sara you didn't invite him in?"

" We were waiting for you to return Baba."

" I see. C'mon in!"

" Yes sir."

" So Shubman, sit down."

" Y-yes Sir. I...uh...came to meet you."

" Me? Or Sara?"

" B-both?"

Sachin chuckled.
" So, what is it that you came to meet me for?"

" I...know I was supposed to ask you this before. But....I require your permission to date your daughter Sir. I know I was supposed to ask you before I asked her out, but I couldn't help it and hold back and ended up confessing to her first. I should've been more considerate and asked you if I have the permission first-I'm also aware that if I don't, she wouldn't want to date me, and I would let her go, and I do love her a lot to find my happiness in hers, but, I also love her a lot to not let go Sir. Ever since I've realised I fell for her, she's only made my days better. I know I wasn't on the best of my behaviour with her in the past, and am deeply remorseful about it, but if I have your, and her permission, I promise to treat her no less than what she deserves."

" What does she deserve according to you Shubman?"

" The best, Sir. She's the God's daughter. She deserves no less than the best, which she's gotten till date, so I, from my side, will make sure that she gets everything best......that is, if I have your permission."

Sachin laughed.
" You're so nervous for no reason my boy! You most certainly have my permission. Y'know....it ain't easy watch your daughter grow up, fall for someone, and then hand her over to that person, because, the Father in me is always worried, there are umpteen what ifs, what if she isn't treated well, what if she and her partner fall apart, what if something happens to her? But when she's with the right person, somewhere, I'm put to ease, because I know she'll be happy. That doesn't mean I stop worrying, but it does give me comfort knowing she'll be happy. And you, my dear, are the right person for her."

Shubman's heart warmed at the kind words offered to him.

Overwhelmed, he nodded with a smile.
" Thank you so much Sir. I promise to treat her right."

Nodding, Sachin patted his shoulder.

" Then you have my permission, and my blessings both."

" And...and Ma'am's?"

" Mine too!" Anjali smiled warmly at him.
" I had so much to say, but Sachin said most of what I wanted to. If you promise to keep her happy, and promise to keep your word, then there's nothing that makes us happier."

" Yeh accha hai, meri hi behen ko propose kiya aur mujhe hi nahi bataya!" Arjun narrowed his eyes at Shubman and his eyes widened.

" Mai-mai tujhe batane hi vala tha!"

" Kab? Shaadi ke baad?"

" Arjun....he asked me to be his girlfriend."

" So? C'mon Di, each and every person in the room is well aware that he's going to ask you to marry him someday for sure! So Shubi, when did you plan on telling me?"

" I'm...sorry. I'll make up for it promise!"

" How?"

" I'll gift you all my important skins in the game!"

" Well...hard bargain, but I'll take it. I've not approved yet by the way! Maa Baba's approval might not be so tough, but mine is. Di means the world to me—"

" Arey wah, you're being pretty nice today." Sara chuckled.

" I'm not done yet! Di means the world to me, and anyone wanting to date her will have to go through me. Even if it's one of my close friends!"

Shubman sighed.
" So what do I have to do in order to have your approval?"

" Earn it!"

" Hey Bhagwan, dono bhai-behen dangerous hai." He mumbled causing everyone to burst into laughter.

And as usual, his gaze flickered towards her, his heart racing seeing her laugh, and a small smile played on his lips as well.