The Next IPL match was in Punjab which also happen to be the last game for Gujrat Titans as they got eliminated from Qualifier.

Shubman invited the whole GT team and Ishan-Aditi in their house.

Shubman stood at the entrance, welcoming his teammates. He spotted Ishan Kishan approaching with a radiant young woman by his side. "Di, it's Ishan and his fiancée, Aditi," he called out to his sister, Shahneel.

As Shahneel approached, her eyes met Aditi's, sparking an immediate connection. Aditi's presence was captivating, and Shahneel found herself drawn to her warmth and grace, realizing a longing she hadn't acknowledged before.

"Hi, I'm Shahneel," she introduced herself, her voice softening in Aditi's presence.

"Aditi," the woman replied with a warm smile. "It's wonderful to meet you."

Shahneel came forward, her eyes meeting Aditi's. For a brief moment, she felt a connection, a spark she had never experienced before. Aditi's presence was enchanting, and Shahneel suddenly understood why she had never truly sought out a relationship. Deep down, she had always longed for someone like Aditi, an angelic figure who seemed to light up the space around her.

As the evening progressed, team gathered in the living room, sharing stories and laughter. Shubman and Ishan,found themselves in a quieter corner, reminiscing about the journey in the IPL

"You are regretting buying it,aren't you?I am feeling like a failed captain." Shubman mused, his eyes reflecting the memories of their matches.

"Don't you dare feel like that" Ishan agreed. "Remember that game against Mumbai? You were on fire that day.It's just a bad luck this year"

Shubman chuckled. "Your positivity is contagious."

"Maybe I just enjoy seeing my captain smile,"

Shubman looked at Ishan's eye.

"Umm..I mean watching my team laugh"

Their conversation flowed naturally,
There was an unspoken bond between them and genuine affection for each other.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Shahneel and Aditi found themselves alone in the kitchen, preparing snacks for the guests. The atmosphere was charged with a different kind of energy.

"So, how did you and Ishan meet?" Shahneel asked, her curiosity genuine.

"We met in college," Aditi replied. "We've been friends for years."

"He's lucky to have you," Shahneel remarked.

"Thank you," Aditi said, her gaze lingering on Shahneel. "You're really sweet. It's nice to finally meet someone who feels so... familiar."

Shahneel felt a blush creep up her cheeks. "I feel the same way. It's like we've known each other forever."

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. There was a magnetic pull between them, an unspoken understanding that beyond words.

Back in the living room, Shubman and Ishan's conversation took a more personal turn. "You know," Ishan began, "I am admiring how you handle pressure. On and off the field."

The sincerity in Ishan's voice made Shubman's heart swell "This mean a lot to me, you know that?"

"I do," Ishan replied softly. "And may be you mean a lot to me too.You're more than just my team captain to me."

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of laughter from the kitchen. Curious, they both turned to see Shahneel and Aditi walking back with trays of food, their smiles wide and genuine.

The evening continued with a warmth that permeated every corner of the house. As the night drew to a close, Shahneel and Aditi found themselves on the porch, the cool night air providing a perfect backdrop to their conversation.

"I've never felt this way before," Shahneel admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Me neither," Aditi confessed. "But it feels right, doesn't it?"

"It does," Shahneel agreed, her hand reaching out to gently touch Aditi's. "It really does."

Suddenly their hands intertwined.Shubman and Ishan shared a knowing glance, recognizing the beginnings of something.

"I...I will talk to Di."-Shubman said hesitantly.

"About what?"Its not anything wrong"Ishan said.

"Well,she is Your finance "

"What if she wasn't your fiancée? How would you feel then?-Ishan took the bold move asking this."What would change if she wasn't my fiancée?" he asked Shubman directly.

"A lot of things," Shubman replied, looking Ishan straight in the eyes.

******

"You seem a little too interested in Ishan's fiancée," he remarked, trying to sound casual.

"So he's 'Ishan' now and not 'Mr. Ishan'?" Shahneel teased,

"We... we might become friends,"

"Liar!" Shaneel exclaimed. "The sexual tension between you two can be felt from miles away."

"Well, you could say the same about you and his fiancée," Shubman shot back.

"What? No... nothing like that happened," Shahneel stammered, his cheeks reddening.

"He saw you two holding hands on the porch," Shubman pointed out.

"Can two girls not hold hands?" Shahneel asked defensively.

"Not when they're both the brightest shade of red," Shubman countered.

"Okay, look, it wasn't one-sided. She was fueling the fire too," Shahneel admitted.

"Lucky you, she's on the market," Shubman said.

"Meaning?" Shahneel asked, confused.

"Ishan told me about the whole engagement situation. They're not really engaged.It's just sort of deal"

Then Shubman explained the whole situation Ishan told him earlier.

"I see," Shahneel said thoughtfully. "So, are you going to go for him?"

"I'm afraid," Shubman confessed. "What if everything just loops back again?"

"You better not mess it up this time," Shahneel advised sternly.

Shubman nodded, taking his sister's words to heart. There was a lot to consider, but the path ahead, though uncertain, seemed a little clearer now.

*****

Ishan's phone rang, and he saw his grandfather's name on the screen. He answered quickly.

"Where are you?" his grandfather's voice was stern, laced with worry.

"Grandpa, I... I'm in Punjab. We had our Qualifier here," Ishan replied, his voice hesitant.

"Yes, I saw the match. But why aren't you back yet?" his grandfather demanded.

"Grandpa, I was staying at the captain's house. He insisted," Ishan explained, hoping to ease his grandfather's concern.

"Why did you take only one bodyguard?" his grandfather's voice rose with frustration.

"Grandpa, I don't like bodyguards that much. You know that," Ishan said, trying to stay calm.

"Well, you have to take them if you're staying at a stranger's house! Is this how you're proving that you're mature now?" his grandfather retorted angrily.

"I am, Grandpa," Ishan said softly, his voice barely audible.

"Don't forget how your own brother Raj went missing after coming to India being stubborn two years ago! You are his identical twin. What if he made some enemies and they harm you too, like they did to him?" his grandfather's voice cracked with emotion.

"I haven't forgotten, Grandpa. I haven't forgotten a thing!"

[Introducing a new character Raj Kishan who us an Identical twin of Ishan Kishan]