Sara called Shahneel, and as soon as Shahneel picked up, she greeted her warmly, "Hey Sara, what's up?"

Sara replied, "Nothing much, Shahneel. I just wanted to talk to you about something. Shubman's been missing you and your parents a lot lately, and I was thinking... maybe you guys could come over for a week?"

Shahneel's voice brightened instantly. "Of course! We'll be there tomorrow. But let's keep it a surprise for him."

Sara smiled, feeling relieved. "That sounds perfect. See you tomorrow then. Good night, Shahneel."

"Good night, Sara," Shahneel said before disconnecting the call.

After the call, Sara found Shubman standing on the balcony, staring into the night sky. His thoughts seemed far away, wrapped up in memories and emotions. Quietly, she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her cheek against his back.

Shubman felt her embrace and placed his hands over hers, pulling her closer. "What are you doing out here?" he asked softly.

Sara smiled, feeling the warmth of his back against her. "Just wanted to be with you. I know you've been missing your family a lot lately."

He sighed, nodding. "Yeah, I have. It just hits me sometimes, you know? Especially after seeing how close you are with your family."

Sara tightened her embrace, whispering, "I understand. But you're not alone, Shubman. We'll get through this together."

He turned around in her arms, facing her, and cupped her face in his hands. "I know. And I'm so grateful for you, Sara. You make everything easier."

She leaned into his touch, her heart swelling with love for him. "I'm just trying to take care of you, like you always do for me."

Shubman smiled softly and leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You do more than that, Sara. You make me feel like I have a home, even when I'm away from mine."

Sara's eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. "And soon, you'll have a little piece of your home right here."

Shubman raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you mean?"

Sara bit her lip, trying to keep the surprise under wraps. "You'll see soon enough. Just trust me, okay?"

He chuckled, feeling a bit of his earlier melancholy lift. "I do trust you. You've got me intrigued now."

She grinned, playfully nudging him. "Good. Now come inside, it's getting chilly out here."

Hand in hand, they left the balcony, the promise of a surprise lingering in the air. Sara couldn't wait for tomorrow, knowing that Shubman's spirits would lift once he saw his sister and parents. The thought made her heart swell with anticipation and love, knowing she was bringing a piece of happiness back into his life.

The next morning, Shahneel, Keart, and Lakhwinder arrived at Shubman's place. Shubman was surprised, his eyes widening in disbelief as he saw them standing at the door. "Shahneel? Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of joy and confusion.

Shahneel grinned, stepping forward to hug him tightly. "We missed you, Shubi. Plus, Sara thought it was a good idea to give you a surprise," she teased, glancing at Sara, who was standing nearby with a warm smile.

Keart and Lakhwinder stepped inside, both looking around with admiration. "It's been so long since we visited," Keart said, patting Shubman's shoulder. "You've done well, son."

Lakhwinder hugged Shubman warmly. "We've missed you, beta," he said, his voice soft with emotion.

As the day went on, the house was filled with laughter and chatter. Shubman felt a warmth he hadn't realized he missed so deeply. There was something comforting about having his family close, a sense of belonging that made the house feel more like home.

Later that evening, after dinner, Shubman and Shahneel found themselves alone in the living room. Shahneel noticed the way Shubman had been quieter than usual, even though he was happy to see them. She nudged him gently, "Shubi, what's going on? You seem a little off."

Shubman sighed, looking down at his hands. "I didn't realize how much I missed you all until now. I've been so focused on my career, on everything here... but sometimes it gets lonely, you know?" He paused, his voice faltering. "I miss the little things... the way Mom would always know when something was bothering me, Dad's advice, your endless teasing... It's hard not having that around all the time."

Shahneel's expression softened as she listened. She reached out, squeezing his hand. "We're here now, Shubi. And even if we're far away, we're always just a call away. You're not alone, okay?"

Shubman nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Shahneel. I'm really glad you're here."

She smiled back, her eyes twinkling. "Anytime, little brother. And remember, you're doing great. We're all so proud of you."

Shubman felt a weight lift off his shoulders, the warmth of his sister's words settling into his heart. He knew that with his family by his side, no matter how far apart they were, he could face anything.

The evening unfolded with the house filled with laughter and stories. Keart, Lakhwinder, and Shahneel were comfortably settled in the living room, reminiscing about old times and catching up on everything they had missed. Shubman was animated, sharing stories about his recent matches, and the atmosphere was lively, filled with warmth and nostalgia.

Sara, meanwhile, was in the kitchen, preparing tea for everyone. She could hear the joyful chatter from the living room, but she hesitated to join them. This was Shubman's time with his family, and she didn't want to intrude. As she poured the tea into cups, her mind wandered. She loved seeing Shubman so happy, surrounded by the people he loved, but a part of her felt like an outsider in this intimate family moment.

Shubman, however, noticed her absence. He excused himself from the conversation and walked over to the kitchen. Leaning against the doorframe, he watched her for a moment before stepping in. "Sara," he called gently, making her turn around.

She looked up, slightly startled. "Shubman, I was just about to bring the tea..."

He shook his head, stepping closer. "You don't have to do all this alone, you know. And you don't have to stay in here. Come, join us," he said, his voice soft but insistent.

Sara smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I just thought... this is your family time. I didn't want to intrude."

Shubman frowned slightly and took her hand, leading her out of the kitchen. "You're part of this too, Sara. My family adores you, and so do I. We're all here together, and that includes you. Please, join us."

Sara hesitated for a moment, but the sincerity in Shubman's eyes made her heart warm. She nodded, squeezing his hand. "Okay."

They walked back to the living room together, and as soon as they entered, Shahneel beamed at Sara. "Finally! We were wondering where you disappeared to."

Keart and Lakhwinder both smiled warmly at her, making her feel welcome. Shubman guided her to sit beside him on the couch, and soon enough, Sara found herself laughing along with the rest of them, feeling a deep sense of belonging.

As the night grew later, the conversation flowed effortlessly, stories blending into one another, and the house echoed with joy. Shubman kept his arm around Sara, making sure she knew that she was just as much a part of this moment as anyone else.

By the time the evening wound down, Sara no longer felt like an outsider. She was part of Shubman's family, and they had embraced her with open arms. Shubman smiled at her, a silent understanding passing between them. In that moment, Sara knew she had found not just a partner in Shubman, but a family she could call her own.

As the evening drew to a close, Shubman's family began to retreat to their respective rooms, the house now quiet after a day filled with laughter and shared memories. Shubman lingered in the living room, his thoughts drifting to the woman who had made this reunion possible. He found Sara in their room, preparing for bed.

He walked over to her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, Sara," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "You have no idea how much it means to me to have them here."

Sara looked up at him, her eyes warm and tender. "I just wanted to make you happy," she replied, stepping closer to him. She gently cupped his face, brushing her lips against his in a tender kiss. Shubman wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as if she were the anchor he needed.

When they finally pulled apart, Sara whispered, "I love you, Shubman."

"I love you too, Sara," he responded, his voice soft and sincere.

They climbed into bed, and Sara nestled into Shubman's chest, her hand resting over his heart. Shubman wrapped his arm around her, pulling her even closer. The warmth of their connection filled the room as they drifted off to sleep, both of them content in the embrace of love and family.