Sara lay sprawled across the bed, her lips curled into a pout as she stared out the window at the relentless rain pelting down in Bali. They had planned an outing today, a day of exploring the beaches and catching sunsets, but the weather had other plans. Shubman, on the other hand, paced back and forth across the room, clearly frustrated.

"It had to rain today, didn't it?" Sara muttered, glancing up at him.

Shubman sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's typical, isn't it? Every time we plan something, the universe has other ideas."

She gave him a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, we can still do something fun. Let's watch my favorite movie, yeah?"

Shubman nodded, though his mind seemed elsewhere. They curled up on the bed, and Sara put on the movie, hoping to lift his spirits. For a while, they were lost in the story, but then Shubman's phone buzzed with a notification. He frowned as he read the message, his expression tightening.

Sara noticed the change instantly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said too quickly, brushing it off and putting his phone away. But Sara could see the worry etched on his face.

They tried to continue watching the movie, but Shubman's mood had shifted. He wasn't as engaged, and it was clear that something was bothering him. The movie finished, but Shubman remained distant, lost in thought.

Later, Abhishek and Aditi called, inviting them to lunch. Sara thought maybe some social time would cheer Shubman up, so they agreed to go. But even at lunch, Shubman was quieter than usual, barely engaging in conversation. Abhishek and Aditi tried to pull him into the discussion, but he just nodded and gave short replies.

Sara, sitting next to him, felt the tension. She could tell something was seriously wrong now. After a few minutes of silence, she leaned over and whispered, "Shub, what's going on? Talk to me."

He shook his head slightly, but Sara wasn't going to let it slide. She took his hand under the table and squeezed it, her voice firmer this time. "Please. Tell me."

Shubman let out a heavy sigh, and his shoulders slumped. He looked at Sara, his expression pained. "I got a message earlier... I didn't get selected for the next series."

The words hung between them, and for a moment, Sara didn't know what to say. She knew how much Shubman had been looking forward to it, how hard he had been working.

"Shubman..." Sara's voice softened, filled with understanding. "I'm so sorry."

He looked down at the table, frustration evident in his features. "I've been training nonstop, doing everything I could. I thought this series was my chance. And now... it feels like all that effort was for nothing."

Sara shifted in her seat to face him fully, her hand still gripping his. "You've been working so hard, Shub. This doesn't change that. You're still one of the best out there, and you know it."

"But it feels like I'm slipping," he admitted, his voice low. "Like no matter how much I push myself, it's not enough."

Sara's heart ached for him. She hated seeing him so defeated. She pulled his hand closer, her eyes locking with his. "You are enough. And just because you didn't get picked this time doesn't mean you won't get your shot. You're going to bounce back from this, I know it."

Shubman looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of doubt and hope. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Sara said firmly, giving him a reassuring smile. "You've come too far to let one setback define you. And besides," she added, trying to lighten the mood, "I'm not going anywhere, and I'll be here to make sure you remember just how amazing you are."

Shubman let out a small chuckle, though it was laced with emotion. "Thanks, Sara. I needed that."

She reached up and gently touched his face. "You don't have to go through this alone. I'm with you, always."

He leaned into her touch, his mood lifting just a little from her comforting words. Sara glanced over at Abhishek and Aditi, who were watching the two of them from across the table, sensing the seriousness of their conversation but not intruding.

Sara leaned in and whispered in his ear, "We can leave if you want. We'll go back to the room, just the two of us."

Shubman gave her a small nod. "Yeah, let's do that."

They excused themselves from the table, with Aditi giving Sara a knowing look and Abhishek patting Shubman on the back, offering silent support. As they walked back to their room, Sara stayed close to Shubman's side, her arm linked with his.

Once they were back inside, she pulled him into a tight hug, not letting go until she felt the tension in his body ease slightly. "We'll get through this, Shub," she murmured into his chest. "Together."

He held her close, his arms wrapped securely around her. In that moment, with Sara by his side, the weight of the day didn't feel quite as heavy.

That night, after everything had settled down, Shubman found himself lying in bed next to Sara, staring up at the ceiling. The room was dark, illuminated only by the faint glow of the city outside the window. Sara was curled up beside him, her breathing soft and even as she slept, but sleep wouldn't come for him.

His mind was racing. The disappointment of not being selected for the series lingered, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts. No matter how much Sara had reassured him earlier, the doubts remained. What if this was the beginning of a decline? What if he wasn't as good as he used to be? The pressure he placed on himself felt suffocating, and now, in the silence of the night, it was overwhelming.

He turned slightly, glancing at Sara. She was peaceful, her hand resting lightly on his chest as if trying to comfort him even in her sleep. He didn't want to wake her; she had been so supportive all day, and he knew she needed rest. But the turmoil in his head made it impossible for him to lie still.

Carefully, he slipped out of bed, trying not to disturb her. He grabbed his phone and stepped out onto the balcony, hoping that the cool night air would clear his mind. The sound of the rain had softened to a drizzle, and the city lights shimmered in the wet streets below.

He scrolled through messages and social media mindlessly, but nothing could distract him from the gnawing sense of failure. Everyone else seemed to be celebrating victories, sharing their latest achievements, while he was stuck here feeling like he was losing his footing.

Suddenly, the door to the balcony creaked open, and Sara appeared, rubbing her eyes. "Shub? Why are you out here?" she asked softly, stepping closer to him.

Shubman glanced at her, trying to force a smile. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you. I just... couldn't sleep."

Sara frowned, moving to stand beside him. "You're still thinking about the squad, aren't you?"

He let out a sigh, leaning against the railing. "Yeah. I just... I can't shake the feeling that I'm slipping, Sara. Like, what if this is the start of everything going downhill?"

Sara stepped closer, slipping her arm around his waist, leaning her head against his shoulder. "It's not the end of the world, Shub. You've faced setbacks before, and you've always come back stronger. This is just another challenge."

Shubman looked down at her, his heart heavy. "But what if it's more than that this time? What if I've peaked, and it's all downhill from here?"

Sara turned to face him fully, her expression serious. "You're being too hard on yourself. One series doesn't define your entire career. You're still one of the best out there, and this is just a bump in the road. Don't let this one thing make you doubt everything."

He nodded, but the uncertainty still clung to him. "I know you're right, but it's hard to let go of the pressure. It's like... I've worked so hard, and it feels like it's slipping away."

Sara reached up, gently cupping his face in her hands, making him look at her. "Listen to me, Shub. You are talented, you are strong, and you are not defined by this one moment. Your career isn't over. You're going to come back, and when you do, you'll be even better. But right now, you need to stop beating yourself up."

He closed his eyes for a moment, leaning into her touch, feeling the warmth and sincerity in her words. She always knew what to say to ground him, to pull him back when he felt like he was spiraling.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," he whispered, opening his eyes to meet hers.

Sara smiled softly, her thumb brushing gently across his cheek. "You'll never have to find out. I'm always here."

For a few moments, they stood there in the quiet, the city below and the stars above. Slowly, the weight of the day began to lift, just enough for Shubman to feel like he could breathe again.

Sara gave his hand a light squeeze. "Come back to bed. You need rest. Tomorrow's another day, and we'll face it together."

Shubman nodded, feeling a bit lighter. He followed her back inside, grateful for her presence, her strength. As they lay down together, he pulled her close, resting his chin on top of her head, her warmth comforting him more than words could express.

It took time, but eventually, his eyes began to close, and with Sara by his side, he finally found sleep.