Shubman was at a lively party with his fellow cricketers, hosted by the ever-charming Virat and Anushka. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and camaraderie. Among the guests were the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, his wife Anjali, and their children Sara and Arjun.
Sara noticed Shubman engaged in a cheerful conversation with Virat and little Vamika. A tender smile graced her lips as she watched Shubman interact sweetly with the child.

Virat, with his usual playful demeanor, teased, "So, Shubman, practicing how to handle kids with Sara, huh?"

Shubman, slightly embarrassed, replied, "Bhai, stop it. I haven't even told my parents, and Sara hasn't told hers either."

Unbeknownst to them, Sachin was within earshot. Virat, not realizing this, continued, "Wait, you mean you and Sara are dating and serious about your relationship, but haven't told your parents yet?"

Sachin's eyes widened in surprise. "What?" he exclaimed. Shubman turned around, his heart sinking as he saw Sachin standing there, clearly having heard everything.

Sachin, trying to maintain his composure, said, "Virat, I need to meet Anjali, Sara, Arjun, Anushka, you, and Shubman on the terrace, now."

Virat nodded, sensing the gravity of the situation, and glanced at Shubman, who was staring at the floor, feeling a mix of anxiety and guilt.

As they gathered on the terrace, the tension was palpable. Sachin looked at Shubman and then at Sara, his face a mixture of concern and determination. "Shubman cannot be with Sara," he declared firmly.

Sara, her voice trembling, asked, "Why, Baba?"

Sachin took a deep breath, his eyes hardening as he looked at Shubman. "Sara, it's not that I don't trust you, but this relationship is not something I can accept right now."

Sara's eyes filled with tears. "But Baba, we care about each other. Why can't you just be happy for us?"

Shubman, feeling the weight of the moment, stepped forward. "Sir, I understand your concerns. I care deeply for Sara and I would never do anything to hurt her. We wanted to tell you both when the time was right."

Sachin's expression remained stern. "Shubman, you need to understand the implications of this relationship. It's not just about you and Sara. It's about our families, your career, and the scrutiny you'll both face."

Virat, sensing the tension, tried to intervene. "Paaji, maybe we should give them a chance. They're young, but they seem sincere."

But Sachin shook his head. "No, Virat. This is not just about sincerity. Shubman, if you don't end this relationship, I will have no choice but to take action. I can make sure you're not part of the team anymore."

Shubman's heart sank. "Sir, please, don't do this. I love cricket and I love Sara. I can balance both."

Sachin's eyes softened slightly, but his resolve remained firm. "Shubman, this is not a negotiation. You have to choose."

Sara, her voice trembling, pleaded, "Baba, please don't do this. We can make it work."

Anjali, who had been quietly observing, placed a comforting hand on Sara's shoulder. "Sachin, maybe we should reconsider. They're young and in love."

But Sachin was resolute. "Anjali, this is for their own good. Shubman, you need to make a decision."

Shubman looked at Sara, his heart breaking. "Sara, I don't want to lose you, but I can't give up my career either."

Sara's tears flowed freely now. "Shubman, I don't want you to choose. There has to be another way."

Sachin, seeing the pain in his daughter's eyes, sighed deeply. "We'll talk about this more, but for now, Shubman, you need to think about what I've said."

As the group dispersed, the atmosphere was heavy with unresolved tension. Shubman and Sara were left standing on the terrace, holding each other tightly, unsure of what the future held. The night, once filled with promise, now seemed uncertain and fraught with difficult choices.

Shubman sat on the edge of his bed, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. He dialed his sister Shahneel's number, hoping to find some solace in her voice. Shahneel, who lived in San Antonio , picked up after a few rings.

"Hey, Shubman! It's late there, isn't it? What's up?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Shahneel, I... I don't know what to do," Shubman began, his voice breaking. "Sachin found out about Sara and me. He doesn't approve, and he threatened to throw me out of the team if I don't end things with her."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before Shahneel spoke, her voice soft and comforting. "Oh, Shubman, I'm so sorry. I know how much you care about Sara and how important cricket is to you. This must be tearing you apart."

Shubman felt tears welling up in his eyes. "I love her, Shahneel. But I can't give up my career. Cricket is everything to me. How can I choose between the two?"

Shahneel sighed deeply. "I wish I had an easy answer for you, Shubman. But sometimes, life puts us in impossible situations. You need to follow your heart and do what feels right for you. Just know that whatever you decide, I'm here for you."

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Sara was sitting with her brother Arjun. She had been crying, and Arjun was trying his best to comfort her.

"Arjun, Baba doesn't understand. He doesn't see how much Shubman means to me," Sara said, her voice choked with emotion.

Arjun put an arm around his sister. "Sara, I know this is hard. Baba is just worried about you. He wants to protect you from the pressures and challenges that come with being in a public relationship."

"But I love Shubman, Arjun. Why can't Baba see that? Why can't he just be happy for us?" Sara's tears flowed freely as she spoke.

Arjun sighed, feeling his sister's pain. "Sara, sometimes parents have a hard time letting go. They want to shield us from any potential hurt. But you have to stand up for what you believe in. If you and Shubman are truly meant to be together, you'll find a way to make it work."

Sara nodded, wiping her tears. "Thank you, Arjun. I just hope Baba can understand someday."

As the night wore on, both Shubman and Sara found some comfort in their conversations with their siblings. Though the path ahead was uncertain and filled with challenges, they knew they had the support of their loved ones. And in that, they found a glimmer of hope amidst the sorrow.

Shubman was sprawled on the couch, the flickering light of the TV casting shadows across the room. Sleep eluded him, leaving him restless and lost in thought. Suddenly, a soft knock echoed through the quiet apartment. He hesitated for a moment before getting up to answer the door. To his utter astonishment, there stood Shahneel, a comforting presence in the dim light.

"Shahneel Di? How did you get here?" Shubman stammered, his voice a mix of surprise and relief.

With a gentle smile, Shahneel replied, "I wanted to surprise you, but it seems like I came just when you needed me the most."

Shubman nodded, his emotions overwhelming him. They moved back to the couch, and as soon as they sat down, he pulled her into a tight embrace. Tears streamed down his face as he choked out, "How could Sachin sir ask me to choose between Cricket and Sara? They mean everything to me."

Shahneel gently ran her fingers through his hair, her touch soothing. "Shh...calm down, Kaka," she whispered softly. "Everything will fall into place. We'll figure this out together."

Shahneel continued to hold Shubman close, her presence a balm to his troubled heart. She whispered soothing words, her voice a gentle murmur in the quiet room. "It's okay, Shubman. We'll get through this together. You don't have to face this alone."

Shubman clung to her, his tears gradually subsiding as he found comfort in her embrace. Shahneel's fingers traced calming patterns through his hair, her touch tender and reassuring. "You are stronger than you think," she murmured. "And love, true love, will always find a way."

As the minutes passed, Shubman's breathing began to slow, the weight of his worries easing under Shahneel's gentle care. Exhaustion finally took over, and he drifted into a peaceful sleep, his head resting on Shahneel's lap. She watched over him, her heart aching for the pain he was enduring, but also filled with a quiet determination to help him through it.

With a soft sigh, Shahneel leaned back, her hand still gently stroking his hair. "Rest now, Shubman," she whispered. "We'll face tomorrow together." And with that, she settled in, ready to be his strength for as long as he needed.

As Shubman slept soundly on Shahneel's lap, her phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen and saw Keart's name. Taking a deep breath, she answered the call, trying to keep her voice calm and steady.

"Hello, Mumma," Shahneel greeted softly.

"Shanh why isn't Kaka answering my calls? Is everything alright?" Keart's voice was laced with concern and worry.

Shahneel hesitated, looking down at Shubman's peaceful face. "He's okay, Mumma. He's just really exhausted. He had a long day and finally managed to fall asleep," she lied gently, hoping to reassure Keart.

There was a brief silence on the other end before Keart sighed. "I see. I was just worried about him. Please tell him to call me when he wakes up."

"Of course, Mumma. I'll make sure he does," Shahneel promised, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance.

After ending the call, Shahneel put her phone aside and looked down at Shubman, her heart swelling with a mix of affection and determination. She knew they had a lot to face, but for now, she was content to be his safe haven, letting him rest and gather strength for the challenges ahead. She continued to stroke his hair gently, whispering, "Rest well,Kaka. We'll face everything together."