The next day, the kids at the shelter were buzzing with excitement. It wasn't every day they got to watch a cricket match, and today was special. Shubman was playing, and Aditi had made it her mission to gather everyone to cheer him on. She could already picture his face when he found out, though she knew he wouldn't expect it.

After finishing her work with the kids and making sure everyone was settled, she waved her hands dramatically to get their attention. "Alright, everyone, gather up!" she called, her voice carrying across the room. The kids immediately turned, some of them still clutching their toys or snacks, but all of them curious.

"Today's special!" she said, a huge smile on her face. "We're watching Shubman's match. I want you all to sit down and cheer for him, okay?"

The kids gasped and scrambled to find seats. Aditi grinned, her heart swelling at their excitement. She loved how easily the kids connected with Shubman, even if they didn't fully understand the game. His kindness made him a hero to them, and she couldn't wait for them to watch him in action.

Soon, the kids were all huddled together in front of the TV, some sitting cross-legged on the floor, others on couches. Aditi settled in beside them, her heart light as the screen came to life, showing Shubman and his team warming up on the field.

"Look! That's him!" one of the older boys, Aarav, shouted, pointing at Shubman on the screen. The kids erupted into cheers, clapping their hands and waving at the TV as though he could see them.

Aditi couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sure he can hear you," she teased, and the kids giggled in response.

As the match started, the kids were glued to the screen, their eyes wide with excitement as Shubman went out to bat. Aditi, sitting on the edge of her seat, cheered along with them, her voice rising above the chatter of the kids.

"Go, Shubman!" she yelled, clapping her hands. The kids joined in, chanting his name, some even creating little cheerleading routines, their faces full of pure joy and admiration.

"Shubman! Shubman!" they all cheered in unison, their voices echoing through the room.

Aditi smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. It was such a simple thing—watching a cricket match—but for these kids, it was so much more. They saw someone who treated them with kindness, who took the time to be part of their world, and now they were watching him do what he loved. It was a moment of connection, a shared experience that bound them all together, even though they were from different walks of life.

Throughout the match, Aditi kept encouraging the kids, helping them learn a little about the game as they watched. "That's a six!" she exclaimed when Shubman hit one out of the park, and the kids clapped and jumped in excitement. "Look, he's doing so well!"

When Shubman finally scored a big run, Aditi cheered louder than anyone, her hands in the air as the kids joined her, chanting his name once more. "Shubman, you're amazing!" she shouted, laughing as the kids repeated her words in unison.

After the match ended, with Shubman's team victorious, Aditi leaned back in her seat, satisfied. The kids were all talking excitedly, discussing their favorite parts of the match, and some of them were even trying to imitate Shubman's batting stance.

One of the younger boys, Raghav, tugged at her sleeve. "Aditi, is he gonna be okay? Was he happy?" he asked, his big eyes full of concern.

Aditi smiled down at him, cupping his face in her hands. "He's definitely happy, Raghav. And he's probably smiling, knowing you all were cheering for him."

"Really?" he asked, his face lighting up.

"Of course," Aditi said, her heart full. "You guys are his biggest fans."

The kids cheered again, and Aditi's heart swelled with love for them all. As they continued to talk about the match, she couldn't help but feel grateful—grateful for Shubman, for the kids, and for the simple, beautiful moments like this one that brought so much joy.

It wasn't just about cricket. It was about connection. It was about showing up for one another, no matter how big or small the gesture was.

And as the kids continued to chatter excitedly, Aditi knew she'd keep cheering for Shubman, not just on the field, but in everything he did. Because it wasn't just about the game for her—it was about everything he represented: kindness, generosity, and the pure heart that had won the admiration of so many, especially these kids.

As the kids continued to talk excitedly about the match, Aditi's phone buzzed beside her. She picked it up, glancing at the screen to see a message from Shubman. Her heart did a little flip, the same flutter she always got when she saw his name.

Shubman: Hey, how did the kids like the match? 

Aditi couldn't help but smile. She quickly typed out a reply, her fingers moving with a familiarity that made it feel almost as natural as talking to him in person.

Aditi: They LOVED it. Honestly, they've been chanting your name all afternoon. You made their day. 

She paused for a second before adding something extra, feeling a warm sense of affection for him.

Aditi: You should have seen their faces when you hit that six. You're their hero now. 

She hit send and set the phone down for a moment, watching the kids continue their chatter. But not a minute later, her phone buzzed again. She picked it up, already knowing who it was.

Shubman: Haha, that's amazing. Tell them I'm proud of them for cheering so loudly! I felt it all the way from the field. 

Aditi smiled and quickly typed a response.

Aditi: I'll tell them! I'm sure you could feel it. They were practically jumping off their seats!

There was a small pause, and then a message came through.

Shubman: I'm really glad they enjoyed it. Maybe we can all watch together next time?

Aditi's heart warmed. She typed back, not even needing to think twice.

Aditi: That would be so much fun. They'd love that. It's a deal. 

She leaned back in her chair, smiling to herself. The connection felt so easy, so natural. It wasn't just about the kids. It was about the little moments of shared joy, and Aditi knew she'd always cherish these conversations, no matter how small they seemed.

The second date was at an arcade, and Aditi could barely contain her excitement as Shubman picked her up. When he opened the car door, he gave her a huge smile. "Hey, you ready for some fun?" he asked, his voice light with enthusiasm.

Aditi grinned, feeling the energy in the air. "You bet I am!" she said, practically bouncing with excitement. There was something so carefree and fun about being around him. It felt like she could just relax and enjoy the moment without thinking too much.

As they walked into the arcade, Aditi's eyes lit up at all the flashing lights and the sounds of games whirring and beeping. She took a deep breath. "I love this place," she said, her voice filled with joy.

Shubman chuckled and nudged her gently. "I knew you'd be into it." He pointed at a basketball shooting game. "How about we start with that one?"

Aditi's eyes sparkled. "Challenge accepted!" she said, heading straight for the game. She had no idea she was good at it, but the thought of playing and having fun with Shubman made her heart race. He stood next to her, giving her an encouraging smile.

"Ready?" he asked as she placed her hands on the basketball.

"Born ready!" Aditi replied, grinning. The game started, and she took her first shot. She missed, but instead of feeling embarrassed, she just laughed. "Okay, okay, that was a warm-up."

Shubman raised an eyebrow playfully. "Uh-huh, sure," he teased. "I'm watching you, Aditi."

With each shot, Aditi started getting better, and by the end of the round, she had scored more than Shubman. She jumped up and down in excitement. "I beat you!" she yelled, not able to hide her giggles.

Shubman threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, you're the basketball queen," he said with a laugh. "But I'm still winning this arcade."

Aditi giggled, running to the next game. It was a claw machine, and she was determined to win a stuffed animal. She stretched out on her tiptoes, focusing intently as she tried to grab one. Shubman leaned against the machine, watching her with an amused smile.

"You know, you're pretty cute when you're focused like that," he said, his voice teasing.

Aditi shot him a playful look. "Oh, now you're just trying to distract me," she said, but she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. She finally managed to grab a stuffed bear and pulled it out with a victorious squeal.

"I did it!" she laughed, holding up her prize like a trophy. Shubman clapped his hands. "Well done, champion."

They moved from one game to the next, the evening passing in a blur of laughter and fun. Aditi loved how easy it felt to be with him—like there was no pressure, just pure joy. Every time she looked at him, he was grinning at her, making her feel special in the most effortless way.

As they approached the photo booth, Shubman turned to her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Okay, last game: let's take some silly photos," he suggested.

Aditi grinned back. "You're on."

They squeezed into the booth, pulling faces and making goofy poses as the camera flashed. Aditi couldn't remember the last time she laughed this much, and when she saw the printout, her heart melted. There they were, smiling and laughing, completely caught up in the moment.

As they stepped out of the booth, Aditi noticed the photo strip in her hand. "I'm keeping this forever," she said, laughing. "Best date ever."

Shubman smiled warmly, his voice soft. "I'm glad you're having fun, Aditi. You deserve it."

She felt her heart flutter, the words so simple, yet they made her feel special. "You make everything fun," she said, her voice full of happiness.

Shubman grinned, looking down at her with a soft, affectionate smile. "And you make everything better," he replied, his words making her heart skip a beat.

The night ended with both of them laughing and sharing stories, walking out of the arcade with a sense of lightness and warmth that lingered long after. Aditi couldn't stop smiling, feeling happier than she had in a long time.