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Aditi decided to visit Shubman as a surprise on Valentine's Day. She reached Rajkot in the morning. Shubman and his team arrived last night and were taking rest in their hotel room. She had called Rahul sir beforehand to pick her up. She didn't have the contact of almost half the squad and Rohit wouldn't keep the surprise to himself.

Rahul Dravid came to pick Aditi up from the airport. She hugged him, "Rahul sirr!" Rahul adored her as his own daughter.

"It was a surprise for me too. Ekdum se kaise man kara aane ka?" They settled in his car and thankfully there were no paparazzi around as it was around 5:45 am.

"I have a ten days off because next week I and Raghav have to go Dubai for a new collaboration. Aur I also wanted to go Baroda to meet everyone. Bohot time se nahi gayi thi kaam ke chakkar mai."

It took them half an hour to reach the hotel. The team had already left for practice. Aditi checked in her room and took a shower before joining Rahul to go to the stadium. She had a 1989 blue sweater and denim jeans on. It was gifted by Natasa a few weeks ago.

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The pre practice workout just ended as the team was on a ten minutes break. "Where is Rahul sir. He always comes here with us. Aaj kya hua unko." Rohit inquired the team. They were sitting on the ground in a circle, with rohit facing the entry and Shubman in front of him.

Shubman and others shook their heads. Yashasvi said, "I saw him going out of the hotel at 5. Must have been emergency." Rohit nodded. He saw Rahul entering with a girl.

He sipped from his water bottle. When he realized it was Aditi, He accidentally spat out the water on Siraj next to him. "Rohit bhai aap theek to ho?" Siraj yelled.

"Sorry bhai. Vo. Uh." Rohit was embarrassed at his actions and couldn't form words. Shubman and yashasvi rolled on the ground, laughing at him.

Siraj was equally surprised to see Aditi. He was about to say something when she signaled him and others to keep quiet. She went behind Shubman and put her hand over his eyes.

Shubman was confused who it was. He could smell the familiar perfume Aditi used, and he recognized her baby soft hands. He thought how would she be here and shrugged off the probability of it being her.

"Kon hai ye." He bewildered. Aditi was furious that he didn't recognize her.

"Bhabhi..." Yashasvi muttered to him. The team didn't knew about their relationship but it was just to tease him. Given Shubman's reaction, he confirmed that it was indeed their bhabhi.

"Kutte!" She put her hands off his eyes and kicked him.

Shubman went still, motionless. "Tera surprise ne to Shubman ko shock de diya." Rohit laughed.

Shubman got up and turned to a fuming Aditi. "Ad-."

She shoved him off, "Ja yaar tu." She made her way to Rohit and hugged him tight. Aditi always loved his fluffy hugs. "Ro bhaiya!"

She then greeted everyone else, ignoring Shubman completely who was tailing behind her like a lost puppy. "Adi- sorry. Mujhe laga tha ki tu hai. Par fir laga ki tu yaha kaise aayegi." He fiddled with his fingers trying to explain her.

Rohit halted them and made them stand in front. "Ek second. Tum dono." He pointed at them, "tumhara kya chakkar chal raha hai?" His stern voice made Shubman quiver back.

Their silence was his answer. "Does Hardik know?"

"Ha!" Shubman said casually, earning a smack on his head.

"Aur kis kisko pata hai." His face flaired in grump. He was totally offended that he wasn't told about them.

"Bas Bhai aur Shubman ki family ko..." Aditi muttered. "Are yaar. Ro Bhaiya kisiko nahi pata. Aapko pehle pata chal gyana!" She went to hug him.

"Pata chala, tumne bataya nahi."

"Are Cheeku Bhaiya ko bhi nahi pata." She said making him smile.

"Hmm." He broke the hug and went to Shubman, "Aur tu." He grabbed Shub's T-shirt. He got scared at his senior's actions. "8 baje se pehle vapis aa jana dono."

Rohit walked off and Shubman let out his breath. Aditi was still ignoring him, she engaged herself in a conversation with everyone else. Shubman kept an eye at her while practicing. He tried to grab her attention with clean shots., but he failed.

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Shubman knocked on Aditi's door. She opened it and was to close on his face when he pushed himself inside. His hands trapped her between him and a wall while his leg closed the door. "Sorry, na meri jaan." His face was closer.

In anger Aditi palmed his face and pushed him away. He hugged her from behind and left a trail of kisses along her neck. "Pookie? Happy Valentine's day."

"Ha theek hai." She replied bluntly. "Ja tu Jaiswal ke sath hi mana apna valentines day!" She elbowed him in the rib.

"Adiii." He whined. "Aur kitna manau meri jaan." He gave her puppy eyes. She scrowled but nodded and embraced him.

"Lekin punishment milegi." She gave a pressed smile to him.

"Saza manzoor hai." Shubman accepted with his hand on his heart. Aditi chuckled and kissed him.

"Jaldi se change karke aao! Mai tumhe date pe leke ja rahi hu." He buzzed off to the bathroom with a pair of clothes. Never have Aditi ever seen him  getting ready so fast.

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Aditi liked the idea of having a candle light dinner with Shubman. She reserved a table at one of the finest roof tops, which offers private dinners.

As they settled into their seats, Shubman flashed Aditi a charming grin. "You picked the perfect spot for our date, huh?"

Aditi chuckled, her eyes sparkling. Shubman couldn't help but observe his girlfriend's face glowing from the light of the candle. "Adi, you look beautiful."

"I know. Isliye to tum hat lage." She leaned in and pecked his lips.

Their table was adorned with flickering candles, casting a warm glow over their faces as they perused the menu. The waiter approached with a smile, ready to take their orders.

As they waited for their food to arrive, they engaged in lively conversation, sharing stories and laughter. "Preparations kaisi chal rahi hai?"

"Everything is going smoothly. Sha and Karan are perfect match. Mujhe wedding planner ne bola, 'madam pehli baar itne maturely kisine humare sath coordinate kiya hai. Couples to ladte rehte hai har cheez pe.'."

"Pehle hi batado apni shadi pe kya chahiye tumhe. Warna pata chala tum bhi waha nakhre karne lagi." Shubman smirked.

"Mujhe bhi lag raha hai next year hume bhi Shaadi kar leni chahiye. Mummy ne to propose kar hi diya hai tumhari taraf se." She taunted.

Shubman scoffed at her. He was about to come back at her but the waiter arrived with their dishes. The middle eastern delights, steaming hot and l
fragrant.

They dug into their meals, savoring each bite as they continued their animated conversation. "Ha to shaadi ki baat chal rahi hai to." Shubman's hand crept in his pocket. Aditi focused solely on her falafel and hummus didn't pay attention when Shubman took a small box of Harry Winston.

"To?" She asked inattentively. "Are! Mai batana hi bhul gayi. Mummy bol rahi thi, Sha ke lie gift lena hai tujhe."

"Ha theek hai vo sab." He was agitated with her, "tu meri baat sun. Aditi." He made her look up at him.

He held her hand in her, "Aditi." At last he had her undying attention. "I know ye sab filmy baate hai but pehli nazar ka pyaar is real. Since the moment I met you in Ahmedabad, I did everything to get your attention. From taking your pictures to getting lost in the fort."

Aditi's heart ran at the speed of a F-1 type Ferrari  as he continued his monologue, "I love you, Adi. I fell in love with you, and I want to keep falling till the end. Will you marry me?"

Aditi experienced a whole new level of overwhelm. She stood up and kissed Shubman from across the table. "Ye bhi koi puchne ki baat hai?"

Leaving their food to turn cold they hugged each other. She looked up at him and their gazes began to linger on each other, the air between them charged with a palpable electricity. "You know, Aditi, there's something I've been wanting to do all evening."

Aditi's heart raced as she met his gaze, anticipation coursing through her veins. "What is it?"

Without another word, Shubman leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other, the rest of the world fading away into insignificance.

When they finally pulled apart, their breaths mingling, Aditi couldn't help but smile. "Let's finish up fast and go back."

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Happy Holi !