The morning of Shubman's departure was a mosaic of emotions, the air thick with the anticipation of farewells and new beginnings. As he zipped up his bags, each item neatly packed away, he felt the familiar tug of home pulling at his heartstrings. Descending the stairs, he approached his parents, their feet a symbol of respect and love, grounding him in his roots.

Anvi's eyes, usually so full of laughter and mischief, were clouded with the sheen of tears. Shubman's arms enveloped her in a comforting hug, her head resting against the steady beat of his heart. "Hey, why are there tears in your life?" he asked, his voice a soft murmur against her hair.

"You will be away from us for almost 4-5 months, Maan," Anvi whispered, the nickname slipping out, a testament to their deep bond. Shubman's smile was tender, a promise in the curve of his lips. "I will call you or message you every day, okay? Now wipe your tears and smile."

Anvi's smile, though wobbly, was a brave front. "Call me every day, okay?" she implored, seeking reassurance in his nod.

The arrival of Abhishek, a fellow cricketer and friend, signaled it was time to leave. "Hello uncle," he greeted Lakwinder, who welcomed him with open arms. Maanya, caught in the crossfire of first impressions, found herself smitten by Abhishek's charm, a sentiment mirrored in his gaze.

"No uncle, we are getting late. Shub, shall we leave?" Abhishek's voice broke the spell, urgency lacing his words. Shubman, with a final round of hugs and whispered promises, stepped through the threshold, the airport beckoning them forward.

Seated on the plane, Shubman's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a man and his daughter. The man's identity, Shah Rukh Khan, was unbeknownst to Shubman, who greeted him with a polite smile. Suhana's incredulity at her father's lack of recognition was met with patience.

"What is your name?" SRK inquired, his voice carrying the weight of curiosity. "My name is Shubman Gill," came the reply, simple and unassuming. The conversation that followed revealed their shared connection to KKR, though Shubman's admission of not being a movie buff was met with a nod of understanding from the Bollywood icon.

Suhana's frown was a silent protest to being ignored, a rarity for her. Yet, as the flight touched down, Shubman's parting words to SRK were respectful and genuine.

The camaraderie among teammates was palpable as Shubman reunited with them. Dinesh Karthik's warm welcome and Andre Russel's friendly greeting were a balm to the nerves of travel. Gautham Gambhir's instructions offered a day of rest before the grueling practice sessions began.

In the privacy of his room, Shubman's attempts to reach Anvi were met with silence, prompting a call to Keart instead. The ensuing text conversation with Anvi was a thread connecting him to home.

Anvi: I am at college. Do want
             something?
                                                                              Shubman: No, just called to tell
                                                                                                       that I
                                                                                                       reached.
Anvi: How was your flight?
                                                                               Shubman: It was okay. I
                                                                                                        actually
                                                                                                        met someone.
Anvi: Who?
                                                                                Shubman: Don't freak out.
Anvi: Now just tell me who
             it is.
                                                                                   Shubman: I met SRK
Anvi: What? SRK?                                                                         
                                                                                    Shubman: Yeah, even
                                                                                                              his daughter.
Avni: Was she beautiful?
                                                                                    Shubman: No! 
Anvi: 😅😅
                                                                                   Shubman: Chal bye.
                                                                                                           Need to go.                                              
                                                                                                                

Kamlesh's teasing about girlfriends was brushed off by Shubman, his focus on friendship and cricket unwavering. The evening's gathering, graced by SRK and Suhana, was a blend of formal welcomes and strategic discussions.

As Shubman stood alone, gazing at the pitch, he was lost in a whirlwind of memories and dreams. Suhana's unexpected approach and her hand on his shoulder jolted him back to reality. Her inquiry into his aloofness was met with a guarded response, his loyalty to his inner circle clear.

Shubman's reaction was swift, a reflex born of discomfort. He extricated himself from Suhana's grasp, his phone buzzing at that exact moment. It was Anvi. His face lit up with a genuine smile, the kind that reaches the eyes and warms the soul. "Hi Anvi," he greeted, his voice a mixture of relief and joy, "I missed you so much."

Suhana stood there, a mix of surprise and confusion painting her features. She watched, a frown creasing her brow as Shubman walked away, his attention fully on the call. She couldn't fathom being sidelined, a new and unsettling experience for her.

In the sanctuary of his room, Shubman found Kamlesh waiting, his curiosity evident. "What happened, bro?" he inquired, sensing the tension that had followed Shubman in.

"That Suhana is behind my back," Shubman confided, a hint of annoyance threading his words. Kamlesh, ever the peacemaker, tried to lighten the mood. "She is pretty though," he offered, hoping to coax a different perspective.

Shubman wasn't swayed, his eyes rolling in exasperation. "If you want, you go chase after her, but I don't like her," he declared, setting his boundaries firmly.

Kamlesh's laughter filled the room, a sound that seemed to push away the awkwardness of the moment. He tossed a few jokes into the mix, each one designed to bring Shubman back to a place of comfort. And sure enough, a smile broke through Shubman's earlier frown, a reminder that amidst the chaos of new beginnings, the joy of friendship remained a constant anchor.

The day's travelling had left a sheen of exhaustion on everyone, but Sunil Narine's invitation to swim seemed to wash away the fatigue. "Does anyone want to go for swimming?" he called out, his voice echoing through the corridor. Shubman and Kamlesh, eager for the refreshing embrace of the water, chorused, "Me!"

The pool's cool waters were a balm to their sore muscles, and as they swam, the weight of the day lifted. Shubman, ever the social media savvy, snapped a picture for Instagram, capturing the moment of tranquility amidst the storm of their rigorous schedule.

Swimming with @sunilnarine24 and @kl_nagarkoti_5_.

Comments:
anvi_jadhav: Wah @shubmangill went for swimming on Day 1.
                            shubmangill: yes @anvi_jadhav.
suhanakhan2: 🔥🔥@shubmangill
sunilnarine24: Had amazing time with @shubman gill and @kl_nagarkoti_5_
                                kl_nagarkoti_5_: We also had great time with you.
                                                                     shubmangill: Yes bhai.
shahneelgill: Swimming on the first day? Not bad.
                            shubmangill: seriously di😒😒

Dinner was a lively affair, but Shubman's absence of response to Suhana's comment on his post had cast a shadow over her mood. She simmered silently, her pride stung. Shubman, oblivious to the brewing storm, took his seat beside Dinesh Karthik. "DK bhai, you won't believe what happened? Kaml-"

A sudden stamp on his foot from Kamlesh cut him short, eliciting a yelp from Shubman. Suhana, seizing the opportunity, leaned in with feigned concern. "Are you okay, Shubman?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of curiosity.

Shubman, recovering his composure, nodded, while Kamlesh hissed a warning, "Bhai, just be quiet, I don't want any trouble now."

"But DK bhai will find out about it tomorrow anyway," Shubman whispered back, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Let him know tomorrow, but not now," Kamlesh insisted, his voice low and urgent.

Dinesh, sensing the undercurrents of secrecy, raised an eyebrow. "What are you two whispering about?" he inquired, only to receive a dismissive "Umm... nothing, bhai," from Kamlesh.

The conversation shifted as Dinesh turned to chat with Andre Russel, leaving Kamlesh to heave a sigh of relief and Shubman to pick at his dinner.

"Shub, you should eat some more," Dinesh encouraged, noticing Shubman's lack of appetite.

"No bhai, I'm not hungry, I have a headache," Shubman replied, his hand instinctively reaching for his temple.

Suhana's ears perked up at the mention of a headache, but Shubman, maintaining his distance, addressed Kamlesh instead. "I'll take that headache medicine from your bag."

With a nod from Kamlesh, Shubman retreated to their room. The medicine, a quick fix to his throbbing head, worked its magic, and within moments, he was enveloped in the comforting arms of sleep, his thoughts drifting away from the complexities of the day.