requested by icthome ! hope you like it, angel. <3

Saubhagyaa Kishan had always prided herself on keeping her cool, even in the high-pressure world of cricket management. As the team manager for the Mumbai Indians, she had juggled tight schedules, chaotic media events, and countless player demands without breaking a sweat. But nothing could have prepared her for the moment Shubman Gill walked through the front door of her family's home...

He was late to the friends dinner Ishan had planned, but his arrival still managed to steal the show. Saubhagyaa had seen him on TV and in countless interviews, but in person, he was even more striking. The effortless confidence in the way he moved, the easy grin he flashed at the group—it was enough to make her momentarily forget her own name.

"Shubman! Finally, man!" Ishan's voice snapped Saubhagyaa back to reality. Her older brother clapped a hand on Shubman's shoulder, pulling him into the group like they've been best friends forever. Of course, they had been. Shubman and Ishan's bond went back years, forged in the intensity of junior cricket camps and endless IPL seasons.

"Sorry, traffic." Shubman said, flashing an apologetic smile. His gaze shifted, landing on Saubhagyaa, who stood a little behind the rest of the group. "And you must be...?"

"This is Saubhagyaa," Ishan said, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "My sister— and the one who actually keeps MI running."

Saubhagyaa shot Ishan a look but smiled politely. "It's nice to meet you, Shubman. I've heard a lot about you."

"Good things, I hope?" Shubman teased, his grin widening.

"Mostly." Saubhagyaa replied, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.

As the evening unfolded, Saubhagyaa found herself observing Shubman from a distance. He was undeniably charming, effortlessly blending into conversations with the team and her family. But there was something else about him, something she hadn't expected: a warmth that made him seem approachable despite his superstar status. She couldn't help but stare, a soft smile tugging on her lips when no one was looking.

Saubhagyaa was grabbing a glass of water in the kitchen when Shubman walked in. "Caught you sneaking away." he teased, leaning casually against the counter as he looked at her with a smirk.

"Hardly." Saubhagyaa replied, her tone light. "I'm just trying to keep this circus running smoothly."

"You do it well." Shubman said, his voice genuine. "I've heard Ishan talk about you—how you manage to keep him and the team in line. Must be exhausting."

"It has its moments." Saubhagyaa admitted, glancing at him. "But I love what I do."

Shubman nodded, studying her for a moment. "You're good at it. The way the guys talk about you— it's clear they love you."

Heat rose to Saubhagyaa's  cheeks at the compliment, but she brushed it off with a small laugh. "Careful, Gill. Flattery will get you everywhere."

"Noted." Shubman retorted, his grin playful. "I'll keep that in mind."

It was just a brief exchange, but as Shubman left the kitchen, Saubhagyaa found herself smiling. Maybe the evening wasn't going to be as overwhelming as she'd expected.

Over the next few weeks, their paths crossed more frequently. Whether it was at practice sessions, media briefings or casual team gatherings, Shubman seemed to always find a way to be near her; leaving Saubhagyaa to wonder whether it was intentional. Their interactions remained light and professional, but there was an undeniable shift in the air whenever they spoke.

It was during a post-match celebration that their connection deepened. The Indian team had secured a crucial victory, and the energy in the room was electric. Saubhagyaa found herself standing on the balcony, needing a moment of quiet after the chaos inside.

"Hiding again?" Shubman's voice startled her. He stepped onto the balcony, closing the door behind him.

"Not hiding." she responded, smiling. "Just... recharging."

"Understandable." Shubman said, leaning against the railing beside her. "You've been running around all evening. Someone should be taking care of you for a change."

The sincerity in his tone caught Saubhagyaa off guard. She glanced at him, searching for a hint of teasing, but his expression was genuine. "I'm fine." she said softly. "I'm used to it."

"Doesn't mean you have to be." Shubman replied, his gaze instinctively tracing her features in the moonlight. They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the sounds of celebration muffled behind the glass door. "You're impressive, Saubhagyaa. I hope you know that."

Saubhagyaa's heart skipped a beat at his words, a light blush coating her cheeks and a smile tugging on her lips. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shubman smiled back, his gaze softening even more at the sight of her blush. He raised his hand, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear and letting his fingers linger for a moment.

That night marked a turning point in their relationship. Their interactions became more personal, their conversations tinged with a warmth that hadn't been there before. Saubhagyaa found herself looking forward to seeing Shubman, not just as her celebrity crush and someone she had idolized for so long, her initial nervousness replaced by a growing sense of comfort in his presence.

Being in the public eye came with its share of scrutiny, and one evening at a glittering gala event, Saubhagyaa found herself facing its sharper edge. She was mingling among the guests, ensuring everything was running smoothly, when the sharp-edged murmur of a journalist nearby caught her attention.

"She's only in that position because of her brother." the journalist sneered, clearly unaware of how loudly they were speaking. "Nepotism at its finest."

The words cut through her like a blade. She had faced such whispers before but hearing them spoken so openly and close to her stung in a way she hadn't expected. Taking a steadying breath, Saubhagyaa composed herself and prepared to walk away. There was no use confronting someone who had already decided to judge her without knowing her struggles or the effort she'd poured into her work.

But before she could retreat, Shubman appeared by her side, his presence immediately commanding attention. His hand subtly reached for hers, his fingers intertwining with Saubhagyaa's as he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. He had a knack for being charmingly laid-back, but at that moment, his usual demeanor was replaced by a steely resolve.

"Excuse me." he said, his voice firm and cutting through the hum of conversation like a whip. His words turned heads, drawing the attention of those nearby. His smile was polite, but anyone could see the underlying edge in it. "Saubhagyaa is one of the most capable people I've ever met. She's earned every bit of respect she gets, and anyone who says otherwise clearly doesn't know what they're talking about."

The journalist's confidence faltered, their face flushing under the weight of the sudden attention, especially from someone like Shubman. They stammered out a weak apology, mumbling something about a misunderstanding before hurriedly disappearing into the crowd.

The surrounding guests exchanged glances, whispering among themselves, but Shubman paid them no mind. His gaze remained fixed on Saubhagyaa, his expression softening as he saw the gratitude in her eyes.

"You didn't have to do that." Saubhagyaa said after a long pause, her voice low but steady and bringing a soft smile to Shubman's lips as he rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand. Her usual poise was tinged with vulnerability, and the edges of her professionalism softened as she looked at him.

"Of course I did." Shubman replied without hesitation. His tone had softened, but the firmness of his conviction remained as he brought Saubhagyaa's hand to his lips to gently place a kiss on the back of it. "No one gets to talk about you like that. Not while I'm around."

The weight of his words stayed with her long after the incident. That evening, as the gala wound down and the noise of the crowd began to fade, she found herself alone with Shubman again. They stood near the grand windows of the event hall, the twinkling city lights casting a golden glow around them.

"Thank you." Saubhagyaa said again, this time with more emotion in her voice. Her hands fidgeted slightly, betraying her nerves. "For standing up for me like that. I... I needed it more than I realized."

Shubman turned to face her fully, his expression warm and reassuring. "You've done so much for others, Saubhagyaa. You deserve to have someone in your corner too. Anytime you need me, I'll be there. You're worth it."

His words touched something deep within her, breaking down the last of her carefully constructed walls. She exhaled shakily, her usual composure slipping just enough to reveal the depth of her feelings.

"This feels... complicated." Saubhagyaa admitted, her voice almost a whisper. "You're my brother's best friend, and we're both in the spotlight. What if this—whatever this is—gets too messy?"

"It is complicated." Shubman agreed, taking a measured step closer, his hands resting lightly in his pockets. "But it's also real. And I think that makes it worth figuring out. Don't you?"

Saubhagyaa studied his face, searching for any sign of doubt, but all she saw was a quiet determination. A small, tentative smile tugged at her lips as she nodded. "Yeah. I think it is."

From that moment on, they decided to take things slow. It wasn't about rushing or making bold declarations. Instead, they chose to savor the small, quiet moments they could steal away from the public eye. Whether it was a quick exchange during team meetings, shared laughter at Ishan's expense, or simply catching each other's gaze across a crowded room, every interaction carried a sense of warmth and steadiness.

For the first time in a long while, Saubhagyaa felt like she wasn't just managing chaos—she was building something that truly felt like her own. And as they stood together under the glittering lights of the gala that night, Shubman's hand brushing against hers in a fleeting yet deliberate gesture, she felt a certainty that they would figure out the rest. Together.

tea with t:

Hi Everyone!!

Finally posted.

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- Love, T. 🎀