Sara couldn't contain her excitement as she got ready. She and Shubman had decided to twin for the day, and she was thrilled at the thought. She chose a sleeveless, cropped tank with a square neckline that fit snugly and flattered her figure. She paired it with high-waisted, wide-leg trousers that flowed loosely, creating an elegant silhouette. The trousers had pleats and creases that added a touch of sophistication. To complete the look, she wore white sneakers with thick soles, adding a casual yet trendy vibe. She let her hair down in soft waves and applied minimal makeup, enhancing her natural beauty.

Feeling ready, she went downstairs and saw, Jackie, sitting at the table. Unable to contain her happiness, she hugged him from behind. "Papa!" she exclaimed.

Jackie turned and smiled warmly at his daughter. "How is my baby?" he asked.

Sara grinned. "Perfect," she replied.

Tiger rolled his eyes playfully. "Papa just came and this lady forgot everyone else," he teased.

Sara shot him a mock glare before sitting next to Shraddha for breakfast. They chatted and laughed, enjoying the morning together. After finishing breakfast, they all headed to college. As they walked across campus, Sara scanned the crowd for Shubman. Finally, she spotted him with Abhishek.

Shubman looked effortlessly stylish in a black short-sleeved, crew-neck t-shirt that fit closely to his muscular frame. He paired it with black trousers that had a straight-leg cut and a smooth drape, creating a polished look. A black belt with a simple buckle cinched his waist, and a silver-toned watch with a sizable face adorned his left wrist, adding a touch of elegance.

Sara couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, but before she could approach, her friend Shivaay interrupted. "Sara, where are you lost?" he asked, looking amused.

"Nowhere," she replied, shaking off her daydream.

Shivaay nodded and moved on, while Sara joined Avneet and Jannat. Avneet leaned in and whispered, "Someone's twinning."

Blushing, Sara said, "Arre, it's just a coincidence, Neet."

Avneet chuckled, and Sara kept glancing at Shubman, hoping he would notice her. Finally, their eyes met, and Shubman gave her a small smile before signaling her to check her phone.

Sara's heart skipped a beat as she pulled out her phone and saw a message from Shubman. "You look amazing. Can't wait to spend the day with you. Meet me by the library in 10 minutes."

She quickly typed back, "You look great too! See you there."

Feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, Sara excused herself from her friends. "I have to go meet someone. I'll catch up with you guys later."

Jannat raised an eyebrow playfully. "Oh, meeting someone special?"

Sara just smiled, making her way to the library. She found Shubman waiting for her, leaning casually against the wall with that charming smile she adored.

Sara went and hugged him, her arms wrapping around his torso, barely reaching his chest due to their significant height difference. She looked up and saw Shubman's amused smile. "Our height difference is so cute," he said, his voice soft and affectionate.

Sara pouted playfully. "I am not short, you are tall."

Shubman chuckled and leaned down, planting a quick peck on her pout. "Fine, whatever."

Without warning, Sara grabbed his collar and pulled him closer, pressing her lips against his. Shubman was taken aback for a moment but quickly melted into the kiss, his arms wrapping around her waist.

When they finally broke apart, Sara gazed into his eyes. "Love you," she said softly. "And today is your basketball match selection, right?"

Shubman nodded, still slightly dazed from the kiss. "Yeah."

Sara smiled, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. "All the best, Shub."

Shubman returned her smile, feeling a rush of confidence. "Thanks."

They headed to class together, their hands intertwined. The morning classes flew by, and soon it was time for Shubman's basketball selection. He changed into his sportswear and started warming up on the court with Abhishek and Kamlesh. Shivaay and Kartikey were also there, preparing for the tryouts.

The girls, including Sara, sat in the stands, eagerly watching. The selection process was intense, and after two grueling hours, everyone was exhausted. The head coach finally called for everyone to line up."Everyone, line up!" he commanded. The players quickly formed a line, their faces a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

The head coach began reading the names of the main players. "We will have five main players and three substitutes. The main players are Abhishek Sharma, Rohan Khurana, Aditya Roy, Kartikey Malviya, and..." Shubman crossed his fingers, holding his breath. "Shivaay Nigam."

Shubman felt a jolt of shock and disappointment. He had always been selected for the team, but this time, he wasn't.

The coach continued with the substitutes. "Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Rahul Singhaniya, Dhruv Rathore."

Shubman stood there, feeling a deep sense of failure. Sara, noticing his downcast expression, quickly congratulated Shivaay with a hug. "Congratulations, Shiv!"

"Thanks, Sara!" Shivaay beamed, basking in the applause and congratulations from everyone around.

Sara's eyes searched for Shubman and found him sitting with the Fusion Five, his demeanor distant and withdrawn. She excused herself and approached them. "Excuse me, can I borrow Shubman for a moment?"

Shubman stood up, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. He followed her to the library, where he immediately pulled her into a tight hug. Sara felt his body tremble slightly, and she began to rub his back soothingly."Calm down, baby," she whispered, her voice filled with concern and love.

Shubman didn't say a word, but the hug spoke volumes. He buried his face in her shoulder, seeking comfort in her embrace. Sara held him, letting him feel the safety and warmth of her presence.

After a few moments, Shubman finally pulled back, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I don't know what happened, Sara. I gave it my all, but it wasn't enough."

Sara cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs gently wiping away the tears that had begun to fall. "Shub, it's okay. Sometimes things don't go the way we want them to, but that doesn't mean you're any less amazing. You're still the best player in my eyes, and this doesn't change that."

Shubman took a deep breath, her words slowly soothing his bruised ego. "I just feel like I let everyone down."

"You didn't let anyone down," Sara insisted. "These things happen. What matters is how you handle it and move forward. I believe in you, and I know you'll come back stronger."

Shubman managed a small smile, the weight of disappointment lifting slightly. "Thanks, Sara. I needed to hear that."

Sara smiled back, pulling him into another hug. "I'm always here for you, no matter what."

As they held each other, Shubman felt a renewed sense of determination. With Sara by his side, he knew he could face any challenge that came his way.

Shubman reached home, still feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him. As he walked into the living room, he saw his parents, Sunil and Rimma, sitting on the couch with Sidharth and Kiara. The atmosphere was light, filled with laughter and conversation.

Sidharth noticed Shubman first. "Shub, go freshen up and join us," he called out, a warm smile on his face.

But Shubman shook his head, his expression somber. "Not in the mood, bhai," he said quietly before heading to his room and closing the door behind him.

In the privacy of his room, Shubman let out a deep sigh. He headed to the bathroom and took a long, hot shower, hoping the water would wash away some of his frustration and disappointment. The steam filled the room, but it did little to clear his mind.

After showering, he changed into comfortable clothes and sat on the edge of his bed, his thoughts spiraling. He replayed the events of the day over and over, trying to understand where he had gone wrong. The sting of not being selected for the basketball team was still fresh, and he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy.

His phone buzzed on the bedside table, and he saw a message from Sara.

Sara: Thinking about you. Remember, you're amazing no matter what. ❤️

He smiled faintly at her words, but the nagging doubt remained. He leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts.

Just then, there was a soft knock on his door. "Baccha, it's mumma. Can I come in?" Rimma's voice was gentle and filled with concern.

Shubman sighed again, knowing he couldn't avoid his family forever. "Yeah, come in, Mumma."

Rimma entered the room, her eyes filled with motherly worry. She sat down on the bed next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "I heard about the selection. I'm so sorry, baccha."

Shubman nodded, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I just don't get it, Mumma. I tried so hard, and it wasn't enough."

Rimma rubbed his back soothingly. "Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things don't go our way. It doesn't mean you didn't do your best or that you're not good enough. It's just a setback, and you'll have many opportunities to prove yourself."

Shubman looked at her, his eyes reflecting the turmoil he felt inside. "It just hurts. I feel like I let everyone down, especially myself."

Rimma smiled softly and pulled him into a hug. "You haven't let anyone down, Shub. We all know how talented and dedicated you are. This is just one of those moments that will make you stronger. And remember, we're all here for you, no matter what."

Shubman hugged her back, feeling some of his tension melt away. "Thanks, Mumma. I needed that."

Rimma kissed his forehead. "Now, why don't you come downstairs and join us? It might help to be around family."

Shubman nodded reluctantly. "Okay, I'll be down in a minute."

Rimma gave him an encouraging smile before leaving the room. Shubman took a deep breath, feeling slightly more at ease. He knew he had a strong support system, and that made a world of difference.

Gathering his strength, he stood up and headed downstairs to join his family, ready to face the rest of the evening with a renewed sense of determination.

Shubman descended the stairs, feeling a bit lighter after his talk with Rimma. He entered the living room where the atmosphere was warm and comforting. Sunil, Rimma, Kiara, and Sidharth looked up as he walked in, their faces lighting up with welcoming smiles.

"There he is," Sidharth said, patting the empty seat next to him. "Come on, sit down."

Shubman managed a small smile and took the seat. Kiara passed him a plate of snacks. "You look like you could use a treat."

He took the plate and nodded. "Thanks, Bhabhi."

Sunil looked at him with a mixture of pride and concern. "Shub, we heard about the selection. I know it must have been tough, but remember, one setback doesn't define you."

Shubman appreciated the words of support, even though the disappointment still lingered. "I know, papa. It just feels like I should have done better."

Kiara leaned forward, her eyes filled with empathy. "Everyone has off days, Shub. What's important is how you pick yourself up and move forward."

Shubman nodded, feeling the support from his family bolster his spirits. They spent the next hour talking about various topics, and the distraction was a welcome relief. As the evening progressed, the initial heaviness in Shubman's heart began to ease.

Later that night, Shubman was in his room, scrolling through messages of encouragement from friends and teammates. His phone buzzed with another message from Sara.

Sara: I know today was tough, but I believe in you. Want to meet tomorrow and talk?

Shubman smiled at her thoughtfulness and quickly replied.

Shubman: I'd love that. Thanks for being there for me, Sara. ❤️

Sara: Always. See you tomorrow! 😊

Feeling a bit more at peace, Shubman put his phone down and lay back on his bed. He reflected on the day's events, knowing that while this setback was challenging, it wasn't the end of the road. With the support of his family and Sara, he felt ready to face whatever came next.