Ahaan was at the mall, busy picking out the perfect gift for Aadhya's birthday. After much deliberation, he finally settled on something he knew she'd love. Satisfied, he stepped out of the store, clutching the neatly wrapped package, when he suddenly found himself surrounded by a throng of paparazzi.

Cameras flashed, and voices rose in a chaotic mix of questions.

"Ahaan! How does it feel to be selected for GT in the IPL alongside your father?"

"What's it like sharing the same team with Shubman Gill?"

"Do you feel pressured to live up to his legacy?"

Ahaan froze momentarily, his grip tightening on the bag in his hand. He straightened his posture, offering a polite smile. "I'm really excited about this opportunity," he said, keeping his tone calm and measured. "Playing for GT and alongside my dad is a dream come true. But right now, I'm just focusing on working hard and giving my best."

The questions kept coming, some thoughtful, others intrusive. "What's your father's advice for you as you enter the IPL?"

"Do you think you'll perform better because of his guidance?"

Ahaan managed to keep his composure, nodding politely. "My dad's always been supportive, and his advice is invaluable. But at the end of the day, it's my journey, and I'm ready to carve my own path."

Not wanting to linger any longer, Ahaan excused himself politely. "Thank you, everyone, but I have somewhere to be," he said, flashing a brief smile before slipping through the crowd and heading towards his car.

As he drove home, he let out a deep breath, shaking off the tension from the encounter. He knew the spotlight came with the territory, but it still felt overwhelming at times. His focus shifted back to Aadhya and her birthday, reminding himself of the simple joys that mattered most.

The next morning, Ahaan was sipping his coffee in the living room, scrolling through his phone when a series of notifications popped up. His eyes widened as he read the headlines.

Gill Spotted Shopping for a Mystery Girl – Secret Romance?

GT's New Star: Ahaan Gill Rumored to Have a Girlfriend!

Like Father, Like Son? Ahaan Gill's Private Life Sparks Curiosity!

Ahaan stared at the screen in disbelief. The pictures accompanying the articles showed him holding the package for Aadhya, with a coy smile plastered across his face as he answered the paparazzi's questions.

Just then, Shubman walked into the room, holding his phone with an amused smirk. "So... who's the 'mystery girl,' Ahaan?" he teased, waving his phone to show the same headlines.

"Papa, seriously?!" Ahaan groaned, sinking into the couch. "I was shopping for Aadhya's birthday! How did this turn into some wild romance rumor?"

Sara joined them, leaning against the doorway with a raised eyebrow. "Well, you do have that starry aura now," she joked. "People love to speculate."

Aadhya entered, catching the tail end of the conversation. "Wait, what's going on?" she asked, grabbing Ahaan's phone. Her laughter echoed through the room as she read the articles. "Oh my God, Ahaan, they think you have a girlfriend? Who's the lucky girl?"

"Stop it, Aadhya," Ahaan said, snatching his phone back. "This is so dumb. Can someone just tell the media to get their facts straight?"

Shubman chuckled, sitting beside him. "Welcome to the world of cricket and fame, son. The media's always going to create stories, whether there's truth to them or not."

"But it's ridiculous!" Ahaan exclaimed. "What if people actually believe this?"

Sara placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Let them believe what they want. You know the truth, and that's all that matters. Focus on what's important—your game and your family."

Aadhya grinned mischievously. "You could always post about my birthday gift and shut them up."

Shubman laughed. "Or we could let them have their fun. Keeps the buzz alive."

Ahaan groaned, but a small smile crept onto his face. "Fine, but if anyone asks, I'm blaming all of you."

As the family shared a laugh, Ahaan felt a little lighter. He realized he couldn't control what people thought, but he could control how he responded. The next step? Focus on his game and let the noise fade away.

Ahaan sighed, leaning back on the couch. "This whole thing is so annoying. How do you even deal with this kind of attention, Papa? Mumma?"

Sara exchanged a knowing look with Shubman, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, you'd be surprised at how smart people can be when it comes to figuring out secrets."

Shubman chuckled, crossing his arms. "When your mumma and I were dating, we thought we were being subtle. Turns out, we were about as subtle as a six off the first ball."

Aadhya perked up, clearly intrigued. "Wait, what do you mean? What did you guys do?"

Sara grinned, leaning forward as if revealing a juicy secret. "Well, for starters, there were the Instagram posts. We'd post from the same place but at different times, thinking no one would notice. But fans pieced it together from tiny details—the same background, a similar chair, even matching coffee cups."

Shubman laughed. "And then there were the interviews. I'd casually mention a 'special someone,' and fans would immediately connect the dots. They even figured out I was talking about your mumma when I mentioned my favorite holiday spots. It was wild."

Ahaan raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying I should expect people to be detectives about my life now?"

Sara shrugged. "Pretty much. But the best part was when fans spotted us at the same events. They'd compare our outfits, jewelry, and even the reflection in sunglasses to confirm we were together."

Aadhya clapped her hands together, clearly entertained. "This is amazing. You guys were like a real-life mystery couple!"

Shubman nodded with a grin. "And when we finally went public, fans were like, 'We knew it all along.' Honestly, it was funny more than anything."

Ahaan leaned forward, a mix of curiosity and concern on his face. "But didn't it bother you? All the speculation, the rumors?"

Sara smiled softly. "At first, it was overwhelming. But then we realized that people weren't trying to hurt us—they were just excited. As long as we stayed true to ourselves and didn't let the noise get to us, it was fine."

Shubman added, "And remember, no matter what the media or fans say, your family is always here for you. Let them talk. Just focus on what matters—your game and the people you care about."

Ahaan nodded slowly, a sense of calm washing over him. "Thanks, Mumma. Papa. I guess I'll just have to get used to it."

Aadhya grinned mischievously. "And maybe give them a few clues to keep things interesting. You know, like a matching bracelet with Samaira or something."

Ahaan groaned. "Not you too!"

The room filled with laughter, the tension of the day melting away as the family shared stories of Shubman and Sara's dating days, reminding Ahaan that fame, while chaotic, could also be a lot of fun when shared with loved ones.

Shubman leaned back, a grin spreading across his face as he recalled those days. "Oh, Ahaan, you've got no idea. The fans weren't just detectives; they were downright relentless with their chants."

Aadhya perked up, curious. "What kind of chants?"

Shubman chuckled. "Every time Sara came to watch one of my matches, the crowd would chant, 'Sara Bhabhi! Sara Bhabhi!' It started as a murmur but grew louder and louder until the whole stadium joined in."

Sara rolled her eyes, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "It was embarrassing at first. Imagine sitting there, trying to watch the game, and suddenly the entire crowd is looking at you and chanting your name."

Ahaan burst into laughter. "Wait, they actually did that? Like, during the match?"

Shubman nodded, his grin widening. "Oh, absolutely. And it wasn't just once or twice. Every time Sara showed up, it was like the fans knew she was there before I even did. The cameras would pan to her, and the chants would start."

Sara sighed dramatically, though her smile gave her away. "I even thought about skipping matches because of it. But then your dad convinced me to come, saying, 'You're my lucky charm.' And how could I say no to that?"

Aadhya laughed. "So, did the chants distract you, Papa?"

"Distract me? No way," Shubman replied. "If anything, they motivated me. I'd hear them chanting and think, 'Better score big today, or I'll never hear the end of it.' And when I did, the crowd would cheer even louder."

Ahaan shook his head, still chuckling. "Man, that's wild. Did they ever stop?"

Sara smirked. "Not really. Even after we got married, the chants continued. But by then, I was used to it. It became kind of sweet, actually."

Shubman leaned forward, looking at Ahaan with a serious yet playful expression. "And now, my dear son, it's your turn. Soon enough, the fans will be chanting something about you. Maybe 'Ahaan Bhaiya' or 'Samaira Bhabhi,' depending on who shows up to your matches."

Ahaan's ears turned red. "Okay, first of all, that's not happening. And second, can we not talk about Samaira right now?"

Aadhya giggled. "Oh, we're definitely talking about Samaira. Just wait until the fans figure that one out."

Sara joined in, her laughter filling the room. "Don't worry, Ahaan. When it happens, you'll learn to embrace it—just like your dad and I did."

Ahaan groaned, burying his face in his hands as the family teased him mercilessly, their shared laughter echoing through the house.

Ahaan sat back, trying to defend himself. "I'm telling you, there's nothing going on between me and Samaira! We're just friends. Seriously, you guys have got it all wrong."

Shubman raised an eyebrow, looking at Ahaan with a knowing smirk. "Ahaan, you expect us to believe that? You're acting like there's no connection, but the way you two keep texting and hanging out? C'mon, we're not blind."

Sara crossed her arms, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, right. You can deny it all you want, but we're seeing the signs, my dear son. Trust me, when it's love, you just know."

Ahaan sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. "It's not like that! Honestly, we're just friends. I don't even know why everyone's making a big deal out of it."

Aadhya, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up, her voice dripping with mischief. "Oh, really, Ahaan? Because Samaira sure had a lot to say about you the other day when we met."

Ahaan froze, looking at his sister in disbelief. "What? What do you mean?"

Aadhya leaned forward, a playful glint in her eyes. "She was talking about you non-stop. You know, how supportive and sweet you are, and how much she admires your cricket skills. She practically glowed when she mentioned you."

Ahaan's face turned red, and he stammered, "N-No way. You're just messing with me, Aadhya."

"I swear I'm not," Aadhya continued, enjoying every moment of teasing her brother. "I mean, the way she talked about you, it was like she was already planning your wedding or something."

Sara and Shubman exchanged amused glances, both of them clearly enjoying watching Ahaan squirm. "I told you," Shubman said, still grinning. "You can't hide it forever. The more you deny it, the more obvious it becomes."

Ahaan groaned and flopped back onto the couch, exasperated. "You guys are impossible. There's absolutely nothing between Samaira and me! She's just a friend. I'm not ready for all that 'relationship' stuff right now."

Aadhya shook her head with a smirk. "Sure, Ahaan. Keep telling yourself that. But from what I hear, Samaira's feelings for you are pretty clear."

Ahaan looked at her, genuinely confused. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, you know what I mean," Aadhya teased. "You might not see it now, but Samaira definitely likes you. And trust me, I'm not the only one who's noticed."

Ahaan's face reddened even more, and he crossed his arms defensively. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sara chuckled softly. "Well, it's a good thing you're not ready for all that relationship stuff, Ahaan. But let's see how long you can keep denying it when the signs are this obvious."

Shubman, who had been listening intently, added, "Trust me, son. We were all in your shoes once. And you'll figure it out sooner or later. Relationships aren't something you can avoid forever."

Aadhan sighed, a mixture of frustration and confusion on his face. "You guys have no idea. It's not like that with Samaira."

Aadhya shot him a teasing look. "Oh, we'll see, won't we?"

The whole family burst into laughter again, Ahaan slouching further into the couch, still denying everything, but deep down, knowing they might be right.

Later that evening, Ahaan sat on his bed, his phone in hand, and stared at the screen for a moment. Aadhya's teasing words were still echoing in his mind, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that something more was going on with Samaira than he had originally thought. He bit his lip, unsure whether to ask her directly, but in the end, his curiosity got the best of him.

He typed out a message to Samaira:

Ahaan: Hey, Samaira, I need to ask you something. Did you, uh, say anything about me to Aadhya?

He hit send, then sat back, tapping his fingers nervously on the side of his phone. His thoughts were a mix of uncertainty and confusion. He wasn't sure what he expected her to say, but part of him hoped she wouldn't confirm anything. He had already denied everything to his family, and he didn't want to be caught in another awkward situation.

A few moments passed before his phone buzzed with Samaira's reply:

Samaira: What do you mean? What did she say?

Ahaan frowned, unsure whether Samaira was playing innocent or if she genuinely didn't know. He quickly typed back:

Ahaan: She mentioned that you were talking about me the other day. You know, about how you admire me and how sweet I am... and stuff like that.

He hesitated before adding:

Ahaan: Is there anything you want to tell me?

A few moments later, Samaira replied, and Ahaan read her message carefully, trying to gauge her tone.

Samaira: Oh no... Aadhya told that? I didn't mean to make things weird. I was just talking about how kind you are and how supportive you've been with the team. You know, as a friend. That's all.

Ahaan let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. It seemed like Samaira was still keeping things casual, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. He responded, trying to keep things light:

Ahaan: I just want to make sure we're on the same page. I mean, I'm not really into all the drama, you know?

Samaira: Totally get it. I'm just being honest, Ahaan. You're a great guy, and I admire you a lot. But I don't want to cause any problems, especially with your family.

Ahaan smiled, relieved, but also more confused than ever. Was there something more than friendship between them, or was it just harmless admiration? He wasn't sure, but it seemed like Samaira was trying to downplay anything serious.

Ahaan: Thanks for clearing that up. Let's just keep things chill, yeah?

Samaira: Of course. Chill is good. See you soon, Ahaan.

Ahaan leaned back against his pillow, letting out a deep sigh. He knew Samaira was being genuine, but a part of him still felt like there was more to the story. With his family teasing him and Aadhya's comments lingering in his mind, he knew things weren't as simple as he wanted them to be.

He locked his phone and lay there in the quiet of his room, trying to clear his thoughts. One thing was for sure: the whole situation with Samaira was far from over.

As Ahaan lay there, his mind was buzzing with thoughts of Samaira. Her messages had left him feeling conflicted. Part of him felt reassured by her casual response, but another part of him couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more, something deeper, between them. The way she had spoken about him, the way she had expressed admiration—it was hard to ignore the emotional undertones that lingered in her words.

For a moment, he closed his eyes, trying to sift through his feelings. He had always seen Samaira as just a friend, someone who had been around since childhood. But now, every time they interacted, he felt something different—a flutter in his chest that he couldn't explain. Was it just the attention? Or was there something about her that he hadn't noticed before?

He thought back to their conversation at the coffee shop, how they had laughed and joked, how easy it had felt to be around her. Even when the others teased him about Samaira, it didn't bother him the way it usually did when people made assumptions. Why didn't it bother him? Maybe it was because he liked spending time with her, more than he cared to admit.

A part of him was scared to admit it, but deep down, he knew he felt something more than friendship toward her. Maybe it was the way she had made him feel understood, or how her smile had a way of putting him at ease. Whatever it was, he couldn't deny that he was thinking about her more than he should.

The silence of his room made everything feel even more intense. Ahaan picked up his phone again, staring at the screen as if it might give him the answers he was looking for. Samaira's words replayed in his mind, but this time, they sounded different—charged with something more than just friendship.

His thoughts were interrupted when his phone buzzed again. It was a message from Samaira:

Samaira: Hey, Ahaan. Hope you're doing okay. Just wanted to check in. Everything good with your practice and family?

Aahan smiled at the simplicity of the message, but it only made him more aware of how much she was on his mind. He quickly typed back:

Ahaan: Yeah, practice is intense. But everything's good with the family. Thanks for checking in.

He paused before adding:

Ahaan: I've been thinking... maybe we should hang out again sometime, just the two of us?

He read the message over, feeling a sudden rush of nerves. Was he overthinking this? Was he making a bigger deal out of it than he should? But before he could second-guess himself, he hit send.

His heart raced as he waited for her response, the seconds feeling like minutes. When his phone finally buzzed with her reply, he couldn't help but grin.

Samaira: I'd like that. Let me know when you're free. I'm looking forward to it.

The simple words sent a wave of warmth through Ahaan, but it also made his heart skip a beat. What was happening to him? He hadn't felt this way about someone in a long time. There was something about Samaira that made him feel... seen, in a way that was different from everyone else.

As he set his phone down, he couldn't stop the smile from forming on his face. This feeling—it was new, it was exciting, and it made him wonder where this could go. The lines between friendship and something more were starting to blur, and Ahaan couldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, Samaira was becoming someone important in his life.

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