The evening carried with it a soft chill, but the streets of Wellington were alive with energy. String lights hung across the narrow pathways, and laughter from nearby restaurants spilled into the air.

Tara walked alongside the Indian cricket team, her heels clicking softly on the pavement as she matched their lighthearted banter stride for stride.

“I’m telling you, six plates of biryani in one sitting,” Ishan said, his tone tinged with disbelief as he addressed Hardik.

Hardik puffed out his chest dramatically, grinning from ear to ear. “Six? That’s rookie numbers. You should’ve seen me back in my under-19 days. I was unstoppable.”

“You’re exaggerating,” Yashasvi quipped, rolling his eyes. “Nobody can eat that much.”

“Maybe not you,” Hardik shot back, smirking. “Stick to your kiddie meals, Jaiswal.”

Tara chuckled, shaking her head as she slid between Ishan and Hardik. “Honestly, I don’t know if I should be impressed or horrified. Six plates? That’s enough to feed a family.”

Hardik pointed a mock-accusing finger at her. “Careful, Arora. Keep making jokes, and you might find yourself challenged to a food-off tonight.”

Her lips curled into a mischievous smile, the playful glint in her eyes unmistakable. “Oh, I’d win. Easily.”

The group erupted into laughter, their voices blending seamlessly with the sounds of the lively city.

Shubman, walking a few steps behind Tara, couldn’t help but smile to himself. She was different tonight—more vibrant, more carefree. Her usual guarded demeanor had been replaced by something lighter, something that made her glow.

“You’re awfully quiet back there, Gill,” Tara called out suddenly, turning to glance over her shoulder. Her voice held a playful edge, her smile widening as she caught him watching her.

Caught off guard, Shubman cleared his throat, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Just enjoying the show.”

“Oh, so now I’m a show?” Tara shot back, her eyebrow arching in mock indignation.

“More like the main event,” Shubman replied, his tone smooth but teasing.

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the grin spreading across her face. “Well, don’t get too comfortable as a spectator, Gill. I might just drag you into the spotlight.”

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

The restaurant was a charming mix of rustic and modern, its exposed brick walls and soft golden lights creating a cozy ambiance.

The smell of freshly baked bread and sizzling spices wafted through the air, making Tara’s stomach growl in anticipation.

The group was seated at a long wooden table in the center of the room, their chatter filling the space as servers brought out platter after platter of appetizers.

Tara found herself sandwiched between Ishan and Shubman, much to Ishan’s delight.

“Alright,” Ishan declared, clapping his hands together as the first round of food arrived. “Let’s see if Tara Arora can back up all that big talk about being a food champion.”

Tara grabbed a fork, twirling it theatrically in her hand before pointing it at him. “Careful, Kishan. I’ve taken down bigger eaters than you.”

“Oh, this is going to be good,” Hardik muttered, leaning back in his chair with a grin.

The first platter of appetizers was placed in the center of the table: golden samosas, buttery naan, and spicy chicken tikka, their aromas mingling tantalizingly. Tara wasted no time grabbing a samosa, holding it up like a trophy.

“Ready?” she challenged, locking eyes with Ishan.

“Born ready,” Ishan shot back, grabbing a piece of naan.

What followed was nothing short of a spectacle. Tara and Ishan went bite for bite, their determination drawing cheers and laughter from the rest of the team.

“You’re going to regret this tomorrow,” Yashasvi said, laughing as Ishan stuffed another piece of chicken tikka into his mouth.

“I regret nothing!” Tara declared dramatically, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “Victory demands sacrifice.”

Shubman, who had been quietly observing the competition, couldn’t hide his amusement. There was something captivating about Tara’s unrestrained enthusiasm.

She was radiant, her cheeks flushed with excitement, her laughter filling the space like a melody he didn’t want to end.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Tara said suddenly, turning to face him.

Shubman raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Enjoying what?”

“Watching me destroy your teammate,” she replied, her grin widening.

“Maybe a little,” Shubman admitted, his voice warm and teasing. “But don’t get too cocky. There’s still dessert.”

“Oh, I’ll dominate that too,” Tara shot back, her eyes sparkling with challenge.

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

By the end of the meal, the table was littered with empty plates and the remnants of an epic food battle.

Tara leaned back in her chair, her hand resting on her stomach as she let out a satisfied sigh.

“Alright, I’ll admit it,” Ishan said, throwing his hands up in defeat. “You’re the queen of food. I concede.”

“I told you,” Tara said smugly, brushing imaginary dust off her hands. “Bow before my greatness.”

The group burst into laughter again, their camaraderie infectious.

As they left the restaurant and began walking back to the hotel, Tara found herself walking beside Shubman once more.

The cool night air brushed against her skin, and she crossed her arms loosely over her chest.

“Thanks for letting me tag along tonight,” she said, her voice quieter now but still carrying a hint of her earlier playfulness.

“Letting you?” Shubman replied, glancing at her with a raised eyebrow. “Pretty sure Hardik would’ve dragged you here even if you said no.”

Tara laughed softly, shaking her head. “True. But still, it was nice. I haven’t laughed like that in a while.”

Shubman’s gaze softened, his voice quieter as he said, “You should laugh more often. It suits you.”

Tara felt a warmth bloom in her chest at his words, her smile softening. “Thanks, Shubman. That means a lot.”

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

Later that night, after everyone had retreated to their rooms, Tara found herself on the balcony with a cup of tea in hand.

The city lights stretched out before her, twinkling against the inky sky like scattered diamonds.

She exhaled slowly, the cool breeze brushing against her face as she allowed herself to bask in the stillness of the moment.

The door behind her creaked open, and she turned to see Shubman stepping onto the balcony.

His hair was slightly disheveled, and he wore a casual sweatshirt that made him look even younger than he was.

“You again,” Tara teased, her lips curving into a playful smile.

Shubman smirked, leaning against the railing beside her. “Don’t worry, I’m not stalking you. Just needed some air.”

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the distant hum of the city filling the space between them.

“Tonight was fun,” Shubman said finally, his voice soft but sincere.

“Yeah,” Tara agreed, her gaze fixed on the skyline. “It felt good to let loose for a change.”

Shubman glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “You’re a different person when you’re happy,” he said quietly. “Lighter.”

Tara turned to look at him, her eyes searching his face. “I guess I’ve been holding onto too much lately,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shubman didn’t reply immediately, but the way he looked at her—steady, kind, and just a little awed—spoke volumes.

“You deserve to be happy, Tara,” he said finally, his tone filled with quiet conviction. “Don’t let anyone or anything take that from you.”

Her chest tightened at his words, a strange mix of emotions swirling within her. “Thanks, Shubman,” she said softly, her voice steady but warm.

They stayed there for a while longer, the night folding gently around them as the connection between them deepened in the quiet.

The cool breeze carried a faint scent of rain, mingling with the distant hum of the city below.

Tara leaned her elbows on the balcony railing, her teacup cradled in her hands as the warmth seeped into her skin.

Shubman stood beside her, close enough that she could feel his presence but far enough to give her space.

“Do you ever just... stop and wonder how you ended up here?” Tara asked, her voice quiet, almost drowned out by the night.

Shubman turned to look at her, his brow furrowing slightly. “Here as in New Zealand, or here as in... life?”

A soft laugh escaped her lips, her shoulders lifting in a slight shrug. “Both, I guess.”

He thought for a moment before replying, his tone contemplative. “All the time. I mean, when I was a kid, I used to dream about playing for India. But now that I’m here, living that dream... sometimes it feels like I barely have time to catch my breath.”

Tara glanced at him, her curiosity piqued. “Do you ever feel like it’s too much? Like maybe you’re giving up parts of yourself to chase it?”

Shubman’s gaze dropped to the ground, his fingers tightening around the railing. “Yeah,” he admitted after a pause. “But I remind myself why I started in the first place. That keeps me going, even when it gets overwhelming.”

Tara nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile. “That’s... admirable. I wish I could say the same about my work.”

He turned to her, his expression softening. “You don’t love what you do?”

“I do,” Tara replied quickly, her voice tinged with sincerity. “But sometimes I feel like I’m running in circles, trying to meet expectations that aren’t even mine.”

Shubman tilted his head slightly, studying her face as though trying to decipher a puzzle. “Whose expectations are you chasing, then?”

She hesitated, her grip tightening on the teacup. “My parents’, I think. Society’s. Everyone who thinks they know what’s best for me.”

“Do they?” Shubman asked gently.

Tara’s gaze dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know anymore.”

A silence settled between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Shubman let her words linger, giving her the space to feel them. When he spoke again, his voice was low and steady.

“You know, you don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Sometimes it’s okay to just... be.”

Tara turned to him, her eyes meeting his. In the dim light, his features were softer, his brown eyes holding a warmth that made her chest tighten. “You make it sound so easy,” she murmured.

“It’s not,” he said with a small smile. “But I think it’s worth trying.”

She held his gaze for a moment longer, her heart skipping a beat as a strange sense of calm washed over her. “You’re surprisingly wise for someone your age, Shubman Gill.”

He chuckled, his dimples making an appearance. “I’ll take that as a compliment, even if it sounds like you’re calling me a kid.”

“Maybe I am,” she teased, her smile widening.

Shubman leaned slightly closer, his tone playful. “Careful, Tara. You’re not that much older than me.”

Tara rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t hide the laughter in her voice. “Fine, fine. I’ll admit you’ve got some good advice in you. Happy now?”

“Very,” he said, grinning.

Their banter gave way to silence again, but this time it felt different—charged with an unspoken tension neither of them dared to name.

Tara’s fingers fidgeted with the edge of her teacup as she stared out at the city lights, her thoughts a jumble of questions and emotions she wasn’t ready to face.

“Can I ask you something?” Shubman’s voice broke through her thoughts, softer now.

She turned to him, nodding. “Of course.”

He hesitated, his gaze flickering to the skyline before returning to her. “Are you happy?”

The question caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to answer. “I think I’m trying to be,” she said finally, her voice quieter than before.

Shubman nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “You deserve to be happy, Tara. Really happy. Don’t settle for anything less.”

Her breath hitched at his words, her chest tightening as she met his gaze.

There was something in the way he looked at her—so steady, so unflinchingly honest—that made her feel seen in a way she hadn’t in a long time.

“Thanks, Shubman,” she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

“Anytime,” he replied, his lips curving into a gentle smile.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. Tara could feel the warmth radiating from him, the steady rhythm of his breath in the quiet night. It was grounding, comforting, and utterly disarming.

“Don’t get used to this side of me,” she said, breaking the moment with a playful grin.

“Oh, I won’t,” Shubman teased, his tone light. “I like keeping you on your toes.”

Tara laughed, the sound ringing through the balcony as the tension between them eased. She glanced at her teacup, realizing it was empty, and set it down on the railing.

“I should probably head back in,” she said, her voice reluctant despite her words.

Shubman nodded, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. “Yeah, me too.”

As she turned to go, she paused, glancing back at him over her shoulder. “Goodnight, Shubman.”

“Goodnight, Tara,” he replied, his voice soft but steady.

She walked away, her steps light but her heart heavy with a mix of emotions she wasn’t ready to name.

Shubman stayed on the balcony long after she left, his gaze fixed on the spot where she had stood.

His chest ached with a longing he didn’t fully understand, and as the cool breeze swept over him, he wondered if Tara felt even a fraction of what he did.