The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner, but Tara’s thoughts were anything but. She sat cross-legged on her bed, absentmindedly flipping through the pages of a novel she wasn’t really reading.

Her gaze kept drifting to the window, where sunlight spilled through the curtains, casting soft patterns on the floor.

Matt’s face kept surfacing in her mind, unbidden. She hated that it still hurt—how easily he had betrayed her, how the memories they had built together now felt tainted.

Moving on wasn’t easy, no matter how determined she was to put the pieces of herself back together.

A soft knock at the door startled her, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Tara?” Shubman’s voice carried through, his tone light but insistent.

She glanced at the clock. It wasn’t even noon yet. “What is it, Gill?” she called, setting the book aside.

“Open up and find out,” he replied, his voice tinged with mischief.

Rolling her eyes, Tara padded to the door and cracked it open. Shubman stood on the other side, leaning against the frame with a wicker basket in hand and an infuriatingly smug grin on his face.

“Why do I feel like you’re about to drag me into something ridiculous?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Because you’ve finally started to understand how I operate,” he replied smoothly. “Now, can I come in, or are you going to keep me standing here like a delivery boy?”

Tara sighed, stepping aside to let him in. “What do you want, Gill?”

“First of all,” he said, walking in and setting the basket on her desk, “you need to stop sitting in this room all day. It’s depressing.”

“I’m fine here,” she replied, crossing her arms.

“No, you’re not,” he shot back, his tone matter-of-fact. “Which is why I’ve planned a surprise. We’re going out.”

Tara narrowed her eyes at him. “Out where?”

“That’s classified information,” he said with a wink.

“How am I supposed to dress for something if I don’t know where I’m going?” she asked, exasperated.

“Good question,” Shubman replied, rubbing his chin as if deep in thought. Then his grin widened. “Lucky for you, I’m here to help.”

“Oh no,” Tara groaned, shaking her head. “Absolutely not.”

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

Despite her protests, Shubman walked over to her closet, opening it with the confidence of someone who had no business being there.

“Gill, I swear—”

“Relax,” he said, sifting through the hangers. “I’m just helping.”

“You don’t even know what you’re looking for,” she muttered, standing a few feet away with her arms crossed.

“Something comfortable but cute,” he replied without missing a beat. “We’re aiming for casual elegance.”

Tara gave him a deadpan look. “You sound like a fashion blogger.”

“And you sound like someone who doesn’t appreciate my efforts,” he retorted, pulling out a light blue sundress with delicate embroidery along the hem.

He held it up, tilting his head as he examined it. “This one. Definitely this one.”

Tara frowned. “Why that one?”

“Because it’ll look good on you,” he said simply, his tone lacking its usual teasing edge. “It’s cheerful. You could use a little more of that.”

She stared at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. “You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going, are you?”

“Nope,” he said with a grin, handing her the dress. “Now, go get changed. We’ve got places to be.”

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

A few minutes later, Tara stepped out of the bathroom, and Shubman’s words died in his throat.

She wore the soft blue dress he’d picked, its delicate embroidery catching the light with every step she took. The material flowed like water, brushing just above her knees and giving her an effortless elegance that seemed almost unfair.

Her hair, no longer tied back, tumbled over her shoulders in soft, loose waves, framing her face in a way that made her features stand out even more. The strands shimmered faintly in the sunlight, adding an almost ethereal glow to her presence.

Shubman, leaning casually against the doorframe with the picnic basket still in hand, stood frozen for a moment. His usual confident grin wavered, replaced by something softer, something unguarded.

Tara glanced at him, smoothing the fabric of her dress nervously. “This okay?” she asked, her voice light but hesitant, her fingers fidgeting with the hem.

Shubman’s lips parted, but for a moment, nothing came out. His throat felt dry.

“You look…” He trailed off, his voice softer than she’d ever heard it. His eyes roamed over her—not in a way that made her feel self-conscious, but in a way that felt reverent, like he was seeing her for the first time.

Her brows lifted slightly, waiting for him to finish. “I look what?” she asked, tilting her head in amusement.

Shubman blinked, pulling himself together with a sheepish grin. “You look nice,” he said, though the word felt woefully inadequate.

“Nice?” she echoed, raising an eyebrow.

“I mean, really nice,” he added quickly, scratching the back of his neck. “Like... stunning.”

Tara blinked at the unexpected sincerity in his tone, her cheeks warming as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks,” she said softly, her voice quieter now.

“I mean it,” Shubman said, almost as if the words slipped out before he could stop them. “You’re—”

He stopped abruptly, realizing he was dangerously close to saying something he wasn’t sure he should.

Tara caught the hesitation, her gaze narrowing slightly. “I’m what?”

“Ready,” he blurted, his grin returning with a hint of mischief. “You’re ready. Perfectly dressed for this adventure. Let’s go before you start overthinking.”

She rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile on her lips as she reached for her bag. “You’re so weird, Gill.”

“And you’re lucky I am,” he shot back, holding the door open for her.

As they walked down the hallway, side by side, Shubman couldn’t help stealing another glance at her. His heart tugged in a way that was both exhilarating and terrifying, and for the first time in a long while, he found himself wondering how dangerous it might be to let his thoughts go too far.

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

The drive to their destination was filled with Shubman’s lighthearted banter and Tara’s occasional eye-rolls, though her lips twitched with the faintest hints of amusement. He wouldn’t tell her where they were headed, no matter how many times she asked.

“Can you at least give me a hint?” she tried, leaning back in her seat, arms crossed.

“It’s outside,” Shubman said vaguely, keeping his eyes on the road, a smirk playing at his lips.

“Wow, really narrowing it down,” Tara replied dryly, though she couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her.

“That’s what I’m here for,” he said, throwing her a quick wink.

She shook her head, the smallest smile lingering on her lips. The quiet comfort of the moment wasn’t lost on her.

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

When Shubman pulled up to their destination—a serene park tucked away from the city buzz—Tara’s breath hitched, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her.

A lush expanse of green stretched out endlessly, dotted with clusters of vibrant wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze.

Towering trees framed the park, their branches forming a natural canopy, and a crystal-clear lake sparkled under the sunlight, its surface rippling softly with the wind.

Birds chirped melodiously in the background, their songs blending perfectly with the rustle of leaves.

“Shubman,” Tara said, stepping out of the car, her voice tinged with awe. “This is... breathtaking.”

A smile tugged at his lips as he grabbed the picnic basket from the backseat. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

She turned to him, her expression a mix of surprise and admiration. “How did you even find a place like this?”

“I have my ways,” he said, his tone teasing as he gestured for her to follow.

Tara lingered for a moment, soaking in the peaceful scenery, before finally walking beside him. The tension in her shoulders that had been her constant companion for days began to ease with every step.

Shubman led her to a spot under a large oak tree near the lake, where a picnic blanket was already spread out. It was a picture-perfect setup: soft cushions anchoring the corners of the blanket, a small vase of fresh flowers sitting in the middle, and a thermos and snacks neatly arranged beside it.

Sunlight filtered through the branches, creating a dappled glow that danced across the ground.

Tara stopped in her tracks, her mouth falling open slightly. “You planned all this?” she asked, her voice carrying a note of disbelief.

He shrugged, setting the basket down with an easy grin. “Does it meet your standards?”

“Are you kidding?” she replied, her eyes sparkling as she looked around. “This is... it’s perfect.”

Shubman’s grin widened as he watched her. “I thought you might like it. You’ve been cooped up in that hotel room too long. Figured a change of scenery would help.”

Tara turned to him, her expression softening. “You didn’t have to do all this, you know.”

“I know,” he said simply, his tone quieter now. “But I wanted to.”

Her chest tightened at his sincerity, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say. Finally, she smiled, shaking her head as she sat down on the blanket.

“How did you even set this up?” she asked, genuinely curious as she ran her fingers over the soft fabric of the cushions.

“I’m resourceful,” he replied, pouring tea into two cups. “And by resourceful, I mean Ishan and Hardik owe me a favor or two.”

Tara laughed, the sound light and unguarded. “Of course you’d rope them into this.”

Shubman handed her a cup, his grin playful. “Hey, they were happy to help. Besides, it’s not every day I get to impress someone with my picnic-planning skills.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the warmth spreading through her chest. “Well, consider me impressed.”

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

The picnic began simply, with Shubman pulling out an array of snacks—sandwiches, fresh fruit, a thermos of chai, and even a small box of her favorite chocolate-covered biscuits.

“You remembered these?” Tara asked, holding up the box with a surprised smile.

“I’m observant,” he replied, pouring them each a cup of tea. “Also, you ate like five of these in one sitting the first time I saw you with them, so it wasn’t hard to guess.”

Tara rolled her eyes but smiled. “It’s not my fault they’re addictive.”

“Sure,” Shubman said, smirking as he handed her a cup. “Keep telling yourself that.”

They fell into an easy rhythm as they ate, the conversation flowing effortlessly. Tara found herself laughing more than she had in weeks, the sound feeling strange but welcome.

At one point, Shubman challenged her to a skipping-stones contest by the lake, claiming he was a “certified pro.”

“You’re terrible at this,” Tara said, watching his stone sink on his third attempt.

“Excuse me,” he shot back, picking up another rock. “This is all part of my warm-up.”

“Right,” she said, smirking. “Let me show you how it’s done.”

Her first throw sent the stone skipping across the water three times, and she turned to him with a smug grin.

“Beginner’s luck,” he muttered, but the playful glint in his eyes betrayed him.

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

As the afternoon wore on, they found themselves back on the blanket, sitting in comfortable silence. Tara leaned back against the tree trunk, her eyes drifting toward the lake. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a dappled pattern on the ground around them.

Shubman glanced at her, his expression softening. “You seem better,” he said quietly.

She turned to him, a slight frown pulling at her brow. “Do I?”

“Yeah,” he said, leaning forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “You’re smiling more. Laughing. It’s nice to see.”

Tara hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands, fingers tracing the fabric of the blanket. “I guess I am,” she admitted, her voice a little softer now. “I didn’t think it was possible to feel... normal again so soon.”

Shubman nodded, his eyes steady and understanding. “You’re stronger than you think,” he said gently. “I’ve seen a lot of people go through tough times. You’re handling it better than most would.”

Tara absorbed his words, her chest tight with a rush of emotion. She turned to him then, her voice wavering as she spoke. “I never thought we’d end up like this. I never imagined we’d get so close... especially after everything that happened. I always thought we’d just be... acquaintances, or friends, but...”

She trailed off, her eyes meeting his. “But here we are. And I’m... I’m so grateful that you’re here with me. I didn’t realize how much I needed someone like you until now.”

Shubman’s expression softened even further. His voice was quiet but full of sincerity. “I’m glad I’m here too, Tara. I’ve always been here for you, whether you’ve realized it or not.

I’ve always cared, even if I didn’t know exactly how to show it. But now... now, I just want to be here. Through everything.”

Tara’s heart fluttered at his words, the weight of them sinking into her chest. She looked away for a moment, taking a shaky breath. “I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through all of this without you,” she said, the words almost a confession.

"It’s... it’s like you’ve always known what I needed, even when I didn’t know myself.”

Shubman looked at her with that same unwavering gaze, his voice soft but steady.

“You would’ve gotten through it, Tara. You’re one of the strongest people I know. But I’m glad I was the one who could be here. Even if it’s just to listen, or to make you laugh, or to... just be present.”

He hesitated for a moment, the air between them thick with unspoken understanding. “I want you to know that you’re not alone in this.”

Tara swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion. She looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough for everything you’ve done. For just being here, when I... I didn’t even know I needed you.”

Shubman smiled, a warm, almost tender smile that made something stir inside her. “You don’t need to thank me, Tara. Just being you—just being here with me—that’s all I could ever ask for.”

She couldn’t help but smile back, her chest lighter than it had felt in days. “I... I don’t think I’ve ever felt this at peace. Not in a long time.”

Shubman’s gaze softened, and he gave her a gentle nod. “You deserve peace, Tara. And I’ll do everything I can to help you find it.”

For a moment, the world around them felt distant, as if it was just the two of them, wrapped in a moment of shared understanding and quiet comfort.

Tara couldn’t quite put into words what she was feeling, but she knew one thing for sure—Shubman had become a lifeline in a way she hadn’t expected, and in that moment, she knew she could trust him with more than just her heart.

She could trust him with the pieces of herself that she hadn’t shared with anyone in a long time.