The morning sun filtered through the hotel curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. Tara stirred, stretching lazily as the warmth of the light brushed against her skin.

For the first time in days, she felt… lighter. The ache that had weighed her down, the storm of emotions that had kept her restless, had finally started to fade into something quieter, something bearable.

She let out a slow breath, enjoying the rare stillness of the moment. No overwhelming thoughts, no tangled emotions—just the simple peace of a new day.

That was, until her phone buzzed.

She reached for it blindly, her fingers fumbling across the bedside table. A sleepy glance at the screen had her heart skipping a beat before she could even process why.

Shubman
Rise and shine, sleepyhead. The world awaits your greatness.

Tara rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at her lips. It was ridiculous, really—how easily he got to her with just a few words.

Before she could even think of a response, the lump of blankets beside her stirred.

A muffled groan came from under the covers before Kashish peeked her head out, her hair a mess and her voice thick with sleep.

“Was that lover boy?” Kashish mumbled, squinting at the brightness of the screen.

Tara immediately hugged the phone to her chest. “Go back to sleep.”

Kashish smirked, sitting up with a knowing look. “You’re smiling. Oh my god, you’re actually smiling. That was Shubman, wasn’t it?”

“No,” Tara said far too quickly.

Kashish let out a dramatic gasp. “You’re lying. I repeat—Tara Arora is blushing.”

Tara groaned, grabbing a pillow and shoving it into her best friend’s face. “Shut up.”

Kashish only laughed harder, muffled by the pillow but undeterred. “This is so good. I was afraid you’d be moping around forever, but look at you. Texting first thing in the morning like a proper love-struck fool.”

“I am not love-struck,” Tara deadpanned, flipping onto her stomach to hide her face in the mattress.

“Uh-huh.” Kashish yawned, stretching her arms above her head. “So what did loverboy say?”

Tara hesitated. Loverboy. That was a stretch. A huge stretch. It was just Shubman being… well, Shubman. Teasing, playful, annoying.

Right?

She peeked at her phone again.

Shubman
Rise and shine, sleepyhead. The world awaits your greatness.

The words weren’t particularly special, but they made something warm settle in her chest. Maybe because it wasn’t just a meaningless text. It was the fact that he had thought about her first thing in the morning.

Kashish nudged her. “Come on, let me see.”

“Nope.” Tara locked the screen and shoved the phone under her pillow.

Kashish gasped. “You never hide texts from me.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “That means it’s juicy.”

Tara ignored her, reaching for her water bottle instead. “You’re delusional.”

Kashish smirked. “And you’re smitten.”

Tara choked on her water. “I am not.”

“You so are.”

Before Tara could argue, her phone buzzed again. Kashish lunged for it, but Tara was faster, snatching it off the bed and unlocking it before her best friend could get a glimpse.

Tara let out a small laugh before she could stop herself and quickly typed back a response.

Tara
Aren’t you supposed to be focusing on hitting straight drives instead of blowing up my phone?

Shubman
Wow. Someone woke up and chose rudeness. And after I so kindly sent you a morning greeting? My heart is wounded.

Tara
Wounded? Please. I’ve seen you get hit by a bouncer and pretend it didn’t hurt.

Shubman
That’s different. That’s just my warrior spirit. But this? This is emotional damage.

Tara rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips twitched.

Tara
Poor baby. Do you need me to send you a sympathy text?

Shubman
Nah. Just keep talking to me. That works.

Tara’s fingers hesitated over the keyboard. That one had slipped out so casually, so effortlessly, yet it made her pause.

Before she could overthink it, Kashish let out an exaggerated sigh. “You’re blushing again.”

Tara threw a pillow at her. “I AM NOT.”

Kashish caught it with ease, grinning. “You so are. This is fantastic. I came here to be supportive, but I didn’t expect to be entertained.”

Tara groaned, but her phone buzzed again, drawing her attention.

Shubman
You’re thinking too much. I can practically hear your brain working. Relax. Just admit you like me a little.

Tara scoffed, typing quickly.

Tara
I like you just as much as I like stepping on a Lego.

Shubman
So, a lot?

Tara
You’re impossible.

Shubman
And yet, here you are, texting me back.

Tara huffed, shaking her head at the ridiculous flutter in her chest. As if forgetting him was even an option.

Kashish peered over again. “Okay, enough texting your not-boyfriend. Let’s freshen up and go downstairs. I need to see if all these cricketers are as annoying as you describe them.”

Tara rolled her eyes but nodded.

As she got up, she shot Shubman one last message before Kashish could steal her phone.

Tara
Go practice before you embarrass yourself in the nets. Bye.

Shubman
Bye? Just bye? No heart emoji? No words of encouragement? Wow. I expected better.

Tara
Fine. Try not to get bowled out. There. Happy?

Shubman
Funny. Talk later, Miss Arora.

Tara locked her phone and shook her head. Kashish smirked knowingly.

“You’re falling, T.”

Tara sighed. “Maybe.”

“Good,” Kashish said. “Now hurry up. I have a feeling this day is going to be fun.”

Little did they know—she was absolutely right.

₊‧.°.⋆✮⋆.°.‧₊

The lounge was alive with energy, the sound of casual banter and clinking glasses filling the air.

The warm glow from the ceiling lights cast a golden hue over the room, giving everything an almost cinematic effect. It was the kind of atmosphere that made everything feel lighter, even if just for a moment.

Tara walked in with Kashish beside her, the two of them chatting animatedly about something ridiculous Ishan had said earlier.

The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by the familiar sight of the Indian team lounging around, each engaged in some form of conversation—or mischief.

Shubman, who had been leaning lazily against a table, straightened the moment he saw Tara. He didn't even realize he was smiling until Ishan elbowed him.

"Careful, Gill," Ishan teased in a whisper. "Your feelings are showing."

Shubman rolled his eyes, shoving Ishan playfully. "Shut up."

Tara, oblivious to the exchange, made her way over to them, Kashish in tow. "What’s going on here? You guys look suspicious."

"Suspicious?" Ishan gasped dramatically. "Tara, how could you? I am the epitome of innocence."

"Says the guy who tried to convince me he could do a backflip off the couch five minutes ago," Kashish muttered, crossing her arms.

Tara blinked. "Ishan, please tell me you didn’t."

"Technically, I didn't try. Shubman stopped me." Ishan shot Shubman a betrayed look. "My moment of glory was stolen."

"Your moment of a broken nose was stolen," Shubman corrected, giving Tara a look as if to say, 'See what I deal with?'

Tara laughed, shaking her head. "And to think I was worried about introducing Kashish to you lot. Turns out she’s already babysitting one of you."

"Babysitting?" Kashish scoffed. "I’m just here for the entertainment. Watching Ishan try and fail is my new favorite hobby."

"Oh, you wound me," Ishan said, clutching his chest dramatically before flashing her a grin. "But at least I have your attention."

Tara exchanged a glance with Shubman, who was watching the exchange with mild amusement. "I give it two weeks," he murmured.

"One," Tara corrected, smirking.

"Okay, okay, enough about me and my questionable life choices." Ishan clapped his hands together. "Let’s talk about you two."

Tara froze mid-sip of her drink. "Us?"

"Yes, you." Ishan wiggled his eyebrows before looking at Kashish for backup. "Don’t you think they’ve been acting extra weird lately? Like, always having secret little talks, exchanging meaningful looks—"

"Oh, absolutely," Kashish nodded sagely. "Tension so thick, I could cut it with a butter knife."

Shubman groaned, rubbing his temple. "Why are we friends with you two?"

"Because we make life interesting," Ishan shot back. "Speaking of interesting, I had an idea."

Tara narrowed her eyes. "That sounds dangerous."

"Relax, it’s a great idea. We should go on a double date."

Tara choked on her drink. "WHAT?"

Ishan grinned. "You, Shubman, me, and Kashish. Non-official, obviously. Just a casual night out."

Shubman, who had been quiet up until this point, finally raised an eyebrow. "And why, exactly, would we agree to this?"

"Because," Ishan leaned in dramatically, "you like spending time with Tara, and I like spending time with Kashish. It's a win-win."

Tara opened her mouth to protest but faltered when Kashish shrugged. "Honestly? Could be fun."

Tara turned to Shubman, expecting him to look just as skeptical, but to her surprise, he looked... amused. "What do you say, Gill?"

He considered for a moment before flashing one of his signature grins. "I say, why not?"

Tara exhaled, realizing too late that she had walked straight into their trap. Because now, there was no way to back out.

"Perfect!" Ishan clapped his hands. "This is going to be legendary."

Tara sighed, casting a helpless glance at Shubman, who merely shrugged. "Guess we’re doing this."

Shubman smirked. "Guess we are."

And just like that, the night had taken a turn none of them had expected.