The following morning, Shubman awoke to the muted hum of London traffic outside his hotel window. His body ached from the previous day's match, but his mind was restless. He checked his phone for any messages from Angel. Her response from the previous night was there, promising they'd meet soon. Shubman couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration mixed with hope.

He had a day off before the next match and decided to make the most of it. He sent a quick message to his best friend, Ishan Kishan, to see if he wanted to grab breakfast. Within minutes, Ishan responded with an enthusiastic yes, and they planned to meet at a café nearby.

At the café, Shubman sipped his coffee, waiting for Ishan. As he stared out the window, his thoughts drifted back to Angel. The last time they had met in person felt like a lifetime ago. He missed their deep conversations, the way she could make him laugh even on his worst days. He resolved to bridge the gap between them somehow.

"Oe, Shubi!" Ishan's voice broke through his reverie. Shubman looked up to see his friend grinning widely as he approached the table.

"Hi Ishu," Shubman greeted, forcing a smile.

They exchanged pleasantries and talked about the previous day's match. Ishan, ever the cheerful spirit, managed to make Shubman laugh with his stories and jokes. But as the conversation shifted to personal lives, Shubman found himself opening up.

" Ishan, do you ever feel like you're losing touch with people you care about?" Shubman asked, stirring his coffee absently.

Ishan looked at him thoughtfully.
" Yeah, it happens, especially with our crazy schedules. Is this about Angel ?"

Shubman nodded. " I miss her, man. We used to be so close, but now it feels like there's always something in the way."

Ishan leaned back, considering his words. " You both have demanding careers, but if it matters, you'll find a way. Maybe you should take a break and visit her at the hospital."

Shubman sighed. " Maybe you're right. I just don't want to be a distraction."

Ishan clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You're not a distraction. You're a part of her life. Just like she's a part of yours."

      *At the St. Thomas Hospital*

Meanwhile, at St. Thomas' Hospital, Angel was already deep into her morning rounds. The hospital buzzed with activity, and Angel moved with practiced efficiency from one patient to another. Despite the intensity of her work, she found herself thinking about Shubman and their missed connections.

During a rare moment of respite, Angel checked her phone and saw Shubman's message from earlier, telling her about his day off. She quickly typed a reply: "I hope you have a great day off. Let's try to meet up tonight. I'll be done with my shift by 8 PM."

Angel hit send and pocketed her phone, then headed to the operating room for another surgery. As she scrubbed in, her mind wandered to Shubman. She remembered how he always knew how to calm her nerves before exams, how his infectious laugh could lighten the heaviest of her days.

The surgery was long and complex, requiring every ounce of Angel's concentration. But even as she worked, her thoughts kept drifting back to the message she had sent. She hoped Shubman would still be free to meet.

             *BACK AT SHUBMAN*

Shubman spent the rest of the day exploring London with Ishan. They visited some tourist spots, had lunch at a famous restaurant, and even did some shopping. It was a welcome distraction, but Shubman couldn't shake the anticipation of seeing Angel later.

As the evening approached, Shubman found himself back at the hotel, pacing his room. He finally decided to text Angel to confirm their plans. "Hey, Angel. Just checking if we're still on for tonight. Looking forward to seeing you."

The reply came quickly: "Yes, still on. I'll meet you at The Ivy Chelsea Garden at 8:30 PM."

Shubman smiled, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. He got ready, choosing a casual yet stylish outfit. By the time he arrived at The Ivy, he was ten minutes early. The restaurant's warm lights and elegant decor provided a cozy atmosphere, perfect for catching up with someone special.

                  *BACK AT Angel*

Angel finished her shift, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and anticipation. She changed out of her scrubs and into a simple yet elegant dress, hoping to look her best despite the long day. She checked her reflection in the mirror, took a deep breath, and headed out.

The cab ride to The Ivy Chelsea Garden felt longer than it was. Angel's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She wanted to reconnect with Shubman, to bridge the gap that had grown between them. As the cab pulled up to the restaurant, she took another deep breath and stepped out.

Shubman was waiting at a table near the window. When he saw her, his face lit up with a smile that made her heart skip a beat. She walked over, her own smile mirroring his.

"Hey, Shubu,"she said softly.

"Hey, Nini," he replied, standing up to hug her. The embrace felt warm and familiar, like coming home after a long journey.

They sat down, the initial awkwardness quickly giving way to the comfort of old friends. They talked about their lives, their careers, and the challenges they faced. As the conversation flowed, the distance between them seemed to shrink.

"So, tell me about the match," Angel said, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest.

Shubman leaned in, recounting the highlights with enthusiasm. Angel listened intently, her laughter and reactions encouraging him. It felt like old times, and for a moment, both forgot about the pressures and demands of their worlds.

As the night went on, they realized how much they had missed each other's company. They made a pact to stay more connected, promising to find time for each other despite their hectic schedules.

Walking Angel back to her apartment, Shubman felt a sense of contentment he hadn't felt in a long time. They stood at her doorstep, the cool London air wrapping around them.

"Thanks for tonight, Nini. I really missed this," Shubman said, his voice sincere.

"Me too," Angel replied, her eyes reflecting the same sentiment. "Let's not wait so long next time."

They hugged again, a promise of renewed effort hanging in the air. As Shubman walked back to his hotel, he felt hopeful. It wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to keep Angel close, no matter the challenges.

Angel watched Shubman walk away, a smile lingering on her lips. Tonight had reminded her of how important he was to her. She knew balancing her demanding career and their friendship wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to try.

Back in her apartment, Angel felt a renewed sense of purpose. She had saved lives today, and she had taken a step toward mending an important relationship. As she prepared for bed, she felt a rare sense of peace. The future seemed a little brighter, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like she could have it all.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝐿𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑡, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑆ℎ𝑢𝑏𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙, 𝑖𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠 𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑. <3