Two Years Later

It was a bright and bustling evening, the kind that only the biggest events in Mumbai could offer. The air buzzed with excitement as the annual sports gala was underway. 

The who's who of the cricket world had gathered—sponsored booths, gleaming lights, and cameras flashing from every corner. 

It was the kind of event Shubman Gill had gotten used to over the years, the one where his fame and status as one of the youngest stars of the Indian cricket team put him in the limelight.

Kamari was there too, standing among the audience, just a few feet from the stage where Shubman stood. 

It had been two years since their first meeting in New York, and while they had both grown more comfortable in their respective careers and their relationship, the adoration between them hadn't changed.

 If anything, it had only deepened.

Shubman was answering questions from fans, with the microphone in his hand, giving his usual charming yet humble answers. 

The question had been simple enough: "How do you stay grounded despite all the fame and success?"

As he spoke about his love for the game, his family, and the quiet moments he shared with Kamari, the crowd was hanging on his every word.

 His voice was calm and measured, but behind the poise, there was an authenticity that the fans couldn't help but connect with.

"Honestly," he said, flashing his signature smile, "It's all about balance. You find time to appreciate the small things, the things that keep you grounded, like spending time with the people who matter most to you. For me, that's my family and, well, the woman who keeps me sane through all the chaos."

The last part of the sentence wasn't lost on anyone, and Kamari's heart fluttered as her eyes locked onto him. Her lips curled into a soft, proud smile as she watched him speak.

 She had been with him through so much—the late-night practices, the tough matches, and the moments when the weight of the world seemed to rest on his shoulders.

 But through it all, he had never wavered from being the person she knew—the kind, down-to-earth man who adored her and their quiet, beautiful moments together.

As Shubman spoke, the paparazzi in the room, always looking for the perfect shot, were quick to capture the scene. They noticed Kamari—her eyes fixed on Shubman, her gaze soft yet filled with undeniable admiration. 

It wasn't just a simple look. The way she watched him—the way her eyes shimmered with affection and pride—was unmistakable.

 It was a look that said more than any word could. The photographers snapped away furiously, trying to capture the rare moment.

 The love between them was so evident in her gaze, so raw, so pure.

One of the photographers, catching the perfect angle, whispered to another, "That's it. That's the shot we need. Look at the way she's looking at him. That's real love right there."

Kamari had no idea the paparazzi had caught the moment. She was too caught up in Shubman's words, her mind adrift in memories of their time together—of the little things, like when he used to leave her notes in her books or when he would wake up early just to make her coffee.

 She didn't realize how much the room had quieted until she noticed the sound of cameras clicking nonstop.

Shubman, noticing the shift in the atmosphere, glanced up and saw Kamari standing there, her expression a mix of admiration and affection.

 His heart skipped a beat, and he smiled at her, his eyes lighting up as though she were the only one in the room.

 He had never been one for public displays of affection, but in that moment, the warmth of her gaze made him feel like the luckiest man in the world.

The crowd noticed the subtle shift, the quiet exchange between the two, and whispers started spreading.

 "Did you see that? They're totally in love," someone murmured from the crowd.

Shubman chuckled, then raised the microphone back to his lips, trying to regain his composure. "Sorry about that," he said, clearly flustered but with a grin that couldn't be wiped off his face.

 "I get a little distracted when I see her looking at me like that."

Kamari felt her cheeks warm, realizing the attention they were getting. But instead of feeling embarrassed, she simply smiled back at him, a silent message passing between them.

 He was everything to her, and she knew she was everything to him, too. They didn't need to speak it aloud to the world. Their love was something that only they truly understood.

The next morning, the paparazzi photos hit the newsstands and social media.

 The headline read, "Shubman Gill's Heart-Shaped Glance: The Moment He Was Caught in Love at the Gala", followed by an image of Kamari gazing at him like he was the only person in the room. 

The post was filled with comments from fans, some swooning at how "adorable" they were, while others marvelled at the way Kamari's expression seemed to radiate love for the cricketer.

Later that day, Kamari found herself scrolling through Instagram, and she paused as she saw the photo. 

Her eyes immediately sought out Shubman, who was lying on the couch beside her, scrolling through his own phone. 

She looked up at him with a teasing smile, "Well, looks like we're trending again, Mr. Gill."

Shubman, grinning widely, turned to look at her, his heart fluttering as he noticed the way she was looking at him. 

He reached out, tugging her close, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "I guess we can't help it," he said, his voice low and playful. "You just can't hide how much I love you."

Kamari laughed softly, leaning in to rest her head against his shoulder. "You're a goof," she whispered, a smile tugging at her lips. "But I love you, too."

soup rants!

so we have our eighteenth chapter!

to have someone to adore > 

do comment if you liked this chapter!

- love soup!