The sun had barely begun to dip in the sky as Shubman sat in the locker room, his jersey pulled over his broad shoulders, his fingers still adjusting the gloves. 

Today was not just another match. It was their first anniversary, and even though he was miles away from Revathi, the thought of her was never far from his mind.

He had just come from a quick text exchange with her—she had sent a sweet message, wishing him good luck for the ODI, but he could feel her disappointment through her words. 

She knew he had to play today, but she also knew how special the day was for them. They had agreed to celebrate later, but the thought of her sitting at home, alone, while he was stuck on the field made him restless.

"Coach," he said, stepping towards Rahul Dravid, who was quietly reviewing the team sheet, preparing for the match. 

"Is it possible... if I could bring Revathi along? I know it's usually just the wives, but—" he hesitated, not wanting to seem too eager.

Rahul Dravid, who had been observing the young cricketer's enthusiasm, looked up, a knowing smile playing on his lips. 

The bond between Shubman and Revathi had been no secret to the team. "It's your anniversary today, right?" Dravid asked, raising an eyebrow. 

Shubman nodded, his heart pounding slightly, hoping for a yes.

Dravid paused for a moment, considering it. The rules were clear: the wives of players were allowed in the VIP section, but it wasn't a common practice for girlfriends to be included.

However, seeing the way Shubman's eyes were lit up with excitement, and the fact that this was a special day, Dravid sighed and relented. 

"Fine. Bring her. But I'll tell you one thing, Gill—you better play like a fucking champion today, or I'll make sure you regret it."

Shubman grinned widely. "You've got it, Coach."

The stadium was buzzing with energy as Shubman stepped onto the field for the ODI against New Zealand. 

His mind was still a bit distracted by the thought of Revathi, but the adrenaline of the game helped centre him. It was almost time to get started.

As the match progressed, Shubman's focus only deepened. He was on fire today. He was playing like his life depended on it. 

Each ball he faced felt like it was made just for him, each stroke more powerful than the last. When he hit a boundary, he could almost feel Revathi's presence cheering him on, her smile lingering in his thoughts.

Halfway through the game, when the players took a short break, Shubman glanced toward the VIP section. He caught sight of her—Revathi—dressed in a beautiful white top with a light pink jacket draped over her shoulders, her hair cascading down in waves. 

She was seated with Anushka Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh, clapping and cheering enthusiastically, her eyes locked on him.

The sight of her made his heart skip a beat. She looked stunning, as always. But today, she looked even more radiant. 

It had been a year since they'd started dating, and he had never been more sure of anything in his life.

As the game picked up pace again, Shubman was on fire. It was a performance no one had seen coming. He was unstoppable, each hit sending the ball flying across the boundary line.

The crowd roared as he reached 200 runs off 145 balls—his first-ever double century in an ODI. The stadium was electrified, and Shubman's adrenaline surged. 

He could feel the eyes of his teammates on him, but what mattered most in this moment was the woman who was watching from the VIP section.

When his wicket finally fell, the stadium fell silent for a split second. But not Shubman. He didn't just walk off in silence. 

He turned toward the stands and sent her a playful flying kiss, his lips curving into a mischievous grin.

Revathi's heart raced. Her face flushed a deep pink at the gesture. The moment felt surreal. She stood up, clapping enthusiastically as the other wives and girlfriends around her cheered. 

But for her, it was like the world had slowed down just for that moment—the kiss, the recognition, the love shared in a single, electrifying gesture.

"Damn, that was hot," Ishan Kishan muttered under his breath, glancing over at Rohit Sharma, who nodded, grinning. 

"Shubman's playing like a man possessed today."

Hardik Pandya laughed from the other side. "He's got all the right motivation, boys. That's what you call inspiration."

But Shubman's mind was only on one thing—Revathi. 

She was his motivation, his inspiration. The way she looked at him, her eyes full of pride and love, made everything he did on the field worth it.

As he made his way back to the dressing room, his teammates clapped him on the back, congratulating him for his incredible performance. 

But all Shubman could think about was the woman waiting for him in the stands, the woman who had always believed in him, the woman who had his heart.

After the match, once the formalities were over, Shubman quickly made his way to the VIP section to meet her. 

As he approached, Revathi stood up, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, his lips crashing into hers in a kiss that was full of heat and passion.

"You're fucking amazing," she breathed against his lips, her voice low and full of admiration. "I've never seen you play like that before."

He grinned, pulling her even closer. "I had the best motivation," he whispered back. "And now... I think it's time to celebrate."

As Shubman led her away from the VIP section, Revathi couldn't help but glance at him again. The man was a force of nature. 

His jersey clung to his body, drenched in sweat from the intensity of the match, but somehow it made him look even hotter. 

The muscles in his arms were defined, his jawline sharp, and his hair was messy, falling into his eyes, giving him this rugged, almost untamed vibe that was making her entire body react in ways she wasn't prepared for.

She tried to tear her eyes away from him, but it was impossible. "God, he's ridiculously hot," she muttered to herself under her breath. 

He looks like he should be in a freaking magazine. 

Her heart was racing, her body suddenly very aware of the heat radiating off him. The way his biceps flexed every time he moved, the damp fabric of his shirt outlining every inch of his chest—it was making her completely lose her train of thought.

Inwardly, she was screaming. Stop staring, stop staring, she told herself, but her eyes just kept drinking him in. 

She could feel the heat spreading to her cheeks. 

I'm literally staring at my boyfriend like some thirsty-ass fan girl, she thought, trying to snap herself out of it. 

But the sight of him—tall, strong, and sweaty—was doing things to her that she wasn't ready for.

Shubman noticed her glancing at him, a grin spreading across his face. He leaned in a little closer, his breath warm against her ear. 

"You're staring, baby," he whispered, his voice low and teasing. "Like what you see?"

Revathi's pulse quickened. She could feel her body reacting to the way his voice caressed her skin, making her weak in the knees. 

She bit her lip, trying to keep her cool, but her mind was spiralling. 

Fuck, he's so hot. He's like a walking wet dream, and I'm just... trying not to combust here. 

She forced herself to look away, but it wasn't easy.

"Stop making me all hot and bothered," she replied, trying to play it cool, but her voice betrayed her. It was shaky, a little breathless. She could feel the heat creeping up her neck, the flush of desire spreading across her skin. 

You literally just kissed me in front of the whole stadium, and now you're looking at me like you want to eat me alive, and I'm not even ready for this heat.

Shubman let out a quiet laugh as if he was reading her thoughts. "Oh, I'm not stopping anytime soon, babe." 

He pulled her even closer, his arm sliding around her waist, guiding her with ease as they walked. 

"I've been thinking about you all day. All the shit I could do to you later. You don't even know."

Revathi's heart skipped a beat at his words. The confidence in his voice, the heat in his touch, had her feeling dizzy. She swallowed hard. 

Oh, my fucking god. What did I get myself into? 

The chaotic thoughts flooded her brain, but her body was already reacting. 

She felt a warmth between her legs she had no idea how to control. The way he was looking at her—so intense, so possessive—had her feeling like she was walking into a trap that she didn't want to escape.

Her hand subconsciously brushed over his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through the fabric of his shirt. 

"You're a menace," she muttered, shaking her head as she looked up at him. I swear I can't even breathe around this man without combusting.

"Oh, babe, you have no idea how much of a menace I can be," he replied with a sly grin, his eyes darkening with desire. 

"You're making me crazy just standing there. That outfit, those eyes—fuck, you're killing me." He leaned down, pressing his lips to her forehead before pulling back, his hands settling on her waist with a possessive grip.

She was in over her head. She knew it. Why am I feeling this way? 

She couldn't stop the butterflies in her stomach, the knot of need that twisted tighter with every passing second. Stop thinking. Just... stop thinking. Just enjoy it.

Her eyes locked with his, and she bit her lip again, trying to gather her composure. "You're so... so full of yourself, aren't you?" she teased, trying to ignore the raging desire coursing through her veins.

"Only for you, sweetheart," he said, his voice almost a growl now. "You make me feel like I'm invincible. Like I could do anything." 

He leaned in, his lips grazing her ear as he whispered, "And trust me, I'm gonna show you just how much I can do... to you, baby."

Her whole body went rigid at the implication. 

Jesus fucking Christ. I swear I might just melt into a puddle at his feet if he keeps talking to me like that.

But as much as she wanted to resist, the desire was too strong. She closed the distance between them, crashing her lips onto his, pulling him closer until she could feel the heat of his chest against hers. 

His hands moved to her back, pulling her in tighter, deepening the kiss. His lips were hungry, needy, making her head spin with every movement.

"Later," he whispered against her lips. "I'll show you later... everything."

She pulled back slightly, panting, her heart racing in her chest. "I can't—" But before she could say more, he kissed her again, effectively shutting her up, making everything in her mind go blank except for him.

In that moment, she was no longer aware of anything else. No thoughts, no distractions. 

All she could think about was the man in front of her, the electric charge between them, and the fact that this was only just the beginning of whatever chaos he was about to pull her into.

And she was so ready for it.

SOUP RANTS!

Welcome to the twenty-eighth chapter of this book!
they're so 🥹
did we like this chapter?
I'll see you guys soon!
yours truly,

soup 🫶