𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

As Mithra reached home, the familiar comfort of her surroundings enveloped her like a warm embrace. She closed the door behind her with a soft click, leaning back against it as she sighed in contentment. The events of the evening replayed in her mind; each moment was etched into her memory like a cherished photograph.

Sliding down the door, Mithra let herself sink to the floor, her thoughts swirling with a mix of emotions. "Wow," she murmured to herself, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "That was unexpected."

Closing her eyes, Mithra replayed the moment when Shubman had leaned in to kiss her, the warmth of his lips against hers sending shivers down her spine. "I can't believe that just happened," she whispered, a sense of disbelief mingling with the excitement bubbling inside her.

But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, a sense of uncertainty lingered in the back of Mithra's mind. "What does this mean?" she wondered aloud, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are we really ready for this?"

As she pondered the questions swirling in her mind, Mithra couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness in the pit of her stomach. The prospect of embarking on a new relationship with Shubman filled her with both excitement and fear, each conflicting emotion vying for her attention.

But deep down, Mithra knew that she couldn't ignore the undeniable connection she shared with Shubman. "He makes me happy," she admitted to herself, a soft smile gracing her lips. "And isn't that what matters most?"

With that thought in mind, Mithra made her way to her bedroom, ready to embrace whatever the future held in store. And as she drifted off to sleep that night, a sense of peace settled over her, knowing that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

As Mithra settled into her bedroom, her mind still buzzing with the events of the evening, her phone suddenly lit up with an incoming call. Glancing at the screen, she felt a rush of excitement as she saw Shubman's name displayed prominently.

With a smile tugging at her lips, Mithra answered the call, her heart racing with anticipation. "Hey, Shubman," she greeted warmly, unable to suppress the excitement in her voice.

"Hey, Mithra," Shubman's voice came through the line, filled with warmth and affection. "I just wanted to say goodnight and thank you for an amazing evening."

Mithra's smile widened at his words, her heart fluttering with happiness. "It was my pleasure," she replied, her voice soft with emotion. "I had a wonderful time with you, Shubman."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, as if Shubman was searching for the right words to say. "Listen, Mithra," he began, his voice slightly hesitant. "I know tonight was... unexpected, but I want you to know that I'm really glad it happened."

Mithra's heart skipped a beat at his words, her cheeks flushing with warmth. "Me too, Shubman," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like... this could be the start of something special."

There was a softness in Shubman's tone as he replied, a hint of vulnerability that tugged at Mithra's heartstrings. "I feel it too, Mithra," he confessed, his voice filled with sincerity. "And I can't wait to see where this journey takes us."

As they exchanged heartfelt words of affection, Mithra couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the connection she shared with Shubman. In that moment, she knew that she had found something truly special, something worth cherishing with all her heart.

With a promise to talk again soon, Mithra bid Shubman goodnight, her heart overflowing with happiness as she ended the call. And as she settled into bed, a sense of contentment washed over her, knowing that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

The next day as Mithra settled into her routine at the stadium, she immersed herself in the task of analyzing statistics and checking the upcoming schedules for the matches. Sitting at the sidelines while the boys practiced in the nets, she was surrounded by the familiar sounds of bat striking ball and the lively chatter of the players.

Lost in her work, Mithra poured over the data, her mind focused on the task at hand. She was determined to ensure that everything was in order for the upcoming matches, her attention undivided as she meticulously went through each detail.

As the practice session drew to a close, Mithra remained engrossed in her work, her concentration unbroken as she double-checked the numbers on her laptop. Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her shoulders from behind, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

Before she could react, she heard a familiar voice whisper in her ear, sending a flush of warmth rushing to her cheeks. "Hey, babygirl," Shubman greeted softly, his breath warm against her skin.

Mithra's heart skipped a beat at the endearing nickname, her cheeks flushing an even deeper shade of red. She turned to find Shubman standing behind her, a playful grin on his lips as he looked down at her.

"Shubman!" Mithra exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and delight in her voice. "You scared me!"

Shubman chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Sorry about that," he apologized, his arms still wrapped around her shoulders. "I couldn't resist sneaking up on you."

Mithra couldn't help but smile at his antics, her heart fluttering at the closeness between them. "You certainly succeeded," she admitted, her voice tinged with laughter. "I didn't even hear you coming."

Leaning in closer, Shubman pressed a gentle kiss to Mithra's cheek, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. "I missed you," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

Mithra's heart swelled with affection at his words, her own feelings mirrored in his gaze. "I missed you too," she replied softly, her hand reaching up to brush against his cheek.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the stadium, Shubman and Mithra found themselves lost in each other's gaze. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their own little bubble of intimacy.

"I wanted to surprise you," Shubman admitted, a playful twinkle in his eyes. "And it looks like I succeeded."

Mithra couldn't help but laugh at his playful demeanor, feeling a surge of affection for the man standing before her. "You definitely did," she agreed, her heart fluttering with happiness.

As they stood together, wrapped in each other's embrace, Mithra couldn't shake the feeling of contentment that washed over her. In Shubman's arms, she felt safe and loved, as if nothing else in the world mattered.

Their moment of quiet intimacy was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, and Mithra turned to see Virat and Ishan walking towards them, smiles playing on their lips.

"Looks like we interrupted something," Virat teased, his eyes dancing with amusement as he glanced between Shubman and Mithra.

Shubman grinned, his arm still draped around Mithra's shoulders. "Just catching up," he replied casually, though the warmth in his eyes betrayed the depth of his feelings.

Ishan nudged Shubman playfully, a knowing look in his eyes. "Sure, looks like it," he remarked with a smirk.

Mithra felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, but she couldn't help but smile at the playful banter between the friends. "You two are incorrigible," she chided lightly, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.
As the group made their way out of the stadium, Mithra walked beside Shubman, their hands brushing against each other occasionally, sending small sparks of electricity through her veins. The cool evening air felt refreshing against her skin, and she couldn't help but steal glances at Shubman, who walked with a confident stride beside her.

"So, what are your plans for tonight?" Ishan asked, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

Shubman glanced at Mithra with a playful grin before turning his attention back to Ishan. "I was thinking of taking Mithra out for dinner," he replied, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

Mithra felt her cheeks flush at his words, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of spending more time with Shubman. "That sounds wonderful," she agreed, smiling up at him.

Virat raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ah, the classic dinner date," he teased, nudging Shubman playfully. "You're really pulling out all the stops, aren't you?"

Shubman chuckled, shrugging nonchalantly. "Just trying to show Mithra a good time," he replied, his eyes softening as he looked at her.

Mithra felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, grateful for his thoughtfulness and attention. "I'm sure it'll be amazing," she said, squeezing his hand gently.

As they reached the parking lot, Shubman led Mithra towards his car, opening the door for her with a gallant gesture. She smiled gratefully, settling into the passenger seat as he walked around to the driver's side.

The drive to the restaurant was filled with easy conversation and laughter, the tension from earlier dissipating into the night air. Mithra found herself drawn to Shubman's magnetic presence, hanging onto his every word as 

they discussed everything from cricket to their favorite foods.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Shubman guided Mithra inside, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back as he led her to their table. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, with soft lighting and the gentle hum of conversation filling the air.

As they perused the menu, Shubman leaned in close, his voice low and intimate. "I'm so glad we could do this," he said, his eyes meeting hers with a warmth that made her heart flutter.

Mithra smiled, reaching across the table to take his hand in hers. "Me too," she replied, her voice filled with sincerity.

Their dinner was filled with laughter and shared moments, the hours slipping away unnoticed as they lost themselves in each other's company. They talked about their hopes and dreams, their fears and insecurities, each revelation bringing them closer together.

As the evening drew to a close, Shubman insisted on paying the bill, his insistence met with a grateful smile from Mithra. "Thank you for tonight," she said, standing up from the table and slipping her hand into his.

Shubman smiled back at her; his eyes soft with affection. "Anytime," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "I just want to make you happy."

Mithra felt her heart swell at his words, overwhelmed by the depth of his feelings. "You already do," she confessed, leaning in to press a gentle kiss against his lips.

The kiss was soft and sweet, filled with unspoken promises of love and devotion. And as they pulled away, Mithra knew with certainty that she had found something truly special in Shubman, something worth cherishing for a lifetime.

As they walked back to the car hand in hand, Mithra couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the unexpected turn her life had taken. With Shubman by her side, she knew that anything was possible, and she couldn't wait to see where their journey would take them next.

As they settled into the car, the atmosphere was filled with a comfortable silence, the lingering warmth of their shared moments wrapping around them like a cozy blanket. Shubman started the engine, casting a sideways glance at Mithra before pulling out of the parking lot.

As they drove through the quiet streets, Mithra couldn't shake the feeling of contentment that settled over her. She leaned her head against the window, watching the city lights blur by in a mesmerizing dance. With Shubman's hand resting on the gear shift, she felt a sense of security and belonging that she hadn't experienced in a long time. It was something she experienced only with him.

Lost in their own thoughts, they eventually arrived back at Mithra's apartment building. Shubman parked the car and turned off the engine, turning to face Mithra with a gentle smile.

"I had a wonderful time tonight," he said, his voice soft with sincerity.

Mithra smiled back at him, her heart overflowing with affection. "So did I," she replied, reaching out to trace the lines of his face with her fingertips.

Their eyes locked, the world around them fading into the background as they leaned in closer, their lips meeting in a tender kiss. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in the warmth of each other's embrace, the soft press of their lips a silent affirmation of their love.

When they finally pulled away, their breath mingling in the air between them, Mithra felt a rush of emotion wash over her. She knew in that moment that she had found someone truly special, someone who made her heart sing with joy.
As they sat in the car outside Mithra's apartment building, a comfortable silence enveloped them, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine. Mithra hesitated for a moment, her heart racing with the desire to spend more time with Shubman.

"Um, Shubman?" she began, her voice hesitant as she turned to face him.

Shubman turned to look at her, his gaze soft and attentive. "Yes, Mithra? What is it?" he asked, his voice filled with warmth.

Mithra bit her lip nervously, her mind racing with uncertainty. "Would you... I mean, do you want to come up for a while?" she asked, her words tumbling out in a rush.

A flicker of surprise crossed Shubman's face before a smile slowly spread across his lips. "I'd love to," he replied, his voice filled with quiet enthusiasm.

Mithra's heart skipped a beat at his response, a rush of excitement coursing through her veins. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door, stepping out onto the pavement with Shubman following close behind.

Together, they made their way up to Mithra's apartment, the anticipation building with each step they took. As they reached her door, Mithra hesitated for a moment before unlocking it and stepping inside, Shubman close behind her.

The apartment was bathed in a warm, inviting glow, the soft light casting shadows across the room. Mithra led Shubman further inside, feeling a sense of nervousness mingling with the excitement bubbling inside her.

"Make yourself at home," she said, gesturing towards the comfortable sofa in the living room.

Shubman smiled gratefully, settling onto the sofa as Mithra joined him, their shoulders brushing against each other. The air was filled with a palpable tension, a sense of anticipation hanging between them like a delicate thread.

For a moment, they simply sat in silence, the weight of their unspoken desires hanging heavy in the air. And then, without a word, Shubman reached out to take Mithra's hand in his, his touch sending a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins.

Mithra's breath caught in her throat as she met Shubman's gaze, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement. In that moment, she knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be, with the man who had captured her heart in the most unexpected of ways.

As they sat together in the quiet intimacy of Mithra's apartment, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them wrapped in each other's embrace. And as they leaned in closer, their lips met in a tender kiss, sealing their newfound connection with a promise of endless possibilities.

As they sat together on the sofa, their lips still tingling from the sweetness of their kiss, Shubman let out a soft chuckle, breaking the tender silence that enveloped them.

"What is it?" Mithra asked, a curious smile playing on her lips as she gazed at him.

Shubman shook his head, his eyes twinkling with affection. "I was just thinking about how glad I am that you stepped into my house to help me tie my shoelace when we were five," he confessed, his voice filled with nostalgia.

Mithra's eyes widened in surprise, a fond smile spreading across her face as she remembered the innocent encounter from their childhood. "That was the first time we met, wasn't it?" she mused, the memory flooding back to her with startling clarity.

Shubman nodded, his gaze locked with hers. "Yeah, it was," he replied, a hint of wonder in his voice. "And even back then, I knew there was something special about you."

Mithra felt her cheeks flush with warmth at his words, touched by the depth of his feelings. "I never would have imagined that our paths would cross again like this," she admitted, her voice soft with emotion.

Shubman reached out to gently brush a stray lock of hair away from Mithra's face, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. "I'm glad they did," he said, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I can't imagine my life without you in it."

Mithra's heart swelled with love at his words, overwhelmed by the depth of their connection. Leaning in closer, she pressed a gentle kiss against Shubman's lips.

As they sat together in the quiet intimacy of Mithra's apartment, surrounded by the memories of their past and the promise of their future, they knew that they had found something truly special in each other. And as they held each other close, they knew that they were exactly where they were meant to be, together at last.

The next morning, Mithra woke up to the soft light filtering through the curtains, a warm feeling of contentment washing over her. She turned to find Shubman still sleeping peacefully beside her, his face relaxed in repose on the couch.

Gently brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead, Mithra couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. In the quiet of the morning, with the world still asleep outside, she felt a sense of gratitude for the man lying next to her, for his kindness, his warmth, and his unwavering love.

As Shubman stirred awake, his eyes fluttering open to meet hers, Mithra leaned in to press a soft kiss against his lips. "Good morning," she whispered, her voice filled with affection.

Shubman smiled sleepily, pulling her closer into his arms. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. "I could get used to waking up like this."

Mithra laughed softly, snuggling against him as they lay entwined in each other's embrace. "Me too," she admitted, feeling a rush of happiness fill her chest.

As they lay together in the quiet intimacy of the morning, Mithra felt a sense of peace settle over her. In Shubman's arms, she knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be, with the man who had captured her heart in the most unexpected of ways.

Their love was a journey, one filled with twists and turns, laughter and tears, but in that moment, none of it mattered. All that mattered was the love they shared, the bond that held them together through it all.

And as they lay together, lost in each other's embrace, Mithra knew with certainty that their love would only continue to grow stronger with each passing day. For in Shubman, she had found her home, her anchor, her everything.