iii. hanging out with the big star
Malini couldn't believe she was actually meeting Shubman. After class, she'd rushed home to change, ditching her paint-stained shirt for something a little more put together.
As she walked down the street to their meeting spot, she checked her reflection in a shop window, smoothing her hair.
"Get it together, Malini," she whispered to herself, clutching her phone. "It's just... Shubman Gill, that's all."
A few steps ahead, she spotted him leaning against the side of his car, looking up from his phone. He flashed her an easy grin that immediately set her nerves on fire.
"Hey, MJ," he greeted, that nickname rolling off his tongue with a playful smirk. "You look... stunning."
"Thanks, Shub," she replied, her cheeks flushing as she looked up at him. "Not so bad yourself."
"Let's not kid ourselves. I just threw on a hoodie and hoped for the best," he laughed, pulling the car door open for her.
"You ready?"
"Yeah," she nodded, sliding into the passenger seat, breathing in the subtle cologne clinging to the interior. "So, where are we going?"
"Thought I'd take you to this small spot by the lake. It's usually quiet this time of night—a good place to just chill, you know?" he said as he slipped into the driver's seat and started the car.
As they drove, the casual vibe set her at ease. Shubman asked her about her art, his curiosity genuine. "So, painting, huh? How'd you get into it?"
"Well," she shrugged, "I always liked art. Painting's my escape, you know? It's a way to get lost in something other than reality. Professors think I'm alright at it too, so that's a plus."
"More than alright, I bet," he replied, casting her a sideways glance. "You're probably amazing at it. Let me guess—hidden masterpieces stacked under your bed?"
She laughed. "Hidden disasters, more like. You'd probably think I was deranged if you saw my work. It's a mess of colours and nonsense half the time."
"Hey, I'm used to a mess. Have you seen the state of a locker room after a game? Or my place when I forget to clean up?" he teased.
They pulled up to the lake, and the two of them walked along the shore as the water lapped quietly against the bank.
The moonlight reflected off the lake, casting a soft glow over everything, making the night feel oddly surreal.
He finally spoke, "So, this whole 'barista' thing. I don't think I got the chance to thank you for my life-changing espresso yesterday."
She laughed, nudging his shoulder. "If you thought that coffee was good, your standards are trash. I'm not even supposed to be near an espresso machine."
"Could've fooled me," he said, looking down at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Plus, you wouldn't believe it, but I didn't even know what the hell an espresso was until yesterday."
"Oh really?" she smirked. "And here I thought you were being all suave."
"Nope, just desperate to say something. Anything." He grinned, and for a second, his usual calm confidence slipped, replaced with a slight shyness.
"I don't know what it is about you, MJ, but you get me saying dumb shit."
"I'll take that as a compliment, then, Shubs." She tossed him a grin, teasing him with the nickname.
They sat down on a bench near the lake, letting the quietness settle around them. Shubman leaned back, looking up at the stars.
"It's been a while since I've done this. Sat down without a schedule to follow, without a damn thing I have to prove, you know?"
"I can't imagine your life. The fame, the attention... it sounds amazing but also like a lot to handle," she said quietly, glancing over at him.
He shrugged, his fingers tapping the bench absently. "Yeah, but it's just... fuck, it gets lonely sometimes. I don't even know why I'm telling you this. I usually keep that crap to myself."
She looked over at him, and her eyes softened. "Hey, I get it. You're allowed to feel how you feel. We all are."
He turned to look at her, his gaze lingering. "How are you so... I don't know, easy to talk to?"
She laughed, rolling her eyes. "Guess you got lucky, Gill. And maybe I just don't take life so damn seriously. I mean, who has the time?"
Shubman's laugh was deep and genuine, and for a second, he just watched her, his eyes tracing her face. "God, you're something else."
Malini's cheeks heated. She looked away, feeling his gaze lingering on her, the night suddenly thick with unspoken words. "Stop it," she muttered, embarrassed but loving every second of it.
"Can't help it, MJ. You're... fuck, you're beautiful," he admitted, his voice low, the raw honesty in his words making her heart race.
Her gaze flicked up to meet his. She was about to say something sarcastic, something to deflect the intensity of the moment, but the words didn't come.
Instead, she just looked at him, really looked at him, and felt the strange but undeniable connection between them.
"Shub," she whispered, unable to stop the small smile playing at her lips, "we only met yesterday. This... this is insane."
"Insane?" he murmured, a grin teasing at the corner of his lips. "Maybe. But I'm not going anywhere. Not if I can help it."
She let out a small laugh, her eyes darting back to his. "Oh, you're a stubborn one, aren't you?"
"Damn right, I am. So you better get used to it," he shot back, reaching over and playfully squeezing her hand, his fingers warm and steady against hers.
They spent the next few hours talking about everything and nothing.
Malini's dreams of one day having her own gallery, Shubman's memories from his early days in cricket, the ridiculous group chats they both had with their friends—somehow, they'd settled into a rhythm that felt comfortable, like they'd known each other longer than just a day.
When it was time to go, Shubman walked her to her apartment door, the silence stretching between them as they stood there, not quite wanting to say goodnight.
"Well... thanks for tonight," she said softly, glancing up at him.
"Anytime, MJ," he replied, his voice gentle, his eyes filled with something that made her pulse race.
Before he could stop himself, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, lingering just a second longer than he intended. "Goodnight, beautiful."
She felt her cheeks warm as she looked up at him. "Goodnight, Shubs."
He turned to leave, only to pause halfway down the hall. Glancing over his shoulder, he shot her a grin. "Text me when you're bored in class tomorrow. I'll keep you entertained."
She laughed, closing her door behind her, feeling his presence linger even after he was gone. And as she leaned back against the door, her heart racing, she couldn't help but smile.
soup rants!
- hello everyone!
- I hope you guys are having a great day so far, and I also hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
- i love them sm, they're adorable
- also comments on the chapter?
- i hope you guys liked this one!
- with lots of love, supraja 🫶
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