Two days after their unforgettable night together, Shubman found himself standing outside Ira's apartment door, dressed to impress. 

He had traded his usual casual look for a sharp, black button-down and dark jeans, his hair neatly styled, and a hint of cologne that he hoped she'd love. This was it—their official date night.

He checked his watch and took a deep breath. Somehow, he felt more nervous waiting for her now than he ever had facing a stadium full of fans. 

Just as he was starting to wonder if he should text her, the door swung open, and there she was.

Ira stood in the doorway, and for a moment, he couldn't speak. She wore a deep burgundy dress, fitted at the waist, with a slit up the side and her signature curls framing her face. She looked like a dream, the kind that he never wanted to wake up from.

"Wow," he breathed, his voice catching. "You look... just... holy shit, Ira."

She chuckled, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Right back at you, Mr. Cricket Star." She took a step forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So, where are we going?"

"Ah, that's a surprise," he said, offering her his arm. "But trust me, it'll be worth it."

She took his arm, and they made their way down to the street where he'd arranged for a car to pick them up. As they settled into the backseat, he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. It felt so natural, so easy, yet he couldn't shake the thrill of it all.

"I'm serious, Shubman," she teased. "If this is some weird cricket club dinner, I'm out."

He laughed, squeezing her hand. "Don't worry, I'm not dragging you to a team banquet. I wanted tonight to be about us. Somewhere we can relax, talk, just enjoy each other's company without any interruptions."

The car pulled up to a rooftop restaurant with a stunning view of the city skyline. Soft music drifted through the air, and string lights cast a warm glow over the open terrace. Shubman had reserved a private table, set with candles and flowers.

"Oh my God, Shubman, this is... incredible," she whispered, her eyes wide with amazement as she took in the setting.

He grinned, clearly pleased with her reaction. "Only the best for you, my rockstar."

They were seated, and as the waiter poured them each a glass of wine, Ira reached across the table, brushing her fingers over his hand. "I have to say, I'm impressed. You're pulling out all the stops tonight."

"I wanted this to be special," he said softly, his thumb grazing her knuckles. "I've waited a long time to take you on a proper date."

She looked down, a shy smile playing on her lips. "I still can't believe we're here. Feels like something out of a dream."

They ordered, and as they waited for their food, the conversation drifted easily between lighthearted teasing and deeper confessions. Shubman shared stories of his relentless training regimen and the pressures of being in the limelight. Ira, in turn, opened up about the whirlwind of her music career, the late nights in the studio, and the constant drive to outdo herself.

"So, tell me," he asked, leaning forward, his eyes fixed on hers. "How's it feel being one of the biggest music sensations around? Do you ever just stop and take it all in?"

She laughed, shaking her head. "Honestly? Not really. It all happens so fast, and half the time, I'm just trying to keep up." She paused, looking at him thoughtfully. "But tonight... tonight feels different. With you, I feel like I can finally breathe."

His expression softened, and he reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I'm glad, because with you, I feel like I can finally be myself."

As the night wore on, they laughed, shared stories, and even snuck a few kisses when they thought no one was watching. They were utterly wrapped up in each other, the rest of the world fading into the background.

Finally, as they finished their meal, Shubman stood up and offered his hand. "Come dance with me."

She looked around, noticing the few other diners, but he just grinned, pulling her gently to her feet. "Come on, Ira. Let's give them a show."

With a laugh, she let him lead her to a small, open area where the soft music played in the background. He pulled her close, his hands resting on her waist as they swayed together under the city lights. The world seemed to shrink to just the two of them, the only sounds being their quiet breaths and the soft rustle of her dress against his shirt.

"I could get used to this," he murmured, his forehead resting against hers. "Dancing with you, taking you out... just being with you."

"Me too," she whispered back, her fingers tracing the back of his neck. "It's like everything finally makes sense."

They danced in comfortable silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts yet wholly focused on each other. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and sincere.

"Ira, I know our lives are insane, and we're both pulled in a million directions, but I don't want this—us—to just be a moment. I want this to be real. I want you in my life for the long haul."

Her heart fluttered, and she felt a swell of emotion rise in her chest. "I feel the same way, Shubman. I've spent so many years waiting for this, and now that we're here, I don't want to let go."

He smiled, his hand cupping her cheek as he gazed into her eyes. "Then don't. Stay with me."

And just like that, under the twinkling lights, with the city stretching out before them, they sealed their promise with a kiss, a vow unspoken yet deeply understood. 

As Shubman and Ira stood together on the rooftop, wrapped up in each other's arms, a gentle drizzle began to fall, barely noticeable at first—a light mist that softened the glow of the city lights. Then, suddenly, the rain picked up, pouring down in earnest, soaking them in seconds. The rooftop terrace cleared out as the few remaining diners hurried indoors, leaving just the two of them standing under the open sky.

Ira laughed, tilting her face up to the rain, her curls starting to stick to her cheeks. "Well," she said, her voice full of amusement, "we're getting soaked."

Shubman grinned, brushing a wet strand of hair from her face. "Guess the universe just wants us to have a classic first date moment." He leaned in, his breath warm against her damp skin. "Dancing in the rain, and all that."

She rolled her eyes, smiling. "You're so corny, Shubman."

He shrugged, pulling her closer. "Only for you, rockstar."

The rain poured down harder, plastering her dress against her skin and leaving them both shivering but exhilarated. Shubman pulled her against him, her feet barely touching the ground as he spun her around with a dramatic flair.

"See?" he said, chuckling as he steadied her. "I've been practicing my dance moves. You're lucky."

"Oh, please," she teased, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm doing you a favor by putting up with these moves."

Their laughter filled the air, mingling with the sound of raindrops pelting the rooftop. With her arms still around his neck, Ira pulled him down, her lips meeting his in a slow, lingering kiss. The rain dripped down their faces, but they didn't pull away. In that moment, they were alone in the world, wrapped up in a kiss that seemed to drown out the rest of the universe.

When they finally broke apart, breathless, Shubman looked at her with an intensity that made her heart race. "Ira, you're incredible, you know that?" His voice was low, almost reverent. "I never thought I'd find someone who gets me like this."

She smiled, tracing her fingers down his jawline, the rain mingling with the warmth of their skin. "Same here," she whispered, her eyes locked onto his. "Feels like I've been waiting for this moment forever."

Shubman pulled her close again, swaying with her under the pouring rain, each drop like a reminder of how real this was. As they danced, shivering and laughing, neither of them cared about the soaked clothes or the cold. The rain had somehow made everything more alive, more unforgettable.

After a few moments, Shubman lifted her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "You know, we should probably get you out of this rain before you catch a cold," he said, still grinning.

"Or," she replied, tugging him back toward her, "we could stay here a little longer. Just us. Just this."

They stayed in the rain, their silhouettes outlined against the glowing cityscape, two people who had finally found their way back to each other. Underneath the stormy sky, they knew one thing for certain: they were home.

As the rain continued to pour down around them, Shubman pulled Ira in close, wrapping his arms around her tightly. 

Her laughter died down into a contented sigh as she leaned her head against his chest, letting the rhythm of his heartbeat blend with the sound of raindrops. They both felt the quiet, unspoken promise settle between them—a kind of peace they hadn't expected to find in the middle of a storm.

After a few more moments, Ira shivered, the chill finally cutting through her exhilaration. Shubman noticed, rubbing her arms to warm her up. "Alright, you win," he said, chuckling softly. "Let's get you somewhere dry."

She gave a mock pout but nodded, letting him guide her off the rooftop terrace and back toward the building's entrance. They stepped into the elevator, their clothes dripping onto the floor, but neither of them cared. Shubman shook out his wet hair with a grin, and Ira burst into laughter.

"We're a mess," she said, her voice filled with laughter and warmth.

"A beautiful mess," he corrected, leaning back against the elevator wall, his gaze never leaving hers. "And I don't think I'd change a thing."

She looked at him, her smile softening. "Me neither. I think this was the best first date I've ever had."

The elevator doors opened, and Shubman followed her to her door, his hand slipping from her arm reluctantly as she reached for her keys. She unlocked the door, then turned to face him, her eyes shining with anticipation and affection.

"So..." she started, her voice soft and a little hesitant. "You wanna come in? I mean, we both need to dry off, right?"

He raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Well, when you put it like that..." he trailed off, stepping into her flat, his eyes taking in the cozy warmth of her space.

Once inside, she handed him a towel from a closet by the door. He took it with a grateful nod, rubbing his hair dry as she disappeared into her bedroom. Shubman looked around her apartment, smiling at the little signs of her personality everywhere—guitar picks scattered on the coffee table, vinyl records stacked on the shelves, lyrics scrawled on notepads by the couch.

A few moments later, Ira reappeared in sweatpants and an oversized hoodie, her curls now in a damp bun. She looked cozy and relaxed, and for a second, Shubman couldn't help but stare.

"What?" she asked, her eyes filled with amusement. "Never seen a rockstar in sweats?"

He laughed, crossing the room to where she stood. "You make it look good," he murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

They settled on the couch, and Ira reached for her acoustic guitar, strumming a few quiet chords as the rain continued to patter against the windows. She handed it to him, motioning for him to give it a try.

"Me? Play?" he asked, feigning horror. "I'll break it!"

"Please," she teased. "You're an athlete; you've got good hands. Just follow my lead."

With a sigh and a smile, Shubman placed his fingers clumsily on the strings, trying to mimic her as she guided him through a simple tune. 

He laughed at his mistakes, the sound filling the room with warmth, and Ira couldn't help but laugh along with him. After a while, he set the guitar aside, his fingers grazing hers as he held her hand.

"You know, I could get used to this," he said softly, his thumb brushing the back of her hand. "These quiet nights, just the two of us, no cameras, no crowd."

"Me too," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. "This feels... real. Like everything I didn't know I was missing."

He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her as they sank into the couch together. She nestled against him, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest. They stayed like that for a long while, saying nothing, content just to be in each other's arms. 

The storm outside softened, and the quiet patter of rain on the windows became a lullaby, cocooning them in a world all their own.

Finally, as her eyelids grew heavy, Ira lifted her head, meeting his gaze. "Thank you, Shubman," she whispered. "For tonight, for everything. I don't think I've felt this... at peace in a long time."

He kissed her forehead gently, his voice tender. "Anytime, Ira. I mean it. I'm not going anywhere."

And with that promise lingering in the air, they drifted into a comfortable silence, knowing that whatever storms might come their way, they'd face them together.

As the rain outside slowed to a soft drizzle, the silence in Ira's apartment was filled only by the quiet hum of the city below and their steady breathing, entwined together on the couch. Shubman watched Ira's face as she started to drift off, her lashes fluttering lightly against her cheeks, a peaceful expression softening her usual intensity.

After a few moments, she stirred, looking up at him with sleepy eyes. "Hey," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Didn't mean to start snoozing on you."

He chuckled, brushing his hand along her cheek. "I don't mind," he said softly. "You look... happy."

She stretched, pulling herself upright and running a hand through her tangled curls. "I am happy," she admitted, her gaze meeting his with a rare openness. "It's strange, but in the best way. You're right here, but I keep wondering if it's real."

Shubman took her hand, threading his fingers through hers. "Then let me prove it to you." He leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers, a kiss both gentle and full of quiet promises.

When they finally pulled apart, Ira's eyes held a mischievous sparkle. "You're kind of good at this, you know," she teased, nudging him.

"Kind of?" he shot back, his grin playful. "I'll have to try harder then."

She laughed, pulling him up with her from the couch. "Alright, Mr. Overachiever. How about a movie marathon?"

"Anything you want," he replied, settling back on the couch as she started browsing through her collection. She finally settled on a classic, a rom-com she'd seen a hundred times. As the movie played, she nestled back into his arms, the soft glow from the screen casting a warm light over them.

Halfway through the second movie, Ira broke the comfortable silence, her voice soft. "Shubman, you ever think about... where this goes? Us, I mean?"

He paused, feeling the weight of her words and then nodding. "Yeah, I do. A lot, actually." He turned to her, his gaze serious. "I know our lives are crazy, but I want this to work. I'll make it work. I don't want this—what we have—slipping away again."

She smiled, a bit of vulnerability showing through her usual confidence. "I think I want that too. As long as we're in it together."

He squeezed her hand. "Together, always."

They stayed like that, talking quietly through the night, exchanging dreams and fears, opening up in a way they never had before. 

It was only when dawn began to creep in through the windows, the rain had stopped sometime in the night, that they realized they'd spent the whole night talking and laughing.

Shubman stretched, glancing at the dim light filtering through the curtains. "I should probably let you get some sleep," he said, though he made no move to leave.

Ira tightened her grip on his hand. "Or... you could stay?" Her voice was tentative, almost shy.

His smile was instant. "I'd like that."

They shared one last, gentle kiss before they both settled back, finally letting sleep take them. In that quiet dawn, tangled together on her couch, they both knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they'd face them side by side.

soup rants!

- hello everyone!

- I hope you guys are having a great day so far, and I also hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

- they're so babies, i love them sm

- also comments on the chapter?

- what do you guys think will happen in the next chapter?

- i hope you guys liked this one!

- with lots of love, supraja 🫶