Shubman sat in the back seat with his arms crossed, pouting as he watched his sister and girlfriend chatting away in the front seat.

He had thought bringing Pashmina to his hometown would mean introducing her to his parents and showing her around the city. But his sister had other plans. As soon as they entered the house, she whisked Pashmina away, leaving him no chance to protest. They had arrived in the morning, met his parents, and had lunch together. But when it was time to go out, his sister suggested that she take Pashmina out while he stayed home.

Shubman had fumed when his sister announced her plans, irritation bubbling over. "I brought her here to spend time with her, not for you to hijack the whole trip!" he argued, his voice sharp.

But one argument later, everything fell apart. Shahneel had crossed her arms, smirking triumphantly. "You've had enough time with her. Now it's my turn to bond with my future sister-in-law."

The word sister-in-law made Pashmina blush, her cheeks turning a soft pink. Shubman noticed, and before he could respond, Pashmina gave him a quick, reassuring blink, as if silently telling him to let Shahneel have this one.

That tiny gesture was all it took to disarm him completely. His frustration crumbled like sand under a wave. How could he ever say no to Pashmina when she looked at him like that? Letting out a resigned sigh, he threw up his hands in defeat.

"Fine, fine. Go ahead," he mumbled, stepping aside. But as Shahneel and Pashmina walked out together, he muttered under his breath, "I'm definitely stealing her back later."

Shubman sighed loudly, hoping to catch their attention, but neither his sister nor Pashmina even turned back. Frustrated, he scoffed and turned his gaze outside the window, resigning himself to the situation.

That's when he saw it-a car next to theirs, with a baby barely a year old in the back seat. The little one was staring straight at him, chubby hands fumbling to stuff something into his mouth.

Shubman's annoyance melted away instantly, replaced by a soft smile. The baby's wide, curious eyes and messy attempts at eating were oddly comforting, and he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Maybe this ride wouldn't be so bad after all.

Shubman couldn't resist. He started making silly faces at the baby-puffing his cheeks, crossing his eyes, and scrunching up his nose.

The baby's reaction was immediate. He let out a muffled giggle, his chubby hands still stuffed in his mouth, and began bouncing excitedly in his car seat. His tiny legs kicked with delight, and his laughter was so infectious that Shubman found himself laughing along.

For a moment, all his frustration melted away as he continued his little game. Each new face he made earned another round of giggles, and the baby's joyful energy lifted his spirits. He couldn't help but think that this unexpected interaction was the best thing to happen all day.

Shubman leaned in closer to the window, his face lighting up with a grin as he pulled another goofy expression. The baby's giggles grew louder, his hands still desperately trying to shove whatever they could into his mouth.

Shubman giggled softly as he watched the baby's cheerful face, his eyes sparkling with innocent joy. The little one's grin was contagious, and Shubman couldn't help but feel lighter. Just as he was about to shift his gaze back to the front of the car, the signal turned green, and the car beside them suddenly zoomed off.

Startled, Shubman blinked, watching the car speed away with the baby still visible in the backseat for a split second before it disappeared down the street. He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, like the brief, cheerful connection had vanished as quickly as it came.

"Guess that's that," he muttered, turning his attention back to Pashmina and Shahneel. But the smile on his face lingered, the baby's giggles still echoing in his mind, leaving a warmth that wasn't so easily shaken off.

Shubman rolled his eyes, snapping out of his thoughts as his attention drifted back to the front of the car. The lively chatter between Pashmina and Shahneel filled the space, their voices overlapping as they discussed everything from favorite foods to childhood memories.

He slouched back into his seat, trying not to let the constant yapping irritate him. But it was hard to stay annoyed for long when Pashmina laughed at something Shahneel said, her laugh ringing out like music.

Still, he couldn't resist muttering under his breath, "They could at least pretend I exist back here."

Of course, neither of them heard him. They were far too engrossed in their conversation, leaving Shubman to stew quietly in his backseat solitude.

After a long day of being ignored and left to his own devices while the two explored the city, they were finally back home for dinner. As Shubman walked into the dining room, his mood instantly shifted. The table was laden with dishes, and right in the center were Pashmina's favorites and, more importantly, his favorite foods.

His eyes lit up as he took in the spread, the aroma of the meal immediately lifting his spirits. For a moment, all the frustration of the day melted away. He bit his lip to keep from grinning too widely, but the smile broke through anyway.

Shubman's eyes narrowed as he noticed Shahneel pulling out a chair, clearly about to sit next to Pashmina. Not this time, he thought, determined not to be sidelined again.

Before Shahneel could settle in, Shubman was quick to act. In one swift move, he slid into the chair right between them, flashing a smug grin at his sister.

"Looks like this spot's taken," he said casually, grabbing his plate as if nothing had happened.

Shahneel raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Really, Shubman? Acting like a kid now?"

Pashmina giggled, covering her mouth with her hand, clearly amused by the playful sibling rivalry. Shubman just shrugged, leaning slightly closer to Pashmina and shooting Shahneel a victorious look.

"You had her all day," he said. "Now it's my turn."

Shahneel rolled her eyes but didn't push it, instead choosing the chair across the table. Shubman, satisfied with his little victory, turned his attention to Pashmina, who was still smiling at his antics.

Shubman leaned in and gave Pashmina a quick peck on the nose, catching her completely off guard. Her cheeks flushed a deep pink as she glanced at him, wide-eyed for a moment, before quickly turning her attention to the food in front of her, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Shahneel let out an exaggerated groan from across the table. "Ugh, get a room, you two."

Shubman smirked, clearly pleased with himself, and casually started serving himself dinner. "Jealous much?" he teased, earning an eye roll from his sister.

Pashmina, still blushing, quietly nudged Shubman under the table with her foot, but the small smile playing on her lips betrayed her amusement. Despite the teasing and the earlier drama, dinner was starting to feel like the perfect ending to the day.

After a satisfying meal, Shubman and Pashmina received their goodnight kisses from Mumma Gill, who made sure to shower her future daughter-in-law with all the love and care she could. She was determined to make Pashmina feel at home, as if she were already part of the family.

Papa Gill stood behind, a soft smile on his face as he watched the scene unfold. There was a quiet sense of approval in his expression, as though he was content with how everything was going. The night felt calm, and Shubman couldn't help but appreciate the love and warmth that surrounded them all.

It was midnight, and Shubman held Pashmina in his arms, cuddling her tightly. After a whole day of feeling ignored, he finally had her close, savoring the quiet moment with her.

As they lay there in the quiet of the night, Shubman could feel the warmth of Pashmina's body against his, her soft breaths calming him. He gently tightened his hold, his cheek resting against her hair as he inhaled the soft scent of her perfume. The events of the day felt like they were miles away now, replaced by the peaceful silence that surrounded them. Pashmina, sensing the change in his mood, nestled closer, her fingers tracing small circles on his arm.

"You're being extra clingy tonight," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shubman chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Can you blame me? After being ignored all day, I'm making up for lost time."

Pashmina smiled, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his arm. "I'm not going anywhere," she whispered. "You've got me now."

He grinned, his heart light. "Good. Because I don't plan on letting go."

"But after this trip, you'll have to let me go," Pashmina said with a smile, looking up at him. "Paaji's been going crazy wanting time with his Mina."

Shubman's smile faltered, and he pouted, clearly not thrilled about the idea. "You're leaving me already?" he muttered, his voice tinged with a playful hint of disappointment.

Pashmina chuckled, brushing her hand over his cheek. "It's not forever," she reassured him. "Just a little while, so Paaji can have his turn."

Shubman's pout deepened, but he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "I guess I'll have to share you... but only because it's Paaji."

Pashmina laughed softly, resting her head against his chest. "You know you'll always be my favorite."

"Hehe, that's how it should be," Shubman said with a smile, his mood lightening as he wrapped his arms around her.

Both of them took deep breaths, sharing a moment of silence. Then, Pashmina broke the quiet, her voice soft but curious. "What do you think about kids?" she asked, looking up at him.

He chuckled and shrugged. "We're still kids ourselves," he said with a grin. "I haven't really thought about it yet."

Pashmina smiled, her eyes softening. "I guess you're right. But it's something to think about, someday."

Shubman teased, "I agree, but I do think about the process of it, as of now."

Pashmina blushed, trying to control her reaction. "You're really a pervert, aren't you?" she replied, her voice a mix of amusement and slight embarrassment.

Shubman grinned, enjoying her reaction. "What? I'm just being honest," he teased, leaning a little closer. "You're the one who brought it up."

Pashmina rolled her eyes, still blushing, but she couldn't suppress a small laugh. "You always know how to make everything sound... inappropriate."

Shubman raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Inappropriate? I'm just being realistic. You can't blame me for thinking ahead."

"Thinking ahead should be about the future, not... these perverted things," Pashmina said, narrowing her eyes at him.

Shubman raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin still wide. "Hey, I was just trying to be honest!"

Pashmina shook her head, her cheeks still a little pink. "You’re impossible, Shubman," she muttered, but there was a hint of laughter in her voice.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop if it makes you uncomfortable," Shubman said, his tone shifting to sincerity. He looked at Pashmina with a soft, serious expression. "I won't do anything that makes you feel uneasy, and I definitely don't want to do anything that could harm my life."

"Harm your life?" Pashmina asked, confused by his choice of words. She raised an eyebrow, trying to understand what he meant.

"You know who your paaji is?" Shubman said with a scared smile, his eyes wide as he half-joked, half-warned. "I'd be in serious trouble if I did anything to upset you."

Pashmina chuckled at his sudden shift in tone, her earlier confusion melting away. "Paaji isn't that scary," she teased, though she could see the hint of concern in his expression.

Shubman groaned dramatically. "Oh, believe me, he is! The anger on the field-I mean, who knows what he's like off the field?"

Pashmina chuckled, shaking her head. "I know who he is. The sweetest and absolute goofball. But yeah, the scary side definitely comes out when he's being the protective brother. So, yeah, you better be careful."

Shubman raised an eyebrow, looking half-serious, half-amused. "I'll keep that in mind. Last thing I need is to end up in a wrestling match with your paaji."

Pashmina smiled, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Don't worry, Shubman. If you're good to me, he'll be good to you."

Shubman let out a relieved sigh. "I'll do my best. I think I'll start by being extra nice to him from now on."

Pashmina laughed. "That's probably a good idea."

Shubman laughed softly as he glanced at the clock and realized how late it was. Turning to Pashmina, he noticed her sleepy eyes, though she was still trying her best to stay awake, clearly wanting to give him some time.

"Now, now," Shubman said, tapping Pashmina's nose gently. "Sleep, you little baby. Because right now, handling you, my little baby, should be my first priority. We've had a long flight and a busy day."

"No, I want to talk to you more," Pashmina said, pouting slightly, though a big yawn slipped from her mouth as she spoke.

Shubman chuckled at the sight, amused by her determination despite her tiredness. "Look at you," he teased. "You were just talking about babies, and now you're acting like one. Do you really think you can handle one?"

Pashmina groaned, her eyes half-lidded, but she shot him a playful glare. "I can handle anything," she muttered, trying to sound convincing despite the sleepiness in her voice.

Shubman raised an eyebrow, smiling mischievously. "Really? Because right now, it looks like you can't even handle staying awake."

She stuck out her tongue at him, the playful banter still making her smile even though she was clearly fading. "I'm just... trying to be a good girlfriend and spend time with you."

Shubman laughed softly, brushing her hair back. "And I appreciate it. But right now, your bed is your best friend. Let's talk tomorrow when you're actually awake."

Pashmina sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "Fine, fine. But I still think I could handle a baby... eventually."

Shubman grinned, pulling her closer. "We'll see about that when the time comes."

Pashmina mumbled something that sounded like "Good night" before finally letting herself drift into a peaceful sleep, her worries and thoughts about babies forgotten for the moment.

Shubman smiled softly, placing a gentle kiss on Pashmina's forehead before closing his eyes. As soon as he did, the word "baby" echoed in his mind, and the image of the little one from earlier that morning flashed before his eyes. He imagined a baby of their own, one they'd create together with love.

The thought made his heart swell. He pictured their child-maybe with Pashmina's eyes and his smile, or a combination of both. A little one who would grow up in a home filled with laughter, care, and warmth. He imagined himself holding their child in his arms, just as he was holding Pashmina now.

The peaceful feeling lingered as he let the thought settle in his mind. It felt right. It felt like something he could look forward to, maybe not now, but someday. For now, though, he was content with the present moment, holding Pashmina close as they both drifted off into a peaceful sleep.