The next day, the cricket ground buzzed with anticipation as the team gathered for practice, their minds already focused on the upcoming test series against England. Shubman Gill stood among his teammates, his heart pounding with excitement at the prospect of representing his country once again.

As they gathered around their coach, Rahul Dravid, the legendary cricketer's authoritative voice cut through the air, commanding their attention. "Alright, boys," he began, his tone serious yet tinged with a hint of excitement, "we have a big challenge ahead of us."

He went on to outline the details of the upcoming test series, his words painting a vivid picture of the battles that lay ahead. "We'll be facing England in a five-match series," he explained, "with each test taking place in a different city."

The team listened intently as Rahul listed off the venues they would be travelling to: Hyderabad, Vizag, Ranchi, Rajkot, and Dharmasala. Each location posed its own unique challenges but also offered the opportunity for glory on the cricketing battlefield.

As Rahul continued to speak, he announced the lineup for the series, detailing the players who would be representing their country on the field. "Rohit Sharma will lead the team as captain," he announced, "with Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rajat Patidar forming our batting lineup."

The mention of his name sent a surge of pride through Shubman, his determination to perform at his best burning even brighter. He glanced around at his teammates, feeling a sense of camaraderie and solidarity as they prepared to face their opponents head-on.

Rahul went on to list the rest of the squad, including the players who would be stepping in to fill the shoes of those who were unavailable. 

"Sarfaraz Khan and Saurabh Kumar will be joining us to replace KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja," he announced, his voice carrying a note of confidence in their abilities.

Later in the evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky turned a dusky shade of pink, Shubman found himself sitting across from Nila, their fingers intertwined as they shared a quiet moment together.

With a heavy heart, he broached the topic of the upcoming test series, knowing it would mean time apart from the woman he loved. "Nila," he began, his voice tinged with apprehension, "I need to tell you something."

Nila looked up from her book, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of curiosity and concern. 

"What is it, Shubman?" she asked, her voice soft yet filled with anticipation.

Taking a deep breath, Shubman explained the details of the test series against England, the venues they would be travelling to, and the lineup for the matches. 

He tried to sound confident, but beneath the surface, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease at the thought of being away from Nila for so long.

As he finished speaking, a heavy silence settled over them, broken only by the sound of their breathing mingling in the stillness of the room. Then, Nila spoke her voice barely above a whisper yet filled with emotion.

"You'll come back, right?" she asked, her eyes searching his face for reassurance.

Shubman hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the intensity of her question. "Of course, Nila," he replied, his voice gentle yet filled with conviction. 

"I'm just going for a match series, like usual. You've seen me go to matches, away from you, and you never asked me this."

Nila's expression softened at his words, though a hint of doubt lingered in her eyes. "Answer my question, Shubman," she pressed, her voice steady yet tinged with vulnerability.

A surge of emotion welled up inside Shubman as he reached out to cup her cheek tenderly, his thumb brushing away a stray tear that had escaped her eye. 

"Yes, baby," he whispered, his voice filled with unwavering certainty, "I'll be back before you know it, along with the trophy and the medal."

Their eyes locked in a silent exchange, a silent understanding passing between them like a silent vow. No matter the distance or the challenges they faced, their love would always remain steadfast, a beacon of light guiding them back to each other's arms.

And as they leaned in to share a tender kiss, they both knew that no matter what the future held, they would face it together, united in their love and their unwavering belief in each other.

Nila's lips trembled as she returned Shubman's kiss, the warmth of his touch anchoring her amidst the swirling emotions. When they pulled back, she rested her forehead against his, her breath mingling with his in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

"Promise me you'll stay safe," Nila whispered, her voice barely audible. "I know it's just a series, but I can't help but worry."

Shubman smiled gently, his fingers threading through her hair in a soothing gesture. "I promise, Nila. I'll stay safe, and I'll be thinking of you the whole time."

She nodded, taking comfort in his words as she held onto him a little tighter. "You better," she said with a weak laugh, trying to lighten the mood despite the heaviness in her heart.

They spent the rest of the evening together, talking about everything and nothing, savouring each other's presence. Shubman recounted amusing anecdotes from previous tours, and Nila shared her plans for the time he'd be away, promising to keep herself busy with work and hobbies.

As the night wore on, they found themselves wrapped in each other's arms on the couch, the glow of the TV casting a soft light around them. Nila's head rested on Shubman's shoulder, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest.

"Do you ever get scared?" Nila asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. "About the matches, the pressure, everything?"

Shubman thought for a moment before answering. "Sometimes," he admitted, his voice thoughtful. "There's always pressure to perform, to meet expectations. But knowing you're here, supporting me, it makes it all easier to handle."

Nila looked up at him, her eyes shining with admiration. "You're so strong, Shubman. I don't think I tell you that enough."

He chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Your support makes me stronger, Nila. We're a team, remember?"

She smiled at that, her heart swelling with love and pride. "Yeah, we are," she agreed softly.

Eventually, the time came for Nila to leave. As she gathered her things, Shubman walked her to the door, their hands still clasped together. The cool night air brushed against their skin as they stepped outside, the stars twinkling overhead like distant promises.

"Call me when you get home," Shubman said, his voice tender yet firm.

"I will," Nila replied, standing on her tiptoes to press a final kiss to his lips. "And you call me every chance you get, okay?"

"Okay," he agreed, his heart aching with the impending separation. "I love you, Nila."

"I love you too, Shubman," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "More than anything."

With one last lingering look, they parted ways, Nila's silhouette disappearing into the night as Shubman watched her go, his heart heavy yet filled with a resolute determination. 

No matter the distance, no matter the challenges, their love would see them through. And as he closed the door behind him, he knew that he would carry the warmth of her love with him, a guiding light through the trials and triumphs that lay ahead.

As Shubman closed the door behind him, the weight of the upcoming series and the separation from Nila settled over him like a heavy cloak. He leaned against the door for a moment, his thoughts swirling in the quiet of the room.

"Alright, Shubman," he muttered to himself, pushing off from the door and heading towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water. "It's just another series. You've done this a hundred times."

He took a sip of water, the cool liquid calming his nerves slightly. "You've got this. Focus on the game, play your best, and bring home that trophy," he continued his voice a low murmur in the empty apartment.

His mind drifted back to Nila, to the worry in her eyes and the way she had clung to him a little tighter than usual. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the counter.

"It's different this time, isn't it?" he said quietly, the realization dawning on him. "Things are getting serious, and it's not just about the matches anymore. It's about us, about our future."

He straightened up, setting the glass down with a determined clink. "I need to stay focused. For Nila, for the team, for myself. I've got responsibilities, and I can't let anyone down."

As he walked towards the bedroom, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered at the edges of his mind. "Stay safe," she had said. It was a simple request, but it carried the weight of her fears and her love.

He sank onto the edge of the bed, his thoughts a whirlwind of strategies and emotions. "Dravid believes in us. The team is strong, and we've trained hard for this. We can do it."

Taking a deep breath, Shubman lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "And Nila... I'll come back to you. Just like I promised."

He closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion of the day wash over him. "One day at a time," he told himself, his voice barely a whisper in the darkness. "One match at a time."

As sleep began to claim him, his last thoughts were of Nila's smile and the warmth of her embrace, a comforting reminder of what he was fighting for. No matter the challenges ahead, he knew he had her love to carry him through.

In the middle of the night, Shubman stirred, waking abruptly from a restless sleep. The room was cloaked in darkness, the only light coming from the faint glow of the streetlights outside filtering through the curtains. He lay there for a moment, his heart racing and his mind still tangled in the remnants of a dream.

Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the upcoming series and his conversation with Nila still pressing heavily on his mind. He reached for his phone on the nightstand, the screen illuminating the room as he checked the time—3:14 AM.

"Damn," he muttered to himself, scrolling through his notifications. His eyes landed on a missed call from Nila, and his heart skipped a beat. She had called just after he fell asleep.

Without hesitation, he dialled her number, hoping she would answer despite the late hour. The phone rang once, twice, and then he heard her voice, groggy yet tinged with concern.

"Shubman? Is everything okay?" Nila asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, everything's fine," he reassured her, his voice soft. "I saw your missed call and wanted to check-in. I couldn't sleep."

Nila let out a small sigh of relief. "I was just thinking about you," she admitted, her voice warming. "I wanted to hear your voice before I went to bed, but I didn't want to wake you."

Shubman smiled, feeling a rush of affection for her. "I'm glad you called. I needed to hear your voice too."

There was a brief silence, filled with the comforting sounds of their breathing. "Are you nervous about the series?" Nila asked, her voice gentle.

"A little," he admitted, leaning back against the headboard. "It's a big deal, and I want to make sure I give it my all. But mostly, I just keep thinking about being away from you."

"I'll be right here waiting for you," Nila said softly. "You focus on your game, and I'll be cheering you on from here."

Her words wrapped around him like a warm blanket, easing the tension that had kept him awake. "Thank you, Nila. You don't know how much that means to me."

"I think I do," she replied with a soft laugh. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself, okay?"

"I promise," Shubman said, his voice filled with determination. "And I'll bring back that trophy for you."

Nila chuckled, the sound like music to his ears. "I'll hold you to that."

They talked for a while longer, their conversation filled with sweet reassurances and shared dreams. As the night wore on, Shubman felt the tension slowly ebb away, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

Eventually, Nila's voice grew drowsy, and Shubman knew it was time to let her go. "Get some sleep, Nila," he said gently. "We'll talk more tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Shubman," she whispered. "I love you."

"I love you too," he replied, his heart swelling with emotion.

As he ended the call and set his phone aside, Shubman lay back down, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't felt earlier. With Nila's love and support, he knew he could face any challenge that came his way.

As Shubman lay in bed, his mind restless despite the hour, he decided to distract himself by scrolling through the photos on his phone. His fingers tapped lightly on the screen as he navigated to the album filled with memories of him and Nila.

The first photo that greeted him was one of them kissing, taken during a quiet moment they had shared by the beach. His heart skipped a beat at the sight, a rush of warmth spreading through him as he recalled the tender embrace and the taste of her lips against his.

"God, I miss her," he murmured softly to himself, his thumb brushing over the image as if to capture the sensation all over again. "Just a few hours apart and already..."

He scrolled further, finding a picture of Nila standing alone, holding a colourful umbrella on a rainy day. Her smile was bright despite the weather, and Shubman couldn't help but smile in return.

"You always bring sunshine, don't you?" he whispered, his voice tinged with fondness as he traced the outline of her silhouette on the screen.

Next was a photo of Nila at his cousin's wedding, her hair swept up elegantly and her eyes sparkling with happiness. He remembered how proud he had felt to introduce her to his family, and how seamlessly she had fit into his world.

"You looked stunning that day," he murmured, his gaze lingering on her image. "Everyone loved you."

As he continued scrolling, he came across a candid shot of Nila browsing through books at a bookstore they had stumbled upon during one of their adventures. Her expression was one of pure joy and curiosity, her fingers trailing along the spines as she lost herself in the world of words.

"You have such a thirst for knowledge," he remarked softly, a smile playing on his lips. "Always exploring, always learning."

The photos brought a flood of memories rushing back, each one a testament to the depth of their connection and the love they shared. And as he scrolled through, he couldn't help but marvel at how lucky he was to have Nila in his life.

Closing his eyes, he held onto the warmth of those memories, finding comfort in the certainty that no matter the distance or the challenges they faced, their love would endure. 

And as sleep finally began to claim him once more, he whispered a silent promise to himself and to Nila: "I'll come back to you, Nila. Always."

soups rants!!

the seventh chapter has arrived!

this chapter was so emotional for me man

i love them sm

so do comment on how this chapter was

but anyway

hope y'all enjoyed it!

- yours truly, supraja