2024

Shubman slowly pulled away, his hands lingering on her waist as he gazed at her, as though still trying to process the words that had just passed between them. 

The tension in the room was still thick with emotions—years of silence, regret, and unspoken feelings had finally been brought to the surface. 

But even as the weight of it all hung in the air, there was a sense of relief too. 

They had crossed that bridge, and they had found a way to move forward.

Navya cleared her throat, wiping away the last of her own tears, as a small, knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips. 

"Alright, you've had your emotional moment," she said, her voice soft but teasing, trying to lighten the heavy mood just a little. 

"But you look like a mess, Shubman."

He chuckled, wiping his face with his hand, still overwhelmed by everything. "I know, I'm probably a disaster right now," he said with a rueful smile, his eyes still shining from the tears.

Navya raised an eyebrow, giving him a mock stern look. 

"Go wash your face, you're going to scare the whole crew with that red nose of yours."

He smirked, nodding gratefully. "Alright, alright, I'm going. No need to act like a mom now."

She smiled as he turned, heading toward the bathroom, his footsteps heavy but at least now filled with a sense of calm, a sense that he wasn't completely lost anymore.

As soon as he left the room, the stylists returned, bustling in with their usual energy, ready to get him back into his element. 

One of the stylists, a young woman with a clipboard in hand, took one look at the now-empty chair and said, "Where did he go? We're on a tight schedule!"

Navya chuckled softly to herself. "He just needs to wash up. He'll be fine. Go ahead and set up; he'll be back in a minute."

The team quickly began to rearrange the props and lighting for the shoot. The room had changed from tense and emotionally charged to buzzing with professional energy. 

Navya stayed back, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed as she watched everything unfold. 

She could hear the faint sound of water running in the bathroom as Shubman presumably splashed his face, trying to regain his composure. 

She smiled softly at the thought of him, already slipping back into his role, the cricketer that millions of fans admired.

Not long after, the door to the bathroom opened, and Shubman stepped out, his face fresh and his hair slightly damp. He was now in his element again—ready for the shoot. 

His linen t-shirt clung to his chest, and his beige jacket, with its sharp, modern cut, gave him a polished yet effortlessly cool appearance. 

The white pants completed the look, making him seem every bit the confident, successful man he had grown into.

He glanced at Navya as he walked back into the room, his eyes meeting hers with a softness that only she could see. 

She smiled, a warm, approving look, as she noticed how much more put-together he seemed. 

She could tell he was still processing their conversation, but now, he seemed to be carrying himself with a sense of clarity, a sense of peace.

"You look good," she said, her tone light but sincere. "Much better than you did five minutes ago."

Shubman grinned, running a hand through his freshly styled hair. "Thanks, I guess I should have listened to you earlier and washed up sooner."

Navya chuckled, her eyes softening. "I told you, didn't I? Now, go on, impress everyone out there." She motioned to the door where the crew was waiting, eager to begin.

Shubman paused for a moment before turning back to her. 

"Navya... thanks. For everything. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't forgiven me."

Her heart squeezed at the sincerity in his words. She stepped closer to him, placing a hand on his arm in reassurance. 

"We've got this, Shubman," she said quietly, her voice full of warmth. "You're not alone anymore."

He gave her a soft smile, his eyes filled with gratitude. "I know," he whispered.

With one last look exchanged, Shubman headed toward the door, ready to face the camera and the world. 

The team was waiting for him, and Navya knew that, even though the road ahead would still have its bumps, they had both taken the first steps toward healing, toward something new—together, or at least in a way that was no longer defined by years of silence and regret.

She stood there for a moment, watching him walk out. 

A quiet peace settled in her heart, knowing that whatever the future held, they would be alright.

soup rants!!!

the eighteenth chapter is here!
did we like it?
do comment your favorite part
what do you think will happen in the next chapter?
until then
yours lovingly,

soup <3