2024

The car rolled to a stop outside her luxurious flat, the soft hum of the engine the only sound in the stillness of the night. 

Shubman cut the engine and turned to look at Navya, her face softly illuminated by the dim streetlights. 

It was already 2 AM, and the city around them was quiet, the streets empty save for the occasional car passing by.

Shubman stared at her for a moment, his hand still resting on the gear shift. He wasn't sure if he wanted to leave yet. 

It felt too soon, like they were just starting to reconnect after all these years. And though he knew she'd be fine on her own, the thought of leaving her felt... wrong.

Navya, sensing his hesitation, glanced over at him. Her expression was soft, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. 

She was still wearing the same clothes from earlier, her hair a little messy from their time together, but it only made her look more beautiful in his eyes.

"You don't have to go yet, Shubman," she said, her voice low but warm. She gave him a small, almost shy smile. 

"It's already so late. You could stay, if you want to."

Shubman's heart skipped a beat. The idea of staying, of just being with her a little longer, sounded too perfect to resist. 

And yet, a small part of him hesitated, unsure if he was crossing a line. They had spent so much time apart—was he pushing things too fast?

But when he looked at her, the look in her eyes made everything feel right. There was no uncertainty there, no doubt. 

She wanted him there, wanted to share this space with him, even if it was just for a few hours. And who was he to refuse that?

"I—yeah," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'd like that."

Navya's smile widened at his response, and she quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, swinging open the car door. 

Shubman followed her lead, stepping out of the car and walking around to open her door, his hand instinctively reaching for hers as she stepped out.

The walk to her apartment was quiet, the air cool against their skin as they made their way up the steps. 

When they reached the door, Navya fumbled for her keys in her bag, and Shubman stood there, watching her. 

He couldn't help but notice how natural everything felt with her again—how easy it was to fall back into the rhythm of being together, just like they had when they were younger.

When the door finally opened, Navya stepped inside, holding it open for him. 

"Make yourself comfortable," she said, her voice soft, almost shy now that they were inside the privacy of her home.

Shubman stepped inside, his eyes scanning the space. It was everything he expected—stylish, modern, and a reflection of her personality. 

He glanced around for a moment, but his eyes found their way back to her as if he couldn't look at anything else.

"I didn't expect this," he said, a small laugh escaping his lips. "You're living the high life now, huh?"

Navya rolled her eyes playfully. "It's not that fancy. But it's home, I guess." She motioned toward the couch. 

"Make yourself at home. You want anything to drink? I have water, tea, wine..."

"Water's fine," he replied, moving toward the couch. He sat down, his legs stretched out in front of him, but his eyes never left her. 

He was nervous, but in a way that felt good—like things were slowly starting to feel right again.

Navya disappeared into the kitchen for a moment, and Shubman let out a long breath. He was still processing everything that had happened tonight. 

The laughter, the teasing, the closeness—it had all been so natural, so right. 

But now, alone in her apartment, it felt different. This was real, not just some dream. 

They were back together in a way he hadn't dared hope for, and he wasn't going to let that slip away.

When she returned with a glass of water for him, she sat next to him on the couch, her body leaning slightly into his. 

He could feel the warmth of her beside him, her scent still lingering in his mind. 

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, both just enjoying the presence of the other.

"Shubman..." Navya began after a while, her voice barely above a whisper as if she was afraid of breaking the peace. 

"I know it's... a lot, but I really want you to stay. If you're comfortable with it, of course."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, and Shubman's heart skipped a beat. It was as if she had read his mind—like she knew exactly what he was thinking. 

And despite the history, the distance between them, there was only one answer he could give.

"I want to stay," he said, his voice steady now. "I want to be here... with you."

Her eyes softened, and she leaned in just a little closer, her hand brushing against his. For the first time in years, he felt like he had a place where he truly belonged.

As the night stretched on, they stayed there, side by side, not needing words to fill the silence. He wasn't sure what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, he was willing to take whatever came next—together with her.

The soft glow of the evening settled around them as Shubman and Navya sat together on the couch, the quiet comfort of the moment surrounding them. 

After a few moments of silence, Shubman shifted slightly, his gaze never leaving Navya. He had been thinking about it all night, and he couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Navya," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. She looked up at him, her eyes gentle, waiting for him to continue. 

"There's a match next week, a big one. I'm playing, and I'd really like it if you came."

She blinked in surprise, her lips curling into a small smile as she processed what he was saying. "A match? You want me to come watch you play?"

Shubman nodded, his fingers brushing against hers. 

"Yeah. It's been a while since we've had a chance to... you know, be together like this. I want you there. I want you to see me play, maybe even cheer for me like we used to when we were kids."

Navya's heart skipped a beat at the thought. The idea of watching him play again, of seeing him in his element, was something she had never even considered. 

She had always admired his passion for the game from a distance, but this... this felt different.

"Of course, I'll come," she replied, her voice steady, but with an underlying emotion she couldn't hide. 

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Shubman."

His face softened, a look of genuine gratitude crossing his features. He didn't say anything for a moment, simply looking at her like she was the most important thing in his world. 

And in that moment, he realized she was. She had always been.

"I'm glad," he said, his voice low and full of meaning. "I've missed you, Navya. More than I can even say."

She smiled, her fingers lightly tracing the back of his hand, her eyes searching his for any hint of doubt. 

But there was none. He was sure, and that made her heart swell. "I've missed you too," she replied softly, her voice thick with the weight of unspoken feelings.

He leaned in slightly, his forehead almost touching hers. "Promise me something," he said, his voice barely audible now, filled with vulnerability. 

"Promise me you'll be there, cheering me on... no matter what."

"I promise," she whispered, her lips brushing against his, but not quite touching.

There was a silence that fell between them, comfortable but charged with the emotions they had been holding back for so long. 

He pulled back just enough to look at her, and the rawness of his gaze almost took her breath away.

"I'll need you there, Navya. It won't be the same without you."

A small chuckle escaped her lips at his intensity, but there was something in his tone that made her realize just how much this meant to him. 

And to her too, in ways she hadn't fully allowed herself to admit until now.

"Then I'll be there. I wouldn't miss seeing you shine for anything," she said, her voice thick with the promise of everything that had been left unsaid between them.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. They simply held each other's gaze, the past, present, and future swirling around them in a mix of nostalgia and hope.

The air between them was thick with everything they'd experienced, everything they were about to experience together.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Shubman spoke again. "I can't wait to see you there, Navya."

She smiled, her eyes filled with affection as she squeezed his hand. "I'll be cheering for you, always."

soup rants!!!

the twenty-second 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