The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the golden sands of the beach. Thalia and Shubman had taken a break from their busy lives to enjoy a quiet afternoon together, far from the hustle of their usual schedules. 

Today was their day to recharge—no media, no public appearances, just the two of them enjoying each other's company.

Thalia had opted for a simple yet stunning look. She wore a white bikini top with delicate gold straps, paired with a flowy, cream-coloured sarong that draped effortlessly over her hips. The light, breathable fabric caught the breeze, fluttering as she walked beside Shubman. 

Her feet were bare, and her toenails were painted in a soft coral shade. She accessorized with a pair of oversized sunglasses from Gucci and a gold bracelet that shimmered in the sunlight, adding just the right touch of elegance. 

Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, but a few strands had escaped, falling softly around her face.

Shubman, on the other hand, looked every bit the handsome, casual athlete that he was. He wore a black tank top that showcased his toned arms, paired with olive-green cargo shorts from Zara. His feet were also bare, and he wore a stylish black cap to shield himself from the sun. 

His Ray-Ban aviators reflected the bright blue of the ocean, adding a cool vibe to his otherwise relaxed outfit. He was carrying a beach bag from Louis Vuitton, which was unusually large for a beach trip but served its purpose—holding everything from water bottles to sunscreen, and of course, a towel for later.

"Baby," Shubman called out, breaking Thalia's focus on the ocean waves. "You look absolutely stunning, as usual." His voice was smooth, the words like a soft caress.

Thalia turned to him, a playful glint in her eye. "I'm trying to be lowkey today, not a model," she said, but she couldn't help but smile as his eyes lingered on her.

He laughed, the sound deep and warm. "Don't act like you don't know you're killing it. Seriously, you look hot as hell. I might have to drag you back to the room for a few hours after this," he added, winking at her.

Thalia rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the blush creeping up her neck. "Shut up," she laughed, playfully shoving him in the shoulder. "You're ridiculous."

They reached the shoreline, where the waves crashed softly against the sand. Shubman stopped, taking a moment to look out at the vast ocean, the breeze tousling his hair.

"You know," he said, his tone shifting slightly, "I'm really glad we're doing this. Just the two of us. No distractions. Just us and the sea."

Thalia stepped closer, resting her hand on his arm. "I know what you mean. Sometimes, all the attention and the cameras just get too much, right?"

He sighed, looking down at her with a fond smile. "Yeah, but I wouldn't trade this life for anything. Not if I get to be with you." His eyes softened as he glanced at her. "You make everything feel better."

Thalia's heart melted, and she leaned up to kiss his cheek. "You're sweet," she whispered, her lips brushing his skin. "But don't get all mushy on me now, I'm trying to enjoy the day."

Shubman grinned mischievously. "You know you love it when I get mushy."

She raised an eyebrow. "I love you, but I won't admit that out loud."

He smirked, pulling her closer. "I think you just did."

The two of them laughed together, and without warning, Shubman grabbed her hand, leading her toward the water. "C'mon, let's get in the water before I turn into a lobster from all this sun."

Thalia hesitated, looking down at her feet in the wet sand. "You know I hate getting my hair wet. But fine," she said, trying to sound reluctant, even though she was smiling. "Just for you."

He looked at her, his eyes twinkling. "I'm not asking, babe. We're doing this."

With a playful shriek, she followed him as he pulled her toward the crashing waves. They waded into the cool water, the sea air mixing with the salty spray. Shubman grinned like a little boy, splashing water playfully at her.

"Shubman!" she yelled, laughing but also trying to dodge the water. "You are so dead when I get you back."

"I'm scared," he teased, grinning cheekily. "But come on, you can't hate this."

She couldn't deny it—she was having fun, even if she wasn't fully on board with getting soaked.

As they stood waist-deep in the water, Thalia suddenly splashed him back, and they began a playful water fight, laughing like they hadn't in a long time. It wasn't the kind of extravagant evening they were used to; it was simple, carefree, and full of joy.

After a few minutes, they both stopped, catching their breath. Shubman pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her waist. "You know," he said softly, "this is everything I need."

Thalia smiled up at him, her heart full. "Me too, baby. Me too."

They stayed there, letting the waves gently lap around them, not saying much more but enjoying the perfect stillness between them. 

The world outside of this beach, outside of their private moments, didn't matter. Just the two of them in the warmth of the sun, their laughter echoing over the sound of the ocean.

As the day went on, they eventually headed back to the shore, their clothes soaked but their spirits higher than ever. 

Thalia couldn't help but reflect on how lucky she was to have this kind of relationship. A bond so strong, so real, that even in the simplest moments, it felt like everything was falling perfectly into place.

"Best. Day. Ever," Shubman declared, squeezing her hand as they walked back to their towels.

Thalia grinned, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Agreed," she said. "Next time, though, I'm making you bring me to the spa afterward for a proper pampering."

"Anything for you, babe," he said with a grin, kissing the top of her head.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the water, Thalia and Shubman settled on their towels, still laughing and catching their breath from the playful water fight. 

The beach had started to quiet down, the late afternoon light reflecting off the calm ocean, adding a touch of magic to the serene atmosphere.

Shubman leaned back on his elbows, looking out at the horizon, his face soft and content. "I'm glad we did this," he said, glancing over at Thalia. "I feel like we don't get enough time like this. Just... us, no one else around."

Thalia nodded, pulling her knees up to her chest as she looked out at the water. "I know what you mean. It's nice to just forget about everything for a while. It feels like we're the only two people in the world right now."

He turned his head to look at her, his eyes softening as he noticed the peaceful expression on her face. "I could stay here with you forever," he murmured, his voice low, as if the thought itself was too perfect to say out loud.

Thalia chuckled lightly but didn't look away from the ocean. "Well, you know I'm not a beach bum," she teased, nudging him with her elbow. "I'm more of a luxury hotel, room service, kind of girl."

Shubman laughed, his hand reaching out to brush her hair back from her face. "I know, babe. And I love you for it. But for today, this was perfect."

She met his gaze, her eyes warm with affection. "You're right. It was perfect."

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, just enjoying the peace and quiet, the sound of the ocean waves mingling with the occasional call of seabirds overhead. 

It was rare for them to get such moments together, just the two of them without anyone else pulling at their attention.

Finally, after a while, Shubman broke the silence, his tone turning playful again. "So, what now? You want to go grab dinner? I'm starving."

Thalia glanced over at him, raising an eyebrow. "You mean you're hungry after all the food you ate at the hotel this morning? I swear, your stomach could outlast an entire test match."

Shubman smirked. "I could eat another full meal and still be hungry. You know how it is with me."

She shook her head, laughing softly. "Yeah, I know. You eat like a professional cricketer, always hungry."

"But I've got a special request tonight," he said, his voice lowering in a way that immediately caught her attention. "I want to take you somewhere really nice. Somewhere just for us. No distractions. You in?"

Thalia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You've got me curious now. Where are we going?"

"Just trust me. I've got a place in mind. I'll make sure it's the kind of dinner you won't forget," he said with a mischievous grin, standing up and holding out his hand to her.

Thalia took his hand, standing up with a little help from him, brushing the sand off her legs as she looked up at him. "You always know how to surprise me, don't you?" she said, a smile tugging at her lips.

He shrugged playfully, his smile widening. "I've got a lot of tricks up my sleeve, babe."

They packed up their things quickly, folding their towels and grabbing their bags. Thalia couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement at the prospect of what Shubman had planned for them next. 

Whatever it was, she knew it would be another moment they could keep to themselves—away from the cameras and the press, just the two of them sharing an experience.

As they walked back to their car, hand in hand, the evening air began to cool, and the first stars appeared in the sky. It felt like the perfect end to a perfect day.

"Let's make a deal," Shubman said as they reached the car. "Next time we come here, no matter how busy life gets, we'll make sure we get at least one day like today. Just for us."

Thalia smiled up at him. "You know that sounds like a plan. I'll hold you to it."

He opened the car door for her, and she slid inside, settling into the plush leather seats as he walked around to the driver's side. 

He got in and started the engine, and as they pulled away from the beach, Shubman looked over at Thalia, his eyes warm and full of affection.

"You're everything, you know that?" he said softly, his gaze never leaving her face.

Thalia smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest. "I'm glad I'm everything to you, because you're everything to me, too."

With that, they drove off into the evening, the city lights flashing in the distance, the sound of the engine humming beneath them, and the promise of another perfect night ahead.

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 crazy, and cute, i love them

- also comments on the chapter?

- I hope you guys liked this one!

- with lots of love, supraja 🫶