It was one of those rare days when Shubman had no cricket commitments, and Thalia had cleared her schedule at the university. The two decided to spend the day together, indulging in their favourite things.

Thalia stood by the full-length mirror in their bedroom, adjusting her outfit: a pastel pink sundress with delicate floral prints, cinched at the waist, and paired with white sneakers. 

Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she wore minimal makeup—a touch of mascara and a pink tint on her lips.

"Babe, do I look okay?" she asked, turning toward Shubman, who was leaning against the doorway.

He was dressed casually in a crisp white Polo shirt tucked into light-washed Levi's jeans, paired with Nike Air Jordans. His hair was effortlessly styled, and he wore his signature confident smile.

"You look more than okay," he said, walking toward her. "You look like a fucking dream." His hands slid around her waist as he kissed her temple.

She rolled her eyes playfully. "You always say that."

"And I always mean it," he replied, his tone dropping to a more serious note. "Especially after...you know."

She flushed, biting her lip as memories of their recent intimacy flooded her mind. "Shut up," she mumbled, playfully pushing him away.

Their first stop was a cozy café tucked away in a leafy part of town. It was a place Thalia had been dying to visit, known for its artisan coffee and dreamy desserts.

Seated at a corner table, Shubman sipped his flat white while Thalia dug into a plate of waffles topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

"You're such a sweet tooth," he teased, watching her with amusement.

"And you're such a caffeine addict," she shot back, pointing at his empty coffee cup.

"I need it to keep up with you," he said with a smirk, leaning back in his chair.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you trying to say I'm exhausting?"

He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto hers. "No, I'm saying you're fucking exhilarating."

Her cheeks flushed again, but this time she didn't look away. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he said, his tone teasing but his eyes soft.

After lunch at the café, they drove to a secluded beach. The sun was warm but not harsh, and the waves lapped gently against the shore.

Thalia slipped off her sneakers and walked barefoot along the sand, her dress fluttering in the breeze. 

Shubman followed, carrying their shoes in one hand while reaching for her hand with the other.

"You've been quiet," he said after a while, watching her as she stared out at the ocean.

"I've just been thinking," she admitted.

"About what?"

"About how happy I am," she said, turning to look at him. "With you, with us."

His grip on her hand tightened. "You don't know how much that means to me, Thalia. Every day, I wake up and think, 'How the fuck did I get this lucky?'"

She laughed softly. "You and your swearing."

"You love that too," he said with a cheeky grin, pulling her closer.

"Sometimes," she admitted, wrapping her arms around his waist. "But seriously, Shub, I love you. More than I've ever loved anything or anyone."

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "I love you too, Thalia. More than I can put into words."

The moment stretched, the sound of the waves filling the silence between them. Then, unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed her—a slow, deep kiss that seemed to capture everything they felt for each other.

As they drove back home, Thalia rested her head against the window, a content smile playing on her lips.

"You're awfully quiet again," Shubman said, glancing at her.

"Just tired," she said. "But a good kind of tired."

He reached over, placing a hand on her knee. "I hope today lived up to your expectations."

"It was perfect," she said, placing her hand over his. "Thank you, Shub."

"For what?"

"For loving me the way you do," she said softly.

He smiled, his eyes briefly meeting hers before returning to the road. "Always, jaan. Always."

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 are so cuteee

- also comments on the chapter?

- I hope you guys liked this one!

- with lots of love, supraja 🫶