One evening, a few weeks after their last adventure in the garden, Shubman had something planned. It was a quiet day, with no major matches or public events. 

The house was calm, the only sounds coming from the gentle hum of the air conditioning and the faint rustling of leaves outside. 

Thalia was curled up on the couch, lost in a book when Shubman slipped into the room, his steps barely making a sound.

He had been planning this surprise for a while, and it was something he knew would leave her speechless. He couldn't wait to see her reaction. 

The only clue he had dropped earlier that morning was a single text: 

Pack your bags, love. We're going on an adventure.

Thalia looked up from her book and saw him holding a small envelope in his hand, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"What's this?" she asked, setting the book down on the coffee table, her curiosity piqued.

Shubman didn't say a word at first, just handed her the envelope with a wink. "Open it, baby," he said softly.

Thalia tore it open, her eyes widening when she saw what was inside. Two tickets to New York City, for an entire week. The destination was printed clearly on the front, along with the dates. She blinked in disbelief.

"New York?" she whispered, looking up at him in shock. "You're taking me to New York?!"

Shubman grinned widely, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yep, I thought it's time we had a little getaway. Just the two of us. No cricket, no distractions—just us and the city that never sleeps."

Thalia stood up quickly, almost dropping the tickets in her excitement. "Oh my God, I can't believe this! I've always wanted to go!" 

She threw her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug, not caring that he still had a few drops of water from earlier on his shirt.

"I figured we deserve some time off," Shubman said, his voice low and warm as he wrapped his arms around her. 

"I've been dying to see you experience the city with me. I know how much you love the idea of it."

Thalia pulled back slightly, still grinning from ear to ear. "But... how did you even— I mean, how long have you been planning this? You're unbelievable." Her voice was filled with genuine awe as she gazed up at him.

Shubman shrugged with a mischievous grin. "I have my ways, babe. All I know is, we need to be there. So pack your bags, alright? We leave tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night?" Thalia exclaimed, still in shock. 

"Shubman, you are out of your mind. But also... I love you so much right now." She couldn't help but kiss him fiercely on the lips.

Shubman laughed into the kiss, his arms tightening around her waist. "I'm glad you're happy, baby," he whispered against her lips. 

"But we've got a lot to do before we leave. You better start packing, because we're going in style."

Thalia stepped back, suddenly more animated than ever. "Packing? You mean I get to go on a shopping spree in New York, right? You can't take me there and not let me indulge a little," she teased with a raised eyebrow, her playful smile making her look even more radiant.

Shubman rolled his eyes with an exaggerated sigh. "You're impossible, you know that?" he said, shaking his head in mock disbelief. 

"But yeah, of course, we'll shop. You're going to look stunning in the city."

Thalia's face softened. "I can't believe you're doing this for me. I feel like the luckiest girl alive."

Shubman smiled a warm, genuine smile that reached his eyes. 

"You are. And I'm the luckiest guy. Now, let's get you ready for NYC, yeah? We have a lot of fun ahead of us."

Thalia shook her head in disbelief, still holding the tickets in her hand as if they were a dream. "I love you so much, Shubman. I swear, you're going to spoil me rotten with all these surprises."

"Well, you deserve it," he said, kissing her forehead softly. "I'll make sure to spoil you every chance I get."

They spent the rest of the evening preparing for the trip. Shubman was eager to see New York through Thalia's eyes, and Thalia could hardly believe her good fortune. 

The anticipation of the adventure ahead, coupled with the love they shared, filled her with excitement.

As the night wore on, they sat down together to plan their activities in New York. "First stop, Times Square?" Shubman suggested, looking over at Thalia as she scrolled through travel guides on her phone.

"Absolutely," she agreed, her eyes sparkling. "And then we're going to have breakfast at Tiffany's, right?"

"Whatever you want, babe," Shubman said with a grin, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "This trip is all about you."

Thalia laughed, playfully pushing him away. "You're such a sap," she teased. "But I love it. I love you."

Shubman pulled her into his arms again, holding her tightly as if he never wanted to let go. "I love you too, baby. Always."

The flight to New York was filled with endless excitement for both Shubman and Thalia. As the plane soared through the sky, they spent most of the time chatting, laughing, and planning their days ahead. 

Thalia could hardly contain her excitement about all the things she'd heard about the city—Broadway, Central Park, the shopping districts, and of course, the iconic skyline.

Shubman, on the other hand, was already planning to surprise her with a few exclusive spots he had looked up in advance, ensuring she would have the time of her life. 

Despite being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of his cricket career, he knew how important it was to make moments like this count.

When they landed at JFK airport, it was almost surreal. The excitement in the air was infectious, and Thalia couldn't stop smiling as she stepped onto the tarmac, her hand firmly holding onto Shubman's.

"New York, baby! We're really here!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Shubman grinned. "You excited?" He adjusted his sunglasses and took in the fresh city air. "Let's make this trip unforgettable, Thalia."

They took a cab from the airport to their hotel, which was located in a prime area—close to all the best tourist spots. 

The city skyline greeted them as they arrived, and Thalia couldn't help but feel like she was living a dream. 

The neon lights of Times Square were just a short walk away, and she could already hear the hum of the city's fast-paced energy.

They checked into their hotel, and after freshening up, Shubman took Thalia's hand and led her out into the bustling streets. 

"Alright, babe," he said with a grin, "First stop—dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city."

Thalia's eyes widened. "Shubman, you've outdone yourself already. This is going to be incredible."

They arrived at the rooftop restaurant, and Thalia gasped as she saw the view. The whole of Manhattan was laid out before them, the lights twinkling like stars. 

The Empire State Building stood tall in the distance, its lights a brilliant beacon against the night sky.

As they sat down, Shubman ordered a bottle of champagne, and they clinked glasses, toasting to their new adventure. The energy of the city, combined with the fact that they were together, made the night feel magical.

As they enjoyed their meal, Shubman leaned in, his voice soft but filled with affection. "Thalia, I know this trip is about having fun, but I want you to know something... You mean everything to me. This trip, this time together—it's all for us, because I want to create memories with you that we can cherish forever."

Thalia's eyes softened as she looked at him. Her heart swelled with emotion. "You don't have to say all this, Shubman. Just being here with you, experiencing this, is everything I could ever want. You always make me feel so loved. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have you in my life."

Shubman smiled, his gaze never leaving hers. "You're more than just lucky, Thalia. I'm the lucky one. I've got the best woman in the world by my side."

Thalia blushed, reaching across the table to hold his hand. "Stop it, you're making me tear up," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

They shared a quiet moment, their hands intertwined, just soaking in the beauty of the evening and the fact that they had the whole city at their feet.

After dinner, they strolled hand in hand through the city, taking in the sights and sounds of New York. 

The streets were alive, full of people from all walks of life. They visited Times Square, where the billboards flashed brightly overhead, and Shubman couldn't help but laugh when Thalia took out her phone to take a hundred selfies, trying to capture every angle of the bright lights.

"Are you serious right now?" Shubman laughed as she pouted, scrolling through the photos. "You look amazing in all of them, babe. Stop worrying."

Thalia grinned. "I know I do, but this is New York! I have to have the perfect pictures to show off. I need something to prove I was here!"

They made their way to Central Park after that, walking through the peaceful paths beneath the trees. 

The cool evening breeze was refreshing, and the contrast between the lively city and the serene park was a welcome change.

"This is the place I've always wanted to visit," Thalia murmured, her voice full of awe. "I can't believe I'm actually here. Thank you for this, Shubman. You've made this trip so special already."

Shubman kissed her forehead gently. "I'm just getting started, babe. Wait till you see what else I have planned."

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She made me take the cornelia street sign, and didn't let me go until we took nearly 50 pictures of it @thaliagillchandrashekar

thaliagillchandrashekar IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. MOTHER WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED IF WE DIDN'T TAKE

virat.kohli. these people went to nyc

ishankishan I WANNA GO

ridhashekar THALIA WTF

thaliagillchandrashekar YOU LOVE ME THO

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After their walk, they headed back to their hotel, their hearts full from the day's experiences. As they lay in bed that night, exhausted but happy, Thalia turned to Shubman with a soft smile. "I feel like I'm living in a dream right now."

Shubman brushed a lock of hair from her face, his voice tender. "This is real, Thalia. Every moment with you feels like a dream come true."

She nestled into his chest, the quiet hum of the city lulling her to sleep. "I love you," she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut.

"I love you more, baby," Shubman murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead as they both drifted into a peaceful sleep, ready for the next adventure that awaited them in the city that never slept.

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 CUTE
- also comments on the chapter?
- I hope you guys liked this one!

- with lots of love, supraja 🫶