The hotel halls were a flurry of activity, with everyone getting ready for Diwali celebrations before the semi-finals. The team had been on an incredible winning streak, and their spirits were high. Tonight, the celebrations were as much about Diwali as they were about the victories they had stacked up.

Shubman adjusted his turquoise kurta in the mirror near the entrance of the hall. The kurta was simple yet elegant, with light gold embroidery along the collar and sleeves that brought out the color of his outfit. 

He paired it with white pyjamas, comfortable yet stylish, which gave him a relaxed yet festive look. Ishan, next to him in a classic black kurta with intricate silver detailing along the neckline, rolled his sleeves up halfway and smirked as he ruffled Shubman's hair playfully.

"Bro, you look way too perfect," Ishan teased, folding his arms as he gave Shubman a once-over. "Trying to impress anyone tonight, hmm?"

Shubman chuckled, running a hand through his hair to fix it. "Nah, just trying to keep up with your overdressed self," he shot back, nudging him with his elbow. "You look like you're about to audition for a Bollywood role."

"Please, I am the role," Ishan joked, striking a dramatic pose that earned him a laugh from Hardik and Surya, who were standing nearby in their own kurta outfits.

But Shubman's laugh froze mid-chuckle when he spotted Naima walking down the hallway, deep in conversation with Anushka Sharma. The entire hallway seemed to hold its breath as she walked by. Naima's saree was a deep, dark green, with a delicate silver border that shimmered slightly as she moved. 

The sleeveless, light-green blouse was a perfect contrast, highlighting her shoulders and arms elegantly. Her hair was styled in loose waves, framing her face and adding a touch of softness to her otherwise intense, kohl-lined gaze. 

Her heels clicked softly on the polished floor, and she wore a simple silver bracelet that matched her outfit effortlessly.

"Holy... damn," Shubman muttered under his breath, completely transfixed. He couldn't take his eyes off her, and he didn't even try to hide it. "She's... wow."

Ishan caught his expression and grinned. "Someone's hit by the Diwali fireworks a little early, huh?"

"Shut up, Ishu," Shubman replied, his voice barely above a whisper as he watched Naima, who was still laughing and chatting with Anushka. 

She didn't notice him watching, which only made her seem more effortlessly graceful. "It's just... she looks incredible."

Ishan leaned in closer, smirking. "Admit it, lover boy—you're done for. Just go over there and say hi before you melt standing here like an idiot."

Shubman took a deep breath, suddenly aware of his nerves. He usually felt confident around Naima, but tonight, she was a vision, and for a second, he felt like a nervous teenager all over again.

As she and Anushka got closer, Ishan gave him a little nudge. "Go on, turquoise prince. Don't leave your lady hanging."

Shubman rolled his eyes but took a step forward just as Naima finally noticed him. Her face lit up, and she gave him a warm, surprised smile.

"Oh, look who's all dressed up!" Naima teased, her eyes scanning his outfit appreciatively. "You clean up well, Shubman. Very festive."

"You think so?" he replied, his voice softer than usual as he took her in. "Well, I had to at least try to keep up with you. You're... stunning. You're like... the whole festival in one person."

Anushka, watching the interaction, hid a small smile and gave Naima a little nudge. "I'll catch up with you in a bit, Naima. I need to go find Virat anyway." 

With a wink, she disappeared down the hallway, leaving the two of them standing together.

Naima laughed lightly, turning back to Shubman. "You sure know how to lay it on thick, don't you?"

"What can I say, beautiful? I'm just stating the facts," Shubman replied, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. He glanced down at her wrist, noticing the bracelet. "Nice touch. Simple but... perfect."

"Oh, you noticed?" she replied, holding up her wrist for a better look. "Guess you're more observant than I thought."

Shubman's gaze softened as he looked into her eyes. "Guess I just notice more when it's you," he said quietly. His usual playful tone dropped, replaced by a warmth that made her cheeks flush slightly.

Naima raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of a smile playing on her lips. "If you're trying to charm me, Shubman, it's working," she replied, her voice equally soft.

Just then, Hardik called out from down the hall, clearly amused. "Oi! Lovebirds! We're all heading out to the terrace for the puja. Hurry up, or you'll miss the best part!"

Shubman let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head as he muttered, "Bloody Hardik, always timing things wrong."

Naima laughed, linking her arm with his. "Come on, let's go before he starts a riot." They walked together toward the rest of the team, and Shubman's heart raced as he felt the warmth of her arm intertwined with his.

As they made their way to the terrace, Shubman leaned in, whispering in her ear. "By the way, I think I'd rather spend Diwali with just you. Maybe after the puja, we can sneak off and grab some sweets for a little private celebration?"

Naima smiled up at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Maybe I'll consider it. But only if you behave."

"I'll be a saint," he promised, grinning.

As they reached the terrace, the rest of the team was already gathered, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they prepared for the Diwali puja. 

The atmosphere was warm, filled with the flickering light of diyas and the faint smell of incense wafting through the evening breeze. The vibrant colours of everyone's outfits added to the festive cheer, and it felt like a perfect moment to take a step back and appreciate everything the team had achieved together.

Naima and Shubman took their seats among the group, with Naima sitting between Ishan and Hardik, and Shubman pulling up a chair next to her. 

His leg brushed against hers, and he couldn't resist the subtle glance she gave him when their hands accidentally touched.

"You sure you're not gonna sneak off?" Ishan teased, nudging Shubman with his elbow.

"I'm right here," Shubman replied with a grin, trying to play it cool, though he couldn't deny the excitement bubbling inside him whenever she was around. 

He stole a quick glance at Naima, who was chatting with Virat and Rohit, looking absolutely stunning in her green saree.

"Enjoying the view?" Ishan smirked, noticing where Shubman's gaze was fixed.

Shubman rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "Shut up, man. Just focus on the puja."

The ceremony began with the priest leading the prayers, and the atmosphere grew quiet as everyone focused on the rituals. 

Shubman caught Naima's eye once or twice during the ceremony, their silent communication more powerful than words could express. 

There was something in the air tonight—an undeniable tension between them, a sense of closeness that made everything else seem distant.

As the puja wrapped up, the team stood up, exchanging wishes, and the mood lightened again. People started moving toward the food table where a variety of sweets and snacks were laid out, but Shubman wasn't interested in the food. 

His eyes were on Naima, who was talking to Rohit near the table, laughing at something he said.

Shubman walked toward her, his heart racing a little faster as he approached. When he got closer, she noticed him and smiled, that same smile that always made his stomach flip.

"Hey, you," she greeted, her voice soft but laced with warmth.

"Hey, yourself," Shubman replied, his smile mirroring hers. He glanced at the sweets and then back at her. 

"You planning on getting some sweets, or should we just steal a quick moment?"

Naima raised an eyebrow, clearly aware of his intentions. "What's with you and stealing moments tonight?" she asked, her tone teasing.

Shubman leaned in a little closer, his voice lowering. "Just want to make sure I don't miss any more chances to be with you, beautiful."

Her lips curled into a smile, and she glanced around quickly, ensuring no one was paying attention. "You're getting bolder every minute, Gill."

"Maybe I like the challenge," Shubman said, his smile widening. He took a step closer and gently placed his hand on her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin through the fabric of her saree. "Besides, I'd say it's pretty easy to make my moves when I'm looking at you."

Naima's breath caught for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "You're not fooling anyone, you know? Everyone can see how much you're into me," she teased, her voice playful yet with a hint of sincerity.

"Well, that's a good thing, right?" he replied, his lips just inches from hers.

She didn't pull away. Instead, she moved closer, the electricity between them undeniable.

Before she could respond, Shubman leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a quick, soft kiss. It was gentle, filled with all the emotions that had been building between them for so long. It was a kiss that made her pulse race, and as she kissed him back, she could feel her heart skip a beat.

Breaking the kiss, Shubman rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed for a moment. "I've been wanting to do that for a while now," he admitted softly.

"I know," Naima murmured, her voice a little breathless. She couldn't help but smile at how real everything felt at that moment. 

It wasn't just about the games, the celebrations, or the spotlight—they were just two people, sharing something genuine and personal.

Shubman's eyes opened, and he grinned. "I think we deserve a little more time alone, don't you?"

Naima's smile matched his. "Maybe later," she replied with a wink, pulling away from him to grab a plate of sweets from the table.

The moment was brief but intense, and as they rejoined the group, Shubman couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him. 

The next few days were sure to be chaotic with the semi-finals approaching, but tonight, under the soft glow of Diwali lights, everything felt perfect.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter, music, and festive cheer. The lights from the diyas flickered brightly, casting a soft glow on everyone's faces as they mingled and enjoyed the evening. 

The energy was electric, yet there was a calmness to it, a rare peace that Shubman felt every time he looked at Naima. The bond they shared, the unspoken connection, was so much more than he had imagined it would be when they first started spending time together.

Shubman couldn't help but smile as he watched her. She was radiant tonight, laughing with Virat and Rohit, her eyes sparkling as she playfully nudged Ishan. Even in the midst of all the chaos, she stood out, not just because of her beauty but because of the strength and grace she carried with her.

"Man, when are you finally going to admit it?" Ishan's voice broke through Shubman's thoughts, dragging him back to reality. 

He looked over to see Ishan smirking at him, raising an eyebrow as if he knew exactly what Shubman had been thinking.

Shubman rolled his eyes and leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. 

"What's your deal, Ishan? You're like a broken record," he muttered, trying to hide the blush creeping up his neck.

"Everyone knows, Gill. Everyone knows," Ishan teased, nudging him in the ribs. "So, why don't you stop being all dramatic about it and just tell her how much you're in love with her already?"

Shubman shot him a glare, but he couldn't stop the grin that tugged at his lips. "We're not like you, Ishan. Not every relationship needs to be loud and in-your-face."

"Oh, please," Ishan laughed. "You're as bad as the rest of us when it comes to her. The way you look at her, the way you smile at her when she's not looking. You don't even know how much of an open book you are, man."

Shubman let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I don't need to hear it from you, dude."

Ishan just winked at him and walked off, his laughter fading as he joined the others.

Shubman stood there, his thoughts once again wandering to Naima. He could feel her presence, even when she was across the room, surrounded by everyone else. The pull was magnetic, like a force that couldn't be ignored.

As the night wore on and the festivities continued, Shubman couldn't shake the desire to be near her. 

He found himself moving toward her, instinctively, like a moth to a flame. He casually slipped through the crowd and positioned himself just a few feet away from her.

Naima caught his gaze from across the room, and a smile broke out on her face. She didn't have to say anything. 

The way her eyes softened, the way she looked at him, made it clear that she was feeling the same pull. The rest of the world disappeared for a moment as they locked eyes, their connection undeniable.

Shubman took a few steps toward her, and she met him halfway. Without saying a word, she slipped her hand into his, and they both walked toward a quieter corner of the terrace, away from the prying eyes of their teammates.

"Isn't this nice?" Naima said softly, her voice calm, as they settled against the railing, the sounds of the celebration still audible in the background.

Shubman leaned against the railing, his arm brushing against hers. He turned to look at her, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face. "Nice? Nah. This is perfect."

She chuckled, turning to face him. "Perfect, huh?"

He nodded, taking a deep breath, inhaling the cool night air. "It's the kind of night I could get used to. With you."

Naima's eyes softened, and she leaned in closer, her hand resting on his chest. "You're getting sappy on me, Gill."

Shubman's grin widened, but he didn't back away. He let his hand rest gently on her waist, his thumb tracing small circles on her skin. "Sappy? Maybe. But you like it."

Naima rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. "You're ridiculous," she murmured, but there was no denying the warmth in her gaze, the affection in her voice. "You know I do."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, a comfortable quiet that spoke volumes. 

They stood there, side by side, the night stretching out before them. It wasn't about the games or the competition, it wasn't about the pressure of the semi-finals coming up—it was just them. At that moment, everything felt right.

Shubman turned slightly, facing her more directly now, his eyes darkening as he looked at her lips. 

Without a word, he leaned in, his breath mingling with hers as he gently brushed his lips against hers. It was slow, and tender, the kiss full of unspoken promises and feelings they hadn't quite put into words yet.

Naima responded immediately, her lips parting slightly to let the kiss deepen. She could feel her heart pounding, the chemistry between them undeniable. Every kiss, every touch was a reminder of how much she wanted this, wanted him.

As they broke apart, both of them a little breathless, Shubman placed his forehead against hers. "I think this is my favourite part of the night," he whispered.

Naima smiled, her hands moving up to wrap around his neck. "Yeah, I think it's mine too."

They stood there for a few moments longer, savouring the peacefulness of the moment before the rest of the team started to make their way toward them. The noise, the laughter, the world outside of them slowly started to intrude, but for just a little while, all they had was each other.

"Ready to go back?" Naima asked softly, pulling away just enough to look at him.

Shubman gave her a playful grin. "I could stay here forever, but I guess we should get back to the madness, huh?"

Naima chuckled and took his hand. "Yeah, but you know what? We'll get through it, together."

And with that, they rejoined the others, their hearts full, knowing that whatever came next, they had each other.

naimaprushka has updated her story

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welcome to the fourteenth chapter of "The Man"!

they're so goals ugh

what are your thoughts about the next chapter?

anyway, hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! make sure to comment on what you liked!

until then, yours truly

soup 🫶