A/N: The urge to write another fanfic on ShubSara—ALSO SHUBMAN FINALLY HAD HIS CENTURY AND WE GOT THE BOWDOWN CELEBRATION TOO! OUR BOYS PLAYED SO WELL! ANDDDD Sara's story and post like it always comes after Shubman's century! The story itself gave SO MANY hints! So a wonderful day for all ShubSara fans!

When Sara woke up the next morning, her eyes flickered open to see Shubman fast asleep next to her, his arm on her midriff, looking so peaceful.

She let out a low groan, her head was heavy like someone had taped a watermelon to it.

What on earth happened last night?

As she made an attempt to move away, Shubman pulled her closer.

Chuckling softly, she tried taking his arm off her but he groaned, pulling her in again.

" Stop moving." He muttered groggily, his voice thick and husky with sleep and she sighed.

" Shub.."

" Is sleeping and so are you." Stubbornly pulling her in, he put his arm back on her midriff, his face buried in the crook of her neck.

" Shubman." She pulled slightly away as she looked at him.

A faint pout appeared on his lips hearing her stern tone and his eyes slowly flickered open.

" You're cruel!" He told her and she bit back a laugh at how adorable he sounded.

Planting a peck on his cheek, she lightly tapped his nose.

" And you're cute."

" I can also be very dangerous if provoked." He said and she arched a brow at him.

" Can you now?" She asked, her fingertips tracing his face, and neck as he let out a low groan.

" You don't believe me do you?"

" No. I absolutely do not believe you. All I see, before me, is an absolutely adorable person who I'm in love with."

Shubman blinked.

" Say that again." He demanded, his voice the faintest of whispers as his lips brushed against her temple and her breath hitched.

" Say what?"

" Do you remember what you did and said last night?"

The playfulness seemed to disappear into thin air, and confusion clouded her.

" What...did I do?"

" You remember nothing, do you?"

" No. The only thing I remember is Lysh tricking me into drinking and now my head hurts, it's like someone's sitting on it and—"

She was cut off when he pinned her under him, hovering over her, their faces awfully close.

" You, Miss Tendulkar, are an absolute tease."

Sara blinked, genuinely confused.

" It's...so hot! You are so hot! I am feeling hot!" Sara grumbled as she took off both hers, and Shubman's jacket wrapped around her.

Realising he forgot to turn on the ac, he turned around only for him to halt in his steps.

The dress perfectly hugged her curves, and the V neckline gave a slight glimpse of her cleavage.

Gulping, he looked away.

" So...this is why you wore a jacket?"

Blinking, she stared at him, unable to understand anything.

" Sara..." His voice came out a low growl.

She hummed, continuing to stare at him adorably.

" Put the jacket on again."

" Noo!" She whined.
" It's very hot."

" You are very hot." He muttered under his breath, breaking into sweats as he sank down on the plush couch, afraid that he might lose control.

" My legs hurt." She pouted as she sat on his lap and he groaned.

She was unknowingly playing with fire.

" Get up." He said and she stubbornly shook her head, locking her arms around his neck.

" Pretty! You're the prettiest boy out there." She murmured, her fingertips tracing his lashes, his face and going down towards his neck.

He gulped as she rested her head on his shoulder.

" Sara..." he groaned and she frowned.

" What?"

" Get up."

" No but why?"

" Your actions are enough of an answer to the why."

She blinked in genuine innocent confusion as she pointed at herself.

" Mine?"

" Yes yours."

" What...did I do? Why are you so frustrated?"

" Exactly why I'm frustrated. You don't even remember what did you do."

" But what did I do?" Sara whined.

" You seduced me!"

Sara's jaw fell agape at the bold claim.

" I? Seduced you? Haw! You've gotta be kidding me! If anything you're the one who attempts to do that at each little chance you get!"

A smirk spread across his lips as he arched a brow, and Sara swore he was attempting to do the same again with that look, and being shirtless.

He did not have to be so hot!

" So I seduced you?" He asked, his voice low as he nudged her shoulder with his nose, planting a chaste kiss on her temple, sending a shiver down her spine.

" Shubman..." she murmured and he hummed, pulling away to look at her,

And the smirk involuntarily returned seeing her disheveled, breathless state.

" Asshole!" She smacked him and throwing his head back, he burst into laughter, crescents forming on his cheeks in form of dimples and her heart raced, a pleased glimmer dancing on her lips, her eyes twinkling with fondness at having heard her favourite musical sound.

" Your asshole though." He pointed out once he stopped and she hummed, the smile still there on her lips.

" God, I love you." He murmured as he leaned in, planting kisses all over her face as she burst into a peal of giggles.

" And I love you." She said tugging at the chain hanging down his neck, pulling him closer.

His eyes widened, as he stiffened.

" Say that again."

" I love you Shub."

" You....you do?"

" I do! I love love love you!"

Before she could say anything further, the bell rang, and he groaned at the interruption.

She immediately snuck away and threw the t-shirt his way, which landed on his face and she burst into laughter as she walked out.

Sighing, he walked into the washroom, cursing his fate and whoever was at the door for the interruption.

♡•♡

As Sara opened the door, she was greeted by the enthusiastic, contagious grins of Abhishek, Yashasvi and Dhruv.

" Arey Bhabhiji!" Abhishek skipped in to pull her for a side hug and she smiled.

" Ji Abhay ji?" She quietly mused as Shubman walked into the living room.

" Haath hata varna haath kaat lene hai maine!" He threatened, his eyes narrowed at Abhay's hand on Sara's shoulder as Abhay grumbled, stepping away.

" Why are you even giving him a chance?" He asked Sara, eyeing his best-friend with a morose glare and she laughed.

" Maybe because he's cute? Or maybe because he loves me, and I love him."

" Aapko isme kya hi dikha?" He asked, shaking his head as Shubman walked towards them.

" Mai yeh Tanvi ko puchu?" He asked him and Abhishek's cheeks flushed red.

" Wh-what do you mean?" He stammered and Shubman smirked lazily.

" I'll be back." She told the boys as she went in to freshen up.

" What're you guys doing here?" He asked as he suspiciously eyed them.

" We, being the nice juniors and friends, flew continents to congratulate you on your double century! Aren't we good juniors and friends?"

Shubman narrowed his eyes, not buying the reason, but nonetheless let it slide.

" Why can't you singles let a man have his peace with his woman?"

" Peace? You look like you just got out of bed. If you know what we meannn...." Abhay said in a sing-song manner as he trailed off.

" You guys seriously need to find yourselves a girlfriend. Abhay got Tanvi, just needs to confess, Dhruv needs to find a girl, and Yasha got—"

" No one! I'm single, and I'm happy!"

" Each time you say you're single and happy, Eshanya Singhania magically appears in front of me with her scary glare." Abhay pretended to shudder and Yashasvi scoffed.

" Scary? Her? Please, if anything, scary and Eshanya Singhania do not go together in the same sentence."

Dhruv and Abhay's lips parted to speak but Shubman cut them off.

" Sure, we believe you."

" So you boys are staying for lunch right?" Sara asked as she walked out, tying her hair into a bun and Shubman's eyes widened in horror at the idea of her giving her attention to someone else as well when he was supposed to leave today.

Abhay bit back a smirk as he saw the pleading look Shubman threw his way.

" We'll stay for breakfast Bhabhi."

" Why not lunch?" Sara asked with a frown.
" I mean I do get that you must be having plans, so I didn't insist dinner as well but you can stay for lunch right? I'm not that bad at cooking."

Abhay laughed.
" Bhabhi, from whatever we've heard so far, you're excellent at cooking, but we'd still stay for breakfast. We've places to be at lunch, don't we?" He nudged Dhruv and Yashasvi who immediately nodded.

" Alright, I'm letting it slide this once, but not the next time!"

" Noted Bhabhi, in fact we won't even let you! We'll be the ones demanding for a lunch the next time." Yashasvi said with a warm smile which she returned.

" And please, you can call me Sara, drop the honorific!"

" Bhabhi ko Bhabhi na bole toh kya bole?" They chimed in an accord earning a giggle from her as she shook her head.

" Alright, alright, will it hinder your diets if I make French toast, milkshake and salad?"

" Not at all! We'll help." The boys immediately volunteered and Shubman's jaw fell agape in disbelief.

Had this been him cooking, they wouldn't even bother to get up from their places to even get a glass of water for themself, let alone offer to help.

" No no! I'll do it!"

" Bhabhiji, aaj khana hum banayenge—"

" Abhay, are you okay?" Shubman stared at him, finally finding his tongue.

" Perfectly fine. Kyu?"

" You don't seem fine to me." He narrowed his eyes at him.

" Arey, he's fine! Bhabhi, let us at least help you!" Yashasvi persisted and Shubman glared at them.

Sab ke sab, Bhabhi ke chamche!

" Let me cook!" Shubman said, clearing his throat and Sara frowned, shaking her head.

" What's with you boys today?"

" Great idea! He'll cook and we'll help him. You should just sit and enjoy!"

" Way to make an impression." Shubman muttered under his breath as he walked towards her and gently pulled her close.

Yashasvi, Abhishek and Dhruv immediately turned away, covering their eyes, earning a laugh from Sara and a small smile from Shubman.

These clowns!

He shook his head, turning back towards her.

" Please?" He murmured with an adorable expression on his face and she sighed.

" Fine." She planted a kiss on his cheek, and stole a chaste kiss from him as his cheeks heated red.

And as he stared at her with heart eyes, he was definite he heard the boys grumble about how awful it is being single when they're around him or either of the seniors and their wives.

As Sara walked back in to get her macbook, Shubman turned towards the boys with narrowed eyes.

" As much as I'm tempted to expose your clown selves to Sara, I'll let it slide and let you be this once."

" What clowns? We're as innocent as we appear to be."

" Sure, the entire team is well aware of how innocent do you appear to be. Let's get to work now."

As they distributed the chores among themselves and got to work, Sara came along and offered to help, and they stubbornly refused, causing her to sigh.

Twenty five minutes later, they were done with everything, including the plating as they placed the dish and glass before her.

" How much would you rate this from one to ten?" They asked in an accord and she looked at them, startled.

She looked down and smiled,
" This looks delicious!"

" As much as we hate admitting it, Shubi did most of it. We only helped with the chopping and plating."

" You still helped! Efforts count! Don't they Shub?"

He forced an imperceptible nod.
" Yeah. Go on, try it."

As she had a bite of the salad, french toast and a sip of the milkshake, she hummed in satisfaction, and her eyes flickered close, relishing the taste.

" I would rate this hundred out of ten! This is so good!"

They let out the relieved sighs they were holding back.

" Thank you." Shubman said, almost begrudgingly and the three eyed him in disbelief.

" Hum kare teri joker side expose ab?" Abhay whispered to him and Yashasvi and Dhruv nodded.

Gulping, he shook his head.

" I need all four of you to sit down now! I'm getting your plates."

" But Bhabhi—"

" Sit down!"

" But it will turn cold!" Shubman pointed towards the french toast as she sighed.

" You can have mine." She said as she scurried towards the oven.

" Jhootha khaane se pyaar badhta hai na Yashu?"

" Maine toh yahi suna hai." Yashasvi shrugged as they all cast him teasing glances.

" Shut up!" He said, his cheeks heating up as he took a bite of the french toast.

Placing the huge tray full of food, Sara took a seat next to Shubman.

" Let's dig in!"

" Yeh toh sachmuch accha bana hai!"

" Damn Shubi, when did you learn how to cook?"

" You never cooked for me!" Abhay shot him a betrayed look, his voice equally tinged with the betrayal he was feeling.

" Tu girlfriend hai meri?"

" I mean...idea buri nahi hai you know.." Abhay grinned suggestively and Shubman shot him a horrified look.

" Shut up I'm straight!"

Sara burst into peals of laughter at their exchange, and Shubman's gaze flickered towards her, his face visibly softening, love evident in his eyes.

And the three of them smiled, shaking their heads at seeing their friend so in love.

" What time is your flight?" Yashasvi asked him out of the blue after a while, and his mood turned sour.

The thought of leaving Sara behind and not seeing her for the next few months was bothering him from within.

" Midnight." He answered blankly as he tried his best keeping his voice even.

Dhruv and Abhay seemed to have noticed the sudden change, for they held Yashasvi's hand, shaking their heads at him, silently asking him not to say anything further.

Yashasvi, who himself noticed the sour mood nodded his head, and said nothing further.

The boys left an hour or so after breakfast, and as much as Sara insisted, asking them to stay, they politely refused, well aware that Shubman needed her for himself for the next few hours.

" Let's go out for lunch! I made a reservation!"

Shubman blinked, confusion taking over him.

" I thought we're eating at home? I mean you were asking them to stay..."

" I was, because they were here for you! I made the reservation three days ago, if they'd agreed I'd have canceled it." She shrugged.

Smiling, he nodded his head.

" So Miss Tendulkar, where do you plan on taking me?"

" One of my favorite places in London. Would you like to accompany me, Mr.Gill?"

" I would love to."

" Good! Dress up well, I've got a surprise for you!"

" Do you now?"

" Uh huh!"

He was ready, twenty minutes later, wrapped in a white sweater he knew she loved.

His breath hitched seeing her in red, the very red dress she wore on their first date, when he confessed to her.

" You look stunning." He murmured and she smiled,

" Thank you, you look quite good too! Let's go?"

" Yeah."

As the drove to her favorite hotel, parked the car and stepped out, his eyes fell on a paper bag she held in hand.

His brows furrowed, but he decided to ask her about it later.

As they walked in, they were led to the VVIP lounge, which seemed awfully empty for a weekend.

" It's all empty, are they out of business?" Shubman murmured to her playfully and she chuckled, shaking her head.

" I reserved the entire lounge." She told him and he looked at her in surprise.

Deja-vu.

He tried hard biting back a smile but failed miserably.

" What would you like today Sir and Ma'am?" The waiter asked and Sara jutted her chin towards Shubman.

" Sir decides that!"

As Shubman told the waiter all that he wanted to eat, keeping Sara's preferences in mind as well, he turned towards her once he was gone, asking her a question she had two months ago.

" Is this a lunch or a date Miss Tendulkar?"

In response to his question, she gently pushed forward the paper bag she'd gotten along.

" Is this my surprise?" He asked and she shrugged, not giving him a proper answer.

He took it in hand, and got out the contents, revealing two small pretty boxes.

Cartier. They were from Cartier.

" These are...." he began, his brows furrowing as he gently opened the two boxes.

" Couple rings." She said with a nod as their eyes met.

" H-huh?"

" Two months ago, on fifteenth of August, you'd asked me out. Two months and three days later, on eighteenth of October, I'm giving you my answer—yes."

" Y-yes?"

" Yes! I love you Shub! I first fell for you seven years ago. I never felt for anyone the way I did for you. My feelings...did fade away, but I fell for you again. I don't know when exactly was it, I discovered so many sides of you in the past two months I wasn't even aware, existed. I think I loved it when you were narcissistic, annoying, goofy, but most of all, yourself. I pray for a certain amount of people, they're not many, you know me, I'm not an extrovert, I don't have umpteen people in my life, but the ones I do, luckily stayed. And I prayed, for them to stay, for them, for every little thing about them. You came along too Shub, and I realised, this man's going to make it to my prayers too. Each time you're out there on field, I inevitably pray, I pray for every little thing about you. I pray for your wellbeing, for you to be safe, for you to play well, everything about you, because I love you. Remember you said, you love it when I'm riled up and mad at you, because of you? I love it when I'm riled up or mad because it's you who's doing it, I don't easily get mad, but you did manage to make me mad couple of times. And I realised, most of it was when I was down, you did it to get a reaction out of me, for me to talk, for me to be okay. And I am, when you are around. You affect me like no one did before, and it's a change I love. You make my heart race, like no one ever did before. I've received so many  confessions before, neither of them made my heart race the way yours did. When I fell for you, I didn't think I was falling for the Shubman Gill, the Prince of ICT, I just fell for Shub, Kaka, you, all of you. And I just want all of you, I just need all of you. And I'm willing to bear all the responsibilities that come with it."

" You can't do this to me." He murmured, his voice thick with unshed tears as he began to tear up.

" You can't do this to me when I'm about to leave in a few hours!"

" I'm sorry."

" No now why are you sorry?" He whined, earning a soft chuckle.

They broke into a serene silence as they stared at one another, no words exchanged, they simply locked eyes, and that spoke more than enough.

" And Sara?" He said and she hummed, letting him know he had her attention.

" No one's ever had me either, not like you do. You have me in a chokehold. You ask me to go down on my knees this very second, I will. I won't care who's watching me, and who's not. All that would matter to me, would be you."

" I know." She said softly.
" So Mr.Gill, will you be my boyfriend?"

" Only if you will have me, and promise to be there till the very end."

" I promise."

With the widest of smiles, he leaned in to kiss, and she gladly gave in with an equally wide smile.

♡•♡

Rohit and Virat watched as Shubman held Sara, unwilling to let go.

Exchanging smiles, they shook their heads, nostalgia knocking them over with the fond memories of their younger days with Ritika and Anushka.

Rohit walked into private jet that awaited them, while Virat decided to wait for his favourite junior.

" I'm going to miss you." Shubman murmured and Sara hummed.

" Me too."

" I don't want to go."

" But you must my love. This is national duty. This should be your priority."

He sighed.
" It is...but I want to be here, with you."

" I'm there Shub. I'm going nowhere. I'm going to be there no matter what! Whenever you return. So go conquer the world, I'll wait for you to return victorious!"

He hummed, his heart racing at her words as he buried his face into the crook of her neck.

" Sara?"

" Yeah?"

" I love you."

" And I love you. And what I love most about you, is dedication and discipline for your career, so let that remain intact yes? Darling I'm going to be here no matter what, forever, whenever you return! You needn't worry about that."

He hummed again, clinging onto her tighter.

" Don't overwork yourself once I'm gone okay?" He told her and she nodded.

" I won't."

" Promise?"

" Promise. And don't go too hard on yourself okay?"

" I won't."

" Promise me."

" I promise."

" Good boy. I love you. Now go, they're waiting for you. And have proper rest! You need it!"

" Yeah. I love you." He murmured as he pulled away from the hug, and pulled her in for a kiss.

After they parted, he planted one last peck, and got one last peck on his cheek.

Exchanging their I love you's, he sighed heavily and walked away to where Virat waited for him.

And Sara let out the heavy sigh she was holding back.

She needed to be strong.

For him, for them.

And she would.

Because she loved him, unconditionally.