Chapter Thirteen: Pampered Prince Proposal

The test series was coming to a close with a draw seemingly inevitable. Shubman sat in the player's gallery, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him as he watched the seventh and eighth batsmen tirelessly defend each ball. The fifth test was mere minutes away from ending, and the clock was inching closer to 5 in the evening.

Despite the impending draw, Shubman couldn't help but reflect on his remarkable debut series, where he had amassed an impressive 300 runs. Despite his desire for more runs, Shubman knew that what he needed most at that moment was some much-needed sleep. As he leaned back, stretching his tired muscles, his gaze wandered towards the dressing room.

Inside, he noticed Virat and Nehmat standing alone, away from prying eyes and camera lenses. Virat's face was contorted with anger as he exchanged heated words with Nehmat, who was trying to calm him down by placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. However, Virat angrily jerked away from Nehmat's touch, his frustration evident.

Shubman's eyebrows furrowed as he observed the heated exchange between Virat and Nehmat. His gaze shifted to Nehmat, who appeared visibly distressed but seemed to find solace when Virat tenderly kissed her forehead. Unbeknownst to Shubman, Virat caught sight of him watching them.

Nehmat nodded in response, her expression softening as Virat spoke with a mixture of gentleness and firmness, ensuring their conversation remained private. "We'll talk later," Virat said, his tone masking the content of their discussion.

Nehmat closed her eyes tightly, taking a series of deep breaths to compose herself as Virat made his way onto the field for the customary handshakes. She followed suit after a moment, needing a brief moment alone to collect her thoughts.

Shubman made a mental note to talk to Nehmat when they had some privacy. He descended onto the field, exchanging handshakes with the players during the post-match rituals. The post-match presentation and the sharing of the trophy followed this. The tour of New Zealand came to an end, marked by plenty of drama and love for Shubman.

Shubman noticed Nehmat choosing to sit away from him on the bus, and he understood her decision, considering the presence of others around them. However, what puzzled him was the vacant expression on her face. Despite the urge to reach out and comfort her, perhaps by gently brushing a strand of hair from her face or giving her a reassuring kiss, he knew he had to restrain himself until they were alone in the hotel room.

Throughout the bus ride, Shubman couldn't shake off the feeling of unease caused by Nehmat's distant demeanour. He longed to comfort her, to erase whatever worries were clouding her mind, but he respected her need for space in the public eye.

As they finally reached the hotel, Shubman's heart raced with anticipation. He knew that once they were alone, he could finally address whatever was troubling Nehmat. With each step towards their room, he couldn't help but wonder what awaited them behind closed doors.

As soon as they entered their respective rooms, Shubman wasted no time. Without hesitation, he swiftly opened the connecting door between their rooms and pulled Nehmat into a tight embrace. Cupping her face gently in his hands, he searched her eyes for any sign of what was bothering her, his concern evident in his expression.

"Nehmat," he whispered softly, his voice filled with tenderness and reassurance, "What's been troubling you? You know you can tell me anything."

She chuckled softly and brushed her lips against his, saying, "Relax, Kaake. I'm just exhausted, that's why I have that look." She knew she was lying, but she needed to maintain confidence in her explanation.

He held her gaze, his expression turning stern. "Stop lying to me," he said firmly, his voice carrying a note of seriousness. He could sense that there was more to her demeanour than she was letting on, and he needed her to be honest with him.

"I saw you and Paaji fighting," Shubman admitted, his voice softening slightly as he spoke. He wanted to approach the situation delicately but couldn't ignore what he had witnessed. "I need to know what's going on, Nehmat. Please, be honest with me."

Nehmat felt a rush of fear sweep through her, but she was determined not to let it show to Shubman. She couldn't bring herself to reveal the truth of what had transpired between her and Virat. Revealing the complexities of the Kohli family dynamics was something she wanted to avoid at all costs, especially since it might sour Shubman's relationship with Virat, whom she still cared for deeply.

With a forced laugh, she patted his chest gently, trying to deflect his concerns. "Oh, Shubman, siblings fight all the time, don't they? Don't you have your share of disagreements with yours?" Her attempt to brush off the situation with humour masked the turmoil within her, hoping to keep Shubman from probing further into the matter.

He raised his eyebrows in a warning gesture, sensing that Nehmat was trying to divert his attention. However, she responded by pulling him closer and wrapping her arms around his neck. Whispering, she reassured him, "You don't need to stress, there's nothing to be worried about." Her words were soothing, but Shubman couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to the situation than Nehmat was letting on.

Choosing to let the matter rest for now, Shubman decided to wait for the right moment for Nehmat to open up. Instead, he focused on cherishing the time they had together. With a gentle tug, he pulled her closer, lifting her and wrapping her legs around his waist. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, a moment of intimacy shared between them as they savoured the time they had left before returning home the next day.

As they separated, Shubman couldn't help but notice the blush that tinted Nehmat's cheeks. A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes as he decided to tease her gently. With a playful grin, he brushed his fingers lightly against her cheek, his voice laced with amusement.

"Looks like someone enjoyed that," he teased, his voice laced with affection. He leaned in closer, his lips hovering near her ear. "Or maybe I should give you another reason to blush?" he whispered suggestively.

Nehmat's cheeks flushed even deeper at Shubman's playful words. She couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at his suggestive whisper. With a coy smile, she leaned back slightly, meeting his gaze with a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I think one reason is plenty for now," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, teasing him right back.

"But what about the wild Nehmat who's always up for something? Where is she now?" Shubman's voice was low, his lips tantalizingly close to Nehmat's, causing her breath to catch in her throat. His words sent a shiver down her spine as she felt the intensity of his gaze.

She felt a rush of desire coursing through her veins at his proximity. With a playful glint in her eyes, she leaned in closer, her lips barely brushing against his as she whispered, "Oh, she's right here, waiting for you to find her." Her heart raced with anticipation, eager to see where their playful banter would lead them.

As Shubman leaned in closer, ready to deepen the kiss, Nehmat's mind suddenly flashed with a reminder of something important. With a gentle but firm gesture, she placed her hand between their lips, effectively halting their passionate moment. Shubman let out a disappointed whine, his desire was evident in his eyes.

"Nehmat, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion and longing. He couldn't understand why she had stopped him, especially when they were both so caught up in the heat of the moment.

"Sorry, but I have to go and shop for something for my Vamii. I promised her," Nehmat said, biting her lip nervously as she hugged Shubman, expressing her apology.

"It's okay," Shubman replied, understanding Nehmat's need to fulfil her promise to her niece. He returned her hug, feeling a pang of disappointment but masking it with a smile. "Go ahead and take care of what you need to. We'll catch up later." With a gentle squeeze.

As Shubman was about to put her down, Nehmat protested, clinging to him in a tight hug. "Wait, Shubman," she exclaimed, her voice filled with determination. "You're coming too! And guess what? This is also going to be our date." She looked up at him with a grin, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Shubman frowned slightly, caught off guard by Nehmat's unexpected proposal. "Shouldn't I be the one taking you on a date?" he questioned, a hint of confusion in his voice.

Nehmat chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Who said dates have to stick to the usual norms?" she quipped. Shubman started to respond, but before he could say anything, Nehmat pressed her lips to his gently. Pulling back slightly, she continued, "My man deserves to be pampered, and with Nehmat Kohli, you'll always be treated like a prince. After all, the title of king belongs to Paaji," she said, playfully brushing her nose against his.

Shubman couldn't help but smile at Nehmat's words. Leaning in, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead, whispering, "With you by my side, I already feel like a king."

She hugged him tightly, her lips brushing against his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. "Well, prince," she murmured, her words causing his throat to go dry, "if you let your princess treat you right, you can treat her right at night."