Chapter Twenty-One: What Could It Be?

Nehmat reclined her seat and folded her legs, relishing the passing scenery. Shubman assumed control of the wheel, his other hand gently resting on Nehmat's thigh. She glanced back to check on Vamika, whose sleeping figure was covered with Shubman's jacket, serving as a blanket.

As the windows rolled down, Nehmat leaned against the window, allowing the breeze to caress her face. Shubman glanced at her, smiling. "Enjoying the ride, love?"

"How could I not, especially with you at the wheel, showing off those nerves and muscles," she replied, grinning.

"You seem to be quite the admirer," he flirted back, a playful twinkle in his eyes.

She admitted with a shrug, "Why wouldn't I? Especially when my man is good-looking. And let's not forget how your personality swept me off my feet during your debut match."

 "This is the first time a girl hasn't been shy about showing her love for me, openly taking the lead in the relationship," he chuckled.

Nehmat chuckled softly, playfully nudging his arm. "Well, maybe I just can't help myself when it comes to you," she teased, her eyes twinkling with affection.

Shubman chuckled and gently pinched Nehmat's cheeks, his eyes gleaming with fondness. "You're something else, you know that?" he said, his voice warm with affection.

She leaned in and placed a long, tender kiss on his cheek, her lips lingering for a moment. "And that's just for you," she whispered softly, her eyes expressing the depth of her feelings.

He held her affectionately, then gently parked the car on the less crowded side of the road. As they sat in the quiet of the parked car, Shubman turned to Nehmat, his expression softening. "I love moments like these, just you and me," he murmured, his hand finding hers as they gazed out at the tranquil surroundings.

Nehmat smiled, intertwining her fingers with his. "Me too," she whispered, leaning in to rest her head on his shoulder.

Nehmat chuckled softly, looking at Shubman with a playful glint in her eyes. "So, what was Vamika warning us about?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice as she awaited his response.

He laughed, his chest vibrating. "She was warning that if I ever hurt her Nini, I'd have to face her wrath," Shubman explained, a hint of amusement in his voice as he recalled Vamika's protective nature towards Nehmat.

Nehmat grinned, picturing Vamika's fierce protectiveness over her. "Well, you better watch out then," she teased, poking him gently in the side. "I wouldn't want to see you on the receiving end of my Vamii's wrath."

Shubman chuckled, playfully swatting Nehmat's hand away. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to stay on Vamika's good side," he replied with a wink. "After all, I wouldn't want to mess with her fierce loyalty to you."

Nehmat laughed, her amusement interrupted by loud shouts coming from the side of the road. Both she and Shubman turned their heads towards the commotion outside, curious to see what was happening.

They witnessed a couple fighting, the boy shouting angrily at the girl, "You cheated on my trust!"

The girl shouted back at him, her voice filled with frustration and hurt. "It was a sensitive topic! I was scared to tell you, and now you're reacting the same way I feared," she retorted, her words echoing with emotion as she defended herself.

The boy's voice rose in agitation. "We are in a relationship! We need to be transparent in it," he shouted back, his tone demanding accountability and honesty.

"I would tell you if it was only about me, but it involves my family's reputation," the girl replied, her voice quivering with emotion. Hearing this, Nehmat instinctively clutched onto Shubman's shirt, her heart racing as she was reminded of the complexities surrounding family dynamics and reputations.

The boy's reply came out sharply, his anger palpable in his voice. "Your family's reputation is not an excuse for keeping secrets from me!"

The girl, sensing the escalation of emotions, reached out and gently cupped the boy's face in her hands. "Please, try to understand,"

The boy, his frustration still evident, yanked her hands away from his face and gave her a warning look. "I don't want to hear excuses anymore," he said firmly, his tone laced with impatience and disappointment.

The girl, her eyes brimming with tears, pleaded with him to listen, but he turned away and left without a word, leaving her alone on the side of the road. Feeling overwhelmed by a mixture of sadness and frustration, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer, and they streamed down her cheeks as she watched him go.

The girl, hastily wiping away her tears, hailed a passing cab and moved away before they could offer her help.

Nehmat, trembling with her own emotions, wiped away her tears as she watched the girl hastily leave. She couldn't help but see her own reflection in the turmoil, contemplating the future where her truths might come to light. Looking up at Shubman, her eyes searching for reassurance, she posed a question filled with vulnerability. "Will you trust and understand me if we ever find ourselves in a similar situation?" she asked, her voice quivering with uncertainty as she awaited his response.

Shubman, sensing Nehmat's distress, gently cupped her face, his expression filled with concern. "What happened? Why are you crying?" he asked, his voice soft and reassuring as he tried to comfort her.

Nehmat's voice croaked as tears continued to stream down her cheeks. "Just promise me... don't ask anything else," she pleaded, her vulnerability laid bare in her words. She needed Shubman's comfort and assurance, but she couldn't bear to relive the pain by explaining.

He wiped her tears gently with his palms, his touch tender and comforting. "Okay, love, now stop crying," he said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. At that moment, his gesture conveyed more than words ever could, offering her solace and reassurance in his embrace.

He gently lifted her chin, his touch coaxing her to meet his gaze, and planted a soft kiss on her nose. "I'll take you home myself and then hail a cab," he reassured her, his voice filled with care and determination to ensure her safety and comfort.

She shook her head gently, her tear-streaked face showing a hint of resolve. "No, I'll drop you off at the hotel first, and then I'll drive home," she insisted, her voice steadier now, albeit still tinged with emotion.

He gently shushed her, placing a finger on her lips to silence any further protests. "I will drop you off at home first, and then I'll go by cab. No arguments, okay?" he said firmly, his tone gentle yet resolute. Shubman wanted to ensure Nehmat's comfort and safety above all else, determined to ease her burden and offer her the support she needed in that moment.

As they drove back home, Nehmat sat hugging herself, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside. Shubman stole glances at her, sensing that she was hiding something. He couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, but he knew there was a weight on her shoulders. Despite his curiosity, he respected her need for privacy, deciding to wait for the right moment to let her open up. With a sigh, he refocused on the road ahead, navigating through the quiet yet not-so-quiet lanes of Delhi.

As they reached Nehmat's house, she directed Shubman with just a single word, guiding him to park the car in the garage. As the car came to a halt, Nehmat reached for Vamika in the back seat, carefully holding his jacket that served as a makeshift blanket. While Nehmat tended to Vamika, Shubman stepped out of the car and locked it, then handed her the keys.

Nehmat muttered a soft "thanks" as she looked at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. He returned her gaze, gently lifting her chin with his hand. He leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her forehead, whispering, "I love you."

Nehmat, overcome with emotion, pulled him down by the neck, tilting her head sideways to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Love you too," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity and affection.

After their tender exchange of affection, Nehmat spoke up softly, her voice breaking the momentary silence. "Call me once you reach," she said, a hint of concern lacing her words. Shubman nodded in understanding. "I will," he assured her, his tone warm with reassurance as he acknowledged her request.

As Nehmat turned around to head inside, Shubman lingered, his gaze following her until she disappeared behind the door. He waited there for what felt like an eternity, his mind consumed with thoughts of what could be troubling Nehmat. There was something about her demeanour, a weight she carried that he couldn't quite decipher.

Recalling the interactions between Nehmat and her brother, Paaji, Shubman couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their relationship than met the eye. He remembered the tense moments, the unspoken tension that lingered between them.He might have initially dismissed the argument between Nehmat and Virat as a typical sibling fight that day, but numerous instances had led him to believe that there was more going on beneath the surface. What could they be hiding? Shubman couldn't help but wonder. 

Despite the uncertainty, he resolved to support Nehmat through whatever challenges she faced. With a sigh, Shubman finally tore his gaze away from the door, accepting that some things were beyond his immediate understanding. As he walked away, his mind still raced with questions and concerns about Nehmat's well-being. However, he knew that pushing for answers at that moment wouldn't help.