⛧°。 ⋆༺ ＳＡＲＡ'Ｓ ＰＯＶ ༻⋆。 °⛧

It had been three weeks since Shub and I properly spoke.

Three long, frustrating, silent weeks.

I kept telling myself he was busy—with cricket, with the KKR training, with the new responsibilities that came with being in the big leagues. But as each day passed and his texts grew shorter, his calls more distant, the knot in my stomach tightened.

And then came the cherry on top—rumors floating all over the internet that he was dating Suhana Khan. I scoffed when I read it for the first time. My Shub? No way. He wasn't like that. He wasn't the type to flirt around or forget people. He wouldn't just... move on.

Right?

I sighed and closed my book, not having read a single page. My heart felt heavy—too heavy to concentrate.

What is happening to us?

This distance... this weird silence... was it just temporary? Or was it the beginning of an end?

I had even spoken to Shanu a few days ago. I tried to ask casually, but I know she could hear the pain behind my words. She told me Shub barely called them too. And even when he did, it was short, almost rushed. "Two to three minutes max," she had said.

Why?

Why was he shutting everyone out?

Was he changing?

Was he... becoming like every other man who puts work above love, ambition over emotions?

The thought stung more than I wanted to admit.

I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering if he still thought about me the way I thought about him. Wondering if he even missed me.

I blinked back the sting in my eyes, clutching onto the hoodie he gave me before I left. His scent had almost faded now.

And with it, I was scared we might fade too.

I woke up to the soft rays of the London sun peeking through my curtains, but nothing felt warm. It was just another lonely morning in this city that hadn't quite become home yet. My eyes were puffy—I had cried myself to sleep again. I reached for my phone out of habit, checking for his name in the notifications.

Nothing.

I sighed and dragged myself out of bed, wrapping his now faint-scented hoodie around me. I moved toward the kitchen to make some tea when the doorbell rang.

I frowned. It was early. I wasn't expecting anyone.

I walked to the door, yawning slightly as I opened it—and froze.

There he was.

Shub.

Standing in a black hoodie, hair a mess from the wind, suitcase beside him, and the same sheepish dimpled smile I had memorized in every dream.

"Hey, Sweetheart," he said softly.

I didn't say a word. I just stared at him like he was a ghost, my heart pounding in disbelief.

"What... what are you doing here?" I whispered.

"I came to see you," he said, his voice low, and then he stepped in, shutting the door gently behind him. "Because I needed to explain. Because I can't lose you, Sara."

I blinked, tears already welling up.

He walked closer and cupped my face gently, "I know you're hurt. And I deserve that. But I didn't stop talking to you because I forgot you... I stopped because I was scared."

"Scared?" I breathed out, my lips trembling.

He nodded. "Everything happened so fast. KKR, training, the media, the interviews, the pressure. I didn't know how to handle any of it. And I thought if I distanced myself... if I focused only on cricket... I'd get better at managing it. I thought I was protecting you from the chaos."

I shook my head, feeling his forehead press against mine now. "Shub... you didn't need to protect me from you. I chose you. I would've handled the chaos with you."

"I know," he whispered, eyes glassy. "I messed up. I missed you every single night. I hated sleeping without your voice. I hated the rumors. But I didn't want to add to your pressure by dragging you into this storm."

I wrapped my arms around his waist and clung to him. "You idiot," I mumbled into his chest. "I didn't want your silence. I wanted your presence."

He held me tighter, burying his face into my hair. "Well, now I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere until you forgive me."

I pulled back slightly and looked up at him, smirking through my tears. "Even if I make you sleep on the couch?"

He laughed, eyes crinkling. "I'll take the floor. Just don't push me out of your life, Sara."

I wiped his cheek gently. "Never. Just... don't shut me out again."

He nodded solemnly. "I won't. You're not a distraction, Sara. You're my home."

And for the first time in weeks, my heart felt whole again.

I pulled away from his chest, still holding his hands, and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Wait a second," I said, crossing my arms. "You came all the way to London... during your only two-week break? What happened to resting, huh? Aren't you supposed to be on a break from training? Shub, are you serious right now?"

He gave me that boyish, guilty smile that usually melts me. "I am resting. I'm resting with you."

I rolled my eyes, even though my heart fluttered. "Shubman Gill, do you think this is a movie? You should be at home, resting your body, not flying across the world to calm your emotionally neglected girlfriend!"

He chuckled and stepped closer again. "Well, I wasn't going to rest properly unless I knew we were okay. And clearly, we weren't."

I narrowed my eyes further. "Do your coaches know? Did your physio approve this? What if you fall sick here? London weather isn't exactly... nice."

He grinned wider. "Yes, ma'am. I informed the manager, and Shahneel packed extra meds and warmers, and yes, I'm going to drink hot water like you always nag me to."

I huffed. "I do nag because you don't take care of yourself!"

"Which is why I flew to the one person who actually does," he said, leaning in and brushing his nose against mine playfully.

I tried to hide my smile. "Still not forgiven."

He pouted dramatically. "Please? I'll even let you boss me around for the next fourteen days."

I raised a brow. "Oh really? So I can make you eat broccoli?"

He winced. "...within reason."

I burst into laughter and shook my head. "You're impossible."

He grinned and gently pulled me into a hug again. "But I'm here. And I'm yours."

I melted into him. Despite the scolding, despite the worry... there was no place I'd rather have him.

We were sitting in my cozy little kitchen later that evening, with the heater buzzing faintly and a bowl of freshly tossed salad in front of him. Shub was eyeing it like it was radioactive.

I raised an eyebrow. "Eat."

He scrunched his nose. "Saraaaa, this looks like cow food. There's not even cheese on it!"

"That's the point. Clean eating, remember?" I folded my arms and gave him a mock stern glare. "You said you'd listen to me for fourteen days."

He pouted, stabbing a piece of lettuce like it had personally wronged him. "I didn't know salad was going to be involved."

I burst out laughing. "You said within reason, remember?"

He looked up at me, eyes wide and dramatic. "Exactly! This is beyond reason. This is punishment."

"Oh come on, don't be a baby," I teased, walking behind him and gently patting his head. "Imagine how fit and shiny you'll be when you go back."

He groaned, dramatically shoving a bite into his mouth. "You sound like a nutritionist."

I smirked. "Correction. I'm going to be a doctor in five years. So you better get used to me bossing you around, Mr. Gill."

He glanced at me with mock horror. "So you mean... I'll never have junk food again?"

"Only under my supervision," I grinned. "And only if you behave like a good patient."

He slumped in his chair, throwing his head back like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. "I should've dated someone in media studies. They would've fed me fries!"

I slapped his arm gently, laughing. "You're impossible!"

He looked at me with a crooked smile, his dimples showing. "Yeah, but I'm yours. Salad and all."

꧁・┆✦ʚ 𝚂𝚑𝚞𝚋𝚖𝚊𝚗'𝚜 ♡ 𝙿𝚘𝚟 ɞ✦ ┆・꧂

I was sprawled out on Sara's couch, still grumbling about the salad she made me eat, when my phone buzzed. It was Mumma.

I cleared my throat, sat up, and picked up the call. "Haan, Mumma?"

"Shubie," she said, her voice laced with suspicion. "Where are you right now?"

I blinked, my eyes darting to the window behind me that clearly showed grey, rainy London. I stood up and walked to the other room, away from Sara, trying to sound casual. "Uhh... with some of the KKR boys, Mumma. Just catching up. Training break, na."

"In London?" she asked sharply.

Crap. C'mon Shubman, think fast.

"Yeah! Yeah, actually... Russell bhai and a few of the foreign players were here, so... just came for a quick visit. Two weeks only. Bonding and all."

There was a pause.

"Your bonding better not be with a girl."

I laughed nervously. "Mummaaa, no! I swear. Just the boys. Chill."

In the background, I could hear Papa's voice. "Who's he talking to?"

Keart replied, "He says he's in London. With KKR friends."

I cleared my throat again. "Listen, Mumma. I'll video call you later, okay? Battery low and Wi-Fi's acting up."

Before she could ask anything else, I quickly added, "Love you!" and cut the call.

I turned around and saw Sara leaning on the doorframe with a smirk.

"KKR bonding session, huh?"

I grinned sheepishly. "You heard that?"

She walked up, arms folded. "So I'm just part of your international cricket strategy now?"

I slipped my arms around her waist. "Only the most important part."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop smiling. "Shubie, your excuses are as bad as your salad tantrums."

"Hey," I grinned, pulling her closer, "I may be bad at lying to my mum, but I'm pretty good at loving you."

Sara sat cross-legged on the bed, her back resting against the headboard, a medical textbook opened wide in front of her. Her reading glasses sat low on her nose, and her fingers absentmindedly twirled her pen while her eyes scanned the page.

Meanwhile, my head rested in her lap, my cheek pressed against the soft fabric of her pajamas. Her hand was occasionally brushing through my hair, and honestly, that was the only thing keeping me from completely dozing off.

My eyes fluttered shut for a moment, then blinked open again.

"Saraa..." I mumbled, voice heavy with sleep, "how many more pages?"

She looked down at me with a soft smile, "Just ten more, baby. Almost done."

I groaned dramatically. "You've been saying ten more since page 56..."

She laughed quietly and leaned down to kiss my forehead. "Okay okay... just seven now."

I smiled lazily and let out a breath. "Fine. But I'm charging interest in cuddles for every page you delay."

She chuckled, still flipping through the pages. "Deal. But you better not sleep before I'm done."

I nodded weakly. "Mmhmm... I'm just... resting my eyes."

"Shubman..." she said in a warning tone, shaking her head.

"I'm awake!" I said instantly, eyes opening wide, then narrowing with a sleepy grin. "Kind of."

She giggled, gently carding her fingers through my hair again. "You're impossible."

I sighed in contentment, melting into her lap. "Impossible for everyone but you."

The room stayed quiet after that, just the sound of pages flipping, her gentle breathing, and my own heartbeat slowing down. I didn't even realize when my eyelids dropped shut for real this time. But the last thing I heard was her voice whispering,

"I love you, sleepyhead."

⛧°。 ⋆༺ ＳＡＲＡ'Ｓ ＰＯＶ ༻⋆。 °⛧

I looked down at Shubman, his head still resting on my lap, his chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of sleep. His features were softer when he was asleep—more relaxed, less guarded. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I gently brushed a lock of his hair away from his forehead.

I couldn't help but notice how clingy he'd become lately. It was like the moment he was around me, he would melt into this cuddly, affectionate version of himself that I rarely saw with others. It made my heart swell with warmth, but it also left me with a feeling of complete tenderness toward him.

It wasn't just his presence that I felt; it was the way he seemed to instinctively gravitate toward me. Even now, with his head in my lap, one of his arms was lazily draped over my legs, as if trying to ensure I was still close. It was a little overwhelming at times, but in the best way possible.

He was this strong, successful cricketer with so much on his plate—yet when it came to me, he was like this soft, endearing boy, completely trusting and content in my presence. It felt like he needed me in ways he didn't need anyone else. And I found myself more than happy to be the person he turned to, the one he wanted by his side.

I ran my fingers gently through his hair again, marveling at how peaceful he looked in this vulnerable state. He had a way of making my heart race with just a glance, but right now, with him so relaxed and close, all I could feel was the overwhelming sense of affection I had for him.

I knew he was usually the one to be protective, but it was moments like this that made me want to shield him just as much. I wanted to keep him safe, keep him happy, and remind him that no matter what life threw his way, I'd always be here.

But as I sat there, watching him sleep so soundly, I couldn't help but smile at how sweetly he clung to me—like he truly didn't want to let me go. It was a simple moment, but it felt so special, so real. I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, whispering,

"I'm not going anywhere, Shubman. You can always count on me."

And for the first time in a long while, I felt like everything in the world was perfectly aligned—like no matter what came next, we were in this together.