The rain was drizzling in Vizag, and the team somehow managed to get a lead in the first innings. But Shubman failed once again. Honestly, he was struggling to find his form rather than simply failing, at least from Noor's point of view.

Team India was now bowling in the second innings, but the batters seemed to have the upper hand. Despite the conditions, they were playing confidently, finding gaps with ease and keeping the scoreboard ticking. The bowlers were working hard, but the momentum had clearly shifted in favor of the opposition. Every run felt like it was slipping further from India's grasp, and Shubman, standing in the field, could feel the pressure mounting on his team.

The other team built an impressive lead of 250 runs by the end of their innings. Their aggressive batting and strategic play had put them in a commanding position, leaving Team India with a substantial target to chase.

The mighty Australians were back on the field with the ball in their hands, ready to defend their significant lead. The Indian openers, determined to tackle the challenge, began making their way back onto the field, preparing for a tough fight against a formidable bowling attack.

As the innings progressed, Shubman's struggle became increasingly evident. He seemed out of sync with the pace and bounce of the pitch, frequently mistiming his shots and misjudging deliveries. His attempts to settle down were thwarted by the relentless pressure from the Australian bowlers. Each delivery felt like a new challenge, and his frustration grew as he continued to miss opportunities to score. His usual confidence was replaced by visible signs of struggle, making it clear that he was having a hard time regaining his form and contributing effectively to the innings.

Shubman faced a particularly challenging delivery from the Australian bowler. The ball, pitched slightly short and rising sharply, caught Shubman off guard. He attempted a defensive stroke, but the ball angled in and evaded his bat, crashing into the stumps with a sharp, satisfying clatter. The bails flew off, and Shubman's score, a mere 12 runs, was displayed on the scoreboard.

The bowler, elated by the crucial breakthrough, celebrated unabashedly. He leapt into the air, pumping his fists and roaring with triumph. As he did, he couldn't resist taunting Shubman, shouting, "Thought you had it under control, did you?"

Shubman, already frustrated and disappointed, shot back, "Keep talking, it’s not over yet."

The bowler sneered, "Yeah, well, enjoy your walk back, mate."

The exchange escalated quickly, and as both players squared up, their faces inches apart, the umpires rushed in to separate them.

Noor sighed as she watched Shubman's unusual display of anger on the field. It was unlike him to react so heatedly; he was always the calm and composed one. She couldn’t help but think that the pressure of maintaining perfection and performing well was taking its toll on him. The stress seemed to be manifesting in ways she hadn’t seen before.

The team eventually won the match, but Shubman wasn’t fully satisfied, despite his happiness at the victory. As he sat in his hotel room, he found himself continuously snacking, his mind preoccupied. He gazed out of the window, watching the sea crash against the shore, the rhythmic waves mirroring the turbulence he felt inside. The victory felt hollow, overshadowed by his personal struggles and the frustration he couldn't shake off.

Noor and Shubman had exchanged only a brief kiss since the match, their communication limited by the silence that hung between them. Noor understood that Shubman needed time, but the longer she gave him, the more he seemed to retreat into his eating.

Finally, exasperated, Noor spoke up, "Stop! If you put another morsel in your mouth, I swear I'll puke." Her tired frustration was evident, and she hoped her words might break through the wall of silence and reach Shubman.

Shubman turned around, his eyes rolling in frustration. "What, do you want me to eat you instead?" he snapped.

Before he could say anything more, Noor threw a pillow at him, hitting him squarely in the face.

Noor, still blushing despite her anger, snapped, "Mind your language! Don’t talk to me like that." Her frustration was clear, but her flushed cheeks betrayed a mix of emotions beneath her stern exterior.

Shubman scoffed and turned back toward the window, clearly ready to continue his solitary eating. "Just leave me alone," he said, his voice carrying a note of finality. His gaze returned to the sea, as if searching for solace in the rhythmic crashing of the waves, while Noor stood there, torn between anger and concern for him.

As Shubman reached for another chip, Noor stood up and swiftly snatched the packet from his hand. Her determination was clear as she held it out of his reach. "Enough of this," she said firmly, her frustration evident. "You need to talk, not just drown your feelings in food."

Shubman banged his hand on the arm of the chair, the sudden movement echoing his frustration. "Damn it, Noor!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Can’t you just let me deal with this in my own way?"

"But you can't just—" Noor began, only to be cut off by Shubman. "I didn’t bring you on this tour to be bossy and not let me have a moment's peace," he interrupted sharply.

Noor's eyes welled up with tears as she asked, "Am I annoying you?"

Shubman flung his hands in the air in frustration and said, "Yes, you are. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need some space."

Noor bit her lips, trying to hold back her emotions. "I'll leave. Call me if you need anything," she said quietly.

Shubman didn't respond; he just ignored her and slumped back into his chair, staring out the window. The door clicked shut behind Noor, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the relentless crashing of the waves outside.

Hours passed, and Shubman remained alone in the room, his gaze fixed on the sky as it gradually turned dark. The day’s tension had ebbed, replaced by a somber quiet. The fading light cast long shadows across the room, mirroring the shadows of his thoughts.

As the room darkened, loneliness began to creep in. Shubman opened his phone, the screen’s light brightening his face. However, the comments he saw darkened his mood more. Trolls were relentlessly attacking him, and memes mocking his performance flooded in.

"Looks like Shubman's having a rough time. Maybe he should stick to the bench!"

"Can’t believe they still picked him for the team. Total flop!"

"This is what happens when you let the pressure get to you. Classic fail!"

“That’s the problem with relying on so-called stars. Time for new blood!”

"Shubman’s innings: one for the bloopers reel. 😂"

"Shubman's performance was a joke. How did he even make the team?"

"Noor’s presence seems to be a distraction. Maybe she should focus on cheering from the sidelines."

"If Noor was supposed to be his lucky charm, someone should tell her it’s not working."

The last two comments, mocking Noor, really boiled Shubman’s blood. He felt a sharp pang of pain seeing her being blamed for his struggles. It wasn’t fair to drag her into the negativity, especially when she had been trying to support him through a tough time.

He looked up, hoping to find Noor there, but the room was dark and empty. His heart started beating faster, a sense of panic creeping in.

The thought struck Shubman: "Will she leave me just because I'm struggling in the game?" The idea gnawed at him, adding to his sense of insecurity and fear. His anxiety over whether Noor would abandon him during his low points intensified his feelings of loneliness and self-doubt.

Shubman paused, realizing that Noor would never leave him over his struggles. His mind drifted back to their earlier fight, where he had told her to leave him alone. The memory hit him hard; he had pushed her away when she was trying to help. Guilt and regret washed over him as he understood that her intentions had always been to support him, even if he hadn't appreciated it at the time.

Determined to make things right, Shubman got up, quickly slipped into his flip flops, and grabbed the key card. He rushed out of the room, his heart pounding with urgency as he headed through the hotel corridors, searching for Noor. He was driven by a deep need to apologize and explain, hoping to find her before it was too late.

Shubman hurried down to the lobby, scanning every corner for Noor. His desperation led him to the game room, where he finally spotted Noor and Ishan engaged in a heated board game battle.

Noor and Ishan were in the middle of a fierce argument.

"Ishan, you can’t just move like that!" Noor exclaimed, slamming her hand on the board.

"Why not? It’s within the rules," Ishan shot back, clearly irritated.

Shubman stepped further into the room, catching Noor’s attention. "Noori," he called out, his voice tinged with both relief and remorse.

Noor looked at Shubman with a pout and said, "Kaake, tell him not to cheat."

Shubman chuckled at her childlike annoyance, feeling a flicker of warmth amid his turmoil. He then moved closer, gently pulling her into a hug and burying his face into her neck. As he cried, his voice trembled with emotion.

"Don’t ever leave me," he said softly. "Never ever. I don’t want you to be away from me because of my performance. I’m so sorry for shouting at you when you were just trying to help. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and took it out on you. I didn’t mean any of it."

Noor wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as he continued to rant, pouring out his guilt and regret. "I just... I need you, Noor. Please stay with me. I don’t know how to get through this without you."

Ishan quietly slipped away, giving Shubman and Noor some privacy. As Shubman cried quietly into Noor's embrace, he was conscious of the possibility that someone might hear him. Noor held him tightly, offering comfort as he released his pent-up emotions.

Noor pulled back slightly and pressed her lips against Shubman's, not caring about the salty tears that mingled with their kiss.

Amid their kiss and Shubman's sobs, Noor whispered tenderly, "No matter how you play, it won’t push me away. I’m with you through everything." Her words were a quiet vow of unwavering support.

Noor’s words seemed genuine, but the question lingered: would someone behind the scenes twist her promise or challenge their relationship? As they shared this vulnerable moment, an unseen force threatened to test the truth of her vow. The stability of their bond was on the edge, with uncertainties lurking just out of sight.

To be continued...