Shubman and Noor sat together in the plane, cuddling close. Noor rested her chin on his strong bicep, their fingers intertwined as they chatted and laughed over silly things. The rest of the team couldn't help but glance at them, noticing how in love the youngest member seemed.

A loud sigh interrupted their conversation, and their eyes shifted upward to see Ishan sitting in front of them, looking annoyed.

"You know, you can't always steal my man," Ishan groaned. "I know you two are in a relationship, but at least let me have him during tours."

Noor laughed and sat upright. "Are you serious, Ishan? Your words don't sound right," she said, amused.

Shubman chuckled, squeezing Noor's hand. "Don't worry, Ishan. You'll get your share of me soon enough," he teased, winking at his friend.

Ishan rolled his eyes dramatically. "I swear, you two are insufferable. I want my buddy back for a bit," he said, feigning exasperation.

"I got it so right—you really are my sautan," Noor said, playfully pinching Ishan's nose.

Ishan scrunched his nose in response and replied, "Well, the feeling is mutual, Noor."

"Don't worry, you'll have him in Lucknow," Noor said, pushing Ishan's face back into his seat. "But right now, he's mine. Now sit back and relax."

Shubman laughed and confessed, "Getting trip permission from Kuljinder's Uncle and giving equal time to Ishan is pretty much the same thing."

Noor pouted and said, "Don't talk like that. Daddyji cares and loves me too much."

Shubman rolled his eyes and replied, "I literally spent seven hours convincing him to let you come with me."

Noor huffed and said, "Of course, you're so irresponsible. Last time we went on a trip, you lost your memories."

Shubman's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you seriously making fun of that?" he asked, taken aback.

Noor made a bored face and said, "Do you want me to cry about it more then?"

Shubman sighed and said, "Fair point. Can't expect anything less from my best friend."

Noor smirked, satisfied with the response. "Glad you understand. Now, let's just enjoy the rest of the trip without any more drama."

As they landed in Lucknow, the paparazzi went into a frenzy to capture the cricket team. Flashes were going off everywhere, making Noor nervous and causing her anxiety to kick in a bit.

Shubman walked forward confidently, but Noor took a step back, her hand still firm in his. The cameras, eager to capture the younger star and the famous newbie in the world of fashion, flashed incessantly, focusing on their every move.

Shubman, noticing Noor's growing anxiety, requested the camera personnel to move back a little. "Can you give us some space, please?" he asked firmly. As the photographers reluctantly stepped back, he continued to guide Noor forward, trying to ease her distress and make their way through the airport more manageable.

Once they reached a safe distance, they had to travel in separate buses, as the WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends) had to travel separately. Shubman, wiping the sweat off her face with his handkerchief asked, "Are you comfortable going alone, Noor?"

Noor took a deep breath, looking relieved to be away from the paparazzi. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks for making it easier back there."

Shubman nodded, still concerned. "Call me if you need anything, okay?"

Noor smiled, appreciating his care. "I will. See you at the hotel."

Throughout the entire drive to the hotel, Shubman continuously texted Noor to check on her, making sure she was okay. He breathed a sigh of relief when they finally arrived at the hotel.

Noor, still feeling weak but having enough energy to make the journey, rested as soon as they got to their room. Shubman watched over her, making sure she was comfortable and had everything she needed.

After freshening up, Shubman climbed onto the bed and gently peppered Noor's face with kisses. Noor held him close, her fingers caressing his stubble.

"Feeling so much love, huh?" Noor asked in a low voice, her eyes growing heavy with sleep.

Shubman pressed a kiss against her cheek and muttered, "Absolutely. You mean the world to me, Noori. Rest now."

Noor smiled softly, her eyelids fluttering closed as she settled into a peaceful sleep, feeling secure and loved.

Shubman gently pulled Noor's head onto his chest, caressing her hair with a tender touch. Despite his usual love for socializing and his restless nature, when Noor was around, he found solace in being an introvert. He preferred simply holding her in his arms, listening to her soft murmurs or watching her blue eyes shift colours with her moods.

Noor stirred from her sleep and looked up at Shubman. "Not able to sleep, my party animal?" she teased softly, referring to his habit of never staying home and always wanting to be out or partying.

Shubman smiled, his gaze tender. "I guess I'm just enjoying being right here with you," he replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Noor climbed up on him and kissed the corner of his lips, making him stiffen slightly. Her touch was gentle but electrifying, causing a moment of stillness between them.

Noor clung to him, her mole on her throat shifting with each movement as she spoke. "So, what's the plan?" she murmured in a low, heavy tone, causing Shubman to shudder.

Shubman, still holding her close, tried to steady his breath. "We'll take it easy. Just enjoy each other's company and see where the day takes us," he said, trying to sound relaxed despite the effect her words had on him.

"Are you sure?" she asked, scratching his beard gently with her nails.

"What do you mean?" Shubman asked, his voice a bit uncertain as he gulped, his gaze lingering on the tempting mole on her throat.

Noor leaned forward, brushing her lips against his ear as she held him tight, their chests pressing together. "You know what I exactly mean," she whispered.

Shubman held her cheek, looking deeply into her eyes. "Are you okay with it?"

Noor narrowed her eyes playfully and replied, "A little bit of it won't hurt."

Shubman's lips met Noor's in a deep, consuming kiss, his touch fervent and gentle. As he lay her down, his kisses trailed from her neck to her chest, each touch lingering with tender intensity. Noor's hands curled into his hair, gripping him as if anchoring herself in the moment. Her back arched slightly, responding to the warmth of his touch and the sensation of his lips exploring her skin.

The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, entwined in their private world. Shubman's kisses were a blend of passion and affection, each movement a silent promise of his devotion. Noor's breath quickened, and she held him closer, savouring every second of their closeness.

Shubman moved back slightly, taking a deep breath. "I'm stopping here, or else I won't be able to control myself."

Noor kissed his nose and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm not doing anything until you're ready," Shubman said with a reassuring smile. "I know you're an old-school lover and don't believe in it before marriage."

Noor looked at him with a mix of relief and affection. "That's one of the things I love about you," she said softly. "You understand and respect where I'm coming from."

Shubman brushed a strand of hair from her face. "It's important to me that you feel comfortable and valued. We're in this together, and I want us to be on the same page."

"I love you so much, Kaake," Noor said, giving him a tender peck on the lips.

Shubman blushed, burying his face in her neck as he muttered, "Where do you want to go tonight?"

Noor smirked and said, "Movies and dates are so common. You suggest something."

Shubman looked up, smiling. "How about a long drive? Just your favourite playlist and us."

Noor's smile grew wider. "Well, that sounds like a plan," she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Shubman's grin matched hers. "Then it's settled. Just us, the open road, and some good music."

"Sounds perfect," Noor said, already picturing the calm and the connection they'd share. "When do we start?"

He asked, his voice soft as he placed gentle kisses along her neck, "You decide when."

Noor closed her eyes, her tongue brushing her lips as she spoke, "How about 9:30?"

"9:30 it is, then," he said, placing a long kiss on her neck, causing her to shudder with a mix of surprise and pleasure.

She leaned into him, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm looking forward to it."

He smiled against her skin, his breath warm. "Me too," he said, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes. "

As night fell quickly, Noor was already connecting her phone to the car's Bluetooth speakers while Shubman started driving.

As the playlist began, featuring classic '90s Bollywood hits, Noor rolled down the window, letting the wind play with her hair. She closed her eyes for a moment, relishing the music and the feeling of freedom.

Shubman gently caressed Noor's thigh with one hand, while his other hand remained steady on the steering wheel.

Noor smiled as she gazed at the city, still vibrant but gradually settling into the calm of the evening. The lights twinkled against the deepening twilight, creating a soothing backdrop as the clock ticked closer to nighttime.

Noor said, turning towards him as she folded her legs, "There was a time you used to take me on cycle rides, and now it's just car drives."

Noor, caressing the back of his neck, rested her head on the seat and said softly, "How we've changed from children to adults. It feels like just yesterday we were carefree, riding our bikes without a worry in the world."

Shubman, picking up her hand and kissing it gently, said, "And I'm glad that the girl who used to ride behind my cycle and now sits next to me in the car is still the same."

Noor blushed and replied, "Ever thought your best friend would end up being your girlfriend?"

Shubman shook his head with a smile. "Trust me, I won't lie—I never felt that way back then. But don't worry, you're still my first girlfriend, ever since we played those silly 'ghar ghar' games together." He laughed softly, reminiscing.

Noor pouted and said, "Don't call it stupid. I loved playing it."

Shubman rolled his eyes and said with a grin, "Of course, you loved it so much that you even wanted to come to my home and cook for my family when you were just five."

Noor laughed, her eyes twinkling with nostalgia. "Well, I guess I was just determined to make an impression even back then. I wanted to be part of everything that made you happy."

Shubman, biting his lips as he focused ahead, asked, "Why do you love me so much?"

Noor looked at him and said, "Because you've always been there for me, just being you—never questioning why or what, just standing by my side without any hesitation."

Shubman, wiping his tears with trembling hands, asked, "What if I had never gotten my memories back? What would you have done then?"

Noor smiled sadly and said, "I answered it back then, and I'll answer again: I would have lived a lifetime cherishing the memories we had."

Shubman asked, trying to catch his breath, "So you wouldn't even try to fall in love with someone else?"

Noor sighed and shook her head. "I could never. How could I? I've spent almost half my life loving you—how could I spend the other half loving someone else?"

Shubman stopped the car in a secluded area, unable to control his emotions. He buried his face in his arms resting on the steering wheel, looking away as he sobbed, the street lights blurring through his tears. "I was ready to be with Ghazal again. How could I have not listened to you and my heart?"

Noor pulled him into her arms and kissed his head gently. "It's not your fault. I may have overreacted at times, but you were helpless too. Stop crying now," she said, soothingly rubbing his back.

Shubman turned around, wiping his face, and cupped Noor's face gently. He pulled her into a long, tender kiss as if trying to convey all his emotions in that single moment.

Shubman whispered, "I will make sure you never have to cry again for me, and I will never doubt your words."

Noor silenced him by pressing her lips to his. Their shadows elongated on the silent street as she caressed his beard, her nose brushing against his cheek. Tilting her head to feel him closer, she deepened the kiss, savouring the closeness.

Shubman caressed her waist as she pulled him closer, making him sigh in relief. Noor placed a long, tender kiss on his lips before pulling back, breathing deeply. "And you are the reason my shine brighter under the moonlight," she whispered.