Morning – Team Meeting Room

The punishment was announced the next morning.

“For repeated unprofessional behavior,” Coach said stiffly, arms crossed behind his back, “Ishan and Abhishek will attend all corporate sponsor meetings this quarter.”

The team howled instantly.

“Suit era!” “RIP chaos!” “Corporate slaves!”

Ishan slouched dramatically in his chair.

“I’d rather do extra fitness drills.”

Coach’s eyes were deadly calm. “You’ll be working directly under Mr. Gill.”

Silence.

The laughter died.

The entire team turned slowly toward him.

Ishan blinked.

“I’m sorry… under who?”

Coach didn’t repeat himself.

Across the room, standing near the presentation screen—

—was Shubman Gill.

Suit. Black. Immaculate.

Cold as ever.

“And Abhishek,” Coach continued, “you’ll assist Kabir.”

Kabir gave a small nod from the back.

Abhishek whispered under his breath, “We’re doomed.”

Ishan leaned back dramatically.

“This is emotional harassment.”

Shubman’s voice cut clean through the room.

“You’ll report at 9 AM sharp on Monday.”

No room for argument.

No emotion.

Just discipline.

And somehow that was worse than shouting.

---

Later – Dressing Room

Ishan’s phone rang.

Soulmate 🎀

Abhishek’s eyes narrowed instantly.

Ishan picked up.

“Hello?”

“We reached,” Shivay’s voice came. Calm. Controlled. “Safe.”

Ishan exhaled softly. “Good.”

“Still meeting tomorrow?”

There was a pause.

Ishan glanced toward the corridor where Shubman had disappeared.

“Actually… no. I’m not in the mood to go to your apartment.”

Silence.

“Then?”

“Come to Gill House.”

Abhishek’s head snapped toward him.

“You sure?” Shivay asked.

“Yes,” Ishan said firmly. “12 pm.”

The call ended.

Abhishek stared at him.

“You’re inviting your soulmate to your husband’s house.”

Ishan threw his kit bag at him lightly.

“Shut up. You are also coming ”

But his heart wasn’t steady.

Not even close.

---

Gill House – 12 PM

The house was calm.

Too calm.

Ishan stood in the living room talking to his mother-in-law.

“Ma… my friends are coming.”

She smiled warmly. “Of course. You don’t need permission for that.”

That made him feel worse.

The doorbell rang.

His pulse jumped.

He walked to the door.

Opened it.

And froze.

Standing there—

Shubman Gill.

Still in formal clothes. Tie loosened slightly.

“You?” Ishan said, blinking.

Shubman raised an eyebrow. “Are you expecting someone else?”

“Yes,” Ishan answered honestly.

Before Shubman could respond—

Footsteps approached from the gate.

Ishan’s breath hitched.

Shivay.

And beside him—Manik.

Walking toward the house.

Toward him.

For a second, everything blurred.

Ishan stepped slightly aside.

Shubman didn’t move.

Shivay reached the door.

And Ishan didn’t think.

Didn’t hesitate.

He stepped forward—

And wrapped his arms around Shivay tightly.

Like he had found something he lost.

Like he got his soul back.

For one second—

He forgot the house.

Forgot the marriage.

Forgot the corporate punishment.

Forgot the man standing inches away.

But Shubman didn’t forget.

His jaw tightened.

His fingers curled slightly at his side.

And for the first time since morning—

His calm expression cracked.

Just a little.

This wasn’t a sponsor meeting.

This wasn’t discipline.

This was personal.

And the war hadn’t even started yet.

_____

Gill House felt louder now.

Warmer.

Alive.

---

“I missed you reee…” Ishan’s voice cracked as he clung to Shivay.

Shivay hugged him back tightly. “Bas 3 din ke liye gaya tha.”

“Tune mujhe miss nahi kiya?” Manik said dramatically from the side.

Ishan instantly pulled back and grabbed him too. “Tu toh darling hai mera.”

He kissed Manik’s cheek loudly.

Manik pretended to wipe it. “Cheap.”

For Ishan, they weren’t just friends.

Shivay.

Manik.

Abhishek.

Mayank.

Rohit.

Virat.

They were oxygen.

His world.

And suddenly—

Tears slipped down his face.

Shivay’s expression softened immediately. He cupped Ishan’s face.

“Hey… hey… kya hua?”

Ishan shook his head. “Nothing. Bas…”

Shivay pulled him into his chest again. “Pagal.”

“Let’s go inside,” Manik said gently.

---

Inside – Living Room

Both Shivay and Manik bent respectfully and touched Mrs. Gill’s feet.

She blessed them warmly. “Khush raho.”

They smiled.

Mrs. Gill’s eyes softened instantly at their warmth.

“So, kya banaya mere liye?” Shivay asked excitedly.

Ishan narrowed his eyes. “Kan ke niche khayega?”

“That’s bad, Soulmie,” Shivay complained.

“Phir shuru ho gaya,” Manik rolled his eyes.

Ishan and Shivay both pouted at the same time.

Mrs. Gill couldn’t help smiling.

She was already starting to like this chaotic trio.

But across the room—

Someone sat still.

Silent.

Watching.

Shubman.

Expression unreadable.

---

“Laddu kaha reh gaya?” Ishan suddenly asked.

“Mayu ko lene gaya hai airport,” Shivay replied casually.

Ishan gasped dramatically. “My munchkin is coming back?!”

His excitement lit up the whole room.

Shivay and Manik laughed as they started explaining how they had gone out for wedding management decorations, how chaotic everything was, how the planner messed up the flowers—

And through it all—

Shubman sat on the sofa.

Face neutral.

Eyes sharp.

Like he was observing a match strategy.

---

The doorbell rang again.

Shivay moved to open it.

Outside stood Abhishek.

And beside him—

Mayank.

Abhishek smirked. “Hmm hmm… I bring someone. I mean two persons.”

“Who?” Ishan asked suspiciously.

Before anyone could answer—

Two familiar figures stepped in behind them.

Rohit kholi.

And Virat Kohli.

Ishan completely lost his mind.

“BABYYYYYY!”

He ran and jumped straight into Rohit’s arms.

Rohit laughed, kissing his head. “Arre pagle.”

Virat shook his head fondly.

“What is this?” Ishan pointed at the packets in Virat’s hand.

Virat scoffed lightly. “How can we come free-hand to my son-in-law’s house?”

Mrs. Gill blinked.

Son-in-law?

Ishan dragged them toward her.

“Mummy, meet my dads!”

She looked confused.

“I mean… like dads,” Ishan corrected quickly. “They love me more than my real—”

“Excuse me?” Shivay interrupted dramatically. “Hum kya hai?”

“You all are my real family,” Ishan said instantly.

Mayank clapped once. “Family reunion!”

And suddenly—

Everyone pulled into one massive group hug.

Laughter.

Noise.

Comfort.

Mrs. Gill watched with shining eyes.

Her new son—

Wasn’t alone.

He had an army.

A loving one.

Across the room—

Shubman remained still.

No smile.

No reaction.

Just observing.

Then calmly—

He spoke.

“Did you complete the files, Mr. Mayank?”

The room quieted slightly.

Mayank straightened instantly. “Yes, sir.”

Ishan turned slow

ly.

“Iska sar hi phod dunga aaj—”

He took one step forward.

Manik grabbed his arm quickly. “Control.”

Shubman’s gaze met Ishan’s.

Sharp.

Unmoved.

Professional.

But something darker flickered beneath it.

Because this wasn’t just a house anymore.

It wasn’t just guests.

It wasn’t just family.

It was territory.

And everyone could feel it.

The air had shifted.

And the real match—

Had just begun.