Ishan’s POV

By 3:30 PM, me , Abhishek  were sitting under bright studio lights.

Cameras.

Microphones.

Reporters.

PR people walking around like nervous pigeons.

Just a normal cricket interview.

Except it never stays normal with us.

The interviewer smiled brightly.

“So Ishan, Abhishek, thank you for joining us today.”

We both nodded politely.

Professional mode on.

They asked the usual questions first.

Cricket.

Upcoming matches.

Team strategy.

SRH performance.

Blah blah blah.

We answered normally.

Calm.

Controlled.

Then it came.

The question.

The interviewer leaned forward slightly.

“Fans are very curious about something.”

Uh oh.

Danger.

“Are you guys dating?”

I smiled.

Of course.

That question again.

“Maybe,” I said calmly.

“Maybe not.”

Abhishek turned his head slightly and gave me a knowing smile.

Because we both knew the real situation.

His marriage.

My marriage.

Both top secret.

If this explodes in the media, the internet will collapse.

Another reporter jumped in immediately.

“But we often see you two together.”

“Yes,” I said.

“We are friends.”

Abhishek nodded.

“Very good friends.”

The interviewer looked unconvinced.

Obviously.

Then someone from the back asked another question.

“Do you guys stay together?”

My jaw tightened.

I wanted to punch that guy.

Seriously.

Right in the face.

But—

Control Ishan.

Control.

Before I could say anything, Abhishek answered smoothly.

“No.”

He smiled calmly.

Rumor handled.

Professional.

Then another reporter spoke.

“We heard rumors that Mr. Sharma is staying somewhere else instead of his apartment.”

Oh.

Interesting.

Abhishek looked at me.

I shrugged.

“True,” I said.

The reporter leaned forward excitedly.

“Where?”

I smiled politely.

The fake polite smile.

“Personal things should stay personal.”

The PR manager behind the cameras looked relieved.

Crisis avoided.

For now.

But then—

Another interviewer raised her hand.

“When are you guys getting married?”

…

My brain froze.

Then slowly started boiling.

Inside.

Anger rising.

Seriously?

Seriously??

I kept smiling.

But inside—

Volcano.

But control Ishan.

Control.

Abhishek glanced at me carefully.

He knows that face.

Very dangerous face.

I leaned slightly toward the microphone.

Still smiling.

“Let’s see.”

The interviewer blinked.

“Let’s see?” she repeated.

“Yes,” I said calmly.

“Life is unpredictable.”

Abhishek coughed beside me to hide his laugh.

Because he knew exactly what I meant.

The reporters started whispering again.

“Is that a hint?”

“Maybe they are confirming something.”

“Fans will love this.”

Great.

More scandals.

Fantastic.

Wonderful.

Perfect.

Somewhere in the city, I am sure Shubman Gill is about to see this interview.

And I already know—

Tonight is going to be very interesting. 😌

Ishan’s POV

By the time I reached Gill House, the sun was already setting.

Long day.

Interview drama.

Media nonsense.

And the Abhi-shan ship sailing stronger than ever.

Great.

Just great.

I walked inside the house casually.

The living room lights were on.

And there he was.

Shubman Gill.

Sitting on the sofa.

Laptop open.

Tie slightly loose.

Looking like a corporate king who had just conquered three companies before dinner.

He looked up when I entered.

His eyes stayed on me.

Too long.

Too calm.

Suspicious calm.

“So,” he said slowly.

“How was the interview?”

I threw my bag on the chair.

“Good.”

I walked toward the kitchen to grab water.

Behind me I could still feel his eyes.

Watching.

Analyzing.

Like a detective.

Then he spoke again.

“Interesting answers.”

I stopped mid-step.

Oh.

So he watched it.

Of course he did.

I turned slowly.

“What answers?”

Shubman closed the laptop.

The soft click sounded louder than it should.

“The part where you said maybe maybe not.”

Ah.

That.

I shrugged.

“Media likes drama.”

“And Abhishek’s smile?” he asked.

His voice still calm.

Too calm.

“Which smile?” I asked innocently.

“The knowing one.”

I leaned against the kitchen counter.

“Oh that.”

Pause.

Then I said casually,

“Fans like us together.”

Silence.

Shubman’s jaw tightened slightly.

Very slightly.

But I noticed.

Because I notice everything.

“If Shubman’s jealousy is a lake…”

Then mine is a whole ocean.

No.

A sea.

More dangerous.

Much more dangerous.

So I smiled sweetly.

“Waise,” I added.

“How was your day?”

“Fine,” he said.

Then after a second—

“You seemed very comfortable with him.”

I tilted my head.

“With Abhishek?”

“Yes.”

I hummed thoughtfully.

“Well… we are comfortable.”

Pause.

“Very comfortable.”

Another pause.

“Sometimes we even sleep in the same room during tours.”

His eyes darkened slightly.

Lake.

Jealousy lake rising.

Interesting.

Then I said casually,

“And your day looked comfortable too.”

He frowned slightly.

“What do you mean?”

I smiled.

Slowly.

“Oh nothing.”

Then I waved my hand.

“Just saw you with Lara.”

“It’s Sara,” he corrected immediately.

“Same thing.”

His eyes narrowed.

“She’s my assistant.”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

Pause.

“Very close assistant.”

His eyebrow twitched.

“We were discussing work.”

“Hmm.”

I took a sip of water.

Then added sweetly,

“She sticks to you a lot.”

“She was standing beside me.”

“Very beside.”

Another pause.

Then I leaned slightly forward.

“And you allowed it.”

His eyes met mine.

Direct.

Sharp.

“I allow many people to stand near me in the office.”

Oh.

Professional Gill.

Fine.

I crossed my arms.

“Good.”

Then I smiled sweetly.

“Next time I will stand that close too.”

Silence.

Shubman stared at me.

Processing.

Then he asked quietly,

“You are jealous?”

I laughed.

Laughed.

Actually laughed.

“Jealous?”

I pointed at myself.

“Me?”

He didn't answer.

Just watched.

Carefully.

Then I leaned closer slightly.

Lowered my voice.

“Mr Gill…”

Pause.

“If your jealousy is a lake…”

His eyes didn’t move.

“…mine is a sea.”

I tapped the table softly.

“Much more dangerous.”

The room went quiet.

Very quiet.

Then suddenly—

Shubman stood up.

Slowly.

Walked toward me.

Step by step.

Until he was standing right in front of me.

Too close.

Very close.

His v

oice dropped.

“Good.”

I blinked.

“Why?”

He leaned slightly closer.

Because apparently personal space is illegal now.

“Because oceans,” he said calmly,

“are very hard to control.”

My heart skipped.

Just a little.

Just once.

Stupid heart.

Then he straightened and walked past me.

Like nothing happened.

And just like that—

I knew one thing.

This cold kaju pair was not as calm as he pretended.

And tonight—

This house was going to become a battlefield. 😌🔥

To be continue....

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