Ishan’s POV

I was lying on the bed scrolling through my phone when two notifications came together.

Mail from BCCI.

And a group message from the team.

I opened them.

And immediately my emotions became…

Happy.

And sad.

At the same time.

First news.

Tomorrow night there will be a party.

Because IPL season is about to start.

Good.

Very good.

Parties are my natural habitat.

Second news.

My smile disappeared.

Practice timing: 5:30 AM

And after that—

Office at 9:35 AM.

I stared at the screen.

Seriously??

How exactly am I supposed to survive this?

Cricket practice.

Corporate office.

Then IPL party.

All in one day.

Who made this schedule?

Are they trying to kill me?

---

After Dinner

I had just come out of the shower.

Hair wet.

Towel wrapped around my waist.

Phone in my hand.

When suddenly—

Video call: Abhishek

Of course.

This idiot will never give me peace.

I picked the call.

Immediately Abhishek’s eyes widened.

“Tere paas kapre nahi hai?” he said.

I looked down.

Oops.

Right.

Towel.

“Naahi hai,” I said calmly.

“Tu dega tere wale utar kar?”

Abhishek made a disgusted face.

“Cheee.”

I laughed.

Then dropped onto the bed dramatically.

“Kal kya karein?” I groaned.

“Pagal ho jaunga main.”

Abhishek nodded.

“5:30 se practice hai.”

“Fir office.”

“Phir party.”

He sighed.

“Surya dada ne call kiya tha.”

“They are wearing black.”

Then he looked at me seriously.

“What about us?”

I thought for two seconds.

Then said calmly—

“Nanga jayenge.”

“Mere paas kapre nahi hai.”

Abhishek stared at me.

“Parso hi toh shopping kiya tune, chut- chor bhi.”

“Oh.”

Right.

That.

“I'll wear that Mexico shirt,” I said.

Abhishek nodded.

“Done.”

“Ab phone rakh,” I said.

“Love you penguin,” Abhishek said.

I laughed.

“Love you too, laddu.”

Then he cut the call.

Silence returned to the room.

But suddenly—

I felt it again.

That feeling.

Someone was here.

Listening.

I turned my head slowly.

Shubman was standing near the door.

Arms crossed.

Expression unreadable.

Great.

“How much did you hear?” I asked.

“Enough,” he said calmly.

Then he added,

“I am going to the party too.”

I blinked.

“With mom.”

Oh.

I frowned.

“Family party hai kya?”

“Check karna bhul gaya.”

“Hai,” he replied.

Then he gave me a look.

“So behave there.”

Excuse me?

I sat up immediately.

“I am going as an IPL player.”

“Not to represent your family.”

I pointed at myself.

“My family will also be there.”

Pause.

“The real ones.”

Shubman didn’t react.

Instead he said casually,

“Yeah.”

“Your mom called me.”

“And your Bua will be there too.”

…

My soul left my body.

Bua.

Oh no.

No no no no.

Bua means family tactics.

Family interrogations.

And extremely pinchy talks.

Why.

Why is she coming.

I rubbed my face.

“This is a disaster.”

Then suddenly another thought came.

And I looked at him sweetly.

“Oh.”

“That means Lara will also be there.”

“It’s Sara,” Shubman corrected immediately.

I shrugged.

“Same thing.”

Then I looked at him carefully.

“Tumko kyu farak padta hai main kya bolu?”

He rolled his eyes.

Classic Mr Gill behavior.

I stood up from the bed and walked past him.

Stopped at the door.

Then turned back and smiled slig

htly.

“Mr Gill…”

He looked at me.

“Tomorrow…”

I pointed outside dramatically.

“…is my day and night.”

Then I smirked.

“You will see what disaster you brought into your life.”

Pause.

“And whom you married.”

I walked out before he could reply.

Behind me the house was quiet.