Kainaat couldn't resist the opportunity to tease Shubman a little, knowing full well how intimidating her brother could be,

With a mischievous grin, she reached for her phone and dialed Shubman's number.

"Hey, Shubman," she said brightly when he picked up. "So, long story short. Aditya wants to meet you tomorrow ."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and Kainaat could practically hear the wheels turning in Shubman's head.

"Aditya?" he repeated, his voice tinged with a hint of apprehension. "As in your brother Aditya?"

Kainaat couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. "Yes, that Aditya," she confirmed, still chuckling. "Don't worry, he's not going to bite.......maybe"

Shubman let out a nervous chuckle, though it was clear he wasn't entirely convinced. "Right, well, I'll be sure to bring my best behavior," he replied, trying to sound casual.

Kainaat grinned, knowing full well that Aditya's intimidating demeanor was enough to make anyone nervous, even someone as confident as Shubman.

"Good luck," she teased, before ending the call with a playful wink.

As she set her phone down, Kainaat couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement at the prospect of her brother meeting Shubman. She had a feeling it was going to be an interesting encounter, to say the least.

**************

The next day, Shubman found himself nervously waiting at a cozy café, glancing at the door every few seconds.

His palms were sweaty, and he couldn't help but fidget as he anticipated the arrival of Aditya Kapoor, the overprotective older brother of the girl he had just started to fall for.

Although he and Aditya had been friendly acquaintances, this meeting carried an entirely different weight.

The café door swung open, and in walked Aditya, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Shubman.

Shubman swallowed hard, standing up to greet him, but the sight of Aditya's stern face made his stomach churn.

"Aditya, hey," Shubman greeted, trying to keep his voice steady. "Thanks for meeting me."

Aditya nodded curtly and took a seat opposite Shubman, his gaze never wavering. "Let's get one thing straight," he began, his voice low and menacing. "This isn't a friendly chat.  This is about my sister."

Shubman nodded, feeling his heart pound in his chest. "I understand. I care about Kainaat a lot."

Aditya leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Caring isn't enough. Kainaat means everything to me and our family. If you hurt her, intentionally or not, there will be consequences. Understood?"

Shubman nodded vigorously, his throat dry. "Absolutely. I would never hurt her."

Aditya's expression remained unyielding. "I've seen too many guys come and go, thinking they can use her fame or her connections for their gain. I won't let that happen again. Not ever."

Shubman shook his head quickly. "That's not what this is about, Aditya. I genuinely like her. I respect her."

Aditya's gaze hardened further. "Respect? Respect is earned, not just given because you say so. I need to know you're serious about this, about her. Because if you're not, you won't just have me to deal with."

Shubman felt a shiver run down his spine at the implied threat. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "I am serious. Kainaat is amazing, and I want to be with her for the right reasons."

Aditya studied him for a long moment, the silence stretching out uncomfortably. His expression remained stern. "I'll be watching you, Shubman. One wrong move, and you'll regret it."

Shubman nodded again, the tension in the air was palpable. "I understand."

Aditya stood up, casting one last piercing look at Shubman. "Good. Don't forget it."

His hands were still trembling slightly and his palms were sweaty, as he shook hands with Aditya.

Aditya suddenly chuckled, the sound low and ominous. "You think this is tough?" he asked, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Just wait until you meet our dad. If you're scared of me, you haven't seen anything yet."

Shubman felt a chill run down his spine.

Aditya continued, leaning in closer to Shubman. "When he finds out you're interested in his daughter, he'll kill you first and then ask your dead body why you even thought about coming near Kainaat."

Shubman tried to swallow the lump in his throat, managing a nervous laugh. "I'll keep that in mind."

Aditya smirked but backed off, giving Shubman a final once-over. "Just remember what I said," he warned, before turning and walking away.

*************

Aditya walked into the living room of their expansile family home, trying to steady his nerves. Kainaat and their father, Shiv Kapoor, were seated on the plush couch, the ambiance casual but charged with an undercurrent of expectation.

Shiv, a towering figure in both stature and presence, looked up from his newspaper, his eyes sharp and inquiring.

"Where have you been, Aditya?" Shiv's voice was calm but carried an edge that made Aditya swallow hard.

"I was... I was with Shubman," Aditya admitted, his voice slightly faltering. The mere mention of Shubman's name seemed to electrify the room.

Shiv's expression darkened immediately. He set his newspaper aside, leaning forward with an intensity that made even Aditya, normally unshakable, feel a twinge of apprehension.

"Shubman Gill," Shiv repeated, his voice heavy with disapproval. "You know my feelings about that boy. He's a exceptional cricketer, no doubt, but off the field... he's a different story."

Kainaat's brows furrowed in confusion, sensing the gravity of her father's tone. "Dad, what do you mean? What's wrong with Shubman?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

Shiv sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off an impending headache. "You two have no idea, do you? There was a controversy a while back involving Shubman. It wasn't just the usual media gossip – it drew in politicians, cricketers, and even some Bollywood actors. It was a mess."

Aditya and Kainaat exchanged shocked glances. "What kind of controversy?" Aditya asked, his curiosity piqued despite the unease gnawing at him.

Shiv leaned back, the weight of the memory visible on his face.

"Shubman was accused of some rather unsavory behavior at a party. There were allegations about his conduct with several prominent figures present. The media had a field day with it, and I was dragged into it because of my connections. It took a lot of effort to keep our family name clear of the scandal."

Kainaat's eyes widened. "But was he guilty?" she asked, a hint of desperation in her voice.

Shiv shrugged. "The truth is murky. Some say he was set up, others claim he was just being a young, reckless athlete. But it doesn't change the fact that his reputation off the field is questionable. And that's why I'm wary of him, especially around you."

Kainaat felt a surge of defiance rise within her. "But people can change, Dad".

Shiv shook his head, the doubt clear in his eyes. "Maybe. But until he does, I want you both to be cautious. I've seen too many good people fall because they trusted the wrong ones."

Kainaat and Aditya nodded, the weight of their father's words pressing down on them. As Shiv returned to his newspaper, the siblings shared a look of determination.

They knew convincing their father would be an uphill battle, but they also felt a renewed sense of resolve to stand by Shubman and give him the opportunity to show who he truly was.

To be continued.......

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- Aanya