Chapter = 17

Author pov :-

At Mumbai, Friday

Shubman was continuously pacing around the room with nervousness visible on his face. He looked extremely tensed. 

" Areh kuch nahi hoga baba ... please calm down " Vaani assumed but Shubman was reluctant to calm down " Are you crazy Van? Tum mijhe relax hone ko bol rahi ho? Tumhare mummy se milunga aaj main nervous hona toh normal hai nah " Shubman said in a nervous tone as if he'll cry any moment.

" Tu tension mat le Vi bhai samhal lenge " Ishan assumed Shubman. Shubman sat down on the bed not ready to accept their assurance.

Shanaya entered the room with a singsang voice she announced " Saroj Maa has arrived guys!!"

Hearing the name the three farmer's face became as pale as a white paint," Has she arrived? Is she in a good mood ?" Shubman asked desperately.

" areh Shubman bro don't worry. She is absolutely in a good mood. She's asking for you go and meet her. Virat bhaiyya and Ro bhaiyya is also there. They'll manage come" Shanaya assured and Shubman looked a bit relieved.

Vaani looks and makeup

Shanaya look and makeup

At Mumbai, FridayShubman took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves as Shanaya’s words sank in. The mention of Virat and Rohit being there provided a small glimmer of hope, but his heart was still racing. He glanced at Vaani and Ishan, who were now exchanging worried looks, clearly unsure how to further calm him down.

“Alright, let’s go,” Shubman finally muttered, standing up from the bed. His legs felt like jelly, but he forced himself to move. Vaani gave him an encouraging pat on the back, while Ishan flashed a thumbs-up, though his own face still carried a hint of nervousness.

Shanaya led the way out of the room, humming a tune as if to lighten the mood, but the tension in the air was palpable. As they walked down the hallway of the luxurious Mumbai apartment, Shubman could hear the faint sound of laughter coming from the living room. For a moment, he wondered if Saroj Maa’s “good mood” was genuine or just a façade. He had heard stories about her—strict, no-nonsense, and fiercely protective of her daughter, Vaani. Today was the day he would officially meet her, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

When they reached the living room, Shubman’s eyes immediately landed on Saroj Maa. She was sitting on a plush sofa, her presence commanding yet graceful. Virat and Rohit were on either side of her, chatting animatedly, their usual charisma on full display. But the moment Shubman stepped in, the room fell silent. Saroj Maa’s sharp eyes locked onto him, and he felt like a deer caught in headlights.

“Beta, come here,” Saroj Maa said, her voice surprisingly warm but with an undertone of authority that made Shubman’s stomach churn. He glanced at Virat, who gave him a subtle nod, and Rohit, who mouthed, “You’ve got this.”

Shubman swallowed hard and walked forward, his hands slightly trembling. “Namaste, Aunty,” he managed to say, folding his hands in respect. His voice cracked a little, and he cursed himself internally.

Saroj Maa studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, to everyone’s surprise, she smiled—a genuine, warm smile that softened her features. “So, you’re the boy who’s been keeping my Vaani so happy,” she said, her tone now light and teasing. “Sit down, beta. You look like you’re about to faint.”

The room let out a collective breath. Vaani rushed to her mother’s side, hugging her tightly, while Ishan and Shanaya exchanged relieved glances. Shubman, still in disbelief, sat down on the chair opposite Saroj Maa, his nervousness slowly ebbing away.

Virat leaned forward, breaking the ice. “Arre, Shubman, relax yaar! Maa is not as scary as the rumors make her out to be. She just wants to know you better.”

Rohit chuckled. “Haan, and maybe she’ll let you date her daughter if you promise to score a century in the next match!”

Everyone laughed, and even Saroj Maa joined in, her laughter ringing through the room. Shubman felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn’t be as disastrous as he had imagined.

Over the next hour, Saroj Maa asked Shubman about his family, his career, and his intentions with Vaani. To his surprise, she was not only kind but also insightful, sharing stories of her own struggles and triumphs. By the time they finished, Shubman felt a strange sense of connection with her, as if he had passed an unspoken test.

As they said their goodbyes, Saroj Maa pulled Shubman aside. “Beta, I can see why Vaani likes you,” she said softly. “Just take care of her, alright? She’s my world.”

Shubman nodded, his eyes shining with gratitude. “I promise, Aunty. I’ll do my best.”

As he walked back to join Vaani, Ishan, and Shanaya, who were already planning a celebratory dinner, Shubman felt a newfound confidence. Maybe love, family, and cricket weren’t so different after all—they all required courage, trust, and a little bit of luck.

---

Shubman rejoined Vaani, Ishan, and Shanaya, a relieved smile finally settling on his face. The tension that had gripped him all day seemed to melt away, replaced by a warm sense of accomplishment. Vaani squeezed his hand, her eyes sparkling with pride, while Ishan gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “See? Told you it’d be fine, Vi bhai!”

Shanaya grinned. “Now that the drama’s over, we need to focus on the next big thing. But you’re off the hook, Shubman—you’re not coming with us to Kolkata!”

Shubman chuckled, nodding. “Yeah, no MI for me. I’ll stay back and cheer from here. You guys take care of KKR on Sunday.”

Just then, Rohit and Ritika entered the room, their arms loaded with bags and cricket gear. Rohit wiped his brow, looking slightly frazzled. “Arre, everyone, we need to hurry. The flight to Kolkata leaves in three hours, and we still have to pack the essentials for the KKR match on Sunday.”

Ritika, ever the organized one, was juggling a checklist on her phone while holding a duffel bag under her arm. “Ishan, have you double-checked the equipment? Bats, pads, helmets—everything needs to be perfect. We can’t afford any last-minute surprises.”

Ishan saluted playfully. “Yes, ma’am! Everything’s sorted. I even packed extra energy bars in case Ro bhai gets hungry mid-flight.”

Rohit rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smirk. “Very funny, Ishan. But seriously, let’s move. Kolkata’s not going to be easy, and we need to be at our best.”

Shanaya, Rohit’s younger sister, grabbed her jacket and joined Ritika, who was now zipping up a suitcase. “Don’t worry, bhabhi, I’ve got the travel itinerary and the hotel details. We’re all set. Ishan, you ready?”

Ishan nodded enthusiastically. “Born ready! Let’s go show KKR what MI’s made of.”

Vaani, stayed close to Shubman, giving him a reassuring smile. “You’ll be fine here with me and bhaiya. We’ll watch the match together and cheer them on.”

Anushka, who had been watching the flurry of activity with amusement, chimed in. “Guys, All the best for the match" she said,“And you all—win this for us, okay? Make Mumbai proud.”

Rohit gave a confident nod. “Don’t worry, Anushka. I’ve got this.”

As the MI team prepared to leave, Shubman and Vaani stepped aside, watching as Ishan, Shanaya, Rohit, and Ritika gathered their things. The living room, once filled with nervous energy about Shubman’s meeting, now buzzed with the excitement of the upcoming challenge. Ishan and Shanaya were already teasing Rohit about his infamous pre-match jitters, while Ritika ensured everyone had their passports and tickets.

Virat, who had been quietly observing, walked over to Shubman and clapped him on the back. “You did well today, bro. Now relax.”

Shubman smiled, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. "Thank you bhaiyya"

As the group piled into the waiting cars, Shubman and Vaani waved from the doorstep, along with Virat and Anushka. Ishan stuck his head out of the window, shouting, “Don’t miss us too much, lovebirds!” Shanaya laughed, and Rohit shook his head, but the camaraderie was unmistakable.

With the cars disappearing down the street, Shubman turned to Vaani grinned. “ WE DID IT”

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Word count = 2K

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