Mohali 5:30 PM

As Shubman drove along the highway, the gentle hum of the engine filling the car, he dialed Ishan's number, eager for the familiarity of his friend's voice.

"Hey Ishan, it's me," Shubman greeted, his tone warm with familiarity.

Ishan's voice crackled through the speakerphone, filled with curiosity. "Hey Shubman, what's up?" he replied, his tone tinged with excitement.

Shubman took a deep breath, his mind swirling with thoughts of the impending engagement party and the complexities of his relationship with Naina. "I'm just on my way back to Mohali," he explained, his words measured yet tinged with uncertainty. "The engagement party is tomorrow."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Ishan spoke again, his tone filled with concern. "How are things with Naina?" he asked, his words hanging heavy in the air.

Shubman sighed, the weight of their complicated relationship pressing down on him like a burden he couldn't shake. "It's... complicated," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "We're trying to navigate through everything, but it's not easy."

Ishan listened in silence, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of Shubman's emotions. "Just take it one step at a time, Shubman," he advised, his words a silent reassurance that he wasn't alone in this journey. "And remember, I'm here for you, no matter what."

Shubman nodded, a sense of gratitude flooding through him at his friend's unwavering support. "Thanks, Ishan," he replied, his voice filled with appreciation. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

As they continued their conversation, the miles stretched out before them, each passing moment bringing them closer to the uncertainties of tomorrow. But with Ishan by his side, Shubman knew that he had the strength and resilience to face whatever challenges lay ahead, guided by the enduring bond of friendship and the hope of a brighter tomorrow.

"Hey Shubman, do you ever think of Naina, I mean like... You know," Ishan asked. Shubman hesitated for a moment, his grip tightening on the steering wheel as he contemplated Ishan's question. "Ishan, it's... complicated," he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I mean, she's... she's not exactly who I thought she was, but..."

Ishan listened intently, his curiosity piqued by his friend's response. "But what, Shubman?" he pressed, his tone gentle yet insistent.

Shubman let out a heavy sigh, the weight of his conflicting emotions settling heavily upon him. "But there's something about her," he admitted, his words coming out in a hesitant whisper. "Despite everything that's happened between us, there's still this... connection, you know?"

Ishan nodded in understanding, his voice filled with empathy. "I get it, Shubman," he replied, his tone reassuring. "Sometimes, the heart wants what it wants, even if it doesn't make sense."

Shubman glanced out at the open road ahead, his thoughts drifting back to Naina and the complexities of their relationship. "Yeah," he murmured, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. "I just don't know if I'm ready to let go of the past and embrace whatever this is."

Ishan offered him a small smile, a silent reminder that he wasn't alone in his struggles. "You'll figure it out, Shubman," he reassured him, his words filled with conviction. "Just trust your instincts and follow your heart. Everything else will fall into place."

As they continued their journey, the echoes of their conversation lingering in the air, Shubman couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stir within him. Perhaps, amidst the uncertainties of tomorrow, there was still a chance for him to find his way towards a future filled with love and possibility.

As Shubman continued driving and conversing with Ishan, a sense of unease crept over him as he noticed something amiss. His heart raced with panic as he attempted to slow down the car, only to realize that the brakes weren't responding.

"The brakes aren't working, Ishan!" Shubman exclaimed, his voice laced with urgency.

But Ishan, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, continued talking, his words blending into a blur of noise. Shubman's desperation grew as he raised his voice, the urgency evident in his tone.

"Ishan! The brakes! They aren't working!" he shouted, the words tumbling out in a frantic rush.

Suddenly, realization dawned on Ishan as the gravity of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks. But before he could utter a word of warning, the line went dead, leaving him with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Shubman? Shubman!" Ishan called out desperately, his voice filled with fear and uncertainty.

But there was no response, only the deafening silence of a connection lost. And as Ishan's heart pounded in his chest, a sense of dread washed over him, knowing that his friend was in grave danger, with no way to reach out and help.

As the bystanders drove across the highway, their attention was drawn to a car that appeared to have crashed into the side of the road. With a sense of urgency, they parked their own vehicles and rushed to investigate the scene.

"What happened here?" one of them exclaimed, their voice tinged with concern.

As they approached the wreckage, their eyes widened in horror at the sight that greeted them. Inside the car lay Shubman's motionless body, unconscious and surrounded by a pool of blood.

"Oh my god, is he okay?" another bystander gasped, their hands trembling as they reached out to check for signs of life.

But there was no response from Shubman, his body limp and unresponsive as they desperately tried to assess the extent of his injuries.

"We need to call for help, now!" someone shouted, their voice ringing out with urgency.

Frantically, they dialed emergency services, their hands shaking as they relayed the details of the accident and the condition of the victim.

As they waited for help to arrive, a sense of dread hung heavy in the air, their hearts heavy with the uncertainty of Shubman's fate. And as they prayed for his safety, they could only hope that help would arrive in time to save him from the brink of death.

Meanwhile, Ishan didn't know what to do so he decided to text Abhishek.

ishu ABHAY

abhay bruh I was sleeping until ur notification came. Man I should really turn notifications off

ishu NO LISTEN TO ME

abhay fine what

ishu ITS SHUBMAN!

abhay has nothing to do with Naina, right?

ishu I MEAN NO BUT IT'S URGENT

abhay what

ishu I was calling shubman and he was driving 😭

abhay driving? Man 

ishu HE SAID THE BREAKS WERENT WORKING 😭

abhay THE BREAKS WERENT WORKING!?

ishu THE CALL ENDED, I THINK HE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT

abhay WHY DIDNT YOU CALL ME IMMEDIATELY AFTER!? 😭

ishu I mean u were sleeping...

abhay SO WHAT, WHERE DID HE CRASH!? I'M GOING THERE IMMEDIATELY

ishu I WANNA COME TOO, BUT ME IN MUMBAI

abhay ISHAN PRANAV KUMAR PANDEY KISHAN THIS IS SERIOUS 😭

ishu man don't call me by my full name please 😭

abhay IM GONNA GO, BYE

ishu hey... what abt me 😭

abhay yk what fine get in the fastest flight to Mohali

As Shubman slowly regained consciousness in the hospital room, the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains, he blinked his eyes open to find his mother, father, and Shahneel seated by his bedside, their faces etched with concern and relief.

"Shubman, you're awake," his mother exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion as she reached out to grasp his hand.

Shubman's head throbbed with pain as he struggled to piece together the fragments of his memory. He remembered snippets of his life, like scattered pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

"I... I remember cricket," he murmured, his voice hoarse with disorientation. "And some of you..."

His father leaned in closer, his expression gentle yet filled with concern. "Take your time, son," he urged, his words a silent reassurance that they were there for him, no matter what.

Shahneel placed a comforting hand on Shubman's shoulder, her eyes filled with empathy. "We're just glad you're okay," she said softly, her voice a soothing presence in the midst of his confusion.

As Shubman closed his eyes, his mind swirling with fragments of memory and unanswered questions, he knew that he had a long road ahead of him. But with his family by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope stir within him, a silent reminder that he was not alone in this journey of recovery and rediscovery. And as he drifted back to sleep, he clung to the promise of tomorrow, where he would unravel the mysteries of his past and reclaim the pieces of his identity, one step at a time.

As the doctors entered the room, their expressions grave and serious, a wave of apprehension washed over Shubman and his family. They exchanged worried glances, their hearts sinking with the weight of the news that was about to be delivered.

"Mr. and Mrs. Gill, I'm afraid we have some difficult news to share," one of the doctors began, his voice somber and measured.

Shubman's mother clasped her hands together, her eyes brimming with tears as she waited anxiously for the doctor to continue.

"What is it, doctor? Please, tell us," Shubman's father urged, his voice tinged with a mixture of fear and desperation.

The doctor took a deep breath, steeling himself for the difficult conversation ahead. "I'm afraid Shubman's injuries are more severe than we initially thought," he explained, his tone heavy with regret. "He's suffered significant damage to his leg, and we recommend surgery to repair the damage."

Shubman's heart sank at the doctor's words, a sense of despair washing over him as he realized the implications of his injuries. "Surgery?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But what about cricket? Will I still be able to play?"

The doctor's expression softened as he placed a comforting hand on Shubman's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Shubman, but you'll need to focus on your recovery for now," he replied gently. "Cricket will have to wait until you've healed."

Shubman felt a lump form in his throat at the thought of being sidelined from the sport he loved, but he knew that his health had to come first. With a heavy heart, he nodded in understanding, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead.

As the doctors left the room, leaving Shubman and his family to grapple with the harsh reality of his injuries, a sense of determination stirred within him. He may not be able to play cricket for now, but he refused to let his dreams be shattered by adversity. With the love and support of his family by his side, he was determined to face whatever challenges came his way and emerge stronger on the other side.

As Ishan and Abhishek rushed into the hospital room, their faces etched with concern and relief, they found themselves faced with the daunting task of reintroducing themselves to Shubman, who now struggled to remember even the closest of relationships.

"Hey, Shubman, it's us, Ishan and Abhishek," Ishan said with a warm smile, hoping to jog his friend's memory.

Shubman looked at them with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, his brow furrowing as he struggled to place their faces. "I'm sorry, I don't... I don't remember you," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.

Abhishek exchanged a knowing glance with Ishan, realizing that Shubman's memory loss was more severe than they had anticipated. "That's okay, buddy," Abhishek said, his tone gentle yet reassuring. "We understand. We're your teammates and best friends."

Ishan nodded in agreement, his expression filled with empathy. "Yeah, we've been through a lot together," he added, hoping to spark a flicker of recognition in Shubman's mind.

Shubman studied them for a moment, a sense of uncertainty clouding his features as he struggled to reconcile their words with his fragmented memories. But as he looked into their eyes, he sensed a genuine warmth and camaraderie that spoke volumes.

"Teammates and best friends, huh?" he mused, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Well, it's nice to meet you both, officially."

And as Ishan and Abhishek settled into the chairs beside his bed, ready to offer their unwavering support and friendship in the days and weeks to come, Shubman felt a glimmer of hope stir within him. Despite the challenges of his uncertain future, he knew that with his teammates and best friends by his side, he would never have to face them alone.

Ishan's eyes sparkled with sincerity as he leaned in closer to Shubman, his voice filled with genuine warmth. "I took the fastest flight to Mohali just to be here with you, buddy," he confessed, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Shubman's heart swelled with gratitude at Ishan's words, a surge of emotion washing over him at the thought of his friend's unwavering support. "Ishan, I don't know what to say," he murmured, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, it means a lot to me."

Ishan waved off Shubman's gratitude with a dismissive gesture, his eyes shining with affection. "Hey, what are friends for, right?" he replied, his tone light yet filled with sincerity. "We're in this together, through thick and thin."

And as they shared a moment of camaraderie and solidarity, Shubman felt a sense of reassurance wash over him, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he had a friend like Ishan by his side, ready to face them head-on.

Shubman's eyes lit up with excitement as he turned to Abhishek, a hopeful expression on his face. "What about the rest of the team? I'd love to see them again," he said eagerly, his voice tinged with anticipation.

Abhishek grinned, sensing Shubman's enthusiasm. "Don't worry, they're on their way," he reassured him, his tone filled with reassurance. "They've been anxious to see you too."

Shubman's heart swelled with gratitude at the thought of reuniting with his teammates, a sense of belonging washing over him at the prospect of being surrounded by familiar faces once again. "That's great to hear," he replied, his smile widening with anticipation. "I can't wait to catch up with everyone."

And as they waited for the arrival of the rest of the team, Shubman felt a sense of excitement bubbling within him, knowing that he was surrounded by friends who cared for him deeply. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he knew that with the support of his teammates by his side, he would never have to face them alone.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the hospital room door swung open, Shubman's heart skipped a beat at the sight of his teammates entering one by one. His gaze settled on the familiar faces of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the senior members of the team, whose kind demeanor and leadership had always left a lasting impression on him.

"Hey, Shubman, how are you feeling?" Virat asked with a warm smile, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Shubman's brow furrowed in confusion as he struggled to place their faces, his memory clouded by the haze of amnesia. "I'm... I'm not sure," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I'm sorry, but... do I know you?"

Rohit exchanged a knowing glance with Virat, understanding the gravity of Shubman's situation. "It's okay, Shubman," he reassured him, his tone gentle yet reassuring. "We're your teammates. We play cricket together."

Shubman's eyes widened in realization as he looked around the room, taking in the familiar faces of his teammates with a sense of wonder. "I'm sorry, I don't remember," he confessed, his voice tinged with regret. "But it's nice to meet you all, officially."

Virat and Rohit exchanged a sympathetic glance, their hearts going out to their young teammate as they struggled to come to terms with the extent of his memory loss. But despite the challenges that lay ahead, they knew that with their unwavering support and camaraderie, they would help Shubman navigate through this difficult time and emerge stronger on the other side.

As the day wore on, more members of the cricket team began to filter into Shubman's hospital room, their faces a mix of concern and relief at seeing their teammate recovering.

"Hey, Shubman, how are you holding up?" Bumrah asked, his voice filled with genuine concern as he approached the bedside.

Shubman offered him a weak smile, grateful for the familiar face amidst the sea of uncertainty. "I'm doing okay, I guess," he replied, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

Jadeja nodded in understanding, his expression sympathetic as he took in Shubman's weary demeanor. "Just take it easy, mate," he advised, his tone gentle yet reassuring. "We're all here for you."

As the room filled with the comforting presence of his teammates, Shubman felt a sense of belonging wash over him, a silent reminder that he was not alone in his journey of recovery.

"Thanks, guys," he murmured gratefully, his voice barely above a whisper. "It means a lot to me."

And as they settled into the chairs around his bed, ready to offer their unwavering support and friendship in the days and weeks to come, Shubman knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he had a team of friends by his side, ready to face them together.

As Shubman's teammates gradually bid their farewells and left the hospital room, Shubman felt a pang of sadness at their departure. However, as he listened to their footsteps fade away in the hallway, his attention was suddenly caught by the sound of a new voice.

"Sorry if I was late. I'm here to see Shubman. Shubman Gill."

The voice was soft yet carried a hint of urgency, and it belonged to a woman. Shubman's curiosity piqued, his mind racing with questions about who this visitor could be. However, before he could dwell on it further, the scene faded to black, leaving him with a sense of intrigue and anticipation about the arrival of this mysterious stranger.

As Shubman's curiosity peaked, he strained to hear the conversation unfolding outside his hospital room. The doctor's inquiry about the woman's identity left him intrigued, his mind racing with possibilities.

"I'm Naina. Naina Malhotra. Shubman's fiancée," came the reply, her voice clear and confident.