𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐫 - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

The morning sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Shubman woke up, the sound of birds chirping in the distance. The soft glow of the sunrise seeped into his room through half-drawn curtains, casting a calm light over the neatly organized space. His mornings were often quiet, and today was no different. He liked this moment, the calm before his day became filled with training, calls, and the casual banter he shared with his best friend, Ishan.
By the time Shubman left his apartment, dressed in a simple t-shirt and track pants, the world outside was already awake. His routine involved an early morning jog, a ritual that cleared his mind and allowed him to focus. The paths around the park were familiar, the rhythm of his footsteps synced with his heartbeat, creating a steady cadence as he ran.
After about an hour, he stopped at their usual spot-a small, tucked-away cafe where he and Ishan often grabbed breakfast together. As expected, Ishan was already seated, casually scrolling through his phone, his hair still slightly tousled from sleep.
"You're late, bro," Ishan said with a grin, looking up as Shubman approached. "I've already ordered."
Shubman rolled his eyes as he sat down. "Five minutes, aur tum behave kar rahe ho jaise mein ek ghanta late hun. What's the rush?"
Ishan shrugged, his grin never fading. "Just excited to see your lazy face so early in the morning."
Shubman chuckled, shaking his head. "Right, because seeing you first thing in the morning is always such a treat."
Their breakfast arrived soon after-a simple spread of toast, eggs, and coffee. The conversation between them flowed easily, as it always did. They talked about cricket, their schedules, and the latest movies they'd watched. Shubman appreciated how effortless things were with Ishan. He was one of the few people who understood him-both the ups and downs, especially after his last relationship fell apart.
"So," Ishan said after a while, leaning back in his chair. "kuch jyada hii chup chup se re rahe ho. What's going on?"
Shubman hesitated, his fingers absentmindedly tapping against the coffee cup. "Nothing much, just thinking about a lot of things."
Ishan raised an eyebrow, knowing there was more to it. "Aunty, again?"
"Yeah." Shubman sighed. "She's been on my case lately. Keeps asking me to come home more often, keeps bringing up...marriage."
Ishan snorted. "Ah, the good old 'settle down' talk. Moms never give up, do they?"
Shubman gave a half-smile but didn't say anything for a moment. His mother's words were always loving, but there was a weight behind them, especially when it came to his future. She had been hinting at it for a while now-this idea of him settling down, finding someone to spend his life with. But after what had happened with his ex, the thought of getting into another relationship, let alone marriage, felt like too much.
"I don't know, man," Shubman said, leaning back in his chair. "After everything with...you know, I don't think I'm ready for any of that. Not anytime soon."
Ishan nodded, his expression serious now. "mein samjhta hun, par tum jaante ho Maaein kaisi hoti hai. Jab woh kisi cheez ka faisla leti hai, toh usse kar kar hi dham leti hai."
Shubman sighed. He knew Ishan was right. His mother was nothing if not persistent, and her concern for his happiness often translated into a desire to see him settled with someone she deemed perfect.
After they finished breakfast and parted ways, Shubman headed back home, his thoughts still lingering on the conversation. His phone buzzed in his pocket as he unlocked his door. It was his mother.
He answered immediately, knowing that a missed call from her would only lead to more persistent attempts later.
"Hello, Maa," he greeted, keeping his tone light.
"Beta! I was just thinking about you," his mother's voice came through, warm and filled with affection. "Are you free to talk for a while?"
Shubman smiled to himself. "Of course. What's up?"
For the next half hour, the conversation revolved around the usual topics-how he was doing, how she missed him at home, and whether he was taking care of himself. His mother had a way of talking that was both soothing and relentless. No matter what, she always managed to slip in a reminder that he should be visiting more often.
But today, there was something different in her tone, a kind of quiet urgency.
"Shubman," she said after a pause, "I need to talk to you about something important."
He tensed slightly, sensing where this was heading. "What is it, Maa?"
"mein chahti hun ki tum ghar aa jao" she said, her voice soft but firm. "kuch yasi baatein hai jinhe humhe aamane-samane baat karni hai."
Shubman frowned. "Maa, is everything okay?"
"haan, haan," she reassured him quickly. "sab kuch thik hai. But it's time we should talk seriously about your future, beta. About...marriage."
There it was-the topic he had been dreading.
"Maa," he started, but she cut him off gently.
"Mujhe pata hai tum kya kahoge Shubman. I know tum hurt ho tumhare past ke wajah se, but this is different. You can't avoid this forever. I want you to be happy, and I know you'll find that happiness with the right person."
He rubbed a hand over his face, exhaling slowly. "Maa, I'm not sure I'm ready for this. After everything with my ex... mein inn cheezon mein jaldbazi nhi karna chahta."
"I understand, beta," she said softly. "But it's not about rushing. It's about giving life a chance again. Aur mein kisi se baat kar rhi thi, tumhe yaad hai, Summi. Sumitra meri bachpan ki dost? Jiske beti ka jikra meine pahle bhi kiya hai"
Shubman's heart sank. He had a vague memory of his mother bringing up this particular family during previous conversations, but he had never taken it seriously.
"Maa, please don't tell me you're setting me up..."
"I'm not setting you up," she said, but there was a smile in her voice that told him otherwise. "I'm simply proposing an idea. This isn't about forcing you into anything. I just think you should meet her. Give it a chance. She's a wonderful girl from a good family, and I truly believe you two could be a great match."
Shubman sighed. "Maa, I'm not sure I can do this. I need time."
"You've had time, Shubman," she said, her tone gentle but insistent. "It's been a a year since your breakup. And I know you don't want to be hurt again, but life is full of risks. This isn't just about a relationship-it's about a lifetime commitment. I want you to have that, to have a family of your own."
He didn't respond right away. His mind raced back to the heartbreak he had endured, the uncertainty he felt about trusting someone new. But his mother's words hung in the air, and he could hear the quiet plea in her voice. She wasn't just talking about marriage-she was talking about his future, his happiness, and the life she wanted for him.
"I'll think about it, Maa," he finally said, his voice heavy with hesitation.
"Think about it, but also come home," she urged. "We can talk more when you're here. It's not a decision you need to make right now, but I want you to meet her. Just meet her, beta."
Shubman nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "Okay, Maa. Mein jald hi ghar aa jaunga, tab hum baat karenge iss bareiein."
His mother's voice brightened instantly. "Good. I'll let you know the details once we finalize things. Just give it a chance, Shubman. For me."
"I will," he said, though his heart was still heavy with uncertainty. "I'll give it a chance."
After hanging up, Shubman sat quietly for a long time, staring at his phone. The thought of returning to Chattisgarh, of meeting this girl his mother was so adamant about, weighed on him.
He wasn't ready to jump into anything. He hadn't fully healed from his past, but he also knew he couldn't ignore his mother's wishes forever.
For now, he would go home, meet this girl, and see where it led. Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be as bad as he feared.