𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐫 - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Shubman POV:
I let out a slow breath as my car finally pulled up in front of my home in Chandigarh. The ride from Delhi had been longer than usual, but it wasn’t the distance that weighed on me. It was the conversation I had with mom just days ago — the conversation that had brought me back home to a situation I wasn’t ready for. As I stepped out of the car, the familiar sight of my home felt oddly foreign. I hadn’t been here in months, busy with cricket and travel, but today, my return was shrouded in apprehension.
I closed the car door and took in the quiet, my gaze sweeping across the neatly trimmed garden and the large, welcoming front door. This place had always been my sanctuary, but now it felt like the stage for a new chapter of my life, one I wasn’t sure I wanted to step into.
“Bhai!” The sound of Di's excited voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Shahneel Di ran toward him, her face bright and full of energy as usual.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Hey, Di,” I said, hugging her tightly. “I’ve missed you.”
She grinned up at me, tugging on my arm. “Missed you too! Finally, you’re home. Mum’s been driving me mad, talking about your marriage. It’s all she talks about these days.”
I chuckled, though the heaviness in my chest remained. “Yeah, I figured.”
"Tum tayar ho iske liye?” she asked, her voice teasing but with an edge of seriousness.
Shubman shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t think anyone can be ready for something like this.”
Shahneel nudged me playfully. “Come on, it won’t be that bad. Maa keh rhi thi ki woh parivar bohot accha hai, aur ladki bhi achchi lag rahi hai mujhe. Kon jaane, ho sakta hai maybe tumhe bhi pasand aa jaye”
I forced a smile, but my mind was elsewhere. The idea of meeting someone with the potential for marriage felt surreal, especially after the mess my last relationship had left behind. My ex had shattered my trust, using me for my fame rather than caring about who I truly am. That betrayal still stung, and the thought of letting someone else in felt too risky, too painful.
Maa called out from the dining room. “Shubman, Shahneel! Come for dinner, both of you.”
We both exchanged a glance, and Shahneel whispered, “Brace yourself. Here it comes.”
We walked into the dining room, where maa was already seated, looking more cheerful than usual. I sat down, trying to steel myself for the inevitable conversation.
Maa didn’t waste any time. “So, Shubman, I have some good news.”
I already knew what was coming, but I nodded, signaling for her to continue.
“We’ve made arrangements to meet the girl’s family,” she said, her voice brimming with excitement. “They live in Mumbai, so we’ll be heading there tomorrow.”
My fork paused mid-air. “Mumbai?”
“Yes, beta. I’ve known her mother for years. We’ve been talking for a while, and I think this is the perfect match for you. You’ll like her. She’s a lovely girl.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The knot in my stomach tightened. I had spent the last few days mentally preparing myself for this, but now that it was real, now that there was a time and place, it all felt overwhelming. My mind raced with questions. Who was this girl? What was she like? Could I trust her? Or would she be like my ex, someone who only saw me as a stepping stone, a name, and not a person?
Di nudged me under the table, and I glanced at her. She gave me an encouraging look, as if to say, It’s going to be okay.
Maa continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil. “We’ll meet them tomorrow evening. You should get some rest tonight. It’ll be a big day.”
I nodded absentmindedly, pushing my food around the plate. My appetite had all but disappeared. After dinner, I excused myself and headed to my room, my mind still racing.
Once alone, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor. The silence of the room felt suffocating. I had been here before—this feeling of stepping into something uncertain, something that had the potential to hurt me again. My past relationship had left scars I wasn’t sure had fully healed. She had been everything I thought I wanted, but in the end, it had all been a facade. The fame, the attention, the lifestyle—she had used it all to her advantage, leaving me feeling betrayed and foolish.
Now, the idea of trusting someone new felt impossible. What if this girl was the same? What if she was just interested in the image of Shubman Gill, the cricketer, and not Shubman, the person?
I ran a hand through my hair, sighing deeply. Maybe I am overthinking this. Maybe maa was right, and this girl was different. But how could I know for sure? How could I let himself believe in something again when the risk of heartbreak was so high?
I can’t think like this, I told himself. I have to give this a chance, for my family if nothing else.
The next morning.
We packed up and headed to Mumbai. It was two hours flight, our flight was at 1 but we had left early so we can pass through security quickly. Than in mumbai the traffic will be bit tough. Maa was in high spirits, chatting excitedly about the meeting. I remained quiet, lost in my thoughts. Di tried to lighten the mood with her usual teasing, but even she could sense my unease.
By the time we arrived at the girl’s home, the sun was beginning to set, it was 4 in the evening. The house was large, but warm and inviting, with a traditional charm that reminded me of my own home. We were greeted by the girl’s parents, who welcomed us inside with smiles and warmth. I could feel the weight of expectation in the air, but I still hadn’t seen the girl.
As we settled into the living room, my eyes kept darting toward the doorway, wondering when she would appear. But instead, her mother spoke up.
“Akshara is at her cafe,” she said, her voice filled with pride. “She should be back soon.”
Akshara. That was her name. It was simple, elegant. I wondered what she was like. Did she have the same nervousness that I have? Was she looking forward to this, or was she just as reluctant?
Time passed slowly as we waited. My mind raced with thoughts, each one more anxious than the last. What if she didn’t like me? What if this whole thing was a disaster?
And then, at 5:30, the front door opened. A girl walked in.
My breath caught in my throat as my eyes landed on her. She was beautiful, but not in the way I had expected. There was something natural about her—her hair slightly tousled, her expression focused but calm. She looked like she had just come from a long day of work, and there was a quiet strength in the way she carried herself.
But what struck me the most was her indifference. She barely glanced at me as she walked into the room, her eyes skimming over me like I was just another guest. I blinked, a mix of surprise and confusion washing over me. Did she not know who I am? Or maybe she did, and she just didn’t care.
For a brief moment, our eyes met, but there was no recognition in her gaze. She didn’t seem fazed by my presence at all. In fact, she barely acknowledged me before turning to her family and greeting them.
I felt an odd sense of relief and curiosity. Here was someone who wasn’t fawning over me, who didn’t seem interested in my fame or status. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but wonder—what did she think of me? Would she be someone I could trust, someone who could see beyond the image that everyone else seemed to focus on?
Akshara’s bhabhi soon appeared and guided her upstairs. “Akshara, go freshen up. You’ve had a long day.”
As she disappeared up the stairs, I found myself lost in thought. Maybe this wouldn’t be as straightforward as I had expected. Maybe Akshara wasn’t what I had imagined, and maybe that was a good thing. But one thing was clear—this meeting was only the beginning, and I wasn’t sure where it would lead.
Trusting someone again felt like a leap into the unknown, but as I sat there, watching the interactions around me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this might just be the second chance I hadn’t been looking for.