Us Din Ke Baad
---
It had been three days since the Eden Gardens incident.
But for her, time hadn’t moved forward — it had dissolved into a strange limbo, like the pause between a bowler’s run-up and release. An unsaid silence that lingered even as the world around her continued its routine.
Everyone thought she was okay. The bruise on her arm had faded, but what hadn’t faded was the echo of that moment — the crack of the bat, the sting of the ball, and then… his voice. His hand brushing against hers. That slight arch in his brow when he asked if Rihi was alright.
Was she?
Physically, yes. But something inside her was in a whirlpool she didn’t know how to step out of.
Aashna meanwhile, had been on cloud nine — all because of a single five-minute interaction with Abhishek Sharma. She was convinced it was kismat.
"Di, tujhe pata bhi hai woh kitna sweet tha? Aur uske dimples, uff!"
“Bas bas... ab mujhe bhi doubt ho raha hai ki tujhe chhakka laga tha ya mujhe,” she muttered.
But deep down, she envied how easily her sister could feel wanted. How easily she could giggle, blush, and believe in the idea of romance.
She, on the other hand, stared into her phone’s front camera for ten minutes before deleting yet another picture. PCOS had made her self-esteem a battlefield — facial hair, uneven skin, a curvy body that didn’t fit Instagram standards.
And now… Shubman Gill. A star. A cricketer who had fans screaming his name. Who had once dated someone like Sara Tendulkar. Flawless. Rich. Refined.
“I’m none of those things,” she thought. “Not even close.”
---
Across town, Shubman sat by the hotel window, sipping chai — his face calm, but mind restless.
He couldn’t stop thinking about her. That girl from the stands. The one he accidentally hit with a six and ended up talking to backstage.
She hadn’t posted anything. No story. No selfie. No hint of who she was.
Was she avoiding attention? Or... avoiding him?
His phone buzzed.
Abhishek Sharma: “Bro, us ladki ki behen se baat ho gayi thi. She’s funny, kinda mad in a good way. Also... your girl? Low-key cute. Dusky skin, smart eyes.”
Shubman grinned.
His girl?
He typed back: “Just making sure you’re not switching sides?”
Abhishek: “Relax. She’s not my type. But she might be yours.”
Shubman didn’t reply immediately.
He didn’t know what she was yet — just that she wasn’t like the people who usually entered his world.
---
Back at her home, things weren’t so peaceful.
Her mother had started making indirect rishta conversations. “Ab tu itni badi ho gayi hai... cricket match tak chali gayi. Ab shaadi ka bhi soch le beta.”
She groaned.
Her father chuckled from the living room. “Sunna hai ladka bada cricketer tha. Tu hi chhakka pakadne gayi thi ya uska dil?”
She wanted to disappear under the table.
But most of all — she wanted clarity.
What was that day? Just a celebrity being kind? A polite conversation? Or… was there something more?
Her heart said yes. Her mind said no.
So, she did what she always did: buried the feeling and scrolled past his name on social media.
---
Until one day.
A notification appeared. A message request.
@shubmangill wants to message you.
Rihi stared at the screen like it was a glitch. Her heart pounded.
Click.
> Shubman Gill: Hey. Hope your arm’s better now. I think I owe you a coffee for that chhakka.
Her hands trembled.
> You: It was destiny’s six. But coffee works.
> Shubman: Good. Because it’s been on my mind.
And just like that — her world tilted again.
---
Two days later, they met at a tucked-away café near the hotel. A place dimly lit, quiet, the kind where secrets don’t echo.
She had dressed simply — jeans, a soft kurti, kajal lining her tired eyes. She didn’t want to impress. Just not disappoint.
When she entered, he was already seated, hoodie over his head, cap low, still failing miserably at blending in.
He stood up — gentleman move — and smiled.
“You’re punctual,” he said.
“You’re Shubman Gill,” she countered, “I assumed you'd be late.”
He laughed. “I’m not late when I actually want to be somewhere.”
That threw her off a bit.
Their conversation wasn’t electric. It was… warm. Steady. No sparks flying, no dramatic music playing in the background.
Just pauses that didn’t feel awkward.
He asked her about her job. She confessed she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, only that she wanted to earn on her own before marriage.
He didn’t flinch.
She mentioned PCOS. Her battles with her skin and body image.
He didn’t try to compliment her in return. He just nodded and said, “I know people close to me who deal with it too. It’s not easy.”
That hit differently. No sympathy. No weird silences. Just understanding.
By the end of the coffee, she didn’t know if it was a date.
But she knew this — she wanted another one.
---
As they walked out, he paused.
“You still thinking I won’t remember you after today?” he asked.
She looked surprised.
“You didn’t even tag me,” he grinned, “but I remembered.”
She didn’t reply. She couldn’t. Her cheeks were warm, her stomach doing summersaults.
He leaned a bit closer, not touching, just lowering his voice.
“I don't know what this is yet. But I like talking to you. And I hope this isn’t the last time.”
She gave a tiny nod. Her voice had stopped cooperating with her brain.
“Cool,” he said, opening the car door for her.
As she stepped in, she whispered to herself — “Slow down... but don’t stop.”
And somewhere, her story had just begun.
___________________________________________
Longest chapter guysss
Next part will be updated soon
Age gap
Will Abhishek and Aashna's story will bloom even when they have a age gap of 8 years ?
Does Shubman really likes Rihi or it's just a time pass?
Keep following for the next update.
Do vote ND comment.
Until then take care cuties💙
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"Beyond The Boundary "
Fanfiction"To the girl who took my six like a queen-Stay strong, always! - S G." ??nocturnefable 2025 Short chapters but feelings
