If Only He Knew

The moment Riya's text arrived, Shubman froze mid-bite of his protein bar.

Riya:
I'm coming with you.

He stared at the screen like it might vanish.

A slow, stunned smile spread across his face.

She was coming.

With him.

Not as a fan. Not as a girl from the sidelines.

But as his.

He stood up, pacing, phone still in hand.

He had something to do.

And he wanted to get it right.

[Official ICT Squad Group – 27 Members, 3 Admins]

Shubman Gill:
Good evening, team. I'd like to formally inform you that my partner, Riya, will be accompanying me for the upcoming Champions Trophy tour to Dubai. She will be traveling and staying privately with the group, and I request that arrangements be made accordingly. Thank you for the support.

It was professional. Straightforward.

But his fingers trembled slightly after hitting send.

Seconds later, the responses rolled in.

Coach Rahul Dravid:
Welcome, Riya! Looking forward to having her with us. Thank you for informing us, Shubman.

Gautam Gambhir:
Happy to have her on board. Make sure she knows what she's walking into — a team of overgrown kids.

Rohit Sharma:
Great news. Congratulations, young man.

Virat Kohli:
About time you brought someone sensible into your life. Let's hope she survives the squad.

Shubman laughed softly, heart warm.

But it didn't stop there.

[Team Boys + Wives Group Chat – 18 Members]

Virat Bhai:
@ShubmanGill So... the mystery girl is real?

Ishan:
Is she aware she's entering madness?

KL Rahul:
We need an intro pic. For science.

Ritika Sharma:
I already love her and we haven't even met yet.

Anushka:
Finally! Someone to balance all this testosterone. Welcome to the madhouse, Riya.

Athiya:
Tell her we're planning a proper girls' brunch. No backing out.

Sanjana:
Excited to have her on board!!

Shubman was grinning now — like an idiot.

He screenshotted the entire chat.

Later that night, he called her.

"Hey," she said, already smiling.

"Wanna know something?"

"What?"

"You've officially been inducted."

"Inducted?"

"Into cricket squad chaos. Virat bhai is teasing me, the wives are planning brunch, and you've somehow become the most talked-about person in two group chats without even being in them."

She laughed — a full, soft laugh that made his chest ache.

"And you're okay with that?"

"I'm in love with that."

She went quiet for a second. Then whispered, "Me too."

A Week Before the Tour

Riya was finishing her hospital paperwork when her phone pinged again.

Email from: Shubman Gill
Subject: You're Coming With Me
Attachment: Flight Tickets | Itinerary | Hotel Info

She opened it slowly.

And stared.

Round trip business class. Her shared suite with him in the team hotel. Schedule details. Contact info for the wives.

Everything arranged.

Perfectly.

Personally.

She called him instantly.

"Shubh?"

"Got it?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"Do you realize how official this feels?"

"Good," he said. "Because it is."

She exhaled, pacing the length of her room.

"I'm nervous."

"So am I."

"I don't know how to pack for Dubai and for being your lowkey secret girlfriend."

He chuckled. "Pack sunscreen, something comfortable, and one outfit that makes me forget how to breathe."

She blushed. "You're impossible."

"You're mine."

That weekend, they both began packing.

She folded soft cottons and light pastels into her suitcase, tucking in a tiny hardcover journal — just in case.

He laid out his training gear and match whites, and right on top, placed a photo of them together — just their hands linked on a bench, no faces, no captions.

No one else knew.

But he did.

She was going with him.

And for the first time in his life, it didn't feel like he was walking into a tournament...

It felt like he was going home.