almost, Always.

The match against Lucknow was never going to be easy. Not because of form, not because of rankings. But because of history.

And egos.

By the time they reached the LSG home ground, the air was thick with taunts, side-eyes, and barely concealed jabs. Every warm-up had an undercurrent of challenge. Every exchange had an edge.

But no one expected the real drama to happen off the pitch.

Rhea stood at the edge of the dugout, clipboard tucked under one arm, watching field placements like it was second nature now. She was learning - and fast.

That's when she heard it.

A loud, mock-laugh from just outside the boundary rope.

"Guess therapy's the new strategy. Or is she just here to patch up your golden boy's feelings?"

It wasn't subtle.

Karan Mathur, LSG's middle-order bat and resident troll, didn't whisper. He was the kind who smirked when he talked - and he was looking directly at her when he said it.

A couple of LSG players chuckled.

Rhea's jaw tightened.

She didn't respond. She turned, walked away - calm, clinical, a class act.

But Shubman saw.

And Shubman heard.

---

The atmosphere was electric. Titans were 163/4 - a defendable total on this pitch.

But Shubman wasn't talking tactics.

He was fuming.

"She's part of our support staff," he snapped. "I don't care if it's mind games or ego. You don't disrespect her."

No one had to ask what this was about.

Siraj and Rashid exchanged glances. SaiSu tried to defuse. "Bro, let it go. Karma's got its own line-up."

But it wasn't that simple for Shubman.

It wasn't just about respect. It was about protecting the one person who knew the worst of him and still stayed.

He turned to Rhea, who sat silently by the analysis board.

"Say something," he muttered, voice low.

She looked at him, unreadable. "You want me to stoop to their level? Let them decide who I am?"

"No," he said. "I just want to know this doesn't hurt you."

She held his gaze for a beat too long. Then said gently, "It doesn't hurt me, Shubman. It hurts you."

And he realized she was right.

---

The crowd was a roar of blue and gold. The Titans sprinted in for the final wicket, bodies colliding in celebration.

But Shubman didn't run to the team huddle.

He walked - straight to the LSG bench.

To Karan Mathur.

"You want to talk?" he said coldly. "Let's talk about how many times you've choked in pressure. Or how your own team benches you in clutch games. You want to take digs at someone, leave her out of it. She's ten times the backbone you've ever been."

Coaches and staff intervened.

Nothing escalated - at least not physically.

But the point was made.

---

Rhea waited near the elevator, arms crossed, when he finally walked in.

"You didn't need to do that," she said softly.

"Yes," Shubman replied, stepping closer. "I did. You spent too long defending yourself alone. Not anymore."

She looked up.

And smiled. Just slightly.

"Be careful," she murmured. "I might start falling for you all over again."

He leaned in, grin dangerous. "That was always the plan."