Chapter 18

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Sara was preparing for a mission in Bangalore, packing her essentials with a focused determination

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Sara was preparing for a mission in Bangalore, packing her essentials with a focused determination. Shubman sat quietly on the bed, his thoughts heavy with worry. He respected her work and knew better than to voice his concerns, but his sadness was evident in his distant gaze.

Noticing his demeanor, Sara walked over and gently sat on his lap. "What's on your mind, Shub?" she asked softly, her hand caressing his face.

Shubman shook his head, trying to mask his feelings. "Nothing," he replied, though his voice betrayed him.

Sara leaned in closer, her eyes searching his. "Are you sad?" she asked, concern lacing her words.

Again, Shubman shook his head, but the truth was clear in his eyes. "No," he whispered, but Sara knew better.

"Don't lie to me," she said gently. Shubman didn't respond with words this time. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Do you have to go?" he murmured against her hair, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sara nodded, her heart heavy. "I have to, Shub. But I'll be back soon, I promise."

She pulled back slightly, cupping his face in her hands, and kissed him tenderly. It was a kiss filled with unspoken emotions—love, reassurance, and a silent promise to return.

Sara then stood up, her resolve firm, and said, "It's time for me to go." Shubman nodded, his heart aching, and stood as well. He picked up her suitcase and followed her downstairs.

At the door, they hugged again, this time longer, as if neither wanted to let go. "Stay safe," Shubman whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Sara smiled, though her eyes mirrored his worry. "I will," she assured him, before stepping into her car.

As she drove away, Shubman watched until the car disappeared from view, an uneasy feeling settling in his chest. He couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that lingered, and as he turned back towards the house, he silently prayed for her safe return.

To distract himself from the lingering unease, Shubman threw himself into practice with unwavering focus. Every swing of the bat, every step he took on the field was a deliberate attempt to push away the thoughts that gnawed at him. His teammates noticed the intensity in his performance, but no one questioned it; they understood the pressure he was under, both professionally and personally.

After hours of grueling practice, Shubman returned home, physically exhausted but still unable to shake the worry that clung to him. He freshened up, hoping a hot shower would wash away some of the tension, but it only did so much. His thoughts kept drifting back to Sara and the dangerous mission she was on.

With a sigh, Shubman picked up his phone and dialed her number, eager to hear her voice. But when the call went unanswered, his heart sank a little. Moments later, his phone buzzed with a message. It was from Sara: I'm busy right now, but I'll call you as soon as I can. Don't worry, Shub.

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