THE MAN ✷ SHUBMAN GILL

53. nitish kumar reddy you beauty

The dressing room post-Adelaide loss? Dead silent. Everyone was in their flop era.

Shubman sat in the corner, clearly pissed, eyes locked on Naima—who was over by Nitish, all smiles and support.

"You really showed up today," she told Nitish, bumping his shoulder. "Those 42 runs? Life-saving."

Nitish blushed. "Didn't really change the outcome though."

"Still clutch," she insisted.

Shubman's jaw clenched. Crushed bottle in hand. Seeing Naima be all "you did great, king" with someone else? Yeah, no.

He stood up, full drama, chair screeching. Walked straight over.

"Reddy," he cut in. "Good knock. But recovery's calling. Don't hang too long."

Nitish blinked. "Right. Cool. Got it."

Naima arched a brow as Nitish walked off. "That was subtle."

Shubman leaned in, eyes sharp. "Looked cozy, didn't it?"

Naima smirked. "He actually played well. You didn't."

Shubman pulled her in, voice low. "You don't need to congratulate him like that."

She didn't budge. "And what if I do?"

"You're mine, Nai," he murmured, brushing her ear. "Don't forget that."

Her breath caught, but she rolled her eyes. "Chill, alpha boy."

He kissed her—possessive, messy, intense. She melted... for a second.

Then gently pushed him back. "Shubhi, let me go. He looked hurt."

He frowned. "Why? He'll live."

"Nope. Not okay." She shot him a look. "You don't get to ruin someone's moment 'cause you're jealous."

He sighed, stepping back. "Make it quick."

She found Nitish on the bench, still lowkey stunned.

"Hey. I'm sorry about that," she said, sitting next to him. "Shubman was being... well, Shubman."

Nitish shrugged. "It's fine. I get it—you two are a thing."

"You didn't do anything wrong," she insisted. "He's just... extra."

Nitish smiled, a little. "Seems like a handful."

"You've got no idea."

She stood to leave, squeezing his shoulder. "And you did kill it today. Don't let anyone take that from you."

Back with Shubman, she folded her arms. "You good now?"

He exhaled. "I just hate seeing you with other guys."

"You've got me. All of me. Trust that," she said softly.

"I trust you. It's the others I don't."

She leaned in. "Then deal with it. Or couch it is."

He groaned. "Okay, okay."

They shared a slower, sweeter kiss—until: Knock knock.

"Shubman? Naima?" It was Virat. Of course.

They sprang apart like teens caught sneaking out.

Opening the door, Naima grinned. "We're fine. Just sorting out his jealousy crisis."

Virat smirked. "Classic. Bro, don't get yourself kicked outta your own bed next time."

Shubman sighed dramatically. "Everyone's a comedian now."

As Virat walked off, Naima smirked. "We are so not subtle."

"Not even a little," Shubman muttered.

soup rants 
nkr played so well that day tho