Innocent Hearts

Chapter 24

It had been three years since Shubman and Sara had tied the knot. Shubman was in Ahmedabad, busy with his IPL matches, while Sara was at home, feeling a bit frustrated. She had been trying to reach her husband for over an hour, but he hadn't picked up her calls.

Finally, her phone buzzed, and Shubman's tired face appeared on the screen. "Hey, baby," he said, his voice soft but clearly exhausted.

Sara didn't respond immediately, her annoyance simmering beneath the surface. Shubman sensed it and quickly added, "I'm sorry, baby. I was caught up with practice and then a meeting. My phone was in the room the whole time."

"Haan haan, give excuses," Sara retorted, her tone sharp. "Your wife is at home alone, calling you for an hour, and you didn't even bother to check your phone."

Shubman's heart sank a little at her words. He hated making her feel neglected. "I'm really sorry, na. Please forgive your handsome husband," he pleaded, trying to lighten the mood.

"No," Sara shot back, though her tone softened just a bit. "Forgiveness should be asked properly."

Shubman, knowing exactly what she meant, couldn't help but smile. "Alright, go open the door," he said, a hint of mischief in his voice.

Sara frowned, confused, but she got up and walked to the door. When she opened it, she was greeted by a beautiful bouquet of her favorite flowers and a box of her favorite cupcakes. Her eyes lit up with joy, and she let out a small squeal of delight, quickly picking them up.

"Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, her annoyance melting away.

Shubman watched her reaction through the screen, his own smile growing wider. "Forgiveness granted?" he asked, hopeful.

Sara nodded, her heart full as she hugged the flowers to her chest. "Yes, you're forgiven," she said softly, her earlier frustration now completely forgotten.

Sara set the flowers and cupcakes down on the table, still smiling as she returned to the phone. Seeing Shubman's tired eyes made her feel a pang of concern. "You look exhausted, Shub," she said gently, her voice laced with worry. "Are you pushing yourself too hard?"

Shubman sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's been a rough few days, Sara. The practices have been intense, and with the matches coming up, it's just... a lot. But I'm fine," he added, trying to reassure her.

Sara frowned slightly, not entirely convinced. "You need to take care of yourself, Shubman. I know how much these matches mean to you, but your health is more important."

Shubman gave her a small, tired smile. "I know, and I will. But you know how it is. I just want to give it my all."

Sara's expression softened even more. "I know, and I'm so proud of you. But promise me you'll get some rest tonight? I don't like seeing you this worn out."

He nodded, appreciating her concern. "I promise. I'll get a good night's sleep, I swear."

Sara's lips curled into a small smile. "Good. And maybe after your match, you can take a day off and just relax. We could spend some time together, just the two of us."

Shubman's eyes brightened at the thought. "That sounds perfect. I miss you, you know. Being away like this... it's not easy."

"I miss you too," Sara replied softly. "But I'm here, cheering you on, even from afar. Just remember that, okay?"

"Always," Shubman said, his voice filled with warmth. "I'm lucky to have you, Sara."

"And I'm lucky to have you, Mr. Gill," Sara teased, making him chuckle. "Now go get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up."

Shubman nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. "I will. And thanks for always being there for me."

"Always," Sara echoed, giving him a reassuring smile. "I love you, Shub."

"I love you too, Sara," he replied, his heart swelling with affection. "Goodnight, baby."

"Goodnight," Sara said softly, watching as Shubman's tired face finally relaxed before the call ended.

After ending the call with Shubman, Sara sat on the couch, her thoughts still lingering on how exhausted he looked. She knew how much cricket meant to him, but seeing him so worn out made her worry. An idea began to form in her mind, and she couldn't shake it off.

Sara picked up her phone again, scrolling through flight options. She smiled to herself, deciding that she was going to fly to Ahmedabad and surprise Shubman. A little time together might be just what he needed to recharge.

As she booked the earliest flight for the next morning, excitement bubbled up inside her. She could already picture the look on Shubman's face when he saw her standing there. It had been too long since they'd had some proper time together, and she was determined to change that.

Once her flight was confirmed, Sara began packing a small suitcase, carefully choosing outfits that would be perfect for the warm weather in Ahmedabad. She couldn't help but smile as she imagined spending a few days with Shubman, making sure he rested and also having some fun exploring the city together.

After packing, she sat down at her desk and quickly made a list of things she needed to do before leaving. She called her best friend Tara to let her know about the spontaneous trip.

"Tara, guess what? I'm flying to Ahmedabad tomorrow morning to surprise Shubman!" Sara exclaimed as soon as Tara picked up.

"Really? That's so sweet! He's going to love that," Tara replied, sounding genuinely happy for her. "You guys deserve some time together. How long will you be there?"

"I'm thinking of staying for a few days, just to make sure he gets some rest. Plus, I miss him," Sara admitted.

"Well, make sure to take lots of pictures! I can't wait to hear all about it," Tara said, her excitement matching Sara's.

"I will," Sara promised, feeling even more eager to leave. "Thanks, Tara."

After the call, Sara finished her last-minute preparations, setting her alarm for early the next morning. As she lay in bed that night, she couldn't stop smiling, imagining how surprised and happy Shubman would be when she showed up in Ahmedabad.