---Magic was real.
Shubman Gill knew this better than anyone. To the world, he was a cricket superstar—the "Prince of ICT," adored by millions, dating Sara Tendulkar, and living the perfect life. But beneath the flawless public persona, Shubman carried a secret that no one knew. He had been born with the ability to control ice.
From a young age, Shubman realized he was different. His touch could freeze the air around him, and as he grew older, his powers only became stronger. Now, as an adult, Shubman had learned to hide his abilities, living every day in fear that someone might discover the truth. The world of magic was hidden, and so was he.
But the constant pressure of fame, his secret, and a PR relationship with Sara—who was genuinely interested in him, unlike his indifferent self—was starting to take its toll.One evening, after a particularly grueling practice session, the team gathered at a hotel restaurant for dinner.
The atmosphere was light, the conversations lively, but Shubman found it hard to join in. His mind was elsewhere, focused on the cold that seemed to be spreading inside him, growing harder to control with each passing day.
Sara, seated across from him, noticed his distant behavior and reached out, placing her hand on his. "Shubman, you seem really off lately. Is everything okay?"
Shubman looked up, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, just tired."Sara frowned, clearly not convinced. "You've been saying that a lot. I just wish you'd talk to me."Before he could respond, Ishan Kishan, sitting beside him, noticed the tension and tried to lighten the mood.
"Come on, Shub, you've been zoning out all evening. What's going on?"
The pressure of maintaining his secret, the strain of keeping up appearances, and Sara's growing frustration finally cracked Shubman's composure. He could feel the cold inside him rising, pushing against the walls he had so carefully built.
"I'm just... I said I'm fine!" Shubman snapped, his voice sharper than intended.The sudden anger startled everyone at the table. Shubman felt the icy magic slipping from his grasp, and before he could stop it, a gust of freezing wind burst from his hands, sweeping across the table.
The entire team froze—literally. Frost spread rapidly across the plates, glasses, and tablecloth, creeping up to the walls and windows of the restaurant. The temperature in the room dropped sharply, misty breath visible in the air. Icy tendrils wrapped around the silverware and crystallized the glasses, turning the once warm and cozy restaurant into a wintery scene straight out of a nightmare.
Everyone stared at Shubman in shock. His secret was out."What the...?" Virat murmured, his eyes wide as he looked at the ice-covered table.Sara gasped, pulling her hand back from where she had touched Shubman, now covered in a thin layer of frost. "Shubman... what did you...?"
Shubman's heart raced, panic flooding through him as he stared at the devastation he had caused. His breath came in ragged gasps, the cold now completely out of his control."I... I didn't mean to..." Shubman stammered, his voice trembling as he realized what he had done. The entire team—his friends, his teammates—had seen his powers. There was no hiding it now.
The room was silent, everyone too stunned to speak, until Ishan broke the tension. "Shubman..." he said softly, his voice filled with concern rather than fear. He reached out, touching Shubman's arm. "Hey, it's okay. We're here. You're not alone."
