Cricket One Shots- BL

Worth the Sacrifice ft Shubman Gill

It was one of those lazy afternoons. Shubman was on a small break from his international duties and Ishan had just finished his domestic season. IPL would start in a few days and Ishman were enjoying a well earned time off. Though Ishan's hands were caressing his hair, Shubman noticed that he was in some deep thought. "What are you thinking, Ishu?", he asked. "Nothing Shubi, just random thoughts", Ishan said, trying to dodge the question.

"Ishu, after so many years together, it is difficult for us to lie to each other. There is something in your mind- bol de, mann halka ho jayega", Shubman said. "Shubi, tu gussa mat hona. It is just a thought I am having, nothing is decided. We can discuss it as long as required, but I am seriously thinking of quitting cricket", Ishan replied, wary of his husband's reaction. "You are joking, right? You are just 31, Ishan. Who thinks of retirement at this age? I understand that you are frustrated with the Indian team selection, but you are doing so well in domestic. Agle saal auction me jaayega toh, you will still fetch a fortune- ye alag baat hai ki I am not letting you leave GT", Shubman said, amused by his husband's thought process.

"It has nothing to do with cricket, Shubman. We have been married for three years now. We have been listed with CARA for adoption since two years and for surrogacy approval for one year. With all our influence and money, we have not been able to make much progress on it. We already had a difficult road ahead because of being a same sex couple. I recently came to know that they consider the ability of parents to be around the child as an important criteria. It makes sense too na? What's the point of adopting a child if we cannot give them time?", Ishan tried to explain.

"We can hire some nanny, na? Why is that a hindrance to adoption?", Shubman asked. "There are lots of desperate families in this country craving for a child for years, Shubman. We are the last preference when it comes to child experts", Ishan replied. "Par woh log bhi working ho sakte hai na? Do they insist on one parent to be staying at home for adoption for such families?", Shubman enquired. "Do you think we would ever be treated on par with heterosexual couples when it comes to familial laws. We would need to do that bit extra to convince people that we are worth having a baby gifted to us", explained Ishan.

Shubman knew his husband was making sense, but he was still not convinced that Ishan should sacrifice his career. "Let's talk to some other couples like us and then decide, Ishu. Even if you are going ahead with it, you would play this season, right?", Shubman asked. He saw the hesitance in his husband's eyes. "No, Ishi. I want one last season with you by my side. I want to feel that high of winning a game and celebrating with you, one last time. Please", he pleaded. "Ok Shub. But if our research proves that my decision is right, then I will announce it after the last match", Ishan said.

GT did well in the IPL that year. While there were naysayers, most GT fans were ardent supporters of their captain and his husband. The opening duo seemed to be in swashbuckling form every time they stepped on to bat. The sweet exchanges between the spouses only made them more endearing to the crowds. The team went on to reach the finals and beat KKR. It was a bittersweet moment for the couple as it was their last time playing together- Ishan had broken down in Shubman's arm by the time the celebration started. They announced the decision to the team, the next morning. There was shock, but given that they knew the reason Ishan was taking the step, they were very supportive of it. For anyone outside the GT dressing room, Ishan was just taking a prolonged break from cricket.

Two months had passed since he announced his break from cricket, but they had not received any positive news from the adoption or surrogacy process. While Ishan travelled with Shubman for a few games, the unnecessary comments about him leeching on his husband ate at his peace of mind. He had got himself busy with a bit of gardening and catching up on web series, when he got a call from the surrogacy regulator office saying they had found a potential match and wanted a meeting with their would-be parents. Since the surrogacy procedure involved steps that were quite financially draining and compensations to be paid to surrogates, they were offered surrogacy before normal adoption, considering their financial situation. He called up Shubman and informed him the first positive news he had got in 2. 5 years of their adoption process.