Siya Kapoor is a psychiatrist used to untangling others' minds, but when it comes to her own heart, she's got a wall up. That is, until she's caught in a whirlwind with not one, but two of India's rising cricket stars: Shubman Gill, her magnetic, lo...
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6. Conflicts.
Settled on the raised platform beside the serene lake, Siya found herself crafting something out of the nearby grass, her laughter mingling with the gentle rustle of the reeds. Shubman sat beside her, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he watched her work.
"What on earth are you making?" he asked, his curiosity piqued by her creative endeavor.
Siya grinned mischievously, holding up her grass creation for him to see. "It's a masterpiece in the making," she declared proudly. "A little something to remember this wonderful day by."
Shubman chuckled, his gaze flickering between Siya and her makeshift creation. "Ah, I see," he replied with a playful smirk. "Well, I must say, it's certainly... unique."
Siya mock-pouted, feigning offense at his teasing tone. "Hey, don't knock it till you've tried it," she retorted, waving her grass creation in front of his face. "This could be the next big art trend, you know."
Shubman laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he shook his head in amusement. "Alright, alright," he conceded with a grin. "I stand corrected. You're clearly a visionary artist ahead of her time."
As Siya rested her head on Shubman's chest, gazing up at the twinkling stars above, she couldn't shake off the question that had been lingering in her mind for some time.
"Why do you always take Riana's side, no matter what?" she finally asked, her voice soft and contemplative.
Shubman tightened his embrace around her, a thoughtful expression crossing his face as he considered her question. "Riana's been through a lot," he began slowly, his voice tinged with sympathy.
"She's a rape child, and her mother has never shown her the love she deserves. I just want her to feel supported, you know? To feel like someone's on her side, no matter what."
Siya listened quietly, understanding the depth of Shubman's compassion for his childhood friend. "I get that, I really do," she replied gently. "And it's incredibly kind of you to want to protect her. But sometimes, protecting someone also means holding them accountable for their actions. It's not always about taking sides, but rather, helping them grow and learn from their mistakes."
Shubman nodded thoughtfully, his fingers tracing comforting circles on Siya's back. "You're right," he admitted with a sigh. "I guess I just want her to feel loved and accepted, no matter what."
"And she should," Siya affirmed, lifting her head to meet his gaze with a reassuring smile. "But sometimes, tough love is the most caring thing we can offer. It's about guiding her towards the right path, even if it means she stumbles along the way."
With a gentle sigh, Shubman looked down at Siya, his eyes reflecting a mixture of realization and gratitude. "You're right," he admitted, his voice tinged with sincerity. "I've been supporting her blindly, when I should have been guiding her towards what's right."
