The day of the National Cup final was unlike any other day in Mihika's life. Usually, her office was silent but today, the small television mounted on the wall was tuned into the sports channel.

Her desk was piled with patient files, but her eyes kept drifting upward.

For the first time in 29 years, Mihika was watching a football match. She didn't fully understand it, but she understood one thing. The man with the number 10 on his back was playing like his life depended on it.

Aarush looked like a different person on the field. The playful, flirting boy was gone. In his place was a warrior. He was fast, aggressive, and clearly the heart of his team.

Every time a defender tackled him near his right knee, Mihika's heart would jump into her throat. She found herself clutching the silver whistle he had given her, her knuckles turning white.

"Please, Aarush...bas dhyan se."

(Please, Aarush…just be careful.)

She whispered to the empty room. Then, it happened. Aarush received a long pass, dribbled past two defenders with a mesmerizing footwork, and fired the ball into the top corner of the net. The stadium erupted. The commentators were screaming his name.

Aarush didn't join the wild celebration immediately. Instead, he ran straight toward the main camera at the edge of the pitch. He stopped, looked directly into the lens as if he could see Mihika sitting in her office miles away, and tapped his chest twice, right over his heart. Then, he pointed a finger forward with a wink.

Mihika felt a wave of heat rush to her face. She hid her face in her hands, a wide, uncontrollable smile breaking across her lips.

"Pagal ladka."

(Crazy man.)

She murmured, blushing like a teenager. He did it again in the second half after scoring the winning goal. The match ended 2-1. Aarush's team had won the National Cup.

As the final whistle blew, Mihika saw him being hoisted onto his teammates' shoulders. She felt a pang of reality, he was a star, and she was just a doctor. She assumed he would be busy with the trophy ceremony, the press, and the late-night parties.

She turned off the TV, sighed, and tried to focus on a patient's progress report.

An hour passed. The rehab center was mostly empty, save for the night staff. Suddenly, the door to her office swung open.

Aarush stood there, still in his sweat-stained jersey, his hair a mess, and the gold medal dangling around his neck. He was panting, his face flushed with adrenaline and exhaustion.

"Aarush? Tum yahan? You should be at the stadium! The celebration-"

(You’re here?)

He didn't let her finish. He walked across the room in three long strides and stood right in front of her.

"Celebration wahan hai jahan tum ho."

(Celebration is where you are.)

He said, his voice raw.

"Maine kaha tha na, main wapas aaunga."

(I told you, I will come back.)

Mihika stood up, her heart racing.

"Tumne sach mein camera ke saamne woh sab kiya? Everyone is talking about it!"

(You really did all that in front of the camera?)

Aarush stepped closer, taking her hands in his.

"Let them talk. I don't care. Mihika, these last few weeks...I've realized that I don't want to win any more trophies if you're not there to see them. I love you. I don't care about the age gap. Bas tum chahiye."

(I just want you.)

Mihika looked into his eyes and saw only sincerity and love. The walls she had built around her heart for years finally crumbled.

"I love you too, Aarush."

She whispered. Aarush leaned in, his hands cupping her face. He kissed her softly, a slow, tender kiss. Mihika felt tears of happiness overflow and roll down her cheeks. For the first time in her life, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

A few weeks later, the initial craze of the victory had settled, and it was time for the biggest challenge of their relationship. Aarush wanted Mihika to meet his parents.

Mihika was incredibly nervous. She was wearing a simple, elegant peach salwar kameez, and her hands were cold. She kept thinking about what his parents would say. 

'She's older than our son.'

As they pulled up to his house, Aarush sensed her tension. He squeezed her hand.

"Chill karo, Mihika. They already love you because you fixed their son. Baki ki tension mat lo."

(Chill, Mihika….Don’t worry about the rest.)

When they entered, Aarush's mother immediately came forward and pulled Mihika into a warm hug.

"Aa gayi tum! Come in, come in."

(You’re here!)

The older woman said, her face glowing with a kind smile. The afternoon was surprisingly easy. They sat in the small living room, eating homemade snacks. Aarush's father spent most of the time asking Mihika about her work and thanking her for taking such good care of Aarush.

"Humein dar tha ki ye ladka phir kabhi chal nahi payega."

(We were afraid that this boy might never walk again.)

His father said, patting Aarush's shoulder.

"Aapne sirf iska pair thik nahi kiya, iski himmat banayi rakhi."

(You did not just help him recover, you maintained his will.)

Mihika looked at Aarush, who was busy stealing a samosa from his mother's plate.

"Aunty, actually...I was worried you might think I'm too old for him."

Mihika said tentatively, finally addressing the elephant in the room. Aarush's mother laughed and sat next to her, taking her hand.

"Beta, umar sirf ek number hota hai. Aarush bachpan se thoda ziddi raha hai. He needed someone strong and sensible like you to keep him grounded. Hum bohot khush hain ki tum iski zindagi mein aayi ho."

(Age is just a number. Aarush has been a little stubborn since childhood….We are really happy that he has you in his life.)

Mihika felt a lump in her throat. She realized that Aarush's warmth and goodness came from this very house.

That evening, Aarush drove Mihika back to her apartment. It was late, and the street was quiet. He parked the car right in front of her building's gate.

"See? Maine kaha tha na, everyone would love you."

(I told you, everyone would love you.)

Aarush said, leaning over to unbuckle her seatbelt.

"Yeah...you were right. For once."

Mihika teased, leaning back into the leather seat.

"Sirf for once? I'm always right about the important stuff."

(Only for once?)

He grinned. He reached out and pulled her closer. The kiss was supposed to be a quick goodbye, but it lingered.

Neither of them noticed the auto pulling up behind them.

Mihika's mother stepped out of the cab, carrying bags of groceries. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her daughter locked in a romantic embrace with a handsome young man in a very expensive sports car.

Aarush broke the kiss and looked toward the gate, his eyes widening.

"Uhh, Mihika? I think that's your mom."

Mihika turned around, her eyes bulging. Her mother was standing there, her jaw dropped, the grocery bags almost slipping from her hands. Mihika stepped out of the car, smoothing her hair, her face turning a deep shade of crimson.

"Mummy! Aap yahan...itni raat ko?"

(You’re here...so late?)

Her mother walked over, looking at the car, then at Aarush, who had stepped out and was looking incredibly sheepish, and then back at Mihika.

"Mihika? Yeh...yeh wahi football player hai na? The one on the news?"

(He…he is the football player? The one on the news?)

Her mother asked.

"Namaste, Aunty."

Aarush said, folding his hands and giving her his most charming, dimpled smile.

"I'm Aarush. Sorry, humne aapko dekha nahi."

(Sorry, we didn’t see you.)

Mihika's mother looked at Aarush's face, then at the way he was looking at her daughter with so much love, and then at Mihika's glowing face. 

"Toh isiliye tum mana kar rahi thi sabko?"

(So that’s why you were denying everyone?)

Her mother asked, a slow smile starting to form on her face.

"Doctor sahiba ne toh superstar hi pakad liya!"

(Doctor sahiba had the superstar in her clutches!)

"Mummy, please!"

Mihika groaned, hiding her face in her hands. Aarush laughed and walked over, putting an arm around Mihika's shoulder.

"Arre aunty, isne kaha, maine isse pakad lia."

(Actually aunty, not her, I had her in my clutches.)

He turned to Mihika and kissed her forehead.

"Bye, Doctor Sahiba. Milte hain."

(We’ll meet soon.)

As his car sped away, Mihika's mother hooked her arm through her daughter's, leading her toward the elevator.

"Tell me everything. Har ek detail!"

(Every detail!)

Her mother demanded, her excitement bubbling over. Mihika laughed, feeling lighter than she ever had. It was just the beginning of the most beautiful match of her life.