EPISODE 9

“Audit This, Captain”

Arjun Kapoor learned one brutal truth overnight—

Being India’s captain was easier

than being Ruhe Sharma’s almost-boyfriend under national surveillance.

Morning practice.

Arjun walked in.

The team was already waiting.

Not to train.

To judge.

Pandya clapped again.

“Morning, Captain.

Or should we say—Mr. Sharma?”

Groans. Whistles.

Arjun sighed.

“Original. Really.”

Pant grinned.

“So when are we getting couple jerseys?

‘Kapoor 18’ and ‘Sharma CA’?”

Virat smirked.

“Careful. She’ll audit your strike rate next.”

Arjun pointed his bat.

“Ten laps. All of you.”

Rohit laughed.

“Worth it.”

Ruhe’s morning was no gentler.

Her phone buzzed nonstop.

Friend Group Chat:

Are we invited to the wedding or just the scandal?

Ruhe typed calmly.

I haven’t audited him yet. Too early.

Neha replied.

Girl, you kissed him before reconciling numbers??

Ruhe smiled.

I verified character first.

Media pressure peaked.

A news van followed Arjun’s car.

“Captain! Are you distracted by romance?”

“Is Ms. Sharma influencing team finances?”

Arjun finally stopped.

Stepped out.

Camera froze.

“I’ve handled swing, spin, and pace,” he said evenly.

“I can handle one honest woman.”

Ruhe watched the clip later.

Heart stupidly proud.

That evening—hotel rooftop.

Private.

Rare.

City lights flickered.

“You shouldn’t defend me like that,” Ruhe said.

Arjun leaned on the railing.

“You shouldn’t make me want to.”

She smirked.

“Too late.”

He stepped closer.

“So… what are we?”

She thought.

Long.

Carefully.

“A professional risk,” she replied.

He laughed softly.

“My favorite kind.”

Teasing resumed at dinner.

Pant whispered loudly,

“Captain, blink twice if you’re emotionally compromised.”

Arjun didn’t blink.

“I’m strategically invested.”

Virat raised his glass.

“To the only woman who made our captain miss a straight ball.”

Cheers erupted.

Arjun raised his glass too.

“To the only team that never lets me forget it.”

Later—quiet moment.

Ruhe rested her head briefly on his shoulder.

Just a second.

Public enough to matter.

Private enough to mean something.

“You know this ends badly,” she murmured.

Arjun kissed her forehead.

“Most good innings do.”

She smiled sadly.

“Still worth playing?”

He looked at her.

“No hesitation.”

“Every ball.”

Breaking news flashed.

HEADLINE:

Audit Report Linked to Captain’s Girlfriend Set to Shake Cricket Board

Ruhe stiffened.

Arjun’s jaw tightened.

The room fell silent.

They looked at each other.

Love, suddenly tested by truth.

When romance meets reality,

only honesty survives the collapse.