The award function itself went well. Even though he said all the right things, the media had latched on to him calling Sachin Tendulakar the greatest of all time.
Shubman was ranting in another one of their video calls.
"Ab tu bata.. Meine kya galat bola? Ye tho sabko patah hai.. Virat bhai great hai par woh ab bhi khel rahe hai. India mein tho GOAT Sachin sir ko hi mante hai na? Sara duniya pagal ho chuka hai"
(Now you tell me, did I say anything wrong? Everybody knows this.. Virat bhai is great but he is still playing. In India, Sachin sir's considered the GOAT right? The whole world has gone mad)
He looked at Ishan for support who was staring at him with an odd look on his face.
"Tujhe bhi lagta hai meine kuch galat bola?"
(Do you also feel I said something wrong?)
Ishan shook his head.
"Ishan kuch bol na"
(Ishan say something)
"Mein kya boloon"
(What do I say)
"Virat bhai ka naam lena chahiye tha na., par woh kitna ajeeb hota."
(I should've said Virat bhai's name..but that would've been weird)
He swiped at his face in frustration.
"Nahi. Tune sahi kiya"
(No, you did the right thing)
Even though he said what Shubman wanted to hear, Ishan's voice sounded odd.
"Sun, tu London se video call karne ki Khoshish mar kar, teek hai. Thodi din ki baat hai. Time difference bhi tho hai na, practical nahi hai"
(Listen, don't try to video call from London ok? It's a matter of a few days. There's time difference as well. It isn't practical)
Shubman looked like someone had slapped him. All the trolling in the world, all the media play couldn't shake him like Ishan asking him to be practical and not call him. He hasn't heard anything else Ishan said, everything else was like white noise buzzing in his ears.
"Shubman Gill!!!"
He jumped on hearing his full name being called out in Ishan's voice.
"Kaha Kho gaya tha??? Pagal hoon mein idhar tujhse baatein kar raha hoon aur tu sun bhi nahi raha hai?"
(Where are you lost? Am I crazy to be talking while you're not even listening?)
Shubman was staring without response. Ishan peered at Shubman's face through the screen.
"Acha toh sach mein tu sun nahi raha tha na. Koi nahi tujhe tho mein South Africa mein dekh loonga"
(Oh..so you really weren't listening. Never mind, I'll deal with you in South Africa)
"Sorry"
"Kya hua?"
(What happened)
Ishan's voice was soft and gentle.
"Tu keh raha tha ki hum baat nahi karenge"
(You were saying we won't talk)
Ishan rolled his eyes.
"Isliye kehte hai class mein dyaan dena zaroori hai.. teacher ki poori baat suni bhi nahi"
(This is why you should be attentive in classes.. You didn't listen to the teacher properly)
Shubman smiled.
"Acha masterji batayiye kya sikhaya aapne"
(Ok masterji tell me what you taught)
"Pehle imposition likho. 100 baar. Ishan Kishan is the best."
(As punishment write -Ishan Kishan is the best - a hundred times)
Shubman was laughing now.
"Ji master ji. Par mein Ishan Kishan is the best ki jagah I love Ishan Kishan likhna chahta hoon"
(Ok masterji, but instead of Ishan Kishan is the best I want to write I love Ishan Kishan)
"Do you?"
Ishan's voice had gone quiet. Shubman had that look in his eyes that Ishan loved the most.
"I do. I love you"
Ishan was smiling happily. The happiest Shubman had seen him in ages. It was he who put that smile there. His heart was not just singing but also dancing.. the bhangra no less. The way his emotions had swung in the past few minutes, it was like he was on an emotional roller coaster.
"Pagalon ki tarah smile karte rahega ya kuch bolega bhi"
(Are you gonna keep smiling like a crazy person or are you gonna say something too)
Ishan gave him a mysterious smile.
"Kya bolna hai"
(What do you want me to say)
"I love you ka jawab I love you se dethe hai"
(You say I love you in return when someone says I love you)
"Haan jaise ith ka jawab ith se aur pathar ka jawab pathar se"
(Like an eye for an eye etc)
Ishan was giggling now.
"Ye galat hai"
(this is wrong)
Shubman was now pouting and had the most pitiful puppy eyes known to mankind. Stronger men than Ishan would come to their knees.
"Aise mat karo. Mujhe directly bolna hai. Jab tu mere samne ho aur hum ek doosre ke baahon mein ho. Please?"
(Don't do this. I want to say it when you're in front of me, in each other's arms. Please?)
YOU ARE READING
The Way I See You
Hayran KurguIt is known that Shubman and Ishan are the best of friends. Then, why does it feel like Ishan is ignoring Shubman sometimes? Shubman would like to know. A story of two friends who find their way towards each other as they navigate the ups and downs...
