Flashback:
Ishan's heart sank as he observed Shubman's solitary figure from a distance. Despite Shreyas's efforts to keep him company, Ishan knew that his absence weighed heavily on Shubman. The ache of separation gnawed at Ishan's soul, fueling his desire to reach out to someone who could provide companionship in his absence.
With a sense of determination, Ishan reached for his phone, dialing Yaishavwi Jaiswal's number. Jaiswal, affectionately known as "champ," was not just Ishan's junior but also someone he considered family. As the phone rang, Ishan couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the thought of someone else filling the void in Shubman's life.
Jaiswal answered the call with his usual enthusiasm, "Ishan bhaiya, kaise ho aap?"
A smile tugged at Ishan's lips at the familiar greeting. "Mein thik hoon champ, aur tu kaisa hai?"
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, the bond of brotherhood evident in every word exchanged. Despite the distance, Ishan found solace in Jaiswal's company, grateful for the connection they shared.
As they talked, Ishan couldn't shake the possessive pang that gripped his heart at the thought of Shubman finding solace in someone else's company. Yet, a part of him couldn't deny the relief he felt knowing that Shubman had someone to lean on during his absence.
In Jaiswal, Ishan had found not just a friend, but a guardian for Shubman—a protector to keep him company and ease the loneliness that Ishan's absence had left behind. And as their conversation came to an end, Ishan couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the bond they shared, knowing that Shubman was in good hands, even in his absence.
Ishan, sensing Jaiswal's genuine concern for Shubman, felt a surge of gratitude. "Champ, ek aur baat hai," he said, his voice softening. "Main jaanta hoon ki tu Shubman ko acche se samhal raha hai, lekin phir bhi, agar tu kabhi lage ki woh akela hai ya kuch chahiye ho, toh please uska khayal rakhna."
Jaiswal responded with sincerity, "Bilkul bhaiya, main hamesha unke saath hoon aur main unka khayal rakhunga."
Ishan nodded appreciatively, a weight lifted off his chest. "Thanks, champ. Tu mere liye chota bhai hai, aur mujhe bharosa hai ki tu Shubman ka acche se khayal rakhega."
With a shared understanding, the conversation concluded, leaving Ishan with a sense of reassurance. As Jaiswal prepared to check in on Shubman, Ishan couldn't help but hope that his Shubie would find comfort and companionship in the presence of someone who cared for him as much as Ishan did.
Flashback ends
The weight of public scrutiny bore down heavily on Ishan as he scrolled through the comments on his latest reel with Hardik. The barrage of criticism, targeting both him and Hardik, left Ishan feeling exposed and vulnerable.
"Yeh log kyun aise bol rahe hain?" Ishan muttered to himself, his voice tinged with frustration and hurt.
The mention of Rohit Sharma's recent statement about the hunger for test cricket being a prerequisite for selection only added fuel to the fire, stirring up feelings of inadequacy and betrayal within Ishan.
"Itna bhi kya ho gaya ki humein sabse bade ko bhi khush nahi rakh sake," Ishan said, his voice heavy with disappointment.
As he navigated through the virtual onslaught, Ishan's heart sank further when he noticed Shubman's absence from the reel. The silence from his Shubie, a stark contrast to their usual camaraderie, left Ishan feeling adrift and alone.
"Shubie ne kyun nahi kiya mere reel ko like? Kya maine kuch galat kiya hai?" Ishan's voice trembled with uncertainty, his heart aching for the reassurance of his beloved.
