The Puzzle Of Love | Ishman

Ch.20

*third person's POV*

"...I think I love you"

These words kept ringing in Shubman's head. It's been a minute since Ishan said that and Shubman has been in shock since.
"Shubi?"

He loves me. He loves me too. He loves me back.
The happiness was flowing inside every drop of blood in Shubman.
He couldn't say anything, instead joined their lips again.

Ishan's muscles relaxed and felt a kind of relief you do when you know there's nothing that can bother you now that you've achieved it all. A feeling you have when you have everything accomplished and just sit peacefully, watching how the chaos around you dies down.

"I love you too, baby. I- I'm.. I don't know what to say.. I'm so happy to hear this.. I can't believe that I got to be the one you put your love into... After all those years, I.. I finally have you as mine. Mine, Ishan. You're my love. You're the one I've longed for. You're the only one who could've completed this puzzle. I love you so much Ishan. I love you"

"I love you too, Shubi. Thank you so much for waiting. Thank you so much for loving me. Thank you for never giving up, Shubman. You've always been there, one way or the other, thank you so much for that..."

"Come with me.. I have something I wanted us to do together"
"What?"
"I'll tell you, C'mon" Shubman dragged both of them to the front of the house.
He picked up a stray pointed stone, moving back to Ishan.

He started to mark something, more like draw, on the front wooden pillar.
"Boo what are you doing? It'll damage the house"
"Look"

Shubman showed Ishan a very messily carved heart, with 'Ishu' written in, and a '+' below it.
Ishan understood what Shubman wanted and took the stone from him, carving a 'Shubi' below the + sign.

"It looks perfect"
"Like you" Shubman said. "I love you so much, Ishan"
He said, wrapping his arms around Ishan from behind. He rested his face on his shoulder.
"I love you too, Shubman. I love you too... And I do feel it, like the way you said it... It was hidden for you, where I needed it"

They both smiled and looked at the little art they made, the breeze and the waves congratulating them silently.

...........

They returned back after spending another day at the beach.
"Did you like the beach, Darling?"
"I loved it. Thank you, Shubi"
"You don't have to thank me, boyfriend. I love making you happy."

Ishan smiled, not having the words to reply. No one has ever shown so much love and care for him and he always felt new to this.

....
(Time skip)

"Baby?" Shubman woke up after a long nap after returning from the cafe. Ishan demanded for him to sleep because he looked like a zombie.

"Ishu?" Now Shubman was searching for his Darling because he wasn't there to give him kisses and cuddles.
Not in the bedroom, not in the bathroom, not in the living room, not in the guest room.
He decided to check in the kitchen.

There, he saw Ishan sitting on the counter with folded legs. His mouth was covered in honey, a little drooling from his lips, and some sticking to his finger.

Ishan got scared from Shubman's sudden appearance, trying to hide the jar of honey.
"Aw, Baby!"
Shubman laughed at his cute attempt, moving closer to him.

"Good morning, Shubi" Ishan said with a mouthful of honey.
"Good morning, Ishu" he said and kissed his cheek, tasting a little honey that was collected there.

"What were you doing, babybear"
"Nofing"
"Of course. Now let me see that jar, Darling"

Ishan handed it to him, pouting.
"*Gasps* More than half of it is empty! Too much honey isn't good for you, my love"
"No! Sleepy sleepy, Shubi, let me eat"