Through The Storm [ An Ishman Ff ]

Chapter 6

First of all, thank you so much for all your feedback and suggestions 😀. You guys are Sweet hearts.❤️ And about the story then this chapter is not  even 1 percent of what I had planned to write earlier because I had to make changes as per your requests. I've given it my best shot, but beyond this sorry my brain is not braining. Hopefully, you won't be disappointed this time. But tbh I literally have to bang my head to write this chapter.😂
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The evening sky transform into a canvas of deep oranges and purples, the city lights flickering to life below as a gentle breeze rustled the leaves around them. Shubman and Ishan were seated on their balcony, Shubman on the couch with Ishan nestled on his lap, both sipping coffee. Shubman's arm was securely wrapped around Ishan's stomach, holding him protectively.
Ishan was lost in his own world, wrestling with the battle between his mind and heart. Should he tell Shubman about his pregnancy? His heart urged him to share the news—after all, it was their baby, the symbol of their love. But his mind kept betraying him, filling him with doubt. What about the matches? His trance of thoughts was abruptly halted when he felt Shubman's cold hand slipping under his t-shirt.
Shubman:"What happened? Where did you get lost?" Shubman asked, gently caressing Ishan's stomach.
And that movement the touch felt blissful, filling Ishan with an inner joy. He felt as though Shubman was embracing both him and their baby, securing them protectively. But Ishan replied, "No, nothing."
Shubman: "Ishu? Ishan hummed as response. Is something bothering you? Is there something you want to tell me?"
The question made Ishan's heart race with confusion. Yet, he answered,
Ishan:"No, Shub, nothing is bothering me."
Shubman just hummed in response.
The evening continued, the silence between them filled with unspoken emotions, the weight of Ishan's secret pressing heavily on his heart.

After dinner
Here Ishan is in the washroom in front of the mirror, slightly lifting his shirt and caressing his barely visible bump.
Ishan: Baby, thank you so much for listening to mumma and not making me feel nauseous during dinner. You're just like your dada, always listening to mumma just the way he does," he whispered softly, a tender smile spreading across his face. "But... but dada doesn't know about you yet. Please don't be mad at mumma for this, okay? You'll support mumma during the matches too, right?"
He spoke to his unborn child with a gentle voice, filled with love and hope. Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door. He knew instantly who it was.
"Coming," Ishan called out, quickly lowering his shirt and whispering a quick goodbye to his baby before exiting the washroom.

Morning arrived bright as always. After breakfast, Ishan and Shubman were in their room, gathering their things for work. Shubman picked up his bag and car keys, then gently tapped Ishan on the shoulder, who was busy packing his kit.
Shubman: Ishu, I'm heading out ok  .he said, turning to leave. But Ishan grabbed his hand from behind, stopping him in his tracks. Shubman turned around to face ishan.
Shubman:"Kya hua?" he asked, carefully examining Ishan's expression. Ishan looked back at him, confusion flickering in his eyes. After a brief pause, Shubman asked again, Shubman: Do you want to tell  something?"
Ishan was now too puzzled by Shubman's behavior. He never left for work without giving proper goodbyes filled with hugs and kisses. Ishan flinched slightly as Shubman gently shook him.
"No, it's just... you didn't give me hugs and kisses before leaving," Ishan finally admitted, his voice soft and uncertain.
Shubman gave a little smile and pulled Ishan into a warm embrace and planted a tender kiss on his head and then he left.
As Shubman walked away, Ishan stood there, feeling a lingering sense of unease. "Why is he acting so strange?" he wondered, but with the clock ticking, he pushed the thought aside and hurried to get ready for his day.

In the days leading up to the IPL, life seemed to carry on as usual. However, beneath the surface, everything had changed. Ishan, who once felt no joy at the prospect of the baby, now found himself irresistibly drawn to the tiny life growing within him. The soul that had been crying out in stress and confusion was now glowing with newfound happiness because of the baby. Now he was taking proper care of himself, not  to stay fit and fine for playing matches, but to keep the baby healthy. Each passing day deepened his bond with this little bean, and the turmoil in his mind was gradually being replaced with a serene clarity. The baby was definitely healing Ishan. But he  engrossed himself so much in his own world that he failed to notice the people surrounding him. And for sure he took too much time to take the decision. It took him a long time to decide, but he finally made up his mind and he  wanted to set things right. Listening to his heart, he felt satisfied with his decision. Finally he was clear with his decision. And he wanted to make everything right.
But Ishan had no idea that someone else's heart was breaking a little more each day.