The New Boy (Ishman)

Chapter 5

The afternoon practice went quite smoothly.

Ishan kept practicing his wicket keeping and batting skills. Shubman on the other hand practiced quite far away to avoid any distractions with Shami bhaiya.

It was almost dark, practice was over.

"Hey! See you all again tomorrow then!" Virat bhai said.

"Yes bhaiya!!" Ishan replied with a cheerful voice.

Shubman, as usual, rolled his eyes at the statement, at Ishan obviously, not Virat.

"Good night!" Surya bhaiya said to Shubman and Ishan as he got into his car.

"Good night!" Shubman replied with a smile.

Ishan just kept staring at the smile and wondered if it was really or fake.

Shubman noticed the stare and immediately stopped smiling, as if to say that- that smile was not for him.

Ishan looked away in an awkward manner. Shubman rolled his eyes.

All the others left early. Shubman kept packing his kit. Ishan did the same too.

Since Ishan had only used his gloves most of the time, his gloves got a bit torn.

*Tsk*
"Guess I have to buy a new one soon..." Ishan murmured and packed it too.

With that, Ishan kept waiting for the other at the car. His mind was too focused on how to survive this car journey with a person with such a short temper. He put his kit in the backseat of the car and stood there, leaning on the door.

After what felt like 5 minutes, he saw Shubman walking towards him with his kit on his shoulder. Seeing Ishan already standing there, significantly affected his facial expression. Ishan obviously noticed it.

Ishan was so confused as to what could actually make the other so annoyed on him, so damn angry at him. Ishan thought that today he has to know.

Without any words, Shubman got into the car. Ishan did the same thing too. He put the seat belt on and waited for the engine to start.

Ishan's mind only revolved around the thoughts as to how he should approach Shubman. He saw the taller change gear after gear. The car was going at a high speed, not like racing, but it was fast enough.

Ishan tried to open his mouth but immediately closed again, just like a fish. Shubman could hear small noises, as if someone was trying to say something and it started to irritate him.

"It's annoying now! Got ahead! Say what you wanna say!" Shubman said with a loud voice, making the other almost jump.

"U-Uh...um...w-well..." Ishan tried to utter the question but evidently failed.

Shubman sighed and clenched his jaws. He again changed the gear but now with much aggression. Ishan visibly shuddered seeing this.

Finally gathering some more courage, Ishan closed his eyes and asked in one breath-

"What about me makes you so angry?" Ishan breathed out.

No reply came for the next one minute.

Shubman kept driving.

Ishan was just looking at his lap the whole time, but finally decided to look at the other, in the eyes.

When he raised his head and turned towards Shubman, he saw Shubman clenching his jaws very hard and he could visibly see the jaw muscles.
He was holding the steering wheel with unnecessary great strength, making his hands veins pop up. His eyes were fixed on the almost dark road, with an intense gaze.