What Are We Now (Mind Reader) | Ishman

Ch. 13

*third Person's POV*

"Kishmish? How're you?"
"He's better than yesterday, Bhaiya..."

'Shubi... Tell him please'
"I- h-ow?!"
"What happened, Shub?" Rohit asked.

"Bhaiya.. um.. Um- Ishan- needs to tell you something"

'You said we'

"What do you want to say, Baccha? Say it I'm like your brother too"
"Bh-bhaiya I can read minds.." Shubman dropped the bomb on Rohit.

"Um- I know you're confused.. but Ishan knows.. and Vi bhaiya obviously knows... I- wanted to let you know too just because.. Ishan wants to talk and I want you to believe me and-"
"Is it actually true?"
"Yes Bhaiya... Do you want to test it or something... I can tell what you're thinking of"
"S-sure um... I guess"

"You're thinking of flowers?"
"Alright good... You can really read minds? And Ishan knows"
"Yes Bhaiya... There's something else he needs to talk about"

That's when Virat came back too with something to eat for Shubman.

"What's happening here, Kaka?"
"Umm.. I told Ro Bhaiya about the mind reading"
"Y-yeah... It's new, but.. I'm fine if Ishan's okay... I mean I don't have any problem with it-"

"I know, Ro. I know. I love you. Thank you" Virat hugged him, handing the lunch box to Shubman and sitting in Rohit's lap.

"Ishan wants to say something"

'How do I start, Shubi? I don't know'

Shubman leaned even closer to him and talked to him in a whisper.
"We can start directly, Baby. Should I help?"

'hold my hand?'
"Always, Baby"

"Bhaiya... I-ishan is being bullied in the college"
"WHAT?!" Rohit asked, angry and shocked.

"What are you saying?! Bullied?! My Kishmish? For what?! And since when?!"

"Can you trust me and tell me, Baby? I'll only tell Bhaiya. We'll help you right. We want to do it for you, Baby" Shubman whispered only to Ishan.

'S-since the first year... When someone heard Mayank and I... It wasn't intentional it's not his fault it happened. He didn't want anything like that to happen, please it's not his fault'

Ishan wanted to cry, but his body was too weak to even let him do so. The heart monitor showed the readings increasing and Shubman rubbed his hand and chest.

"Baby, we're going to help you. It's not at all your fault. It's okay. It's all right. It'll be just fine.. just fine, Baby... We don't have to say everything.. just tell me when you want me to stop talking and I won't say anything further. We can tell him everything slowly, hm? You're doing a good thing, Ishu. It'll all be fine"

"What's wrong, Shub? I-is he okay? Is everything fine?"

"It is, Bhaiya... please don't blame or scold or get angry"
"Nahi Baccha. I promise I'll listen, Kishmish. Please tell your Bhaiya. Please"

⚠️TW: Bullying, Self harm.
...

*Flashback*

"What are you saying, Ishu? How can you be the cause of their death?! That's impossible"
"I-it's the truth Mayu... W-we were in the car.. and.. we were g-going to meet Ro Bhaiya..."
"How is that you're fault, Ishu?"
"I- I told them that I was... I wa-s gay- and- th-ey d-didn't like it.... Then dad started to sh-out at me an-d his focus got off and then m-om screamed and the next thing we knew was the car being h-hit by a truck"