Purrfect Neighbour (ShubmanGillxIshanKishan)

10

Shubman rolled over on his stomach to stretch out on the couch, his hand lazily stroking Sara on the ground next to the chair. He hadn't seen Ishan since they had hooked up on Saturday afternoon. It was Tuesday night now, and he just hoped everything was okay. Sometimes, he wished that Yash hadn't told him what he saw, so he wouldn’t be here involuntarily worrying about Ishan and his safety.

As fate would have it, he perked up instantly at the ominous knock at the door. He didn’t know how he made it to the door so quickly, but he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face when he opened it and saw Ishan standing there, looking as nonchalant as ever.

"Hi," Ishan greeted him. He looked pretty cool standing there with his black curls just a bit shorter than they were before, his face clean-shaven. He must have gotten a fresh cut and shave that day. A grey leather jacket over a white t-shirt, faded blue jeans, and black steel-tipped boots. Actually, thinking about it, this was probably the most dressed up that Shubman had ever seen him. "I want a vada pav."

"Um, what?" That was not what he was expecting Ishan to say.

"I want a vada pav," Ishan repeated with a grin on his face.

"So you just expect me to hand you one out of thin air?" Shubman crossed his arms and cocked an eyebrow.

"No," Ishan smiled broadly. "I want a vada pav from Chowpatty." Ishan shifted on his feet. "So go and change."

"Uh, excuse you? Do you know what time it is? That's a forty-minute drive." Shubman shook his head. "Wait a minute, do you even have a car?"

"Nope," Ishan replied cheekily. "But you do." He started to walk off. "I expect you to be by the car in ten minutes."

Shubman stared after the disappearing Ishan, caught between being flabbergasted and amused. He closed the door and went to change his clothes. At least he had showered earlier. As he slipped his wallet into his pocket, he remembered what Ishan had said. He’ll meet him by the car. Not Shubman’s car, but the car, as if he part-owned it or something.

As Shubman walked past the couch, Sara narrowed her eyes at him, her gaze filled with what could only be described as disdain.

“Behave yourself, alright? No crying to annoy the neighbors.”

Sara's eyes narrowed even further, her expression one of deep offense, before she turned her attention back to the television, as if dismissing him entirely.

When Shubman reached the door, he realized with a small sigh that Ishan still hadn't returned the spare key. The guy really thought he owned the place.

Downstairs, as Shubman approached his car, he spotted Ishan casually leaning against it, inspecting his nails with the air of someone who had all the time in the world. Shubman half-expected him to already be inside the car, even without the keys. As he unlocked the doors of the SUV, he took a moment to look around. It was a beautiful night—the sky was clear, and a few stars peeked through, twinkling like they were in on a secret.

Ishan slid into the passenger seat with the effortless grace of someone who belonged there, while Shubman got in behind the wheel. As soon as the engine roared to life, Ishan’s fingers were already fiddling with the radio controls. Of course he would. The unspoken rule that the driver gets to pick the station didn’t apply to Ishan, apparently. Fortunately, he settled on a soft rock and pop station, and Shubman found he didn’t mind too much.

As they cruised down the nearly empty streets of Mumbai, Ishan bobbed his head to the rhythm of the music, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. The faint scent of cologne filled the car—