What after That?

Ch 10.

Shubman's eyes flared with anger as Ishan grabbed him by the collar, pulling him close. The tension between them crackled in the air, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Hume chidha rahe ho?" Ishan's voice was low, almost a growl, as he held Shubman in place.

Shubman hated it when someone touched his collar— it was a line no one dared to cross. His fists clenched at his sides, itching to shove Ishan away, but something in Ishan's determined gaze made him pause.

For a moment, Shubman considered retaliating. His breath was heavy, and his anger was evident, but instead of responding, he gave Ishan a hard stare, silently communicating his displeasure.

Some student from behind " aankho ki.. ghustakhiyan...aan.. an.. maaf-

Bhai main tumhe nahi dekh ke ga raha..

Sach mein bhaii... "
.
.
.

Outside the school gate, Abhi and Mayank were waiting, pacing impatiently as they kept glancing back toward the entrance.

"Pata nahi kahan reh gaya," Abhi muttered, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall, his foot tapping restlessly.

Mayank chuckled, his voice teasing, "Aa jayega. Waise tum log ne senior ko koot dala?"

Abhi's face lit up with a mischievous grin as he recalled the earlier encounter. "Abee yrr, tere liye hi to kiya tha..."

Mayank rolled his eyes, though a small smile played on his lips. "Achha, agar usne jaake apne bande bulwa liye toh?"

Abhi shrugged, completely unfazed by the prospect of retaliation. "Toh darte thodi hain... dekh lenge saalo ko."

Mayank laughed, but then his expression turned more curious. "Waise, tera aur Simran ka kya hua?"

The grin on Abhi's face faltered slightly, turning into a more sheepish smile. "Hona kya hai... muh hi nahi khulta uske saamne."

Mayank shook his head in mock sympathy, slapping Abhi on the back. "Abee yrr... ye alag dukh."

Abhi sighed dramatically, nodding in agreement. "Hmm..."

The two friends shared a quiet moment, their conversation momentarily halted as they continued to wait. Abhi glanced at his watch, frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Aree ye saala Shubman hug raha hai kya? Itna time kyun lag raha hai isko aane mein..."

Back inside the school, the standoff between Shubman and Ishan had reached a boiling point plus that certain someone's tansen ki aulad stunt.

Shubman finally had enough of the collar-grabbing and grabbed Ishan's wrist, forcing him to let go of his collar.

" Ye nahi karna tha.." Shubman hissed, his voice low and dangerous, " ab tu dekh beta.."

Ishan didn't back down, though. He took a step back, but his eyes remained locked on Shubman's, frustration flickering within them. " kya dikhaoge,"

( you'll scream agar usne dikha diya to 🌚 )
he shot back, his tone just as heated.

Shubman took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions brewing inside him. He wasn't used to someone standing up to him like this, and it both infuriated and intrigued him.

But before things could escalate further, a teacher's voice echoed down the hallway, " kya chal raha ai yahan pe..? Tum log ka exam khatam nahi hua hai?"

causing both boys to freeze.

They exchanged one last look before silently agreeing to drop it for now. Shubman let go of Ishan's wrist and adjusted his collar, muttering something under his breath as he turned and walked away, leaving Ishan standing there, still fuming.