What after That?

Ch 13.

Ishan reached home, his fingers fiddling nervously with his shirt collar. His usually crisp and well-ironed uniform was in disarray, the top few buttons conspicuously missing—all thanks to Shubman.

Ishan's heart was pounding in his chest, hoping to avoid any confrontation with his mother. If she saw the state of his shirt, she would undoubtedly start questioning him about what happened and who he had fought with.
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His mind raced as he tiptoed through the house, hoping to reach his room without getting caught. The TV in the living room was playing some random soap opera, his mother likely engrossed in it.

He held his breath as he passed by the room, the murmur of the show barely audible over his own heartbeat. Luckily, he managed to reach his room unnoticed.

Once inside, Ishan closed the door softly behind him and sighed with relief. He leaned against the door, his mind replaying the events of the day. 

The confrontation with Shubman, the frustration, the humiliation—it was all too much. He looked down at his shirt, fingers tracing the missing buttons, and a wave of anger surged through him.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Shubman, Abhi, and Mayank were lounging in their usual spot in the park. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the playground.

The swings creaked in the distance as children played, oblivious to the conversation taking place on the nearby bench.

Mayank was visibly anxious, his knee bouncing up and down as he spoke. "Shubman... tune use koot to diya ab..." he started, his voice tinged with worry.

Shubman leaned back against the bench, his expression nonchalant. "Bola kya usne tujhe kuchh?" he asked, his tone calm.

Mayank shook his head. "Nahi... but still, yaar..."

Shubman smirked, clearly unfazed. "To tension kyun le raha hai? Aur us ladki se baat huii teri?" he asked, trying to divert the conversation.

But Abhi wasn't ready to let it go so easily. "Abee tension kaise na le... saare pitenge agar usne bande bulwa liye to... bhaii uska gang bahut bada hai..." he interjected, his voice dropping to a whisper as if the mere mention of the senior's gang would summon them.

Shubman waved off their concerns with a dismissive hand. "Bhaii dekh, mainu jo sahi laga uss waqt kar diya maine. Aur waise bhi, jo usne kiya uske baad to pitna tha hi use..." Shubman's voice held a calm certainty, a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

Mayank, still not fully convinced, pressed on. "Jo kiya usne mere saath kiya na... tune kyun pange liye?" There was a genuine concern in his voice, a mix of gratitude and fear.

Shubman's expression softened just a bit as he looked at Mayank. "Dost hai tu mera... pagal..." he replied simply, as if that explained everything.

A small smile crept onto Mayank's face, a mix of relief and appreciation. Abhi, noticing the shift in mood, grinned and patted Mayank's back. "Haa yaar, dost hai tu apna... Aie kaise chhod dete... aur waise bhi hum log bhi bande bulwa lenge..." he added with a confident nod.

Shubman's grin widened as he heard Abhi's words. "Aur nahi to kya," he agreed, his tone playful yet determined.

The three of them sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of the situation sinking in. They had crossed a line already, but in their minds, it was justified. The senior had it coming, and as far as they were concerned, they had done the right thing.

After their little meeting in the park, Shubman, Mayank, and Abhi picked up their bags and started heading home. As they reached the main road, Shubman waved them goodbye and turned to the right, while Mayank and Abhi continued walking straight ahead.