when 77 met 32 [ishman ff] [shubish]

2024

I had a feeling that Sara knew something I didn't. So, I thought maybe she could help me sort things out. I couldn't keep on going like that. So, I decided to speak with her. Before I could share my concerns on the call with her, Shubman took the phone. He asked me to join them on a coffee date this evening.

I wouldn't say I liked the idea at all, but I still begrudgingly accepted the offer. Later that evening, while getting ready, I realized that Ishan would be invited too, because how could he not be invited? I was still upset about the thing last time, but I couldn't be throwing random tantrums, could I?

I would need to be on my best behavior. So, I got ready and reached the destination, ignoring the calls and texts from Ishan asking to pick me up. I know this was Shubman's idea because he felt like there was something wrong between us and that things were heated. I hated that he was so smart, and I understood his tactics so late.

I went inside and took my seat. The air was heavy with silence before Ishan decided to break it. "What do you want to eat, Aditi?" he asked me. I looked at him genuinely surprised because how could he be asking me first when Shubman was right here? 'Wow, Aditi, you are being so petty right now.' I told myself because Ishan had never left me to feel neglected in his company; he was a good boyfriend.

He wasn't just into me. I knew it, but my heart was still making reasons up. I was convincing myself that I was completely wrong about this whole matter and that Ishan definitely liked me. I was being stupid again, but how could I make my heart realize that Ishan was not in love with me, and even if he didn't realize this now, he would in the future, and when we broke up, it would break me too. It was better to end things now than later.

Ishan returned with my order and someone else's order too. There were two orders on the tray he was holding. He sat down at the table and passed my fries and cappuccino. Then he placed the tray in front of Shubman. I looked at him and realized that he asked me first because he knew what Shubman would want. I never felt like this before. The food in front of me just looked like junk now.

"Are you okay?" Ishan asked me. It must have shown on my face that I wasn't okay. "I am. just a bit tired maybe." I replied. "You want to go see the doctor? You don't look okay at all," Shubman said, and he looked genuinely concerned for me. I couldn't ever be mad at this man, I realized. Shubman was a pure soul, and I loved him. And as much as I liked Ishan, I just couldn't break this man's heart. I smiled at him and took a bite of the fries.

Sara looked at me like she knew something. I wasn't that tough to read, to be honest. It's just that people around me were too blind sometimes. Five minutes later, Ishan and Sara's food had arrived, and Shubman went to pick it up. After eating, we decided to go to a sea sight near us and just sit there and relax for some time. I decided that I would speak with Sara there.

We were all sitting there looking at the sea waves hitting the shore. It seemed so serene. The waves looked like they were doing their most favorite thing in the world. I have always seen Shubman looking at Ishan with heart eyes, but when I looked at Ishan today, it felt different. This time it was Shubman speaking about some random stuff, and Ishan was looking at him with hearty eyes.

Ishan's eyes reflected his pure emotions. I felt this sudden urge to place a mirror in front of him right now. Make him realize the things he was so pleasantly blind about. Ishan looked just like the sea waves right now. so serene and at peace, and I realized that I was the third wheel. The part of my heart that didn't want me to break up finally gave up, and my eyes glistered with unshed tears.

I got up to leave from there when my eyes met with Sara's. She knew it. She signaled to me that she would call me later, and I made my way towards my car. There was a distant voice of Ishan calling my name, but I didn't pay any heed to it. I sat in my car and drove to my room. Sara had left me a message. I saw it when I was mentally available again. 'Let's meet tomorrow.' The message said.