What after That?

Ch 18.

Another morning, as Ishan was getting ready for school, he noticed his mother packing his lunch. With a slight pout, he approached her.

"Maa, aap thoda extra lunch pack kar doge?" he asked hesitantly.

His mother's eyes sparkled with joy, a teasing smile spreading across her face. "Aree wah, humara chidiya jitna khaane waala beta extra lunch pack karne ko bol raha hai!" She playfully pinched his cheek.

Still pouting, Ishan mumbled, "Hum nahi maa... wo Shubman, pata nahi use kitni bhook lagti hai."

His mother, not catching his words clearly, asked, "Huh? Kuchh kaha?"

Ishan sheepishly smiled, quickly brushing it off. "Nahi maa, bilkul nahi."

He hurried away, trying to avoid further questioning, leaving his mother chuckling softly at her son's unusual request.

Ishan's mother lovingly packed double the usual amount of lunch, carefully adding some of his favorite special pickles.

She smiled to herself as she secured the tiffin, thinking about her son's unusual request.

Ishan made his way to school, feeling a bit conflicted but determined to get through the day.

When he entered the classroom, he immediately noticed that only Shubman's bag was on their shared bench, while Shubman himself was nowhere to be seen. The bag was precariously balanced on the edge, as if it was about to fall off at any moment.

Ishan shook his head in mild exasperation. Typical Shubman, careless as always. He approached the bench and gently adjusted the bag, pushing it back into a safer position. As he moved it, something caught his eye. His half of the chain was slightly unzipped, and curiosity got the better of him.

Peeking inside, he saw just two books and a notebook. Ishan was about to investigate further when he felt the presence of someone behind him. His heart skipped a beat. Turning around, he saw one of their fellow students staring at him with a raised eyebrow, clearly suspicious of what he was doing.

Ishan immediately stepped away from Shubman's bag, his face flushed with embarrassment. He hurriedly sat down, trying to act casual, but the awkwardness of the moment lingered in the air. The student, still looking slightly amused, walked away without a word, leaving Ishan to his thoughts, his mind already racing with irritation at Shubman's inevitable antics.

Shubman strolled into the class after the teacher arrived, as carefree as ever. Without a care in the world, he plopped down beside Ishan, flashing his usual signature smirk.

Shubman: "Aur chik chik ji, ki haal hain aapke?"

Ishan shot him a glare. "Hume tumse baat hi nahi karni," he muttered, clearly still fuming from their last encounter.

Shubman raised an eyebrow with a teasing grin, "Oh, aisa kya? Chal theek hai, dekhte hai kab tak." With that, he casually rested his shoe on top of Ishan's freshly polished one, smirking to himself and glancing ahead.

Ishan was again fuming. his polished shoe is ruined although he didnt mind that much but it was Shubman so the extremities were obvious.

Just then, out of nowhere, Shubman's eyes widened as he spotted the PT teacher entering the class. Without warning, he slid down in his seat, sinking low and trying to hide beneath the desk. Ishan, thoroughly confused by this sudden change, looked at him and thought, "Ise kya hua ab?"

Before he could ask, Ishan noticed the PT sir's sharp gaze scanning the room, his eyes narrowed suspiciously. It was obvious Shubman had pulled some mischief, and now he was desperately avoiding being caught. Ishan glanced at Shubman, who looked like a guilty cat hiding under the bed, barely holding in a laugh at the sight of his classmate's panic.