Ishan

Part 5

Ishan’s heart raced with excitement as they sped through the streets of Mumbai on Shubman’s bike, the city lights blurring into streaks around them.

He had finally found Shashank. After weeks of searching, sleepless nights, and endless anxiety, he now saw his husband in the car ahead.

Shubman, riding silently in front of him, was focused, his face hard under the helmet, but Ishan couldn’t help but feel a spark of joy despite the situation.

“We found him... we actually found him!” Ishan thought, gripping Shubman a little tighter as the wind whipped past them.

His mind, swirling with hope, pictured the reunion he had longed for. Shashank would have an explanation—a reason why he had disappeared, why he had been acting strange.

Ishan was certain they could fix it, that this was just a misunderstanding.

But something nagged at the back of his mind. A small knot of dread, tightening with each passing second. As much as he tried to ignore it, there was a growing sense that something wasn’t right.

The car ahead of them made a sharp turn, and Shubman effortlessly followed, his movements precise, calculated.

Ishan barely noticed how skilled Shubman was at maneuvering the bike—his thoughts were entirely consumed by Shashank.

He was here, so close. And yet, something in Ishan’s chest felt heavy, as if he were walking toward an inevitable storm.

Shubman eyes stayed locked on the car, his jaw clenched as he pressed on the throttle, speeding up to keep pace.

Ishan’s smile faltered. There was no denying the sinking feeling now, an unease curling at the pit of his stomach.

His happiness, once bright and overwhelming, was fading, replaced by an ominous sense of foreboding. The sight of Shashank with that woman was too real now, too painful to dismiss.

Something was about to happen. Something bad.

He didn’t know it yet, but this moment—this chase—was leading him straight into the worst heartbreak of his life.

As Shubman brought the bike to a stop at a distance, the car carrying Shashank and the woman halted in front of a lavish hotel.

Ishan's heart leaped at the sight of his husband stepping out, looking as handsome as ever in his well-tailored suit.

His first instinct was to run to Shashank, to embrace him and make everything right. After all, he’d finally found him.

Ishan moved to get off the bike, but Shubman’s hand shot out, gripping his arm firmly.

“What are you doing?” Ishan hissed, annoyed, trying to shake him off.

“Wait,” Shubman muttered, his voice low but commanding. His eyes never left the hotel entrance.

Ishan glared at him. “Why are you acting like this? He’s my husband! I can’t just stand here—”

Shubman’s grip tightened. “Just wait.”

Ishan wanted to protest, but something in Shubman’s tone silenced him.

Reluctantly, he stayed, watching from the shadows as Shashank and the woman walked into the hotel, their heads close together, whispering, laughing.

“This is ridiculous,” Ishan muttered under his breath, “Shashank would never—”

But his words faltered as Shubman, still silent, dismounted the bike and signaled Ishan to follow him.