Shubman stood at the edge of the terrace, a glass of lemonade in hand, his heart heavy with uncertainty. He could hear the laughter of his parents drifting in from the living room, where Sara sat with them, chatting animatedly. Shubman's eyes, however, were lost in thought, his mind far away from the confines of duty and expectations.
"Shubman, come join us!" his mother called, her voice warm and inviting. But he felt trapped, ensnared in a life that wasn't his own.
He turned away from the view and walked back inside, plastering a smile on his face. "What's the occasion?" he asked, forcing a light tone.
"We were just talking about how lovely you and Sara look together!" his mother remarked, eyes sparkling with pride.
Sara beamed at him, her sunshine-like demeanor brightening the room. "I'm so excited for our dinner tonight. Your parents are so sweet!"
"Yeah, sure," Shubman said, his heart not in it. As much as he tried to focus on the moment, his thoughts wandered to Ishaan-the boy who had always occupied his heart but remained firmly placed in the shadows.
Meanwhile, across the town, Ishaan sighed as he scrolled through his phone, gazing at a picture of Shubman and Sara, their smiles wide and genuine. A pang of jealousy twisted in his gut. "Why can't I just tell him?" he murmured to himself.
Mayank, his best friend, plopped down beside him on the couch, a teasing grin on his face. "Still thinking about Shubman, huh?"
Ishaan rolled his eyes, trying to mask the truth. "I mean... it's complicated."
"Complicated? You mean you're stuck pining after him while he's with Sara? That's not complicated-that's just sad," Mayank said, nudging Ishaan's shoulder. "Why not just give dating a shot? It could help you move on."
Ishaan frowned, feeling the weight of every unspoken word. "I don't know, Mayank... it feels wrong to jump into something else when he's with someone."
"Maybe dating me can distract you then," Mayank suggested with a playful wink. "How about dinner tomorrow? Just us?"
Ishaan hesitated, chewed his lip, then reluctantly nodded. "Okay, fine. But it doesn't mean I've moved on."
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As the days passed, Shubman fought against the boundaries of his forced relationship. Every time he met Sara, he felt the ever-present shadow of Ishaan behind his smiles. They were supposed to go have dinner together, but a sudden surge of jealousy bubbled within him when he noticed Ishaan and Mayank at a nearby café, sharing laughs.
"Shubman?" Sara's voice broke through his thoughts. "Are you okay? You seem a bit distant lately."
"Yeah, I'm fine," he lied, dismissing her concern with a wave of his hand. But the way Ishaan leaned close to Mayank pierced through Shubman's composure, igniting a fire within him.
Later that night, as he lay in bed, the tumult in his heart became unbearable. He grabbed his phone and messaged Ishaan
: What's up?
Ishaan replied almost instantly: Just out with Mayank. Why?
Shubman took a deep breath, uncertainty gnawing at him. Are you guys... dating?
Ishaan's reply was quick: Does it matter?
Yes! It does matter. You can't just... He paused, realizing that his emotions were spilling onto the screen. I just... don't want you to.
The radio silence on the other end felt deafening, each passing second a painful reminder of what it meant to be trapped. Finally,
Ishaan replied: Maybe it's time for you to decide who you really want, then.
The next day, Shubman confronted Ishaan at a local park, the ambiance thick with tension.
"Why are you dating Mayank?" he demanded, heart racing.
"He makes me laugh," Ishaan replied, crossing his arms defensively.
"Is that it? You're just trying to make me jealous?" Shubman pressed, stepping closer, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ishaan hesitated but then declared, "You're with Sara. I'm just moving on like you want me to!" The hurt in his voice struck Shubman, and he took a step back.
"No, I don't want you to move on! I want... I want you!" Shubman's confession hung in the air, heavy and raw.
"What about Sara? This isn't fair!" Ishaan said, frustration flaring.
"I don't love her, Ishaan! I never have! My parents put me in this-"
"Then break it off! Just like that," Ishaan urged, his vulnerability piercing Shubman's heart.
"Can't you see? I'm scared! I'm scared of losing you if I make the wrong choice."
"Then stop worrying about everyone else," Ishaan said, voice softening. "It's time you choose for yourself."
In that moment, the masks fell away, and all that remained was the truth of their feelings. Shubman stepped forward, eyes locked onto Ishaan's. "I choose you," he murmured, heart pounding with every ounce of hope.
The next day, filled with determination, Shubman met Sara at their favorite park. "Sara, we need to talk," he said, heart racing.
Sara looked at him with concern. "What's wrong?"
"I can't do this anymore," he admitted, his voice steady. "I can't pretend I love you. My heart belongs to someone else."
"What do you mean?" she asked, panic evident in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I love Ishaan," Shubman confessed, ready to embrace whatever consequences followed.
Tears brimmed in Sara's eyes, but she nodded, bittersweet acceptance etching her features. "If that's what you truly want... I can't hold you back. I wish you both happiness."
As he walked away, Shubman felt a mixture of relief and grief. And there, waiting for him at the edge of the park, was Ishaan, eyes shining with hope.
The moment they locked eyes, clarity poured over them like sunlight breaking through clouds. Shubman stepped closer, letting himself feel everything he had held back. "I'm sorry for making you wait," he said softly.
"I've waited long enough," Ishaan replied, daring a smile as relief washed over him.
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