All you need is love

chapter 34

Shubman and Ishan sat at the table, eating breakfast together as they did every morning. The awkward silence enveloped the room as usual, a stark contrast to the comfortable companionable silence they once shared.

Shubman always tried to make small talk, to bring back some of the old comfort, but it felt like the walls Ishan had built were too thick and too high to break in.

Ishan, still withdrawn and distant, suddenly broke the silence. His voice was low.

"You promised me to find a place."

Shubman was taken aback for a moment, his mind racing to remember the promise Ishan was talking about. It took him a moment, but then he remembered the promise he had made to help Ishan find a new place to live after his traumatic experiences in his life.

Shubman took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his promise and Ishan's expectations.

He knew he was asking the dumbest question he could, but he was getting desperate. He wanted Ishan to feel safe, protected, and cared for, and he believed that living with him would be the best way to do that.

"Ishan, I know this won't be easy, but please consider staying here," Shubman implored, his voice tinged with concern and desperation. "I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you anymore, not when I'm so close. Please, let me help you."

Deep down Ishan also wanted to stay with him and at the same time he was scared what if things repeat again. What if Shubman lied to him again.

"If... If starting a new chapter is possible then I would.. I would like to start a new chapter of my life without any trance of the previous chapter"

Shubman could feel his heart sinking as Ishan's words filled the room, heavy with resignation and despair. It felt like a slap in the face to hear him say he could start a new without any trace of the past.

Shubman wanted to argue, to tell Ishan that he wanted to make things right.

____

Ishan stood in the dark night, his hands gripping the cold balcony railing tightly. The city lights twinkled beneath him, but his gaze was fixed on the vast expanse of the sky, a mixture of contemplation and sadness etched onto his features.

Meanwhile, Shubman quietly sat on the swing in the dim light of the moon, his eyes on Ishan. He watched him silently, taking in his profile under the moonlight with a deep sense of longing.

Shubman had always thought there was something ethereal about seeing Ishan under the soft glow of the moonlight. The way it bathed Ishan in its gentle light, softening the edges of his features and adding a certain melancholy tinge to his beauty, was something he could never get tired of watching. He missed those days they were together on the beach, spending hours and hours.

Ishan could feel Shubman's eyes upon him, the weight of his gaze palpable even from the corner of his eye. The thought of starting a conversation crossed his mind, but he found himself hesitating, torn between the desire for some connection and the fear of getting too close again.

He swallowed down his unease and slowly turned towards Shubman, meeting his gaze directly, "why are you
Staring at me like that".

Shubman couldn't help but cheekily reply, a small grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "And so? You're the one standing like that like a main character from a cheesy romantic novel.

"A novel of a great warrior" slipped out of his mouth, filled with admiration and a touch of sadness. In his mind, he saw Ishan as a lone warrior who had endured the harshest of battles, yet stood tall with unwavering courage.