Ishan

Part 6

Shashank walked into the soccer ground, his tall frame easy to spot as he waved energetically in Ishan's direction. Ishan, sitting with Aditi on the side stair seats, immediately waved back, his signature charismatic smile lighting up his face.

The air was alive with the sounds of students practicing on the field, but for a moment, all Ishan noticed was Shashank making his way toward him.

Aditi, noticing the exchange, nudged Ishan playfully. "Oyee hoye, aa gaya tera hero," she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Ishan shot her a fake glare, then shook his head in mock annoyance.

"Achha Adi, jaana padega. Bye!" he said, standing up, already mentally preparing to run toward Shashank.

Aditi, ever the dramatic friend, sighed deeply. "Haan, haan, jaa. Ab toh tereko sachcha pyaar mil gaya hai," she said, rolling her eyes playfully.

Ishan grinned widely at her words. "Koshish kar, tujhe bhi mil jaayega..," he teased back, starting to make his way down the stairs.

But before Aditi could throw a witty comeback, she saw it happen. "Ishan!" she exclaimed, but it was too late.

Ishan tripped over a soccer ball that had rolled onto the stairs, losing his balance. He groaned loudly as he landed on the hard surface, rubbing his sore bum and wincing at the unexpected fall.

"Ow... damn," Ishan muttered under his breath, trying to gather himself.

Then he heard it—laughter. A loud, unmistakable laugh coming from behind him. He turned to see the culprit, and of course, it was Shubman, standing with his usual cocky expression, shaking his head in amusement.

"Seriously?" Shubman chuckled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Tripping over a soccer ball, Kishan? Impressive."

Ishan narrowed his eyes at Shubman, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck. Of all people, it had to be Shubman who witnessed his clumsy moment.

He wasn't just Shashank's friend; he was the guy Ishan always found a little too smug for his liking, the one with the piercing eyes that seemed to judge him at every turn.

"Shut up," Ishan snapped, still rubbing his sore backside, trying to regain his dignity as Shubman continued to grin, clearly enjoying the moment far too much.

Shubman sauntered over, his arms crossed casually over his chest. "Oh, don't get mad at me. It's not my fault you can't handle a little ball in your path," he said, biting back another laugh.

Ishan groaned again, this time more out of frustration than pain. "Just mind your own business, Shubman," he muttered, pushing himself up and dusting off his jeans.

He glanced at Shashank, who was approaching, concern on his face, completely unaware of the mini altercation happening between his boyfriend and his friend.

Shashank, oblivious to the tension, came over and wrapped an arm around Ishan's shoulders. "You okay, love?" he asked softly, his voice filled with warmth.

Ishan smiled, the embarrassment quickly fading as he leaned into Shashank. "Yeah, just fine. Just a little fall," he said, throwing one last glare in Shubman's direction.

Shubman raised his hands in mock surrender, smirking as he did. "Alright, alright. I'll leave you two lovebirds to it," he said, backing off but still grinning. He turned to walk away, leaving Ishan to fume silently at his retreating figure.

Aditi, who had witnessed the entire scene, couldn't hold back her laughter. "Well, that was... something," she said, shaking her head as Ishan turned back to face her.