What after That?

Ch 27.

As Ishan stood in the kitchen, helping his mother chop vegetables, his mind wandered back to Shubman. 

He couldn't shake off the memories of their last encounter—the way Shubman had leaned in so close, their lips nearly touching. 

The thought sent a rush of frustration through Ishan, causing him to stab the potato with more force than necessary.

The blade sank into the potato, but it was the memory of that moment with Shubman that lingered in his mind. 

Ishan could almost feel the weight of Shubman's gaze, the playful smirk that had danced on his lips, and the way his breath had tickled Ishan's skin. 

Each recollection made his heart beat faster, not just a little faster, but significantly so, leaving him puzzled and slightly alarmed.

Ishan shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts that filled him with a mix of confusion and excitement. "Why is my heart beating like this?" he wondered silently. It felt foreign and exhilarating, and he didn't know how to process it.

Lost in thought, he barely noticed his mother glancing at him with concern. She paused in her task, watching her son with furrowed brows. "Beta, tumhari tabiyat to theek hai na?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

Ishan snapped out of his reverie, the playful smirk of Shubman fading from his mind. He pulled a fake smile, a little too exaggerated, as he turned to face his mother. "Haan maa, hum bilkul theek hain," he replied, but the words felt hollow even to him.

His mother studied him, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Kya hua, Ishan? Tum kuchh soch rahe ho, na? Kya koi baat hai?"

Ishan fumbled with the potato in his hands, suddenly aware of how the knife felt heavier. "Nahi, maa, sab kuchh theek hai," he insisted, forcing his smile wider, hoping to quell her worries. "Bas thoda Padhai ka pressure hai."

His mother didn't seem convinced, but she let it go, turning back to her work. Ishan watched her for a moment, the way her hands moved deftly as she chopped the vegetables, and he felt a pang of guilt. 

He didn't want to worry her, especially with all that was happening with him.

As he resumed chopping the potato, he tried to focus on the task at hand, but his mind kept drifting back to Shubman. 

The image of Shubman's smirk, the thrill of their near-kiss, and the fluttering in his stomach were all too vivid.

"Chalo, focus on the vegetables," he muttered to himself, forcing his attention back to the task. But the thoughts of Shubman lingered like a shadow, refusing to let go.

Ishan sat quietly on the bench, arriving at the classroom earlier than usual, enjoying the peaceful silence. 

He fiddled with the strap of his bag when he noticed a shadow approaching. Turning around, he saw Yashaswi standing there with a smile.

Ishan grinned back. "Aree Yash, tum! Baitho," he gestured to the seat beside him.

Yashaswi took a seat, his eyes immediately scanning Ishan's face for any signs of pain. "Ab chot kaisi hai?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Ishan nodded, trying to sound casual. "Haan, ab theek hai," he replied, though his voice was tinged with a bit of lingering annoyance.

Yashaswi leaned back, relaxing a bit. "Kal main nahi aaya tha, tune Shubman se baat ki?" His question was innocent, but it caused Ishan's mood to darken.