What after That?

Ch 33.

Shubman was slightly out of breath, panting heavily after racing his bicycle full speed to Ishan's place. He glanced back at Abhi, who had accompanied him — or rather, had been dragged there against his will.

Shubman wiped the sweat off his brow, looking around. "Yahi lag raha hai...," he said, eyeing the house.

Abhi, equally winded, nodded. "Haan... chal, use bulate hain..."

Shubman nodded back, taking a deep breath and shouting, "Ishan!"

Nothing. No response.

Shubman muttered under his breath, "Code name mein bulana padega kya?"

Abhi joined in, cupping his hands around his mouth and calling louder, "Ishannn!"

Still nothing.

Growing frustrated, Shubman resorted to their usual nickname. "Oyee Chik Chik!" he yelled.

Finally, Ishan appeared on a balcony, looking out , shaking his head. The funny part? Shubman and Abhi were standing in front of the wrong house!

Ishan, trying not to laugh, called out, "Shubman! Abhi! Idhar!"

Shubman squinted and looked around, trying to locate where the voice was coming from. "Kahan hai tu?" he asked, turning in circles.

Ishan, facepalming, replied, "Aree, apne left mein upar dekho..."

Shubman and Abhi turned to their left and finally saw Ishan waving from the correct balcony.

Just as they waved back, a dangerous-looking aunty stormed out of the house they were mistakenly standing in front of. 

She looked ready for battle, with arms crossed and a scowl that could make even the toughest man shiver.

"KYA CHILLA-CHILLI LAGA RAKHI HAI! BHAGOO YAHAN SE!" she shouted at them, her voice booming through the gali.

Shubman, not realizing their mistake, tried to explain. "Aunty, hum log apne dost ko bulane—"

Before Shubman could finish, Abhi, who had been staring at the aunty's towering and intimidating presence — particularly her strong, bulky arms — interrupted, eyes wide with fear. "Aree aunty, sorry! Hum chale jaate hain... sorry!"

Without giving Shubman a chance to argue, Abhi grabbed him by the arm and dragged him toward Ishan's actual house.

"Lekin—" Shubman tried to protest.

Abhi, still pulling him, whispered urgently, "Bhai, tujhe aunty ki takat dikhaai nahi de rahi thi kya? Ek marengi na, to seedhe hum dono Ishan ke paas balcony mein land karenge!"

Shubman finally understood and gulped, realizing how close they had been to getting a slap that could have sent them flying. 

He hurried along with Abhi, keeping his head down as they made their way to the correct house, while Ishan watched the whole thing, grinning from ear to ear.

As they reached Ishan's place, Shubman looked back nervously, "Woh aunty... kya thaa yeh?"

Abhi shuddered. "Bhai, ek dafa aur aunty ke ghar ke samne chik chik chillaya na, tu literally hospital mein hoga..."

Shubman just sighed in relief, thankful that they hadn't gotten smacked straight to the hospital. Meanwhile, Ishan watched the whole spectacle, barely able to contain his laughter.

Shubman and Abhi rang the doorbell at Ishan's house, and within moments, the door was opened by a sweet-looking lady—none other than Ishan's mother. She immediately recognized Shubman, her face lighting up in a warm smile.