Ishu ke Issues

Chapter 6

“What’s taking them so long?” Shubman huffed, his eyes still glued on Ishan and Arjun who were currently queuing up to bring their food orders.

“Let them take their time Shubman, I have something really important to discuss with you.”

Shubman raised an eyebrow and waited for Tilak to continue. They haven’t really spoken a lot to each other except when with the group.

“I think you know, I think everyone knows about it at this point- well everyone except Ishan.”

Oh so his guess was right indeed.

“I’m going to tell him today, you know. Even Bre- no I mean my bestfriend said I should. Ishan deserves the truth. It’s up to him if he decides to give me a chance or not. But I need my closure. I have to tell him. Today. “

Shubman sat frozen in his place. He didn’t know how to feel about this whole situation. Why did he feel like something was being snatched away from him? Something that was supposed to be wholly his?

Yashasvi was buried in his phone. Or that’s what he pretended to do. Sitting beside Shubman, the man who he has had a crush on for months now, the man who had been his gay awakening- was overwhelming to say the least. The proximity was killing him. He has not been able to muster up the courage to ever approach him though. It must be easy for Tilak because he had always been one of Ishan’s friends. But Shubman didn’t even bat an eye at him. The food arrived and he ate in silence, enjoying Shubman’s company; the fact that the latter didn’t even acknowledge his existence didn’t seem to bother him at all.

“I’ll bring the drinks guys”, Shubman said, his eyes not leaving Ishan who was seated between Arjun and Tilak, talking to someone on the phone.

“I’ll come with you.” Yashasvi said and they joined a queue.

“How have you been, Shub?”

“Weird”, Shubman thought. No one called him by the nickname apart from Abhishek and Ishan.

“I’ve been okay, just a bit stressed these days. Thanks for asking.” Shubman said, giving him a tight smile.

“That’s okay Shub. You can always come to me if you need someone to talk to, okay?” With this, Yashasvi held his hand, releasing it almost instantly.

He gasped. “Sorry I don’t know why I did that- I just got carried away.”

“That’s- alright.”

As if the day couldn’t get any weirder.

Shubman was lost listening to the conversation between Arjun and Tilak (yes shubi we love drama between rivals too!!). He felt a sudden kick on his toes. He looked up at Ishan grinning at him.

“Will you accompany me for shopping before we leave? Or have you got other plans?”

How many times will Shubman be dumbfounded by this one guy?

“Y-yeah no worries. I’ll go.”

“Why me out of all people?” he wanted to ask.

Even Tilak seemed confused. Shit, he felt bad for that guy.

Shubman’s pov:

It had been about fifteen minutes since Ishan and I had been going from one aisle to another. He picked out about five outfits to try. He did keep on asking me for suggestions but I mostly ignored him. My mind was deeply disturbed and distracted by something. Is it about what Tilak said? Why would I even bother about it though?

I finally asked the question that had been eating me up from inside.

“Why me out of all people?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, you’re closer to Tilak. Why would you ask me to accompany you instead?”

Ishan rolled his eyes.

“So that’s why you’re making a face as if you’re constipated. Tilak looked tired today. I just wanted him to get some rest.”

I didn’t know what answer I was hoping for. Of Course not something like, “I wanted to be with you” or “Tilak is boring, I’d rather be with you.”

Of Course nothing like, “Shubman, I like you.”

It was around 11 a.m. and we needed to get back by 1. Ishan had promised we would leave the moment he was done trying his outfits. I waited outside. It had been 15 minutes since Ishan had been in there.

“Shubman.” Ishan called, in a low voice. I looked up and almost regretted because what the fuck.
That was one of the most picturesque views I have ever witnessed.
Ishan was wearing a gorgeous black kurta which made him look so ravishing and irresistible, I could die. I was lucky I didn’t pop a boner right there.

“Come on. I know I’m handsome. Tell me if I should get this kurta or not.” Ishan whined, breaking my not-so-holy chain of thoughts.

“That’s up to you. I’ll wait outside. Come out when you’re done,” with that I got up. I couldn’t bear to be in his presence a second longer.

My phone vibrated with a message from Tilak.

“Ask Ishan to wait for me at the lawn before going for practice.”

Oh so he had made up his mind.

As we drove towards our place, I kept sneaking glances at Ishan. Nothing would be the same after today. Someone would be able to call Ishan ‘his’. Ishan would have someone whom he would call his ‘boyfriend’. He would wake up every morning thinking of this person. Their names would be intertwined together.

And it won’t be him. It won’t be Shubman.

Is this what heartbreak feels like?

The car stopped before our destination. I wanted time to stop. I wanted to stop Ishan. Stop him from going to that lawn. Stop him from ever meeting Tilak. Make him run away with me. Keep Ishan away from all these people and only for myself.

I must be insane. It’s Ishan. He makes me insane.

Ishan's pov:

I don't want to leave this car.

SHUBMAN IS STUPID. SO STUPID.
Even from a mile away I can see it. I can see how he feels. I can see how he reacts.
Okay don't get me wrong. I don't think I even like Shubman. But I can't deny the tension between us. I can't deny the stares he gives me. I've had countless men and women who've liked me before but this is different. It's confusing. It's eating me up from inside. Why do I want to be around him so much? Why do I enjoy his attention? Why am I so curious if he likes me?

As I turned to open the door, he held my hand. It wasn't a tight grasp but firm. As if he doesn't want me to go either.
“Ishan-”
And I waited. Say something Shubman. Anything.
Then he looked down at our intertwined hands and hesitatingly let go.
“Have a good night Ishan. And Tilak is waiting for you on the lawn. “

I wasted no time in leaving the car as soon as I could. As I reached the lawn I saw Tilak waiting for me but all I wanted was to run to my room and sleep until I could get rid of this unknown feeling of pain growing in my chest.

“Hi Ishan!” Tilak said with a sweet affected drawl in his voice.

“Hey, did you need me for something Tilak?”

Then I heard a click and all of a sudden there were bright fairy lights glowing around us. When I looked back front, Tilak was kneeling down on one of his knees.

“I like you, Ishan. I think you already know. I've liked you for so long. You're the sweetest soul out there and it would probably take me the entire night if I start talking about how much you mean to me. I love how every room you enter lights up due to your presence alone. You've always made me feel at ease and despite others you’ve never left my side. I love every single thing about you. What I want to know is, are you willing to give me a chance?
Ishan Kishan, will you be my boyfriend?”

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Sorry for the very late update guys, but enjoy <3
What do y'all think about this chapter? Should I continue using third person pov or should I write more with Shubman and Ishan's povs?
Stay happy, healthy and safe, Happy Durga Puja. 💕