Ishman Oneshot

Fractured Moments 🥀

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue across the cricket stadium where the Indian team was practicing. Shubman Gill stood at the crease, his focus unwavering as he faced the bowler. His mind, however, was a chaotic storm of emotions. His phone buzzed incessantly in his pocket, but he chose to ignore it. It was a decision he wouldn't reflect on until much later.

Just a few weeks ago, life had been a whirlwind of joy and love for Shubman and Ishan Kishan. There had been stolen moments under the stars, laughter echoing in empty rooms, and the kind of intimacy that turned mundane days into cherished memories. But that was before the world intruded-before their private lives were ripped apart by betrayal.

Ishan sat in his room, the curtains drawn tight as darkness closed in around him. The vibrant melodies of the outside world felt like taunts to his ears. A constant reminder of happiness just beyond his reach. Every buzz of his phone sent a jolt of anxiety through him-messages from friends, teammates checking in, but he couldn't bring himself to respond. Guilt, shame, and despair washed over him in waves.

"Why did I even let him in?" Ishan whispered to the empty room, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Why didn't I protect us?"

**Flashback: A Month Earlier**

The day had started like any other. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Shubman and Ishan sat on the balcony of their shared apartment. They were both dressed casually, their laughter mixing with the sound of birds chirping.

"Do you think we should tell our teammates?" Ishan asked, his eyes bright with excitement.

"About us?" Shubman replied, a teasing smile dancing on his lips. "Do you want them to look at you during team meetings and think about our-" he paused dramatically, "our very 'private moments'?"

Ishan rolled his eyes, playfully pushing Shubman. "You're impossible! But seriously, they'd have our backs. We could be each other's support system, you know?"

"Or we could be the talk of the town," Shubman countered, but there was a hint of seriousness in his voice. "Our lives are already scrutinized enough. I just don't want to deal with the pressure."

"I guess you're right," Ishan said, his heart sinking a little. "But I just want to be open about us. Why can't we have that?"

"Let's just enjoy what we have for now," Shubman replied. A smile appeared on his face, trying to lift the mood. "We've got time. The world can wait."

But that world didn't wait.

**Present Day**

The feeling of betrayal was a weight Ishan felt crushing him. He remembered the night it all fell apart, as if it had happened only yesterday. Shubman had been out, attending some events, and left his phone charging on the table. Ishan, in a moment of boredom, had picked up the phone to play a game.

But there were no games to be found. Instead, there was a series of messages in a group chat-a chat filled with faces he recognized, joking and laughing over shared secrets. And then he saw it.

A single message with an image attached-a photograph of him, one meant for only Shubman's eyes. The betrayal seared through Ishan like a knife.

"No... no, no," he had whispered, shaking his head. He hurriedly scrolled through, hoping that this was just some mistake, some cruel prank. But there were more images, more messages detailing what was now his worst nightmare.

"That's how it is, huh?" The words cut through his thoughts. "Ishan Kishan, the one who thought he was special."

Shubman had come home to find Ishan in a state of shock. The atmosphere was heavy, thick with words left unspoken.