What after That?

Ch 37.

As the final bell rang and students started leaving the school, Shubman stood by the gate with his group. 

His eyes unconsciously scanned the crowd, and when Ishan appeared, Shubman couldn't help but call out to him. "Ishan!" The sound of his own voice startled him a little, but it was too late to take it back.

Ishan approached the group, his usual smile in place, though he quickly stole a glance at Shubman before looking away. 

Something unspoken passed between them—both aware, both pretending they weren't. Shubman, too, avoided direct eye contact, his hand nervously playing with the strap of his bag.

Abhi, ever the observant one, squinted, sensing the odd energy. He muttered under his breath, "What is happening here...". It was Rahul who broke the moment, oblivious to the tension.

"Bro, aaj no bike?" Rahul asked, pointing out the fact that Shubman was not looking so interested today that he will take his bike.

Shubman shrugged casually, trying to play it cool. "Kabhi kabhi aise chalne mein bhi maza aata hai." But his eyes drifted back toward Ishan. 

For reasons Shubman couldn't quite understand, he found himself worrying about how Ishan was getting home. Maybe it was the whole day of sneaking around together, or maybe it was something else, but he felt... responsible. 

Weirdly protective even.

Turning to Ishan, Shubman hesitated before asking, "Tereko cycle pe jaana hai?" The offer was clear—if Ishan wanted, he could ride on the back of Shubman's cycle, or they could walk together. Either way, Shubman was offering to accompany him.

Ishan blinked in surprise, unsure of how to react. He hadn't expected Shubman to be so considerate, and it showed in the way he hesitated, his eyes flickering with curiosity.

Meanwhile, Abhi was now fully intrigued. Shubman, usually so casual, was suddenly being... caring? Obedient? Where had this Shubman come from?

"Ok, but why in the world is Shubman being this caring and obedient all of a sudden?" Abhi whispered, leaning in toward Rahul.

Rahul shrugged, equally perplexed, though with a smirk on his face. "Bro, I think our Shubman's got possessed "

Shubman looked oddly patient, like he wouldn't mind either option as long as Ishan was comfortable.

Whatever was going on, it was clear to both Abhi and Rahul that something was changing between Shubman and Ishan.

As Ishan decided he'd prefer walking instead of riding, the group—Mayank, Abhi, Yashaswi (why him, Shubman wondered with a glare), Shubman, and Ishan—set off down the street, dragging their cycles along with them. 

It was quite the sight: a bunch of teenagers, with bikes, walking instead of riding. Passersby occasionally glanced their way, puzzled by the chaos but likely amused by the lively scene.

( suddenly I got deja vu of that man and donkey story ) 

Up ahead, Mayank and Abhi were deep in conversation about the upcoming soccer competition. Mayank's school would be facing theirs, and the excitement was palpable. 

Yashaswi, always one to find such topics cool, chimed in with his thoughts, eagerly discussing strategies and the hype around the event.

Behind them, Shubman and Ishan walked in silence. Shubman had his hands casually behind his head, but his mind was racing, desperately trying to come up with something—anything—to say. 

He hated this awkward quiet between them, especially since they'd spent most of the day together. He couldn't understand why talking suddenly felt so difficult.