Mumbai's rain was relentless tonight, pouring down like a flood of emotions Ishan could no longer hide from. He stood on his hotel balcony, staring out into the darkness, letting the cold rain soak him through. Usually, he'd laugh, make some joke about the weather. But tonight, he felt exhausted from pretending, exhausted from fighting against the weight of everyone's expectations.
"Yaar, kab tak?" he muttered, his voice barely a whisper, almost pleading with himself.
As if on cue, he heard footsteps, hurried and unsteady. He turned, expecting one of the boys, maybe someone telling him to come inside. Instead, it was Shubman, drenched and breathless, looking like he'd run through the whole city to get here.
"Shubman? Tu yahaan kya kar raha hai?" Ishan's surprise masked his vulnerability for a moment, but the slight tremble in his voice gave him away.
Shubman, catching his breath, didn't answer right away. His brows were furrowed, worry plain on his face. "Kya kar raha hoon? Yeh mujhe tu bata! Tujhe kuch ho gaya toh? Yeh sab kyun, Ishan?"
Ishan let out a bitter chuckle, looking away. "Shub, it's fine. Bas, hawa lene ka mann tha."
"Bas kar, yaar. Tujhe lagta hai main woh bakwas maan lunga?" Shubman's voice was soft but steady, and his eyes never left Ishan's. "Main tujhe kabse dekh raha hoon. Yeh mask sab ke liye hai, mere liye mat pehen. Bolo na, sach kya hai?"
Ishan's shoulders slumped, feeling the weight of Shubman's sincerity. His usual defenses were no match against the concern he saw in Shubman's eyes. He felt exposed but somehow comforted, too.
"Pata nahi, Shub," he finally admitted, his voice wavering. "Kabhi kabhi lagta hai... bas chhod, tu samjhega nahi."
Shubman stepped closer, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on Ishan's shoulder. "Ish, mujhe explain mat kar. Bas share kar. Tu samjhe ya na samjhe, main yahaan hoon, aur hamesha rahunga."
Ishan blinked, struggling against the sudden tightness in his chest. He'd kept so much locked away, hidden behind jokes and smiles. But with Shubman, there was no judgment, only understanding. A shiver ran through him, but this time, it wasn't from the rain.
"Shubman, main thak gaya hoon," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Sab ko khush rakhte rakhte, khud ko kho diya hai. Yeh jo sab Twitter pe hate... kabhi kabhi lagta hai main bas..."
"Chup kar," Shubman interrupted, his tone fierce but kind. He squeezed Ishan's shoulder firmly. "Tere andar jo chhup gaya hai, woh Ishan mere bina bhi main nahi dekh sakta."
Ishan looked up, and in that moment, every bit of pain, every sleepless night, every whispered doubt seemed to melt away under Shubman's steady gaze. For once, he didn't feel the need to hide.
"Tu kab aaya?" he asked softly, almost to distract himself from the weight of his emotions.
Shubman smiled, a small, reassuring smile that seemed to promise things would be okay. "Bas abhi abhi. Laga tu chhod dega yeh sab apne aap... par tujhe zyada hi stubborn hai. Main yahaan hoon, aur kahin nahi jaa raha."
Ishan couldn't help but smile, a real, unguarded smile that reached his eyes. Without thinking, he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Shubman in a hug that spoke volumes. And just like that, the rain seemed to quiet around them, the world fading until it was just the two of them.
"Thanks, Shub," Ishan murmured, his voice thick with gratitude. "Yeh jo hai... yeh sab tujh par bhi bhari hai, par tujhe fir bhi yahaan..."
Shubman pulled back slightly, shaking his head. "Tujhe sambhalna mere liye bojh nahi hai, Ishan. Yeh meri choice hai."
Ishan looked at him, a warmth spreading through his chest he hadn't felt in a long time. It wasn't just the words; it was Shubman's unwavering presence, his hand still gripping his shoulder as if to remind him he wasn't alone.
Without another word, Ishan took Shubman's hand and gave it a firm squeeze, sealing the promise between them. He knew things wouldn't magically be perfect, but for the first time in ages, he felt a sense of peace, knowing he didn't have to face it all alone.
And as the rain continued to pour around them, they stood together, two people against the world, sharing a quiet moment of strength, hope, and understanding.
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END
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