What after That?

Ch 38.

Ishan took a deep breath and decided to try the polite route, approaching the house and knocking. When the door creaked open, a man, clearly intoxicated and reeking of alcohol, stumbled forward. He squinted at Ishan and slurred, "Kya hai ha?"

With a polite but firm voice, Ishan replied, "Uncle... wo, humari ball..."

The man chuckled derisively, muttering, "Bhaag yahan se... pata nahi kahan kahan se aa jaate hain..." and then, without a second thought, he slammed the door shut right in Ishan's face. 

The group, now standing on the street, stared at the closed door in a mix of obviousness and frustration. Ishan narrowed his eyes, feeling his anger rise. How could someone be so rude over a simple request?

Back in the park, Shubman, with his arms crossed and a smug look on his face, asked, "So? Mil gaya jawab?"

Ishan shot him an irritated glare, but before he could respond, Mayank jumped in, trying to make peace. "Bhai, rehne dete hain... kya hi kare?"

Abhi, however, was indignant. "Aree, aise kaise? Sabne paise mila ke ball laya tha, yaar."

Rahul nodded in agreement, adding, "Poore 40 rupaye ki aayi hai bhai... aise kaise jaane de?"

And then Tanmay, grinning mischievously, chimed in, "Haan, aur pehli baar Shubman ne bhi paise diye!"

Instantly, Shubman's expression turned from smug to annoyed. He lunged forward and caught Tanmay in a headlock, tightening his grip as he hissed, "Kyun be saale? Main paise nahi deta? Haan?"

Tanmay, wriggling desperately to break free, sputtered, "Bhai tu sach mein nahi deta... abey, bolo na sab!"

The rest of the group chuckled, watching the playful scuffle. Shubman, though determined to keep his tough-guy image, couldn't shake the tiny hint of embarrassment from being called out 

in front of Ishan. 

Reluctantly, he loosened his grip but shot Tanmay a warning glare.

Then Ishan's calm but firm voice broke through, "Usko chhodo, Shubman."

Immediately, Shubman let go, still scowling at Tanmay. Ishan turned to him with a piercing look. "Tum upar kaise chadhoge?"

Shubman raised an eyebrow, genuinely caught off guard. Then, as realization dawned, his lips slowly curled into a smirk. Ishan, the polite one, was now ready to join the plan? That's all Shubman needed.

Feigning a nonchalant shrug, he turned toward the house and gestured to the first-floor terrace with a confident glint in his eye. "Wo to... main chadh hi jaunga," he said, his smirk widening, excitement bubbling at the thought of a little mischief.

Ishan crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Aur agar pakde gaye to?"

"Arey, tension mat le," Shubman said, his tone dripping with self-assurance. "Maine kabhi kisike haath nahi aata," he added with a playful wink.

He scanned the layout of the house, calculating the best route up. There was an old tree on one side, its branches stretching conveniently close to the first-floor terrace. He walked over, grabbed one of the thicker branches, and swung himself up with ease, grinning down at the boys below. "Dekha? Bas ab terrace pe pohoch gaya to ball mil jayegi."

" but sirf ball lana.. kuchh aur gadbad mat karna.. " Ishan warned or more like requested.

Shubman looked down at him with an innocent smile. "Nothing else," he promised, eyes glinting with unmistakable mischief.

As he reached the terrace, the rest of the group stayed on high alert, scanning for any sign of danger. Shubman spotted their beloved ball lying near a dusty corner and made his way over, scooping it up triumphantly.