Ishman Oneshot

Forbidden Shadows ☁️+🥀

In a grand palace adorned with intricate designs and glistening chandeliers, Ishan Kishan, the heir of the royal family of Aalyan, sat by the large window of his chamber. The warm rays of the sun filtered through the elegant curtains, casting a golden hue across the room. Ishan, with his deep brown eyes and tousled hair, was not just a prince but a dreamer with a heart full of desires that defied the norms of his royal upbringing.

He often found himself looking out longingly at the sprawling markets below, where life thrived, and colors danced. It was there that he first met Shubman Gill, the son of his father’s close friend, who was known for his astute trading skills and an infectious smile that could light up the gloomiest of days.

"These walls feel more like a cage than a palace," Ishan said to himself, his eyes reflecting the yearning for freedom. Just then, he spotted Shubman in the marketplace, laughing as he haggled over the price of silks. Ishan’s heart raced; Shubman, with his sparkling eyes and carefree spirit, was everything he desired but could never have.

The days turned into weeks, and every chance Ishan got, he would sneak out to the marketplace, under the pretext of observing trade, just to catch a glimpse of Shubman. They would often convene in the labyrinth of narrow streets where whispers of secrets danced just as much as the pedestrians.

One evening, amidst the vibrant chatter and the aroma of spices, Ishan approached Shubman, his heart pounding.

“Shubman,” he called softly, startled to find the boy turning his head with a grin that made Ishan’s heart flutter.

“Ishan! What brings the prince here?” Shubman teased, his tone light yet playful.

“A prince who longs for a friend,” Ishan replied, stepping closer. “Can I share your company for a while?”

“Only if you promise to share your tales of royal life,” Shubman chuckled, settling onto a bench under the shade of a banyan tree.

As they spoke, the bond between them deepened, filled with laughter and shared dreams that seemed larger than life. They often found themselves lost in conversations about love, longing, and the world outside their strict lifestyles, under the shadows of their secret existence.

As their affection grew stronger, so did the pressure from Ishan’s family. His father had arranged for him to marry Abhishek Sharma, another prince from a well-connected family. Ishan felt suffocated; the thought of marrying someone he did not love was unbearable, but even more so was the thought of losing Shubman.

“Father, I cannot marry Abhishek,” Ishan pleaded, his voice trembling. “We have different dreams.”

“You will marry Abhishek, as it is the will of our families,” his father replied sternly. He had little patience for Ishan’s protests.

“Father, please,” Ishan’s voice broke. “You don’t understand. I am in love with someone else.”

The king raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. “Who could possibly be worthy of your love, Ishan?”

Ishan lowered his gaze, aware that revealing Shubman’s identity could bring dire consequences. “It… it doesn’t matter. I will not marry him.”

Desperate to find a solution, Ishan confided in Shubman. One night, they slipped away from the prying eyes of the world, meeting in secret at their designated spot under the old banyan tree.

“Shubman, I cannot go through with this marriage, not when my heart belongs to you,” Ishan said, breathless with emotion.

“Then let’s escape,” Shubman whispered, his eyes full of quiet determination. “We can leave and start anew.”