What after That?

Ch 42.

Ishan was strolling down the street from temple, he was in a good mood as he was humming a song under his breath " besabar... ye bevakoof bada..

chahta hai kitna tujhe..

khud magar nahi jaan saka... " he was walking with a small jute he was gently swinging it lost in his own world.

Then his eyes landed to figure sitting in the park and he saw it was Shubman. His face immediately glow up with a smile and he took his steps towards Shubman,.

To say him a cheerful 'hii' but then he saw Shubman closely his figure was slumped. He was looking down and that made Ishan's brows frowned in concern.

He walked closer to him and called " shubman.. "

Startled, Shubman quickly wiped his face and turned, pasting on a casual expression. "Oh, hey." Ishan moved closer and settled on the bench beside him, carefully watching Shubman's attempt at an indifferent smile.

But behind those red eyes and forced smirk, Ishan could sense an ache—something that had hurt Shubman deeper than he wanted to admit.

A hundred questions flooded Ishan's mind why was shubman crying? He is ok? Why he didn't want to show that to Ishan.. ?

But he didn't want to pry right away, with a gentle smile he asked " so.. subah subah yahan kaise? "

" aise hi jaldi uth gaya tha.. "

Ishan nodded, reaching into his basket. "prashad.." he offered, holding a piece out to Shubman.

"Oh." Shubman reached for it, but Ishan immediately pulled his hand back, he narrowed his eyes suspiciously " tum nahaye ho? "

Shubman shook his head. Ishan playfully glared him " paap chadega tumko.. aur humko bhi chadwaoge.. "

Shubman blinked, then shook his head with a small smile " to ab nahake aana padega..? "

"Abhi tumhare nahake aane ka wait thodi karenge hum."

With a small smile, he broke off a piece of barfi and held it up to Shubman's mouth. "Bolo, 'aa'..." Shubman just looked at the barfi then at Ishan.. this was strangely..

he don't know.

comforting? His breathe calming down as he stared in Ishan's eyes. Shubman took the bite, his shoulders relaxing just a little. Ishan, noticing the slight smile that tugged at Shubman's lips, couldn't resist a tease.

Ishan sighed dramatically "Hume to laga, tum humara haath chaba jaoge," he joked, pretending to pull his hand back.

Shubman chuckled, this time a bit more genuinely, and the tension in his posture loosened. That made Ishan felt proud at least he was worth of something..

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the chirping of birds filling the gap as both seemed lost in thought.

Shubman turned to Ishan looking at the kurta he was wearing the, simple but elegant kurta he was wearing, the way his hair fluffed softly in the breeze, and the earnest, attentive look in his eyes.

Shubman find him what they said prettily handsome..

But Shubman is Shubman, smirked a little "Tu iss kurte mein aur chhota sa lag raha hai," he teased.

Ishan gave him a dry look, "Haha... very funny."

They both fell quiet again, Shubman's gaze drifting forward, and Ishan studied him out of the corner of his eye. Ishan couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering Shubman deeply.

" achha ab Sach bolo kya hua? "

Shubman's eyes widened for a split second before he composed himself, his expression turning blank as he met Ishan's gaze. "Kya hua matlab? Kuchh nahi."