What after That?

Ch 46.

Ishan sat with Alia on the sofa, explaining the concept in front of him, but his focus kept slipping away. His mind drifted back to those intense, quiet eyes of Shubman, the look that he'd seen as he excused himself earlier.

Shubman's eyes had held something more than just irritation; they'd been deep, almost hurt.

Ishan tried to shake it off, forcing himself to concentrate on the notes in front of him. "So, yeh concept yahan se start hota hai..." he trailed off, glancing briefly at Alia, who seemed absorbed. 

But he couldn't help but replay the entire interaction in his mind, wondering what could have upset Shubman so much. 

He couldn't recall doing anything that would really bother him. Yet, there was something different about Shubman's expression today—a disappointment that tugged at Ishan's own heart.

Shubman lay on his bed, muttering to himself as he tried to sleep, his irritation from earlier still simmering. "Why do you always have to be so helpful?" he mumbled. 

"Khud bhi padh sakti thi na... par nahi, Ghar pe jaake hi padhana tha." He turned over, still restless, his mind unable to let go of the sight of Ishan laughing with Alia.

The next day, Shubman strode into the classroom, scanning the rows instinctively for Ishan—but his desk was empty. 

Shubman dropped his bag on his desk with a careless thud, feeling his frustration surge back. It was already bad enough that Ishan hadn't played with them yesterday; now, he wasn't even here.

Not in the mood to stand through the assembly, When he was actually? 

Shubman decided to leave and find a quiet spot to hide out, away from everyone else. He usually bunked assemblies with his gang, but today he wanted to be alone. 

He walked through the hallways aimlessly, looking for a place to sit and think, a spot where he wouldn't have to worry about the strange pull of Ishan's eyes and presence, and expected answers.

Shubman reached his usual hiding spot—the oldest tree in the school, one he'd been climbing and sitting under since first grade. 

Now, here he was in twelfth, still finding comfort in its shade. The tree felt like an old friend that had silently watched him grow up, through countless classes, mischief, and now, restless days like today. 

He slumped down against its trunk, stretching his legs out and letting out a long yawn. Maybe a nap would help ease his irritation, he thought, closing his eyes and letting his mind drift.

Meanwhile, Ishan finally arrived at school and spotted Shubman's bag carelessly tossed on their bench, nearly slipping off the edge. 

He shook his head with a slight smile " humesha hi laparwah rehna tum" he muttered  and walked over to set it properly on the seat. 

But as he did, he couldn't shake the feeling that Shubman being upset with him was worse. 

The assembly was about to start, and yet there was no sign of Shubman. Ishan already asked every classmate and everyone else Shubman knows but he couldn't find where he was. 

 Ishan sighed, confused. First, he was grappling with his own chaotic feelings, and now Shubman was acting strangely too.

"Was Shubman really that upset about me skipping the game yesterday?" Ishan wondered. He recalled Shubman's tense expression, the way he'd practically stormed off without even a goodbye.