The cottage was unusually lively that evening. Mayank had set up his laptop in one corner, clicking away as he tracked Raghav’s movements. Rohit and Hardik were attempting to cook something in the kitchen, their laughter and banter echoing through the house. Virat was on the porch, speaking into his phone in his usual no-nonsense tone. Abhi was sprawled on the couch, casually flipping through a magazine.
But in the middle of all the chaos, Shubman’s attention was on Ishan.
Ishan sat by the window, his knees pulled up to his chest as he gazed at the stars. His small frame looked even smaller against the vastness of the night, but his eyes held a quiet wonder that made Shubman’s heart ache.
“Mind if I join you?” Shubman asked, stepping closer.
Ishan glanced up and smiled, his heart-shaped lips curving softly. “You don’t have to ask.”
Shubman sat beside him, their shoulders just barely brushing. For a moment, neither of them spoke, letting the silence wrap around them like a warm blanket.
“Do you remember the first time we looked at stars together?” Ishan asked suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Shubman nodded. “Kerala. That hilltop near the old temple. You insisted we stay until we saw a shooting star.”
“And we did,” Ishan said, his face lighting up at the memory. “You made a wish. Do you remember what it was?”
Shubman turned to him, his dimples appearing as he smiled. “I wished for you to always be happy.”
Ishan’s breath caught, and he looked away, blinking rapidly. “You’re too kind, Shubman.”
“It’s not kindness,” Shubman said softly. “It’s just… you.”
---
Their moment was interrupted by Hardik, who burst into the room with a dramatic flourish. “Dinner is served!” he announced, holding up a slightly charred tray of something that might have been lasagna.
Rohit followed, smirking. “Hardik’s definition of ‘served’ includes a side of potential food poisoning.”
“Hey!” Hardik protested. “It’s experimental cuisine.”
Abhi snorted from the couch. “Experimental? Looks more like a failed science project.”
As everyone gathered around the table, the teasing shifted gears—straight to Shubman and Ishan.
“So,” Hardik began, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “are we going to address the elephant in the room?”
“What elephant?” Ishan asked, looking genuinely confused.
“Oh, come on,” Hardik said, leaning forward. “You two. The heart eyes. The stargazing. The ‘I-wished-for-your-happiness’ speech. It’s straight out of a romance novel.”
Ishan turned bright red, his button nose crinkling as he tried to stammer a response. “I-It’s not like that! We’re just—”
“Adorable,” Abhi finished, grinning. “Don’t deny it, Ishan. Shubman’s been smitten since forever.”
“Abhi,” Shubman warned, though his dimples betrayed his amusement.
Mayank, ever the instigator, added, “I bet Shubman even has a secret stash of poetry he’s written for Ishan.”
“Shut up,” Shubman said, throwing a napkin at him, though his ears turned slightly pink.
The teasing continued, and though Ishan tried to protest, a shy smile lingered on his lips. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he belonged—like he was part of something good.
---
Later that night, as the house quieted down, Shubman found Ishan in the living room, curled up with a blanket. He looked up when Shubman entered, his eyes warm and inviting.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Shubman asked, sitting beside him.
Ishan shook his head. “Too much on my mind.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Ishan hesitated, then leaned his head against Shubman’s shoulder. “It’s just… everything feels so surreal. One moment, I’m running for my life, and the next, I’m here with you and your friends, laughing over burnt lasagna.”
“It’s not just my friends,” Shubman said, his voice low. “They’re yours now, too.”
Ishan looked up at him, his eyes shining. “Thank you, Shubman. For everything.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” Shubman said, brushing a strand of hair from Ishan’s face. “I’m exactly where I want to be.”
For a moment, the world outside didn’t exist. There were no threats, no shadows—just the two of them, wrapped in a bubble of warmth and quiet understanding.
---
The next morning, the group gathered again to discuss their next steps. Mayank had uncovered some crucial information about Raghav’s operations, and Virat was already formulating a plan.
“Before we move forward,” Virat said, his voice commanding, “we need to make sure everyone’s on the same page. This isn’t just about protecting Ishan—it’s about dismantling something dangerous.”
“I’m in,” Shubman said immediately, his eyes steady.
“Same here,” Abhi said, cracking his knuckles. “Someone’s got to keep dimples from doing something reckless.”
Hardik grinned. “Count me in. I can’t let you guys have all the fun.”
Rohit nodded, his expression serious. “I’m ready.”
“And I’ve got the tech covered,” Mayank added.
All eyes turned to Ishan, who looked small but resolute. “I’m scared,” he admitted, his voice trembling. “But I want to fight back. I don’t want to run anymore.”
Shubman placed a hand on his back, his touch grounding. “We’ve got you, Ishan. All of us.”
As the group began to map out their plan, the atmosphere shifted. There was still laughter and teasing, but now it was laced with determination. They were no longer just a group of friends—they were a team, bound by a shared purpose.
And in the middle of it all were Shubman and Ishan, their bond growing stronger with every passing moment.
.
.
.
.
~To be continued
