The moon rose high over the secluded beach, its silver light casting a magical glow on the sands. Waves lapped gently at the shore as the group of friends, finally on a much-needed getaway, huddled around a roaring bonfire.
Ishan, ever the bundle of energy, sat cross-legged beside Mayank and Abhishek, his marshmallow stick in hand and eyes wide with excitement.
"I'm telling you, this is the perfect way to roast it." Ishan declared, holding his marshmallow precariously over the flames.
"Perfectly boring! A little char makes it crunchy!" Abhishek teased, nudging Ishan.
"No! It has to be golden brown." Ishan argued, puffing his cheeks in an adorable pout.
"Here we go. I'm Team Ishan on this one, though. Golden brown is the way to go." Mayank said, laughing.
Ishan grinned triumphantly. "See? Mayank knows!"
From a little farther down the circle, Shubman watched the exchange in silence.
His sharp eyes lingered on the way Ishan leaned into Mayank's side, his head almost resting on Abhishek's shoulder as he laughed.
The corner of Shubman's mouth twitched, but he said nothing, focusing instead on poking the fire with a stick.
The night progressed with bursts of laughter and playful banter, but the teasing soon shifted gears.
"Alright, new game! Truth or Dare: Bonfire Edition." Hardik announced, rubbing his hands together.
"Why do you always come up with these dangerous-sounding games?" Tilak asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because it's fun. Let's go! Ishan, you're first." Hardik replied, smirking.
"Why me?!" Ishan squeaked, clutching his marshmallow stick like a lifeline.
"Because you're the baby. Truth or dare?" Rishabh said, grinning.
Ishan thought for a moment. "Truth?"
"Boring...." Tilak groaned, but Rishabh ignored him.
"Who do you think takes the best care of you in this group?" Rishabh asked his eyes shining with mischief.
"That's easy! Mayank and Abhishek!" Ishan said with a bright smile.
There was a beat of silence before a chorus of dramatic gasps erupted.
"Benstockes....." Virat said dramatically rolling on his place.
"Ouch! That's cold, Ishu." Hardik said, clutching his chest.
"I'm offended!" Rohit added, pretending to wipe a tear.
"What about me?" Shubman's voice cut through, calm but with a hint of something unreadable.
Ishan turned to him, blinking innocently. "You're...you're always there, Shubh. But you don't...you know, say things like they do."
Shubman raised an eyebrow, and the group broke into chuckles.
"Translation: You're bad at showing feelings." Virat teased, earning a smirk from Shubman.
"Fine.....Guess I'll have to work on that." Shubman said, leaning back against the log he was sitting on.
The game continued, the dares getting progressively wilder.
At one point, Tilak ended up singing an off-key rendition of a romantic ballad, while Hardik had to eat a marshmallow dunked in seawater.
Eventually, the focus turned back to Shubman.
"Truth or dare, Shubh?" Abhishek asked, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
YOU ARE READING
THEM 'Ishman'
FanfictionHieee to all dear sweet potatoes there.. Here, I am with another book of mine, yours, and our beloved 'Ishman'. This book is just going to contain love and peace, not a mature scene but I can't take the guarantee as this is Ishman there would be lit...
