The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and dew as the group gathered on the porch. The plan was simple: scout the area, ensure no one was tailing them, and keep Ishan safe. But Shubman wasn’t about to leave Ishan’s side, not for a second.
“You really don’t have to come,” Ishan said, looking up at Shubman as he adjusted the strap of his backpack. His small frame looked even more delicate in the oversized hoodie he had borrowed from Shubman, the sleeves falling over his hands.
“And leave you here alone?” Shubman asked, raising an eyebrow. “Not happening.”
“But your friends—”
“They can handle themselves,” Shubman interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. “My priority is you.”
Ishan’s cheeks turned a soft pink, and he looked away, fiddling with the edge of his sleeve. “You always say things like that.”
“Because I mean them,” Shubman replied, crouching slightly to meet Ishan’s eyes. “You’re not just someone I need to protect, Ishan. You’re someone I want to protect.”
The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. Before Ishan could respond, Abhi’s voice broke the moment.
“Lovebirds, you coming or what?” he called, leaning against the doorframe with a teasing grin. “Or should we leave you two to your private romantic getaway?”
Shubman shot him a glare, but Ishan only smiled shyly, hiding his face in the hoodie’s collar.
The group split into pairs, with Shubman and Ishan taking the forest trail behind the cottage. The canopy of trees above filtered the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the ground. It was peaceful, almost serene, but Shubman’s guard was up.
Ishan, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought. His steps were slower, his gaze wandering as if trying to soak in every detail of their surroundings.
“What’s on your mind?” Shubman asked, breaking the silence.
“I was just thinking…” Ishan began, hesitating. “About how different my life is now. A week ago, I was running, hiding, terrified of every sound. And now…” He glanced at Shubman, his eyes soft. “Now I feel safe.”
“You are safe,” Shubman said firmly. “As long as I’m here, no one will touch you.”
Ishan stopped walking, turning to face him fully. “Why do you care so much, Shubman? We barely knew each other before all this, and yet you’re… you’re everything to me now.”
The vulnerability in his voice made Shubman’s heart ache. He stepped closer, placing a hand on Ishan’s cheek, his thumb gently brushing against the soft skin. “Because you’re worth it, Ishan. Every bit of it.”
Ishan’s breath hitched, and for a moment, it felt like the entire world had stilled. Then, faint laughter echoed through the trees, breaking the spell.
“That’ll be Hardik and Rohit,” Shubman said, pulling back with a small smile. “Probably goofing off again.”
Ishan chuckled, his cheeks still pink. “They’re… interesting.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Shubman said, his dimples deepening. “Come on. Let’s catch up with them.”
---
Back at the cottage, Mayank had made a breakthrough. His laptop screen displayed a series of maps and coordinates, each one marked with a red dot.
“What am I looking at?” Abhi asked, leaning over his shoulder.
“Raghav’s known locations,” Mayank explained. “Warehouses, safe houses, places he’s been spotted. If we can cross-reference these with his movements, we might find out where he’s hiding.”
“And then what?” Virat asked, his tone sharp. “We can’t just walk in there and demand he leave Ishan alone.”
“No, but we can gather enough evidence to turn him in,” Mayank said. “The more we know, the better our chances.”
As they discussed strategies, Shubman and Ishan returned, their presence immediately drawing attention.
“Well, well,” Hardik said, smirking. “Look who’s back from their romantic stroll.”
Ishan’s face turned red, but Shubman rolled his eyes. “Grow up, Hardik.”
“Hey, I’m just saying,” Hardik continued, winking at Ishan. “You’ve got the whole ‘lost puppy and knight in shining armor’ vibe going on. It’s cute.”
“Hardik,” Virat warned, though his lips twitched as if holding back a smile.
Ishan tried to hide his embarrassment by sitting next to Mayank, who thankfully shifted the topic. “I found something,” he said, motioning for everyone to gather around the laptop.
The screen displayed a set of images—grainy security footage showing Raghav entering a building. Ishan stiffened when he saw the man’s face, his hand instinctively reaching for Shubman’s.
“It’s him,” Ishan whispered, his voice trembling.
Shubman immediately wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. “It’s okay. We’ll handle this.”
“We need to figure out what this building is,” Mayank said. “It’s heavily guarded, which means it’s important.”
“I’ll go,” Shubman said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “If it’s dangerous, I’m not risking anyone else.”
“No way,” Virat said firmly. “You’re not going alone.”
“Then I’ll go with him,” Abhi volunteered. “I’m good at sneaking around.”
“I’m coming too,” Ishan said suddenly, his voice surprising everyone.
“No,” Shubman said immediately, his eyes dark. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I’m not staying behind while you risk your life for me,” Ishan argued, his small frame trembling with determination. “I won’t be a burden.”
“You’re not a burden,” Shubman said, his voice softening. “You never were.”
“Then let me help,” Ishan insisted, his eyes pleading. “Please, Shubman.”
The room fell silent as Shubman stared at Ishan, torn between his protective instincts and the trust he had in him. Finally, he sighed. “Fine. But you stay close to me. No matter what.”
Ishan nodded, relief washing over his face. “I promise.”
As the group finalized their plans, the tension in the room was palpable. But amidst the seriousness, there were moments of lightness—Hardik’s terrible jokes, Abhi’s relentless teasing, and Mayank’s sarcastic quips. And through it all, Shubman and Ishan found themselves stealing glances, their unspoken connection growing stronger with every passing moment.
---
