What after That?

Ch 48.

Shubman stood at Ishan's gate, leaning casually against his cycle, his grin soft and dreamy as he gazed at Ishan. "Byeeeeeee," he dragged out, his voice warm and teasing.

Ishan, hands on his hips, glared back. "Byee. Ab jao bhi!"

Shubman, entirely unbothered, sighed like a lovestruck hero. "Byeeeeee."

Ishan groaned, dramatically rubbing his temples. "Argh! Jao Shubman...

ghar nahi jaana kya?"

Shubman tilted his head, still smiling dreamily. "Haan chal, chalte hain," he said, stepping forward like he was about to waltz straight into Ishan’s house.

Ishan's eyes widened as he quickly grabbed Shubman by the shoulders and shoved him back out.

"Mere nahi, apne ghar jao!"

Shubman looked genuinely offended. "Par—"

"Jaooooo!" Ishan interrupted, his voice growing sharper, though his cheeks were now a faint shade of pink.

Shubman paused, then smirked knowingly. "Khelne aayega na?"

Ishan rolled his eyes. "Haan."

"Pakaa?" Shubman asked, leaning closer.

Ishan waved him off impatiently. "Haan, pakka."

Shubman grinned wider, pushing his luck. "Pakka waala pakka?"

Ishan let out a frustrated sigh, stomping his foot. "Are haan! Pakka wala pakkaaaaaaa!

Ab jao!"

Shubman placed a hand on his chest and sighed dramatically. "Ab 5:30 tak main tere bina kaise rahunga?"

Ishan blushed again but fixed him with a sharp glare. "Zyada bano mat! Jao,

jaise ki janmo se mera wait kar rahe hai!"

Shubman’s grin turned mischievous as he raised a brow. "Ho sakta hai hum log hi Veer-Zaara ho?"

Ishan groaned in exasperation, covering his face with his hands. "Shubman... bas karo!

Abhi ke abhi niklo yahan se!"

But Shubman didn’t move, his cheesy smile unwavering. Ishan finally gave him a hard shove toward his cycle, face still burning.

"Jaooooo..." Ishan whined one last time.

Shubman chuckled, hopping onto his cycle but pausing to give Ishan one last glance. "Bye, Ishan!"

Ishan turned his back, shaking his head, though he couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at his lips. "Stupid," he muttered under his breath.

As Shubman finally pedaled away, he was already counting down the hours till he could see Ishan again, leaving the boy behind feeling a strange mix of annoyance, warmth, and a racing heart.

The clock struck 5:00 PM, and Ishan quickly packed his things, his excitement bubbling over. He had worked faster than ever, eager to see his idiot. Leaving the tuition in a hurry, he stepped outside and froze for a moment.

There was Shubman, already waiting near the gate, sitting on his cycle with a soft smile playing on his lips, seemingly lost in thought. Ishan's heart raced as questions flooded his mind. Why is he here? How did he know I'd leave early?

Gathering himself, Ishan walked over, tapping Shubman on the shoulder. Shubman flinched slightly, turning around to see Ishan raising a questioning brow.

Ishan asked, "Yahan kya kar rahe ho?"

Shubman gave a sheepish grin. "Wo... main aise hi... yahan se jaa raha tha."