What after That?

Ch 50.

The first pre-boards were finally over, leaving a mix of relief and tension in their wake. As expected, the results became the talk of the school.

Ishan sat in class, his brows furrowed, staring at the marksheet in his hands. Second place. It wasn't a bad result by any means—he'd scored well across all subjects—but it wasn't what he had hoped for. 

He had worked hard, harder than most, and yet... second. He kept telling himself it didn't matter, that rank wasn't everything, but the slight sting of disappointment wouldn't leave.

He sighed, folding the marksheet and tucking it into his bag, trying to focus on the book in front of him. But his mind wandered, and his gaze shifted toward the boy( his bf.. ) who had just walked in, sauntering as if exams were nothing more than a casual inconvenience.

Shubman plopped down across from him, his signature grin in place. "So, how's the topper doing?" he teased, leaning back in his chair with an exaggerated stretch.

Ishan didn't respond right away, giving him a pointed look instead. "I'm second, not first," he said after a moment, his voice betraying a hint of frustration.

"Oh no," Shubman gasped theatrically, placing a hand over his chest. "How will the world survive if Ishan isn't first? Is the sun still shining? Is gravity still working?"

"Shubman," Ishan warned.

Shubman leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. "Second is still amazing, chikchik ji. You're overthinking this."

"I'm not overthinking," Ishan replied, crossing his arms. "I just... I could have done better."

Shubman's teasing smile softened as he watched Ishan, who looked more stressed than usual. But before he could say anything reassuring, Ishan's eyes darted to Shubman's bag, where a crumpled marksheet was half sticking out.

"Wait." Ishan narrowed his eyes. "Is that your marksheet?"

"Uh... maybe?" Shubman said, trying to casually shove it deeper into his bag, but Ishan was quicker. He snatched it up and unfolded it, scanning the grades with a sharp eye.

"You barely passed chemistry!" Ishan exclaimed, his voice low but filled with exasperation. "Shubman, this isn't funny. boards are coming!"

Shubman scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. "Eh, passing is still passing, right? A win is a win."

Ishan stared at him, utterly unimpressed. "You can't keep taking this so lightly. What's your plan for the boards if you don't start taking things seriously now?"

Shubman reached across the table, placing his hand over Ishan's in a rare show of sincerity. "Relax, Ishan. I'll study harder, okay? You're stressing enough for the both of us."

"That's because I care, Shubman," Ishan shot back, his cheeks slightly pink. "I don't want you to fail. You're capable of so much more, but you act like it doesn't matter."

Shubman's grin returned, but it was softer this time. "I know you care," he said, his tone unusually gentle. "but itna sochne se kya hoga.. I will study hard na..."

Ishan looked down at their joined hands for a moment before pulling his own away, his heart beating just a little faster. "Fine," he said, trying to sound stern.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the streets in shades of amber and gold, Ishan and Shubman, along with their friends, rode their cycles back home. 

Laughter and chatter filled the air, but Ishan was unusually quiet, his thoughts weighed down by the looming pressure of the board exams.

When they reached the corner where the group usually split ways, Ishan slowed his cycle and came to a stop. His gaze shifted toward Shubman, who had also halted, noticing Ishan's hesitation.