What after That?

Ch 53.

The exams were in full swing, and Shubman and Ishan had established a routine of studying together on the terrace. It had become their sanctuary—a quiet escape where textbooks and notes mingled with stolen smiles and fleeting glances. 

The terrace was simple yet clean with a mat where they sat in the corner. On it lay their books, scattered like their thoughts.

Shubman leaned back on his chair, twirling a pen between his fingers, pretending to concentrate on his Chemistry notes. 

But in reality, his eyes were fixed on Ishan, who was furiously scribbling equations in his notebook. The faint glow of the sunlight highlighted Ishan's features, and Shubman couldn't help but grin.

"sun mere humsafar...

kya tujhe itni si bhi khabar~~ " Shubman sang under his breath.

Ishan, without looking up, said, "Maine suna, Shubman. Focus on your studies!"

Shubman chuckled, leaning forward. "tu saamne hai to focus zara mushkil hai..."

Ishan rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the blush creeping up his cheeks. "oh please.. fir se shuru mat ho jaana bate banana.."

"baate banana? " Shubman said, smirking. "Yeh meri zindagi ka sabse bada sach hai.. main focus nahi kar pata hoon.. jab tu saamne hota hai to.."

Ishan shook his head, trying to suppress a smile. "pata nahi konsi films dekhte ho.."

"ab to sirf tu hi dikta hai.. " Shubman replied, as whisper. But Ishan didnt heard that as he continued scribbling the biochemistry glucose structure.( khaak easy chap behenchod rula diya tha mereko.. saare ek jaise diagram.. ) 

Shubman caught the notebook, smiling.

Despite his protests, Ishan secretly enjoyed these moments. The way Shubman's antics could lighten the weight of exams was something he silently cherished.

It had become a routine for Ishan's mother to occasionally check on the boys during their terrace study sessions. 

She would often bring them snacks, chai, or even full-fledged meals, claiming, "Padhai ke liye energy zaroori hai." Shubman had taken full advantage of these moments to charm his way into her heart, much to Ishan's exasperation.

One afternoon, as they sat cross-legged on the terrace floor, notes sprawled everywhere, Ishan's mother arrived with a tray laden with hot parathas, dal, and achar. 

The aroma was enough to make both their stomachs growl, despite the tension of exams hanging over their heads.

"Aree wah, Aunty ji!" Shubman exclaimed, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the food. "Aap toh MasterChef hain. Agar food competition hota, toh aapka naam sabse upar hota!"

Ishan rolled his eyes ye fir shuru ho gaya... 

Shubman gave Ishan a smug grin before turning back to his mother. "Nahi Aunty, sach mein. Aap jitna pyar khaane mein dalti hain, woh har kisi ke bas ki baat nahi."

Ishan's mother chuckled, clearly charmed. "Shubman, tum itni tareef karte ho... Isliye mujhe aur banaane ka mann karta hai."

Ishan groaned, looking skyward as if begging for divine intervention. 

As she left, Ishan crossed his arms, glaring at Shubman. Maa ko bhi meethi meethi baatein bol ke apne jaal mein fasa lega ek din.

Shubman smirked, taking a big bite of the paratha. "Toh kya galat hai? Main toh chahta hoon ki future mein tumhari maa mujhe best damad ka award de."

Ishan's cheeks turned pink at the implication, and his eyes widened " tumhe kaise pata main kya soch raha tha? " 

" ye talent sirf mere jaise log ke paas hi ho sakta hai.. akhir aise hi to maine Mr. Ishan Kishan Gill  ko pataya hai"