What after That?

Ch 54.

Ishan sat on the bench in the park, his usually vibrant eyes now clouded with sadness. He clutched the bench seat with his hand.

Abhi stood in front of him, his own expression a mix of concern and frustration. 

"Kuchh pata laga? Usne message ka reply kiya?" Ishan asked again, his voice trembling slightly, though he tried to mask it with indifference.

Abhi sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair before looking down. Slowly, he shook his head. "No, Ishan. Still nothing."

Ishan nodded numbly, his lips pressing into a thin line. He had asked this same question countless times over the past four months, and every time, the answer had been the same.

It had been four months since Shubman disappeared without a word. Four months of unanswered calls, ignored messages, and sleepless nights filled with unanswered questions. Was it really so easy for Shubman to just vanish, leaving everyone—leaving him—behind?

"Maybe..." Ishan began softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe he didn't care.." The words stung even as he said them, his chest tightening painfully.

Abhi crouched down in front of him, placing a firm hand on his knee. "Don't say that, Ishan. wo.. wo zarur milega.. jahan bhi hoga wo khud tere bina buss jee raha hoga.. "

"to bol to sakta tha na ek baar!! nahi abhi.. he is fine without me.. maybe happy.. " Ishan snapped, his emotions finally spilling over. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he quickly looked away, not wanting Abhi to see him cry.

Abhi's grip on his knee tightened slightly in reassurance. "We'll find him. Whatever the reason, there has to be an explanation."

Ishan took a shaky breath, nodding even though his heart felt heavier than ever. "It's just... ek baar dekh bhi nahi paaye hum usee.. "

Abhi patted his hairs, he knows how Ishan must be feeling there must be thousands of questions in his head just like them but more that question Ishan may have growing insecurities that Shubman just left coz the thing between them was just childish for Shubman.. maybe Shubman wants all this to finally get over with school,  as new place will bring more options. 

And Abhi can't even say anything about their relationship, what should he say ? Every word will hurt Ishan more. Deep down Ishan even knew that maybe it was just a beautiful dream, which he knew some day have to end as their relation was not.. 

not normal.. 

"Did he say anything unusual to you before he left?"

Ishan thought back, replaying their last conversation over and over in his head. But there was nothing out of the ordinary—just Shubman being his usual self, teasing and making him blush. There were no signs, no warnings.

"No," Ishan finally said, his voice hollow. "Nothing."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the unanswered questions hanging heavily between them.

"Abhi," Ishan whispered, his voice cracking. " wo theek hoga na? "

" haan bikul theek hoga.. "

" pakka na? "

" hmm pakka.. "

 "Abhi... bas wo theek ho jahan bhi ho. Baaki koyi baat nahi, agar wo... 

sab bhool bhi jaaye to..."

Ishan stood up abruptly. His steps were slow, weighed down by the heaviness in his heart, and he didn't glance back as he walked away.

Abhi watched him leave, his shoulders sagging with a deep sigh. He tilted his head to the sky, his voice quiet but filled with an ache that mirrored Ishan's. "Bhagwan ji... kahan hai tu, Shubman? Wo... wo tujhe bahut miss kar raha hai."