What after That?

Ch 56.

24 Dec 2017

Ishan was done with his last revision of the day, it was already 11:45pm. He sighed and stretched then put his books back to their place.

His eyes landed on the calendar hanging on the wall. 

“ Christmas eve...” he muttered softly, the words slipping out almost instinctively. 

The simple realization pulled him into a whirlpool of memories—specifically, of last year’s Christmas.

And, almost as if on cue, his mind conjured up a pair of deep dimples and the image of a teasing grin. 

A soft smile tugged at Ishan's lips as the scene replayed in his head. 

They had been sitting together on the school ground, soaking up the warmth of the winter sun.

The air was crisp, the sky a brilliant blue, and everything about that moment had felt so... alive. 

Shubman, with his usual energy, leaned in closer, his voice low and playful as he asked, "Tujhe pata hai na kal kya hai?" 

Ishan turned his head lazily to look at him, his expression feigning indifference. “Hmm... pata hai. Par tum aise battisi kyun dikha rahe ho?” 

Shubman scooted even closer, his shoulder brushing against Ishan’s or say he brushed enthusiastically as he smirked and said, "Apne aap nikal aati hai tere saath..."

Ishan scrunched his nose, rolling his eyes in mock annoyance as he shoved Shubman away lightly. "Tum din-badin kuchh zyada nahi bigad rahe ho?"

Shubman, ever the charmer, grinned mischievously and leaned back in, his face dangerously close as he replied, "To sudhaar dijiye..."

The teasing lilt in his voice, the way his eyes sparkled with mischief—it had made Ishan’s heart race back then, just as the memory did now. Trying to hide his smile, Ishan had bitten his lower lip, but Shubman had already caught it. 

Shubman, ever the mischievous one, leaned closer to Ishan, his dimples on full display as he whispered, “Abhi ek chhoti si kissey le loon?

Koi dekhega bhi nahi...

Pleaseeeeeeee...” 

Ishan turned to him with narrowed eyes, already catching on to Shubman’s antics.

“Don’t even think about it,” he warned, but before Shubman could try his luck, two small kids shyly approached them, clutching a crumpled piece of paper. 

“Bhaiya...” one of the kids spoke softly, holding out the paper with both hands. 

Shubman groaned internally, annoyed at the interruption, but Ishan immediately softened, crouching down slightly to meet their level. “Kya hua tum dono ko? Kuchh chahiye?” he asked kindly. 

One of the kids, a girl with pigtails, held up the paper nervously. “Bhaiya, ispe sign kardo... aur star bhi dedo...” 

Ishan tilted his head, confused. “Star? Yeh kisliye?” 

The other kid, a boy with a gap-toothed grin, piped up enthusiastically, “Santa ke liye! ” 

At this, Ishan smiled warmly, charmed by their innocence. Shubman, on the other hand, couldn’t stop himself from chuckling. “Arrey, yeh kya bakwaas hai? Santa wanta kuchh nahi hota—" 

“Ow!” Shubman yelped as Ishan’s elbow dug sharply into his ribs. 

Ishan turned to glare at him. “Shut up,” he hissed through gritted teeth, signaling him not to ruin the kids’ belief in Santa.