What after That?

Ch 61.

Shubman dragged his feet back to his dorm, the once vibrant flowers in his hand now drooping, much like his spirits. His mind was clouded with thoughts of Ishan—his fiery words, his stubbornness, and the way he had walked away without even looking back.

Just as he reached the staircase, he heard a familiar voice call out, "Shubman!"

He turned around to see Divya approaching, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"Hey," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.

Divya's gaze fell on the flowers in his hand. "Where are you off to? And... are those flowers?"

Shubman let out a dramatic sigh, his shoulders slumping even further.

Divya smirked. "Are they for me?"

Shubman paused, looked at her, and sighed again, even more theatrically. "Haan, rakh le... ab inki kya keemat... jab wo hi nahi maante."

Divya frowned, clearly confused. "Wo kaun?"

Shubman sighed, clutching his chest for added effect. "Ye mohabbat badi kutti cheez hai, Divya Babu..." His voice was laced with exaggerated despair as he held out the wilted flowers to her.

Divya hesitated for a moment before taking the flowers, her confusion turning into a mix of amusement and concern. "Shubman, tu theek toh hai? Matlab, full Devdas mode mein kyun chal raha hai?"

Shubman just shook his head dramatically, turning to walk away with slow, heavy steps, muttering under his breath, "Ishq ka maara hoon... samjha karo."

Divya stared at his retreating figure, holding the sad-looking flowers in her hand. She shook her head, smiling to herself. "Pagal hai ye banda... but itna cute kyun hai?"

Meanwhile, Shubman continued his journey back to his dorm, his thoughts remained tethered to a certain stubborn boy who had no idea just how much power he held over Shubman's heart.

It was the morning of July 11th, and Shubman found himself lounging near the water cooler, chewing on a carrot too intensely.

His eyes darted around, looking for someone specific, they landed on Aarav, who was innocently filling his water bottle, completely unaware of the predator-like gaze fixed on him.

Shubman’s chewing slowed as he stared,  or glared.

Aarav, however, started feeling the heavy weight of Shubman’s stare. He glanced over his shoulder and froze.

Shubman was still chewing, his expression unreadable but oddly intense.

Aarav swallowed nervously, gripping his bottle tighter. “Yeh mujhe kyun ghur rahe hai?” he muttered under his breath.

Shubman finally made his move. He strutted over, his carrot in hand, and leaned casually against the cooler. “Aarav, right?”

Aarav blinked rapidly, nodding. “H-hanji, bhaiya.”

Shubman smirked. “Relax, yaar. Bhaiya kyun bula raha hai? Dost samajh le.”

Aarav’s anxiety only grew. “Ji, thik hai... Kuch chahiye tha?”

Shubman’s eyes narrowed as he casually leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Tu Ishan ka dost hai, na?” he asked, his tone light but his gaze sharp.

Aarav gulped, his throat suddenly dry. He hesitated before nodding quickly, not daring to meet Shubman’s piercing eyes. “H-hanji, bhaiya...”

Shubman tilted his head slightlyeyes dark.

He stepped closer and placed a firm hand on Aarav’s shoulder. Aarav stiffened, feeling the weight of the hand and the unspoken authority behind it.

“Accha hai,” Shubman said softly, his smirk widening.