What after That?

Ch 66.

Shahneel placed the matar chaat in front of Shubman with a glare.

Shubman, unfazed, picked up a spoon. "Ghoor kyun rahi ho? Khaun bhi na?"

Smack! Shahneel smacked the back of his head.

"Itni raat ko aise hi chala aaya, duffer! Mujhe bol deta, main lene aa jaati."

Shubman pouted, rubbing his head. "Aree, bola na... mummy ki yaad aa rahi thi, aur thodi thodi tumhari bhi, di. Isliye aa gaya."

His mother sighed, shaking her head. "Tu kise nu bata ke to aa sakda si? Muh uthake chala aaya!"

Shubman wiped an imaginary tear, dramatically sniffling. "Koi pyaar nahi karta mujhe...!"

Shahneel rolled her eyes. "Zyada drama mat kar! Aur ye chaat kha le. Jaldi bata, dinner mein kya khayega?"

Shubman grinned. "Aree, ye hi kaafi hai!"

His mother cupped his face, her expression softening. "Haaye, mere bachche ki bhook bhi kam ho gayi hai..."

Shubman grinned wider. "Finally, thoda pyaar! Aur di, tum fresh ho jao pehle... office se abhi aayi ho."

Shahneel sighed but smiled as she walked away, while Shubman happily dug into his chaat.

Shubman lay on his mother’s lap, eyes half-lidded as she gently brushed her fingers through his hair.

"Kya hua?" she asked softly.

Shubman smiled lazily. "Kuchh nahi..."

His mother gave him a knowing look. "Toh munh kyun utra hai?"

Shubman let out a faint sigh but kept a small smile. "Thak gaya tha... roz roz wahi college jaake."

His mother hummed in understanding, her fingers still moving through his hair. "Hmm… koi nahi, ghar aaya kar. Par time se aur inform karke! Tu kab bada hoga, Shubi?"

Shubman smirked. "Menu ni hona bada."

Shahneel, who had been watching with an exaggerated pout, finally huffed. "Mummy! Iske aate hi mujhe bhool gayi? Mujhe bhi letna hai godi mein!"

Shubman’s smirk widened as he tilted his head toward her. "Tum mat baitho di… ye bed toot jayega, itna weight sehke."

Shahneel narrowed her eyes before cracking her knuckles. "Abe ooo… tu mujhe moti bol raha hai? Ruk, batati hoon!"

Before Shubman could escape, she lunged at him, and their mother just sighed, shaking her head at her forever-childish kids.

Ishan didn’t sleep all night, guilt twisting in his stomach like a knife. His mind replayed every moment, every word he had thrown at Shubman, and now, when he wanted to take it all back, Shubman was nowhere to be found.

He curled up on his bed, staring at the empty space where Shubman should have been. His fingers clutched the soft fabric of his blanket as his chest tightened.

A small sniffle escaped him as he wiped his tears, voice barely above a whisper. "Kahan ho, Shubman…? I am so bad… so, so bad… please aa jao na…"

But no matter how many times he whispered those words into the silence, Shubman didn’t come back.

Ishan bit his lip in frustration as he stood outside the party hall, his heart pounding.

He had rushed here, hoping to find Shubman, but the guards at the entrance firmly refused him entry.

"Uncle, please, I just need to check something inside," Ishan pleaded, his voice slightly desperate.