What after That?

Ch 72.

It was another usual day in Ishan’s life, where Shubman, his personal headache, would bombard him with ridiculous Punjabi flirt lines.

Half the time, Ishan didn’t even understand what Shubman was saying, but he always ended up laughing anyway.

But today… today was different.

In the morning Shubman teased him all the way to Class but now...

Shubman wasn’t outside his class doing ten dramatic rounds past the door, flashing a cheesy grin just to make Ishan laugh in front of the professor.

No over-the-top antics..

And that… that was concerning.

Where Is That Idiot?

As soon as class ended, Ishan walked straight to the cricket ground.

If Shubman wasn’t messing with him, he was usually messing with a cricket bat.

But when he got there…

Everyone was practicing—except for Shubman.

Frowning, Ishan walked up to Gulati Bhaiya, one of the senior players.

"Bhaiya, where’s Shubman?"

Gulati gestured towards a tree near the far end of the ground. "Wahan par rest Kar raha hai "

Ishan turned and saw him.

Shubman was lying against the tree trunk, his back resting lazily against the rough bark.

Even from a distance, something seemed off.

His face looked flushed, almost too red.

Ishan marched up to him.

"Shubman, kya ho raha hai?" he asked.

Shubman, in true Shubman fashion, grinned despite looking half-dead.

"Tujhe dekhta hoon to lagta hai aise mujhko khuda mil gaya..." he murmured weakly, and giggled.

Ishan rolled his eyes.

"Shut up, idiot."

But as he got closer, his heart dropped.

Shubman’s eyes looked dazed. His lips were too dry.

Ishan bent down, pressing the back of his hand against Shubman’s forehead.

His eyes widened.

Burning.

"Shubman, utho!" Ishan said urgently.

Shubman groaned, rubbing his face against the bark of the tree. "Man nahi kar raha… tired sa feel ho raha hai…"

Ishan’s panic grew.

"Tired? You have a fever, idiot!"

He grabbed Shubman’s wrist, trying to pull him up.

Shubman couldn’t even stand properly.

His body wobbled, and before Ishan could react—

He vomited.

Ishan instantly stepped forward, rubbing slow circles on Shubman’s back. "Shh… bas bas… saans lo… tumhe fever hai aur tum yahan ground mein practice kar rahe ho?!"

" akal hai thodi si?! "

Shubman groaned, too weak to reply.

Ishan didn’t think twice.

Bending down, he hoisted Shubman onto his back.

"Ish…" Shubman slurred, his arms weakly looping around Ishan’s shoulders.