What after That?

Ch 73.

Ishan, still wrapped in Shubman’s embrace, felt something strange stir in his stomach.

A weird, familiar flip.

Shubman liked biting him… but why?

Instead of asking that outright, Ishan—who always had a way of questioning things differently—came up with an even more logical question.

"Why is it blue? You’re not an insect, at least… then why…?"

Shubman almost laughed.

Even now, in such an awkward situation, Ishan’s innocence was just too adorable.

Shubman pulled Ishan even closer, and to his surprise, Ishan didn’t resist. Instead, he hugged Shubman tighter.

Shubman exhaled a small chuckle. "You see… jab… we suck or bite skin, to marks aa jaate hain. Blueish, purplish, pinkish…"

Ishan, his face still buried in Shubman’s shoulder, nodded slowly.

Processing.

Then came the next question.

"But why did you like it?"

Shubman’s brain momentarily short-circuited.

Because you’re tasty.

That was the first thought that came to mind, but obviously, he couldn’t say that.

Instead, he fumbled for words. "Ishan… umm, you know… ki wo…"

Ishan tensed in his hold, anticipating the next words.

But they never came.

Instead, he gulped.

A hesitation.

A beat of silence.

Shubman sighed. "Sorry…"

Ishan met his gaze, cheeks still slightly pink, but after a moment, he simply said, "Hmm… it's okay."

And just like that, the conversation ended.

By the time evening rolled around, Gulati and Divya made their way toward Shubman and Ishan’s dorm, carrying a bag of food.

Why?

Now Ishan was sick too.

“Iska bukhar theek hua nahi par Ishan?

Use bhi bukhar ho gaya ?” Gulati muttered, balancing the food containers in one hand as he knocked on the door.

Divya rolled her eyes. “Shubman sach mein bimaar tha, drama nahi kar raha tha.”

But as the door creaked open, the sight that greeted them was… unexpected.

Shubman and Ishan were sprawled out on the same bed—both looking absolutely miserable. Shubman was wrapped in a blanket, hair sticking out in all directions, his face still slightly flushed from fever.

Ishan wasn’t any better. His eyes were half-lidded, nose red, and there was an unmistakable exhaustion in his posture.

Both of them were sick.

Gulati raised an eyebrow. “Bhai… kya ho gaya?”

Divya quickly stepped in, placing the food on the desk. “Ishan, tujhe kya ho gaya? Tu toh theek tha na?”

Ishan weakly turned his head toward Shubman, who also looked at him at the same time.

An awkward silence.

A shared secret.

Shit.

Ishan quickly scrambled for an excuse. “Uh… voh… cooler ki wajah se…”