What after That?

Ch 75.

And that's how they never really noticed when or how time slipped through their fingers.

One day, they were just two boys bickering over stolen lunches and teasing each other senseless.

The next, they were standing at the edge of something far bigger than either of them ever planned for.

Shubman was now in his final year, while Ishan was in his third.

In just a few months, Shubman would graduate. Move forward. Hopefully, land a job.

Ishan didn't like thinking about it.

Because the thing was-he had never imagined a life without Shubman by his side in this room.

Ishan sat on the bed, mechanically folding his clothes, but his mind was anywhere but the task at hand. His suitcase lay half-packed, open like the questions swirling in his head.

Chhath Pooja. He was going home. For a few days. But after that... after a few months... Shubman would be gone.

His hands slowed as he picked up one of his t-shirts, smoothing it out more than necessary. His eyes flickered to the other side of the room-Shubman's side.

Would this place feel emptier without Shubman's scattered notes, his bag tossed in the corner, his endless dramatics?

Would Shubman still come back to visit? Would he even have the time?

Ishan frowned, gripping the fabric tighter.

Would Shubman miss him too?

Just when Ishan was about to spiral deeper into his overthinking, Shubman attacked.

"PATA HAI KYA HUA?!" Shubman practically jumped on Ishan from behind, nearly knocking him forward onto the bed.

"Meri kamar tootti huyi bachi hai abhi," Ishan groaned, rubbing his back with a glare.

"Areeee wo nahi!" Shubman dismissed his complaints and, with an excited grin, shoved his phone into Ishan's hands.

Still frowning, Ishan snatched the phone, his eyes scanning the screen. His irritation lasted exactly three seconds before his expression shifted.

A modeling agency. A real modeling agency had reached out. They'd seen Shubman's dance performance on IIT Bombay's official dance society page and wanted him to do a small advertisement.

Ishan froze for a moment, processing. Then, in the next second-

"AAAAAHHHHHH!"

He squealed, jumping onto Shubman, both of them tumbling onto the bed.

Shubman barely had time to react before Ishan was bouncing around, happier than him.

"SHUBMAN! YE TO BEST SE BHI BEST NEWS HAI!"

Shubman chuckled, watching his overexcited bf.

"Mujhe pata tha tu mujhse zyada excite hoga..."

And he was right. Because right now, Ishan wasn't just happy. He was proud.

And then, without any warning-

BAM.

Ishan launched himself at Shubman like a koala, arms and legs wrapped around him.

"I'M SO PROUD OF YOU, SHUBIIII !" he murmured against Shubman's neck, voice slightly muffled but full of warmth.

Shubman, caught off guard, stumbled backward, nearly crashing into the cupboard. "Oye oye oye-
Meri Kamar todke badla lena hai kya?!"