What after That?

Ch 96

After nearly an hour of arguing over toppings, burning fingers on the hot pan, and Rahul insisting cheese should be added "with emotions," the pizzas were finally ready.

Well...

Mostly.

Two of them had been roasted a little more enthusiastically than intended.

"They're not burnt," Rahul defended himself proudly. "They're... smoked."

Tanmay took one bite before coughing dramatically.

"Bhai, isme Himalaya ka asli coal daal diya kya?"

Laughter echoed around the campsite.

Everyone picked up their slices and settled on the folding chairs facing Chandratal Lake. The moon reflected softly over the still water while the cold breeze carried the smell of melted cheese and burning firewood.

Without saying a word, Shubman quietly picked up one of the burnt pizzas.

The worst one.

He sat beside Ishan as if nothing had happened and casually tore off a slice.

Crunch.

It was definitely burnt.

Yet he didn't even react.

Instead, he looked across at Rahul and grinned.

"Waise Rahul..."

Rahul looked up.

"Kya?"

"Tera face na..."

"...suar jaisa hai."

Rahul gasped.

"Haw!"

Shubman continued chewing innocently.

"Aur dimaag..."

"...bhalu jaisa."

Everyone frowned.

Rahul folded his arms.

"Matlab?"

Shubman shrugged.

"Bas hamesha hibernation mein rehta hai."

The entire group burst into laughter.

"Saale!" Rahul threw a tissue at him.

Even while laughing, Shubman kept eating the burnt slice without a single complaint.

That was when Ishan finally noticed.

His own pizza looked perfect.

Golden crust.

Extra cheese.

Perfectly cooked.

He slowly looked at Shubman's plate.

Then back at his own.

Realization quietly settled in.

He had given him the best one.

Just... naturally.

As if it wasn't even worth mentioning.

Ishan found himself staring at Shubman.

How could anyone not love this boy?

How had he ever convinced himself to break up with him?

Shubman wasn't perfect.

He was loud.

Overdramatic.

Hopelessly mischievous.