Flashback

Abhishek ran out of their room and went straight towards the administrative block. 'I know who had taken this cheap move and I know this is really risky for me but this the only thing That I can do to save Shubi and I will surely try this out.' Abhishek thought while standing near the reception. 'Yes?' the receptionist asked him without looking up from his work.

"I need to meet Suchitra ma'am." Abhishek replied trying to catch his breath. "Any appointment?" she asked again. "No ma'am but it is really important. I need to..." he tried convincing her but she cut him off. "You cannot meet administrative people like that." she stated. "Ma'am please it's really really urgent." Abhishek pleaded her.

The receptionist sighed and looked up at him. "Look there are some rules of an institute. You can't just walk in the office and meet anyone whenever you feel like. You are just wasting my time. Please leave and let me do my work." she said blankly and got back to her work. Abhishek was requesting her but she was not paying any attention to him. Then, he suddenly saw Suchitra Kishan walking out of the office.

He ran towards her immediately and stood in front of her. "What kind of behaviour is this?" Suchitra asked. "I am really sorry ma'am but I have something really important to tell you. Please listen to me once." Abhishek pleaded her. "See I am very busy. If you want to talk about something, ask someone from office staff to help you. If this is something that really concerns me then get an appointment." she said walking away.

Abhishek sighed. "It is about Ishan ma'am." That stopped her in her tracks and she immediately turned around. "What happened to Ishan?" she asked getting worried. Abhishek sighed as he finally had her attention. "Actually he is fine. Nothing happened to him." he said. "So you are just using his name to have a conversation with me. Do you know what can be the consequences?" she said bitterly.

"Trust me ma'am this actually involves Ishan." Abhishek said trying to make her believe him. "Ok tell me but be quick. I do not have much time." she said. "Thank you so much for giving me a chance..." he was again cut off by her. "Make it quick or I am leaving." she said bluntly. "No I am sorry ma'am. Umm do you know about that washroom cracker stunt?" he asked being afraid.

"Look kid are you messing around me. Does this talk actually has to do with Ishan? It was that guy Shub.. something." she said angrily. "Shubman. It's Shubman. But trust me ma'am he did not do anything. I swear." Abhishek said. "I am just leaving." she said and was about to leave. "Ma'am please trust me it was never Shubman. Have you seen that boy? Can he do anything like that?" he asked.

"But his Id card was found there." she said. "Ma'am ask your heart once. If you have actually seen that boy. The whole panel must have taken the decision of his admission and you must be aware about him. Can he even think about doing something like this? Please ask yourself ma'am. If today one wrong decision is taken then an innocent boy's dream would be broken. All his efforts, his hard work would go in vain ma'am. Please do something." he pleaded with tears in his eyes.

Suchitra sighed. "See is it just your instinct that he cannot do anything like this or actually you have some proof regarding this. And the way you used Ishan's name for talking to me, I am letting it go this time but do not try this from time ever. And why are you telling all this specifically to me, there are other panel members also?" she asked.

"I did not just use Ishan's name and I am talking to you because I know who has actually done this." he said. "Who?" she asked frowning as she guessed where this was going but was hoping that what she was thinking was not true.

"I am really sorry for what I am gonna say further ma'am but Shubman was in library in the lecture when this happened. I was roaming around here and there at that time and I saw Ishan going in girl's washroom." he said looking down and his eyes were closed out of fear. Suchitra was shocked with her eyes wide opened. But she immediately masked up her expressions.

"Do you even know what you are saying? This is a very big allegation you are putting on Ishan. If this turns out to be incorrect, I can get you removed from this college." she said angrily. "I am sorry ma'am I really saw Ishan going there. I know Ishan will be saved from this but please do not spoil an innocent boy's life. He genuinely has not done anything." he said literally begging.

"Wh..wh..who said Ishan won't be punished? He would also face consequences if he had done anything. But I am sure Ishan can't do anything like this. I will see what to doo you may go." she said stuttering. Abhishek knew she was clearly lying but did not say anything or what option he had. He could not argue with trustee. He loved his life and career. But still he gathered courage to speak to her complaining about her own son.

"Ma'am there is just a small request." he said before walking away. "What now?" she said visibly irritated. "If possible please do not tell anyone about conversation." he requested. 'Or your son will make my life a living hell.' he thought in his mind but of course did not say it aloud. She sighed and nodded. "You better not tell anyone about this." she said. It sounded more like threat. Abhishek gulped visibly and she walked away.

Flashback ends

"When I saw him going towards the washroom I thought he was going to make out with some girl in there and I was disgusted but then it suddenly striked me that was the same time when that incident happened and I was sure it was him." Abhishek ended with that.

Shubman was shocked listening to Abhishek would be an understatement. He immediately hugged him tightly like he was the precious thing in his life with tears rolling down his cheeks. He broke it soon and looked at him. "Tu gadha hai kya? She even has the power to throw you out of this institute or anything. Still itna bada risk lia? Aur Ishan ko pata chla to wo choodega nhi tujhe." Shubman said looking at him with a done face.

[Are you an idiot? She has the power to throw you out of this college. Still you took such a huge risk. And if Ishan got to know he won't leave you.]

"Arre chill kuch nhi hoga." he said like he did not care but Shubman knew him better.

[Just chill. Nothing is gonna happen.]

"Now tell me is she really sweet and whatever you were saying. She is Suchitra Kishan, just Ishan Kishan's mother. That's it. She really does not care about anyone else. She said Ishan would also be punished for his deeds but no that was a complete lie. If she wanted she could have told the truth to everyone and prove you as innocent but no she had save her son's image getting spoiled that is much more important. She knew he won't even be punished and would be easily saved even if she told everyone. But no she chose to be quiet and let everyone keep blaming you." Abhishek scoffed in irritation.

Shubman sighed. "I know but you know it does not really matters. At least I was not rusticated from the college. What more can I expect?" he said trying to calm Abhishek. "But it's still not fine you know. You were going to be rusticated as a punishment for that deed but was it came out it was actually Ishan, then nothing. Why? Because he is trustee's son. Does that mean he can keep on doing anything?" Abhishek said. "Ok leave it now. I do not want to talk about it. Right or wrong. This is how it is and it won't change no matter what we do so why even waste our energy and time on this?" Shubman asked.

Abhishek was not satisfied listening to Shubman but still let it go. "But how did he get your I'd card?" Abhishek asked curiously. "Oh I am not really sure about that. But I kept it in my jeans pocket while leaving the class before going to library. So I had it that time with me. It's string was maybe outside. And on my way to library Ishan came and bumped into me and shouted on me that I can't even see and some other stuff. After that I found that card in office. So I guess must have taken it while bumping into me." he replied trying to remember. "Oh" Abhishek replied shortly. Both the best friends sat together talking for sometime and enjoying each other's company.

________

Ishan was in his room working on his assignments when he heard a knock on his door. He groaned in frustration and went to open the door. "Mom?" he said confusingly as he saw Suchitra on the door. "What are you doing here?" he asked. Suchitra sighed and walked without replying him. She sat on the side of bed and patted beside her asking him to sit down.

"Look I would straight come to the point. I am really done with your indisciplinary actions and till when am I gonna cover them up in order to save you?" she asked really disappointed by him. "Mom what are you saying?" he said trying to act like he does not anything. "Do not play that innocent act with me. I have carried you for 9 months inside me and I know you even better than you know yourself. And doesn't matter you have done something or not, are involved or not, it is not possible you do not know what is going on in the college. You are always the first to know. So stop this acting." she said.

"Mom please I really do not know what you are talking about. I have lots of work to do. My assignments are still left and I have not done anything this time. It was that Shubman who inserted those crackers. His I'd card...." he immediately shut his mouth with his hand and his eyes widened at what all he had done.

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter