FLASHBACK

When all those who have completed got up submitted their assignments and signed the submission form, Ishan quietly submitted two assignments and signed on Shubman's behalf as he had no intention to get him failed. All he wanted was to see him crying and begging.

He didn't tear away his assignment, instead just sneaked it into his bag. On the other hand he just tore some blank paper making Shubman think he tore his assignment.

Seeing Shubman crying and begging in front of him gave him immense pleasure. He loved being in control. So he just wanted to show that to Shubman.

Flashback end

—---

“I swear shubi I didn't. Didn't you hear the professor? He said my assignment was copy paste of you, which means I didn't exchange our assignments.”

“But if it wasn't you then who did this?” Shubman sighed, staring at Abhishek who just shrugged his shoulders.

“Wait wait wait, the professor told us our assignments were the same so it means the assignment you did was the one which was submitted. But didn't Ishan tore it?”

“You are right, he literally destroyed my assignment in front of my eyes. Then how come-”

“Kya be Gill? Tu toh sahi mein padaku nikla,” Swami snorted, suddenly walking towards their desk.

[What's up, Gill? You turned out to be a nerd huh?]

The lunch break had already started so nobody was in the classroom except Shubman and Abhishek.

“Aree naya naya aaya hai na. Toh pehli baar toh sabko Josh rehta hai ache marks laane ka,” Tilak chuckled getting inside the classroom as well.

[It was his first practical submission. Everyone get the nerves to get good grades their first time.]

“Hann aur wese bhi aese hi harr kisi ke bass ke baat nahi ki constantly class top kare lgatar do saal in every subject hmare Ishan ki tarah.” Swami hummed smirking at Shubman.

[And not everyone can achieve the feat of constantly being the top in class for two consecutive years in every subject like our Ishan.]

Shubman ignored him packing his bag not wanting to be near them anymore.

He looked at Abhishek who was staring at Mayank who was busy in talking with Aditi and standing just outside the classroom.

Shubman pulled him out of his trance and gestured him to pack his bag as well.

“Chodo naa yaar, iski kya aukat hamare Ishan ke saamne. Par Gill ek baat samajh le, iss baar galti se first aagya agli baar agar zyada number aaye ter—”

[Leave it guys, he is nothing in front of our Ishan. But Gill get this thing inside your head that if you scored more than Ishan again then—]

“Guys what are you all doing here? I was waiting for you all in the canteen. Let's go,” Ishan came looking at his friends who were huddled around Shubman and Abhishek. Well everyone except Mayank and Aditi who were still at the door too engrossed in talking about something to notice what their friends were doing.

“Swami ko hi baat karni thi Gill se kuch toh bass vhi wait kar rahe the. Iska jaldi se ho phir hum canteen jaaye aur phirrrr,” Aditi wiggled her eyebrows at Mayank.

[Swami wanted to talk with that Shubman so we are just waiting for him. When he will be done we will go to canteen and thennnnn]

“Shut up Adi, it's nothing like that. I don't like her at all.”

“But I didn't even take her name,” Aditi smirked.

A loud crack sound made everyone look at Abhishek who accidentally cracked the pen on his hand.

“Abhii,” Shubman gasped, taking Abhishek's hand to check if he injured himself or not. Thankfully he wasn't hurt.

“Ohoo zyada takat dikhayi jaa rahi hai,” Ishan scoffed walking towards Abhishek.

[Aren't you showing a little too much strength?]

“Hai toh ab dikhaunga,” Abhishek replied not even looking at him.

“Zyada nahi bolta tu, kya lagta hai aise apne dost ke aage herogiri jhaad dega. Bhul toh nahi gaya apni aukaat tu?” Swami snapped.

[Don't you speak too much? What do you think you will become a hero in front of your friend. Did you forget your status?]

“Jhadunga herogiri, tum log kya kuch bhi kar jaoge? Uska ek toh assignment phadd diya, agar fail ho jata toh?”

[I will become hero. You guys will do anything? You will tore his assignment, what if he failed?]

“Acha hota ki sachi mein hi phadd diya hota,” Ishan muttered glaring at Abhishek.

[It was good had I actually torn it.]

“What?”

“Nothing, aur ye kya faltu logon par time waste kar rahe ho? Chalo canteen, kuch khaa peekar aage hai wese hi mood acha nahi hai mera.” Ishan said walking out.

[Nothing. We are wasting time on these useless people. Let's go to canteen and eat something. Already my mood is sour.]

Swami hummed while Tilak patted Ishan's shoulder while walking with him.

“Ek toh usko almost fail karado phir akad bhi dikhao.”

[You almost made him fail now showing your swag.]

“Itna bhi bura nahi hai Ishan,” Mayank scoffed, crossing his arms.

[Ishan ain't that bad.]

“Like you know huh?” Abhishek rolled his eyes.

“Ofcourse I know him. He must have not torn Shubman's papers, chahe kitni bhi chize kari ho but he knows the limit. He would never deliberately let Shubman fail.” Mayank replied, staring at Abhishek who was feeling funny in his stomach as Mayank finally looked at him.

“Vo girls washroom mein mera naam laga ke college se nikalne wala tha uska kya? Ghanta dil ka acha hai,” Shubman muttered under his breath.

[He got me caught in the girl's washroom and was about to get me rusticated. Ya sure he is good at heart.]

“Where are you going?” Abhishek asked when Mayank turned to go to his friends who had already left.

“Why do you want to know where I go?”

“I-I…umm” Abhishek sighed feeling at a loss of words. Shubman furrowed his eyebrows but didn't say anything.

“No wait,” Abhishek said when Mayank again started to walk out of the room. He followed Mayank and quickly held his hand to stop him.

“What do you want Abhi?”

“Don't go,” Abhishek said, tugging at his hand. Mayank glared at him.

“What is your problem? You asked me to stay away from you and now when I am doing that then you want me to not go.”

“My problem is I mean…uhh… I want you to stay because…”

“Because what Abhi?”

“Because…” Abhishek muttered, staring at Mayank.

He maintained eye contact as Mayank also stared back at him and didn't even notice how slowly he was starting to lean onto Mayank. How his face got a lot closer to Mayank's face. How he started taking deep breaths suddenly aware of their closeness.

It was as if not only Abhishek but Mayank also was pulled into a trance because he didn't even flinch when Abhishek snaked his hand to Mayank's waist.

“What are you doing?” Mayank whispered out when Abhishek pulled him closer.

As if shaken up from his dream Abhishek looked at him gulping.

“I am sorry,” Abhishek squeaked out before quickly dashing inside the classroom.

Mayank looked at him in disbelief. What the fuck was wrong with him?

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter