“What is going on here?”

“S-sir we were just going only” Abhishek gulped in fear when he saw their homeroom teacher.

“Going? Ye jo aise gale padd rahe ho sab pata hai mujhe.” Their teacher scoffed at them.

[The way you guys are at each other's throats. I know everything]

“Sorry sir,” Abhishek bit his lip feeling really embarrassed.

“Sir we didn't do anything wrong. Hugging a friend is normal,” Mayank said.

“Oh really Mr Markande? Do you think we are fools here? Aise akele classroom mein badi dosti nibhayi jaa rahi hai huh.” The teacher snapped.

[Alone like this in classroom. Just great how you are working on your friendship]

“Sir with all due respect you cannot talk to us in this way,” Mayank spoke glaring at him.

“Oh so now you want to teach me how to talk?”

“Of course not sir, but I know our students rights as well. And you certainly can't—”

“I can, you guys violated our college's code of conduct, I can even go to principal and complain about you guys.”

“Complain about what sir? That two friends were just hugging? We didn't violate anything. Its not our fault that you don't have any friends so you don't even know how two friends bid each other goodbye.”

“Do you think you are so smart Mr Markande? There are cameras in the room.”

“Get them checked sir, but if nothing comes then I will complain against you to our trustee Mrs Kishan, and you know how much serious she takes our student's welfare.” Mayank smirked and the teacher scoffed.

He walked out cursing both of them.

"Sharam hi nhi hai aaj kal ke bacho ko to" he mumbled walking out leaving Mayank and Abhishek in the classroom alone.

[Kids these days have no shame]

Mayank chuckled at the teacher and Abhishek slapped Mayank's back of head roughly.

“Oww,” Mayank scowled rubbing his head.

“Why did you talk back to sir? What if he gets them checked and gets the footage of us kissing in the corridor?”

“Don't worry sweetie, he won't find it. Lets just go before someone else comes,”

Abhishek tried to protest but Mayank shushed him before he could complain further.

_________

“But  what if Shubman comes?”

“Don't worry about him. I will take care of it when he comes.”

“Please Mayank, leave naa. If Shubman comes then it will be a big problem.”

“Why are you so afraid of him? So what he sees us like this huh? Then what?”

Abhishek looked down and Mayank sighed. They both were in Abhishek's room as Mayank insisted on coming with him.

“Okay I am sorry sweetie, I will go but…”

“But?”

“Kiss me,”

“What?”

“You heard it, kiss me and I will leave you right now.”

“Mayank please jao naa”

[Please go]

“I helped you with the professor, if it wasn't me then you will be getting punished so I deserve at least one kiss,”

“Mayankkkk”

“Abhiiii”  Mayank mimicked him, making Abhishek pout more.

Mayank grinned tapping on his lips and Abhishek sighed before pulling him by his collar. He quickly pecked his lips before pulling away.

“I kissed you now g— mmph,” Abhishek squealed when Mayank attacked his lips. He sucked lightly onto Abhishek's lips while his hands clasped around his waist pulling closer.

Abhishek's hand moved automatically to Mayank's hair. He pushed his tongue inside Mayank's mouth pulling him closer.

Mayank smirked sucking onto tongue while his hands moved down Abhishek's back pressing their bodies even more closer. When Abhishek tried to deepen the kiss more Mayank pulled away with a smug smile.

“I think I should go now,” He smirked. Abhishek huffed glaring at him.

Mayank chuckled pecking his forehead.

“Go now,” Abhishek scowled pushing him.

“Aree aree aaram se,” Mayank grinned knowing how much Abhishek hated that Mayank just abruptly stopped him him kissing.

[Slowly]

“I will see you tomorrow,” Mayank said squeezing his hand before walking out of his room leaving Abhishek alone.

Abhishek sighed walking towards the bed and sat down. He pulled the blankets over himself just thinking about what happened.

He really can't control his feelings in front of Mayank.

________

“Abhi?” Shubman looked for him when he went to the room.

“You are back?” Abhishek got up from the bed and looked at Shubman who nodded his head.

“Why did the principal called you?”

“Oh they just called to tell me that I and Ishan are going to participate in this year's inter zonal buzzer round.”

“OMG yay, congratulations Shub.” Abhishek squealed, jumping onto Shubman and gave quick kiss on his cheek who was taken aback for a second.

“Eww what the hell and you are heavy, get down,” Shubman said irritated and Abhishek huffed but got down.

“I am so proud of you Shub,” Abhishek patted his back.

“It's not even a big thing,” Shubman shrugged.

“It is! The management sends only the best students for the inter zonal competition to maintain the status of our Phoenix Institute of Professional Studies.” Abhishek mimicked and Shubman chuckled at his friend's behaviour.

“Okay okay, but Ishan doesn't want me to participate with him.” Shubman sighed.

“And why does his opinion matter? If he has any problem then he can talk to his mother himself.” Abhishek said.

“But you know na how he is, what if he tries to do something there?”

“He wouldn't, the only thing he cares for is the college's reputation so he wouldn't do anything which will try to ruin the chances of you guys winning. Trust me on this,” Abhishek grinned.

“You sure?”

“Han baba, aur agar usne kuch try bhi kiya toh mujhe ek call kariyo phir main dekhta hu uss Ishan ko. Don't  worry Shub I won't let anything happen to you,” Abhishek reassured him.

[Yes dude and if he tries to do anything just me one call and then I will see that Ishan]

“Bu—”

“Aree bas, no more procrastination. Ab main ek nahi sununga teri, let's watch a movie to celebrate, I have some chips as well.” Abhishek said, walking over to his desk to pull out his laptop.

[Enough now. No more procrastination. Now I won't listen anything.]

"By the way this is our first night away from each other since you came here. To tujhe mere bina neend aa jayegi na?" Abhishek asked teasing his bestie.

[Will you be able to sleep without me?]

Shubman rolled his eyes at his antics. He threw a pillow at him. "Ouch" Abhishek whinned rubbing his forhead. "Yrr tu bohot ganda hai. Ek to mein teri care karta hu aur tu mujhe hi maarta hai. Baal bhi kharaab kar die tune saare mere" Abhishek said pouting cutely and setting his hair.

[You are so bad. I care for you so much and you beat me only. You spoiled all my hair also]

"Nautanki" Shubman mumbled. "Chhod ye sab aur movie dekhte hai. Warna tera to ye sab khatam hi nhi hoga kbhi"

[Drama]

[Leave all this and let's watch movie. Otherwise you are never gonna stop]

“Chal bata kya dekhega?”

[Tell what you wanna watch]

“Kabhi Khushi kabhi gham?”

“Shub tu naa rehne de I will pick up the movie.” Abhishek shook his head.

With that their whole night went on munching on chips and watching movie.

_________

“When will the cab arrive?”

“How would I know dumbo?”

“I was not asking you,”

“Oh yeah and who else is here?” Ishan scoffed crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“I was just saying it generally, you don't have to be so snappy.” Shubman sighed looking away.

They were both waiting for the cab issued by the college which will take them to the other college. Abhishek and Ishan's gang had bid them bye and their class started so Mrs. Kishan insisted all to leave. She also left giving them best wishes.

Shubman was kind of nervous as he wanted to perform good but looking at Ishan being so normal about it, made him more nervous.

“How is your leg now?”

“Can't you just keep your mouth shut?” Ishan glared at him and Shubman immediately pursed his lips.

“Kitna zyada rude hai, main toh bas small talk karna chahta tha.” Shubman pouted.

[How rude are you? I just wanted to initiate a conversation]

“Kya bola?”

[What did you just say?]

“Nothing,” Shubman immediately bit his tongue.

Begore the two could argue more, the cab finally arrived. It was an expensive car than Shubman had sat in. It's not like he never had seen a car. They had a small family car but this was something beyond their car. So he was busy admiring the car.

"Oyee tujhe uthake bithane aayega kya car mein? Khud hi apne pairo se chalkar aakar bethna padega aapko maharaj" Ishan said sarcastically.

[Hello will someone pick you up and make you sit inside the car. You gotta walk with your feet only and sit inside king]

Shubman immediately came back out of his trance and rushed inside. Both of them put on their seat belts and their journey began. The journey was a bit long so they were caught inside with each other and no no one tried to initiate a conversation as Ishan wasn't interested and Shubman tried earlier but it was a failed attempt and he didn't want to get insulted once again.

Ishan was busy admiring the scenery outside till he heard noises of opening of a zipper and then folder. He looked and it was Shubman was busy fumbling between his notes to which Ishan scoffed.

"What?" Shubman asked. "You idiot what do you want to show me with that?" Ishan asked. Shubman sighed. "For the last time Ishan, I genuinely have nothing to do with you. Anything I do has nothing to you show you anything. I am just revising my notes so that I perform good in quiz. I don't want to spoil the name of my college. But trust me I assure you I am not showing you anything and when I say it I mean it" Shubman explained calmly.

"How dare you talked to me like that? And what quiz? If you even spoke a word there I would not leave you. I don't want to lose this competition. It's very important for my college. I have agreed to take you with me just because my mom asked me. Had I been given an option, I would have never taken you with me. Be thankful you are here. You can sit in this car and visit there. Have a trip. Enjoy yourself but behave. You are not gonna even speak a word over there" Ishan warned him.

Shubman chose not reply anything and got back to reading his notes. After an hour, Shubman felt some weight on his shoulder. He turned his face to see Ishan sleeping leaning on his shoulder.

"What the hell" Shubman mumbled. He once thought to shake him and wake him up. But before he could bring his hand forward he saw his face which was just looking like a calm baby. Shubman could not bring himself to wake him up. A smile came on his face looking at him.

"Why can't you be like this even when you are awake?" Shubman mumbled with an uncontrollable smile that was not ready to leave his face.

Shubman was busy admiring him when he felt Ishan stirring and rubbing his eyes with his fist. Shubman mentally awwed at the sight. He never wanted to miss it but still turned his face away not willing to get a scolding for no reason.

Ishan opened his eyes and looked up. He realized where he was sleeping. He immediately woke up with a jerk pushing Shubman away.

________

Abhishek was sitting in ground as it was his free lecture. He was getting bored today as Shubman was gone. No matter how much of a nerd his bestie is, he was still missing him. Suddenly he felt someone sat beside him. He turned around to look who it was and turned back sighing.

"What? Are you not happy seeing me?" Mayank asked pouting. "What do you want Mayank?" Abhishek asked in monotonous tone. "Do I need to have a reason to sit with you darling?" Mayank asked turning his face by holding his chin and slipping one arm to wrap around his waist.

"We are in college Mayank" Abhishek stated. "So you mean it we were somewhere else you would have no problem?" Mayank asked smirking to which Abhishek just rolled his eyes.

"And you know it doesn't matter to me wherever we are" Mayank said leaning towards Abhishek who obstructed his movement by putting his hands on his chest.

"What happened? Not in mood?" Mayank asked frowning. Abhishek shook his head. "You alright Abhi?" Mayank asked concerned cupping his face. "What does all this means Mayank?" Abhishek asked looking straight into Mayank's eyes.

"What?" Mayank asked frowning. "You heard me Mayank. What does all this kissing, hugging everything means to you? Before we do anything I need to know what is all this to you. I don't want you to play with my feelings Mayank. I really need to know whether all this means the same to you as it means to me or not" Abhishek said vulnerably.

"What feelings?" Mayank asked confused and tears were ready to roll down Abhishek's eyes seeing him so oblivious to his feelings. "Oh then maybe all this is just physical pleasure to you. Maybe I was expecting a lot more. I am sorry. I won't disturb you ever. It was all my fault" Abhishek ran away from there as he knew he is gonna break down any moment and now he was not ready to cry in front of Mayank.

Mayank sat three dumbfounded seeing Abhishek run away from there.

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter