“Ishan?”

“Yaha akele kya kar raha hai?”

[What are you doing here alone?]

“Abhishek went out with Mayank,” Shubman muttered, feeling sad all over again.

“Oh but I asked you, what are you doing here alone?”

“I don't have any other friends. Are you here to make fun of me?” Shubman snapped and Ishan looked at him, surprised. He never talked with Ishan in that tone.

“I was just asking you, besides just because your friend is busy it doesn't mean you have to be a loner.”

“What else am I supposed to do? Go and make new friends? I am not popular like you Ishan, nobody would want to include me.”

“That's not true, you may be a little bit boring and always have your nose in books but it doesn't mean nobody would enjoy your company.”

“Who even enjoys my company?”

Ishan stopped for a moment and didn't believe himself that he was gonna say it byt anyways said it immediately before he could change his mind.

“I do,”

“Don't make fun of me,”

“I am not making fun of you. Since Abhi and Mayank are together I don't bully you so I don't have any reason to be with you but we still sit together during lunch time and it's nice to be around you.”

“Really?”

“Of course, I like teasing you. You might be a silly dork but at least you have a great heart. Always ready to help anyone not caring how they have treated you.”

“But that's not enough to make friends. I am not cool like you guys. Besides I know you are saying this to make me feel better.”

“Do I look like the type of guy who goes around and make people feel better by giving them some fake motivation?”

“You don't even look like you have ever comforted someone.” Shubman snickered lowly.

“What did you say?” Ishan raised his eyebrows.

“I- uh I am sorry I didn't meant to say that,”

“Pfft relax, you don't have to be so uptight. You can joke around, I wouldn't eat you.”

“Why are you being so kind all of a sudden? Am I looking that pitiful.”

“What? No! Shubman, I am not doing this out of pity. I am just here to talk with you and spend some time with you.”

“Don't lie …nobody likes to be with me.”

“That's a lie…you know what? Get up.” Ishan stood up pulling Shubman by his arm who looked at him confused.

“Wh-”

“No questions, just follow me.” Ishan said, pulling over his bag and taking Shubman with him.

He took him to the dorms and knocked on a random door. Shubman was so confused but couldn't do anything other than to wait.

The door opened and Swami let them come in before closing the door again.

“Kya hogya?” Swami looked at them. He looked at Shubman weirdly for a second and then chose to ignore his presence and look back at Ishan.

[What happened?]

“Tu swimming pool par kis time jaa raha hai?”  Ishan murmured looking at Swami.

[When are you going to the swimming pool?]

“Abhi ek ghante mein tilak and Aditi aayenge tab phir niklunga. Kyu? Kya ho gaya? Tujhe jaana hai kya?” Swami said sitting back on the bed.

[After an hour Aditi and Tilak will come to join me then we will go. Why? What happened? You want to go?]

“Nhi but Shubman ko bhi apne saath lejao. Maze krwao.” Ishan said, putting his hand on Shubman's back. Shubman looked at Ishan, taken aback.

[No but take Shubman with you guys as well.]

“Ye bhi chalega? Udhar books nahi hot ladkiyan hongi par. Aur ladke bhi if that's your preference.” Swami smirked looking at Shubman

[He wants to go? But there will be hot chicks and not books. Boys as well if that's his preference.]

“I am s-straight but I don't want any girlfriend right now.” Shubman squeaked out.

“Han toh girlfriend thodi banani hai. Main konsa udhar rishta karwane jaa raha hu. Swimming karne jaayenge aur thodi exercise you know.” Swami wiggled his eyebrows.

[You don't have to make any girlfriend. I am not going there to find any potential partner. We will just go for swimming and exercise you know]

“Control bhai, and Shubman you don't have to do anything. You can just go there to swim and play water games. Tilak, Aditi and Mayank will be there as well so you can enjoy with them.” Ishan muttered.

“Mayank is not coming. He said he was busy,” Swami shrugged

“Yeah he will be with Abhishek ofcourse,” Shubman muttered, chuckling a bit. Both Swami and Ishan looked at him awkwardly.

“I-i I mean I just know about their plans. Besides, aren't you going with them?” Shubman retorted when he saw them staring at him.

“Ishan? He never comes to any of these places.” Swami snickered.

“It's not like that…i just don't like swimming pools. Don't I join in the skating and motorbike arenas huh?” Ishan grumbled.

“Yeah yeah you hate water…you didn't even join us for the skinny dip near the lake last year.” Swami shrugged.

“It was chilly that season and I had a fever too.”

“A little fever won't kill you.”

“But it will give pneumonia.” Shubman hummed.

“I am not going to talk about this with you nerds, you guys can convert a simple headache into cancer. Shubman tujhe chalna h naa? Ready hokr aajaiyo mere kamre mein and bring a swimming trunk as well.”

[Shubman you want to join us? Get ready and come back. Dont forget to bring your swimming trunk.]

“Actually I think I will pass,” Shubman bit his lip.

“You don't have to do anything which Swami tells you to. Just go and enjoy yourself. Play water games with them and do swimming and anything which you want to.”

“No…that's not a problem. I just don't want to go without– uhh…hey I am really thankful and appreciate the efforts. But I just can't join you guys. I am really sorry.” Shubman scowled before running out of the door.

Both Swami and Ishan were in a daze for a second.

“I will go and check on him. You can go and get ready.” Ishan muttered and Swami nodded his head.

“Shubman wait!” Ishan said pulling his arm making Shubman stop and look at him.

“I am so sorry to just go like that. I didn't mean to—”

“You are really missing Abhishek aren't you?”

Shubman nodded his head.

“Then why don't ypu go and tell him you want to spend time with him?”

“No…I dont want to be an asshole. He just got together with Mayank so it's normal he want to spend time with him. So what I can't get his 24/7 attention anymore. I an just a friend I need to understand his situation.” Shubman murmured looking down.

Ishan sighed before pulling him into a hug. Shubman was shocked at first but then he just melted in the hug feeling overwhelmed with all the emotions.

Ishan petted his head trying to stand upright a bit on his tippy toes as he comforted Shubman.

Shubman was a giant and Ishan couldn't match his height that's why he was completely engulfed by Shubman. He felt a bit weird but was glad that Shubman didn't mind the weird position.

He was too busy letting out all his emotions on Ishan's neck. The tears coming out while he just kept murmuring about how bad of a friend he is. Ishan petted him trying to make him feel better.

After a minute or so Shubman finally pulled away. He quickly wiped his eyes with his hands before muttering a soft thank you.

“Its okay,” Ishan shrugged.

“I will go now…uhh thanks for all this,” Shubman said.

“No wait!”

“Hmm?” Shubman looked at Ishan.

“Okay so trust me for one more time and come with me,” Ishan said and begore Shubman could protest Ishan was taking them to his room.

“What are you—” Shubman squeaked but Ishan ignored him and just barged inside.

“Mmh m-mayank,” Abhishek had his eyes closed while Mayank was gently pressing onto his chest. They both were laying on the bed fully covered but just lazily playing.

“Stop whatever the fuck you guys are doing,” Ishan's voice boomed in Shubman and Abhishek's room making the couple jolt apart.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Abhishek glared at Ishan.

“I should be asking that, what the fuck are you doing?” Ishan retorted back.

“Excuse me?” Abhishek scowled.

“Are you going to forget about your bestfriend because you get your boyfriend huh?” Ishan asked.

“What do you mean?” Abhishek looked at him and then Shubman.

“Don't do this…its not his fault.” Shubman said pulling Ishan.

“It is his fault…I am just saying the truth do you want me to sugarcoat it all?” Ishan scoffed.

Abhishek and Mayank were looking at them in confusion.

"What do you mean Ishan?" Abhishek asked.

"Let's just leave them. Why are we even disturbing them?" Shubman pleaded but Ishan completely ignored him.

"How can you be so dumb? How much more clearly can I explain this to you? Or are you just pretending not to understand? Your best friend is feeling alone and left out because you are always busy with your boyfriend" Ishan shouted at him.

"What?" Abhishek asked looking with wide eyes.

"Oh yes you idiot. Open your eyes and look around or have you gone blind after getting a boyfriend or what? That you can't see or understand anything" Ishan shouted again.

"Enough Ishan now stop it. Lets just leave please" Shubman begged him but Ishan didn't move. Shubman was about to leave but he held his wrist in tight grip not letting hin escape.

"Shubman I want to hear this from your mouth" Abhishek said looking straight into his eyes.

"No Abhi it's all good. I am sorry we will leave" Shubman said.

"Oh no you are not till all this sorted" Ishan stated clearly. He left Shubman and walked towards Mayank.

"You. Come with me right now. You are going for swimming with Swami and others" Ishan ordered leaving no room for argument.

"Wait but-" Mayank tried but shut his mouth immediately by one glare from Ishan. He looked at Abhishek once who nodded. Mayank sighed and left quietly with Ishan not before pecking Abhishek's cheek who gave him a small smile in return.

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter