It was the much awaited anual function of the year. The students were getting ready. Some were preparing for their performances. Some were getting ready to receive their prizes for ther excellent performances in distinctive fields in the year gone. The hostel students were excited to finally see their parents and siblings after long time.

__________

“Why are you so nervous Shub?” Abhishek looked at Shubman who was biting his lips continuously while fixing his clothes looking at his image in the mirror.

“Nothing…it's just, you know how Mayank told me that I came first in class instead of Ishan. Do you think he will be angry that I stole his limelight?”

“Don't overthink, besides wasn't Ishan nice to you yesterday.” Abhishek said turning Shubman towards himself and removing latter's hands and taking the job of fixing his best friend's collar and bow tie himself.

“True, but today everyone will be anticipating to get the medal like always and they will know I beat him for first place. He will be so humiliated.”

“Shub, I am sure he wouldn't do anything to you. He has changed. Besides I think he will be cheering for you like a good boyfr—”

“Shut up Abhi, I told you there is nothing going on between us. He just thinks of me as his friend. Well I am not sure about that even. He never said that. Maybe he just felt mercy on me seeing me all upset over you. In fact he is straight.”

“Okay he is straight. But what about you? Why do you always melt like a puddle whenever he is close to you?” Abhishek asked in a serious tone without any hint of teasing. Although it started just as matter of fun but now Abhishek thought to take it more seriously because he could see something happening here.

“W-what do you mean? I do not act like that.”

“Yes you do! You act like a kicked puppy around him. An—” Abhishek was interrupted by a sudden knock on their door.

Shubman thanked God or whoever  it was to get him away from this awkward conversation. He failed to understand why his best friend was stuck over same thing when he told him multiple times there is nothing going on between him and Ishan. Shubman even knew Abhishek was no longer teasing him but all this waa beyond his understanding.

He instantly ran towards the door, opening it so that he could get away with Abhishek's interrogation.

“Hey Shub! Good morning,” Mayank beamed seeing Shubman at the door. Shubman also wished him morning before letting him come inside. He never knew he would be thankful to see Mayank at his door but alas here we are.

“Baby good morning,” Mayank grinned walking towards Abhishek who also grinned widely running into his arms.

“Good morning,” Shubman turned his head and looked at Ishan who was standing at the doorway. Ishan was standing in all his glory. He was wearing his three peice suit with a hair flick falling on his forhead giving his look a compliment. Shubman stared at him with wide mouth.

'Damn the guy is hot' Shubman immediately shook his head getting the thought out of his head and shutting his mouth before Ishan could notice.

‘Fucking Abhishek, because of him I am having this weird feeling’ Shubman gulped quickly averting his gaze.

“Did we come at the wrong time? Shubman doesn't seem so happy seeing us here.” Ishan spoke, making both Mayank and Abhishek look at Shubman.

“It's not like that, I was just thinking, do you look this hot everyday or are you looking extra fine today?” Shubman muttered out his thoughts and then bit his tongue hard after realizing what he said.

“Uhh thanks? You don't look bad yourself” Ishan replied, making a confused face.

“I am so sorry I wasn't supposed to say it aloud—”

“Shubi, you are not making it better, just shut your mouth.” Abhishek said quickly, putting a hand over his mouth.

“So Shubman thinks Ishan is hot?” Mayank snickered, wiggling his eyebrows at Ishan who glared at him.

“It's not like that…I just forced Shubman to think about men in a hot way as a game and we used Ishan's picture too so his mind is still buzzing over our last night game.” Abhishek immediately said covering up. No matter how much he tease or try to make his best friend realize his feelings. He would never let anyone else know Shubman's secrets or let anyone make fun of him. No matter it's his own boyfriend.

“Why did you use Ishan's photo? Don't I look hot too?” Mayank furrowed his eyebrows.

“Oye aashiq tu chup karja, it was just a game. And it's okay, we just came to tell you guys to come for breakfast. As you are going out with Mayank now and where you are Shubman is automatically there so we will have breakfast together so just come to our table, we might be a little bit late but wait for us.”  Ishan said.

[Oo romeo shut up,]

“We were just going to the canteen but you guys came.”

“It's okay sweetie, you guys can go ahead and wait for us in the canteen. We will be there in a few minutes.” Mayank smiled, pecking his forehead before bidding him bye.

“Why are they going to be late?” Abhishek sighed looking at Shubman when Ishan and Mayank were gone.

“Should have asked them about it,”

“I don't want to look like a controlling boyfriend. Didn't we decide to give each other some space yesterday?

“So don't ask him.”

“But I want to know where he is going, so early?”

“Then ask him”

“Shub, you are not helping me at all.”

“Just ask him casually when he will come back, if it's bothering you too much.”

“Yeah, I can ask him normally. I am not going to bother him much with so many questions.” Abhishek hummed making Shubman laugh because of how his best friend was acting.

“Don't laugh at my misery,” Abhishek glared at him.

“Sorry but look at yourself. Why are you so worked up? Let's just go to the canteen. They will be there within five minutes anyway.”

“You are right, let's just go. But I will ask you once you start dating yourself”

Shubman chose to ignore the comment as he was not really in mood to get in that conversation again.

_______

“Where do you think you guys are sitting?”

Shubman and Abhishek looked at the guys staring at them. They were in the canteen sitting on the table where Mayank and his friends always sat.

“On a bed. Wanna join?” Abhishek retorted.

“Haha, so funny. But do you know whose table is this? Before Ishan kishan comes, get up from here.”

“You don't have to worry about that, we know him. He is our friend.” Shubman said, making them chuckle loudly.

“How delusional are you to think Ishan Kishan will befriend a nerd like you huh?”

“Oh then who should I befriend? You?” A voice interrupted them and they all looked behind to see Ishan, Mayank, Swami and Tilak standing behind them.

“I-ishan sir, see they were sitting on your table so we were just telling them to get up respectfully.”

“Looks like you have too much free time that's why you are going and inspecting the tables,” Swami said mocking him.

“No, it's not like that—”

“It looks like that only. So if you have so much free time then let's give you some work.”

“I am sor—”

“Oh don't be sorry, Tilak you were telling me about…” Swami and Tilak took them aside while Ishan and Mayank sat on their usual seats.

“Did they bother you a lot?” Mayank hummed, taking Abhishek's hand in his.

“No they were not bothering us, they dunno you are my boyfriend that's why they were saying all that.” Abhishek replied looking back at him.

“Hmm looks like it's time to post about us on social media. Keeping our relationship private isn't working out.”

“No- please don't, I am happy with us being private.”

“But baby–”

"Just shut up. Ye sab jaake apne kamre mein karna. Kisiko tumhari ye ashiqui dekhne mein koi interest nhi hai. I haven't allowed you to get your boyfriend here to see live porn" Ishan scolded Mayank making a puking action.

[Do all this in a room. No one is interested to see your lovey dovey]

Mayank made an offended face but before they could argue further they were cut off.

“Kya maza aaya ohoo, ab kabhi tang nahi karenge vo tum dono ko.” Swami snickered while coming to the table and sitting along with Tilak.

[It was so fun, now they would never bother you guys]

“You shouldn't have bullied them.” Shubman murmured looking down at his plate.

“We were not bullying them. This is not how we bully people, you should be knowing it better after all.” Tilak shrugged.

“We should change the topic,” Mayank intervened knowing Abhishek will get angry otherwise.

“Yeah…let's talk about something else like we passed this semester with great marks and next semester is starting soon s—”

“Shubman nobody is interested here to talk about studies.” Swami deadpanned.

“Yeah if you want to talk about studies then do it only with Ishan.” Mayank snorted.

“But not here, just take him to your room or something.” Tilak said.

“Room? That's not a safe place for them to be alone knowing how Shubman finds Ishan hot.” Swami chuckled, making Shubman choke on his food.

“What happened Shubman?” Swami looked at him, making him more embarrassed.

“It's not like that, we were just playing a game” Abhishek said.

“What kind of game was it? Was it based on ‘I am straight but I find my classmate hot?’ ” Swami snickered.

“Don't make fun of him. Besides, can't a man appreciate another man's beauty?” Abhishek said.

“Yeah they can, but that's called being gay.”

“Guys stop it, Shubman didn't mean it like that. Don't make him uncomfortable,” Ishan said.

“Oh Romeo to the rescue.” Mayank snorted and Ishan glared at him.

“Okay let's stop this, it's almost time for the annual function so let's quickly finish our breakfast and get ready for it.” Tilak said.

“Honestly I don't want to attend it.” Ishan sighed.

“I am sorry,” Shubman muttered seeing Ishan's gloomy face.

“Huh? Why?” Ishan looked at him confusedly.

“Because of me you couldn't secure first position this semester.”

“So? What's that have to do with this situation?”

“You are not sad because of this?”

“Pfft you think because of this I don't want to attend the annual function?” Ishan snorted.

“Oh, so you are not angry with me?”

“Does it look like I am angry on you? You scored better this time. I just need to work hard next semester and I will get my first position again.”

“Okay then why do you not want to go to the annual function? It would be so fun,” Shubman murmured.

“I just don't want to” Ishan scoffed, his tone going a bit rude.

“It's okay if you don't want to go but why are you being so rude?” Abhishek looked at Ishan.

“That's my usual tone.”

“But you were being so nice a few minutes ago.” Shubman said.

“It's okay Ish yaar, they don't know the reason so they are just curious”  Mayank said to calm down Ishan knowing why he acted like that all of a sudden.

“I am sorry guys, I will go now, I am done with my breakfast. But it's my personal matter. I can't share my reasons with someone just like that” Ishan said.

"You don't have to apologize Ishan. We don't want to interfere in your personal life and you are not obligated to tell anyone anything" Abhishek said immediately.

Ishan nodded and abruptly stood and left the canteen.

“He did not even touch his food.” Shubman muttered and looked at others who were also looking at Ishan’s retreating back.

“It's okay guys, he was just not feeling well. Continue your breakfast then we have to go to the annual function too,” Mayank said.

“But what happened to Ishan?” Abhishek looked at him.

“He is fine sweetheart let him rest for a bit. He will be there for the annual function so don't worry.”

Abhishek nodded his head as others also finished their breakfast.

______

Shubman brought a sandwich with him to the annual function.

He walked in the hall and looked around to find Ishan. The hall was so crowded with all the students finding a seat to sit with their friends.

Shubman finally found Ishan standing with Sara and another man in a corner. He walked towards them but immediately regretted it when he got closer and listened to their voices.

“I came for you too Ishan,”

“Oh then I am so sorry because your trip here went in vain. This semester I am not the one who came first. So now, you don't have to act being proud of me.”

“I don't act Ishan! I am your father and even if you won't be coming first I don't care I will still be proud of you.”

“Your drama will work on your daughter but not on me Mr Kishan. You don't have to fake it in front of me.”

“Ishan! Dad seriously loves you, he is not ac—”

“Shut up Sara, I have witnessed his true nature very well. I have felt his love a lot in the past. And you are Sara's father not mine. My father died that day only. I have nothing to do with this family.” Ishan scoffed, turning away but he stopped to say one last thing.

"At least treat your daughter right" he said with his back facing them and left stomping his feet in anger and went out of the hall. His dad stood there with his head bent down in shame Sara tried calling him to stop him with tears rolling down her face.

"Let him go Sara. It's all my fault" her dad said holding his crying daughter to his chest and looking at the way from where his son left. He shut his eyes to hide the unshed tears.

Shubman just stood there wide eyed not believing the scene which unfolded in front of him.

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter