"Ishan Kishan?" Mayank ran into the reception of the hospital and asked the receptionist.

"Room number 77, sir." Receptionist replied.

Mayank along with Abhishek rushed towards the said room not before thanking the receptionist.

As he opened the door, he saw Ishan lying on the bed with his forehead covered with bandage and....

A plaster on his left leg.

Just a plaster on his left leg?

Shubman was there with him, talking and cracking jokes which made both of them laugh.

Ishan glanced over at Mayank, covered in sweat and panting.

"Bhaag ke aaya hai kya?" Ishan chuckled. "Don't worry. It's just a little fracture."

Seeing Mayank not moving, Shubman offered him his chair.

"Mayank ji itna serious kuch nahi hua hai. Bas sar phoota hai aur 32 taake aaye hain. As for the fracture, doctor has said that it will be okay in 3 months." Shubman placed his hand on Mayank's shoulder, much to the dismay of other people present in the room, although Mayank didn't care.

"Shub let him be. Best friend's injury would make him worried a little, right?" Abhishek pulled Shubman in a hug.

"Achha you two go home. Mayank be here with me. Ishita will be joining soon." Ishan said in a firm tone, feeling almost like an order.

Mayank glanced at Abhishek and began, "Ishu today I have some reealllllyyyyy important work or else I would have stayed here. Tomorrow I will stay with you pakka."

Ishan had observed Abhishek's stern expression on him asking Mayank to stay the night.

"Shubi ji I want to have some coffee please. Bring 3 cups for me and you all can have too." Ishan said in a soft voice which could not be refused by anyone.

As Shubman and Abhishek left the room, Ishan turned towards Abhishek crossing his arms.

"You have something to tell me Mayank?" he asked.

"Uh- n-no. Nothing." Mayank replied nervously.

"You are not cheating on my sister, are you? With...." Ishan paused a bit.

"Nahi Ishan. There is nothing going on between Abhishek ji and me. I met him at your house yesterday and now we are friends. That's it."

"I never took his name."  Eyebrows raised, it seemed to confirm his suspicion.

"Tu andha samajhta hai mujhe. The looks you were giving to that poor human, you think I can't see." Mayank burst out. "And you think I am dumb as well. Not knowing your intentions about Shubman ji."

"Kya intentions? I am just spending time with him so that he forgets about the one he likes and agree to marry me. Bas!" Ishan feigned innocence.

"Bas!? That boy trusts you, thinks you as your friend and you want to force feelings for yourself in his heart. Is it that simple to you? Forcing people to be in a relationship without happiness." Mayank's words showing reality felt venomous to Ishan.

"It is not wrong Mayank. I have started liking him and I want to marry him. That's it. Now whoever he likes or whoever likes him, they have to delete their feelings." Ishan spat back.

"Delete!? Very well! Feelings nahi ho gayi, cyber cafe ke computer mein tumhara account ho gaya. Chalte phirte delete kardiya. I can't believe I am the best friend of someone selfish like you Ishan." Ishan could not believe Mayank was saying something like this.

The same boy who came running when he heard about his best friend's accident.

These words stung into his heart like no one else's.

"Mayu how cou- could you say this. Have I.... not been the best friend you wanted?" Ishan sobbed.

"Treating me as your tail, ordering me around, forcing me into an unwanted marriage. These are done by a good bestfriend, right? And now, bored by ruining my life, got another one. Great Ishan! You are the bestest best friend I could get. Talking shit about me could be excused for once but Ishita! She is your sister. How could you think that a 14 year old boy would have anything physical with a 12 year old girl, let alone kissing. Jumping onto conclusions without knowing the whole story." Mayank's replied, sarcasm laced into his voice.

Hearing his best friend say such things about him, Ishan could not control himself. He burst out in tears.

"Cry as much you want. I officially don't care now. I am done with you." Mayank continued.

Shubman and Abhishek returned with their coffee, but hearing the commotion inside, rushed into the room.

Seeing Ishan cry and Mayank stand there as if nothing happened, both of them easily comprehended that the best friends had gotten into a fight.

Abhishek quickly grabbed his boyfriend's arms and took him outside, leaving Shubman inside to deal with Ishan's mental turmoil.

"Ishu! Ishu ji! Calm down please. Don't cry." Shubman hugged Ishan and rubbed small circles on his back.

"Why do you care Shubman ji? It's not like you want to marry me. Why would you care for being my friend as well?" Ishan spoke, clearly affected by Mayank's accusations.

"What are you even saying? Aap dost hain mere to aapki chinta karna mera farz hua." Shubman kept hugging Ishan.

"Mayank said I am forcing you into this friendship. Am I this pathetic?" Ishan's tears were wetting Shubman's t-shirt.

"No you are not. Let him say anything. I am and will always be your friend. Manane ke liye kya karna padega." Shubman whispered lightly.

"Mere theek hone mein 3 months lagega na?"

"Hmm. Par kyu?"

"Just for these three months forget about the one you like, forget about our arranged marriage, and forget that I am your friend. Give me the chance to prove that I could be the one for you, your only love, your husband. Just this one chance to know you. I have fallen in love with you Mister Shubman Gill. If I fail, I myself will cancel this wedding. But I don't want to leave my first love like this." Ishan voice, so sincere that Shubman could not think what to say.

He slowly moved away from Ishan.

"Ishu ji, I-"he began but was interrupted by Ishan.

"Just forget what I said. I am happy with whatever we are now. You must be tired. Just go home." Ishan pulled up his blanket, only to be held by Shubman.

"Hello! I am Shubman Gill, 20, 2nd year student, only child of my parents. By the looks, I'm taller than you. My best friend since 6 years is Abhishek Sharma. A family friend has a crush on me but not me. I love making friends but they love leaving me. I am in love with someone who till a few days back didn't know I existed. I like old songs, favourite being kahin door jab din dhal jaye. Favourite bhojpuri song is rinkiya ke papa. Bad choice, I know. Abhi ke liye itna kaafi hai. Baki you could know about me in the upcoming three months."

"Means... you are..."

"Arey itna lamba introduction de diye tab bhi yakeen nahi. Wait!" Shubman kissed gently on Ishan's forehead. "This is my style of signing a pact. Because you are special, the kiss is on your forehead. Or should it be on the..." he placed his fingers on his lips.

"Nahi itna kaafi hai. Thanks a lot." Ishan wiped his tears and Shubman hugged him.

"Bas ek kaam aur. Talk to Mayank ji and apologize if needed. If you really... love me." Shubman hesistently completed his sentence to which Ishan knodded his head shyly.

Talking to Mayank felt a lot better to him. Apologies made and given, everything once again was all good between them.

Doctor too announced that Ishan would be discharged tomorrow morning.

Earlier planned on going home, the three boys along with Ishita decided keeping company with Ishan would be good, seeing his state earlier.

As the night grew, every character came into terms with the changes brought in their lives. Abhishek and Mayank were finally in a relationship, Shubman and Ishan starting with the phase which would decide how their lives in future would be. As for Ishita, how could she miss the changed dynamics between her so-called future patidev and jiju ke best friend.

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