Under the moonlit sky, Shubman and Ishan strolled along the serene beach of Goa, the rhythmic sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop. The cool breeze carried a hint of salt in the air as they walked hand in hand, the sand soft beneath their feet.

As they reached the water's edge, Shubman turned to Ishan, his eyes filled with a gentle understanding. "Ishan, tell me about your depression. I want to understand, to be there for you."

Ishan's eyes reflected the pain of a past scar as he shared the roots of his depression with Shubman.

"It all started with my family," Ishan began, his voice a mixture of sadness and vulnerability. "When they discovered I was gay, they couldn't accept it. The truth shattered our family bonds."

Shubman's gaze never wavered as he squeezed Ishan's hand, silently urging him to continue. "It's hard to explain the loneliness that followed. My own home became a place of rejection, a sanctuary lost.I was in my early twenty when they disowned me." Ishan confessed, his eyes reflecting the heartache.

Shubman's tone held empathy as he responded, "I can't even imagine what that must have felt like, Ishu. But you don't have to go through any of these alone anymore.

Ishan nodded appreciatively and continued, "The neighborhood, once filled with familiar faces, turned into a battleground. Their taunts and provocations echoed in my ears every day.My parents got influenced by them,kick me out.I completed my study with a part-time job."

Shubman's brows furrowed with a mix of empathy and anger. "How could they treat you that way? No one deserves to endure such cruelty," he remarked, his protective instincts kicking in.

Ishan sighed, "It's the unfortunate reality for many like me. But what broke me was the isolation – the feeling of being unwanted and unloved. It was a relentless battle that took a toll on my mental health.That's when my depression started to kick in.I felt like I am the one to blame."

Shubman's embrace tightened around Ishan, offering solace. "You're not alone anymore, Ishu. We'll face this battle together," Shubman reassured, his words a promise echoing through the quiet night.

As they continued their walk along the moonlit beach, Shubman gently probed, "How did you cope with it all, Ishan? And why didn't you let me in sooner?"

"I almost forgot the pain.The depression was cured completely.I started meeting more people like me,who seemed to take this normally.I didn’t know the attack will be back."

"Everything will be different from now on.You have partner to battle with you now.We will win all,one at a time."-Shubman assured him.

The night unfolded, and for the first time after the video, Ishan found solace in sleep. Shubman's hand rested on his hair, a gesture of comfort as he watched over the boy he cared for deeply. He couldn't understand how someone could intentionally hurt a pure soul like Ishan.

In the soft glow of moonlight, Shubman's mind raced with so many emotions. Ishan, so innocent and kind, how could anyone purposefully hurt him? The realization of the depths of Ishan's struggles hit at Shubman's heartstrings.

His thoughts meandered to another painful memory – the incident where he had insulted Ishan under Sheela's provocation. Guilt gnawed at Shubman as he recalled the harsh words he had uttered in a moment of frustration. He wished he could turn back time and erase the pain he had caused.

A sigh escaped Shubman's lips as he gently brushed Ishan's hair with his fingertips. "You deserve so much better than the pain you have gone through. I promise, Ishu, I'll make it up to you. I'll shield you from any more hurt."

His inner dialogue transformed into whispered promises as Shubman pressed another tender kiss on Ishan's forehead. "I'll be the partner you need, supporting you through every storm. I won't let external influences taint what we share. You're not alone, Ishan. I'm here, and I'll protect you."

Meanwhile, in a twisted turn of events, Sid gained over 500k followers after the video, gaining sympathy from those who believed his side of the story which is maximum because some picture leaked from his airport proposal.Sitting in the glow of his newfound fame, Sid reveled in the attention.

In conversations with his friends, Sid couldn't help but revel in the drama he had created. "Now that the video is out, Shubman will leave Ishan. Ishan will get a handful for rejecting me, and he will be left all alone," Sid asserted, a sly smile playing on his lips.

His friends pointed out, "But you proposed to him out of nowhere, and he rejected you nicely, saying he will consider. Then why did you go for Ishan?"

"But we could go somewhere,right?I could flex I got a hot boyfriend.But the moment Ishan saw Shubman,he forgot me totally.So it will be lesson for Ishan.Nor Shubman, nor me,infact no one will date him after this drama."

His friends exchanged uncomfortable glances, realizing the depth of Sid's resentment and determination to destroy Ishan's reputation.

Shubman, sensing the urgency to confront the situation head-on, decided to call Sid while Ishan was sleeping beside him.

The phone rang, and Sid, basking in the glow of his newfound fame, answered with a smirk evident in his voice. "To what do I owe the pleasure,The great Shubman Gill?"

Shubman's tone was calm but laced with an undeniable intensity. "Sid, we need to talk. Your actions are affecting someone I care about deeply."

Sid laughed dismissively. "Oh, you mean Ishan? The poor victim. He brought this upon himself, didn't he?"

"Delete the damn video and confess in front of the world you are lying."

"Ahhh,don't ruin my journey of being famous."

Shubman's jaw clenched, his protective instincts flaring. "You're playing a dangerous game, Sid. Ishan is not just a victim; he's a person with feelings, someone you've intentionally hurt. Why?"

Sid chuckled, reveling in the chaos he had unleashed. "Why? Because rejection hurts, Shubman. He rejected me after sleeping with me and now he'll pay the price. Simple."

Shubman's voice remained eerily calm, a stark contrast to the turmoil beneath the surface. "You think this will make you feel better? Ruining someone's life with a fake video because of your own insecurities?"

Sid scoffed, "Insecurities? No, this is about justice. He played with my emotions, and now it's his turn to suffer."

Shubman's gaze hardened, his moral compass navigating a gray area as he responded, "I won't let you destroy him with a fake video"

"You trust him this blindly?You think it’s fake?He might looks innocent,but he is a real player."

Shubman's calm facade shattered as anger surged through him like a wildfire. "I don't trust blindly, Sid. I know Ishan, and I know your video is a sick fabrication. You won't get away with this."

Sid's laughter echoed through the phone. "Oh, Shubman, you're so blinded by love that you can't see the truth. Maybe you should ask Ishan about the sounds he made under me. It was quite a performance."

Shubman's voice lowered, a dangerous edge cutting through the air. "You're playing a dangerous game, Sid. If you don't delete that video and confess the truth, you'll regret it."

Sid, seemingly unfazed, taunted, "Regret? What's there to regret? Ishan played with my feelings, and now it's time for payback."

Shubman's anger intensified, and his threat dripped with a menacing tone. "You have no idea what you've unleashed. Delete the damn video before things get out of hand."

Sid chuckled, dismissive and defiant. "Or what, Shubman? What can you possibly do?"

In the dimly lit room, Shubman's eyes narrowed, a low, guttural growl escaping his lips. Shubman's gaze shifted to the peaceful figure of Ishan, who was fast asleep. The moonlight cast a gentle glow on Ishan's face as Shubman's fingers tenderly stroked his cheek.

"You won't like finding out," Shubman declared, his voice a menacing undertone.