Ishan recoiled as the sting of the slap reverberated through his cheek, his heart pounding in his chest as he stared at his father in shock and disbelief. His mother gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes, but Ishan's father remained impassive, his expression cold and unforgiving.

"You... you dare to bring this shame upon our family?" Ishan's father spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "You dare to stand here and admit to such... such depravity?"

Ishan's throat tightened with emotion as he struggled to find the words to defend himself, to make his father understand. "But, Dad, I can't help who I am," he pleaded, his voice choked with tears. "This is who I've always been. How can you ask me to change?"

But Ishan's father's eyes flashed with anger at his son's defiance, his fists clenched at his sides as he glared at Ishan with undisguised disgust. "You will change, Ishan," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You will do whatever it takes to rid yourself of this... sickness, this perversion that has infected your soul."

Ishan's heart sank as he realized the futility of arguing with his father, the depth of his father's hatred and intolerance laid bare before him. He had always known that his family's acceptance would be conditional, that their love came with strings attached, but he had never imagined that they would reject him so completely, so mercilessly.

And as Ishan stood there, his cheeks still stinging from the force of his father's blow, he knew that he had lost more than just his family's love and acceptance. He had lost a part of himself, a part of his identity that he could never regain.

But even in the face of such overwhelming rejection, Ishan refused to be ashamed of who he was, refused to hide his love for Abhishek. For he knew that love was worth fighting for, no matter the cost, no matter the pain.

And as Ishan looked into his father's eyes, he saw only hatred and ignorance staring back at him, and he knew that he would never be able to change his father's mind. But he also knew that he didn't need his father's approval to live his truth, to be who he was meant to be.

Ishan's eyes pleaded with his parents as he tried to make them understand. "Mom, Dad, I really love Abhishek," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "And if it's not Abhishek, it will be someone else, but he will always be a boy. Because I like boys. Won't you guys accept your son's happiness, regardless of what others say?"

His mother's eyes filled with tears as she reached out to him, her voice choked with emotion. "Ishan, beta, we just want what's best for you," she said, her voice wavering. "We don't want you to face any more pain or hardship than you already have."

But Ishan shook his head, his resolve unwavering. "But Mom, Dad, this is who I am," he insisted, his voice firm. "I can't change that, and I shouldn't have to. Why can't you see that?"

Ishan's father's face darkened with anger at his son's defiance, his voice laced with venom. "I will not have a son like you bringing shame upon our family," he spat, his eyes blazing with fury. "If you insist on continuing down this path, then I disown you. Don't make us see your face again until you learn to like a girl like normal people."

Ishan felt his heart shatter into a million pieces at his father's words, his chest tight with pain and betrayal. "That's not how it works, Dad," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I can't change who I am, no matter how hard I try. And I won't pretend to be someone I'm not just to please you or anyone else."

Tears streamed down Ishan's cheeks as he turned away from his parents, his heart heavy with grief and regret. He had hoped that they would accept him for who he was, that they would love him unconditionally, but now he saw that his hopes had been in vain.

But even as he walked away from his family, Ishan knew that he couldn't change who he was, couldn't deny his love for Abhishek. For he had learned that love knows no bounds, that it cannot be confined by society's narrow-minded prejudices.

With a heavy heart and tears streaming down his cheeks, Ishan grabbed his bag and made his way to the cricket academy where Abhishek trained. As he entered the familiar surroundings, he spotted Abhishek across the field, his heartache evident in the slump of his shoulders and the sadness in his eyes.

Abhishek's face lit up with joy at the sight of Ishan, but the smile faded as he took in the tears streaking down Ishan's cheeks. "Ishan, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with concern as he rushed to his side.

Ishan collapsed into Abhishek's arms, his body shaking with sobs as he poured out his heartache. "Abhi, my parents... they... they disowned me," he choked out between sobs, his voice barely audible over the sound of his tears. "They said they don't want to see my face again until I learn to like a girl like normal people."

Abhishek's heart broke at Ishan's words, his own eyes filling with tears as he held Ishan close, offering what little comfort he could. "I'm so sorry, Ishan," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "But please know that you're not alone. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Ishan clung to Abhishek, the weight of his grief pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket. "I don't know what to do, Abhi," he admitted, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "I feel like I've lost everything."

Abhishek gently lifted Ishan's chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. "You haven't lost everything, Ishan," he said, his voice firm with conviction. "You still have me. And together, we'll get through this. I promise."

Ishan nodded, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes as he leaned into Abhishek's embrace. "Thank you, Abhi," he whispered, his voice choked with gratitude. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Abhishek held Ishan close, his heart overflowing with love and determination. He knew that their journey ahead would be fraught with challenges and obstacles, but as long as they faced them together, he was confident that they could overcome anything. And with that knowledge, he vowed to stand by Ishan's side, come what may.

The whole incident was noticed by Shubman from corner.He was feeling raged.He didn’t thought Ishan would choose Abhishek above his family.

Now only one way is opened to Shubman.

Abhishek.

As Shubman watched from a distance, his heart twisted with a mix of emotions as he witnessed Ishan's tears and Abhishek's comforting embrace. He didn't like seeing Ishan cry, and he certainly didn't like seeing Abhishek holding him, offering the comfort and support that Shubman had failed to provide. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that his actions had only served to drive Ishan further into Abhishek's arms.

It wasn't just the sight of Ishan's pain that unsettled him; it was the pang of envy that gnawed at him, seeing Abhishek effortlessly provide the support Shubman longed to offer.

Anger boiled within Shubman's chest as he watched the scene unfold before him. He couldn't understand how Abhishek could stand there, holding Ishan as if he were the only one who mattered, while Shubman himself was left on the sidelines, powerless to ease Ishan's pain. It felt like a betrayal, a slap in the face from the one person Shubman loved unconditionally.

As Shubman returned home, the weight of his actions bore down on him like a leaden burden. Despite his initial resolve to tear Abhishek and Ishan apart, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease gnawing at his conscience. Yet, as night fell and he lay in bed, sleep eluded him, haunted by the image of Abhishek comforting Ishan in his arms.

The thought of Abhishek taking Ishan to his house, offering him solace and shelter, while Shubman remained alone in the darkness of his own room, filled him with a seething rage.

With each passing hour, Shubman's anger festered and grew, fueled by the relentless churn of his thoughts. He imagined all manner of cruel retribution he could inflict upon Abhishek, each scenario more vindictive than the last. From spreading malicious rumors to sabotaging Abhishek's reputation, the possibilities seemed endless, each one more tempting than the last.

Shubman slumped into a chair, his appetite nonexistent as he stared blankly at the untouched plate of food before him. The silence of the empty house echoed with his troubled thoughts, amplifying the sense of isolation that enveloped him like a suffocating blanket.

"Why can't I be the one to comfort Ishan?" Shubman muttered to himself, frustration and envy bubbling within him. "Why does it have to be Abhishek?

His mind twisted with dark thoughts as he contemplated his next move. With a bitter resolve, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He would show Abhishek that he was not to be trifled with, that he would not stand idly by while Abhishek stole Ishan's affection.

The following evening, Shubman put his plan into action. With a determined glint in his eye, he approached Abhishek, feigning friendliness as he invited him to his house under false pretenses.

"Hey, Abhishek, I was thinking we could hang out at my place," Shubman suggested, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "I've got something cool to show you."

Abhishek, unsuspecting of Shubman's ulterior motives, readily agreed, his easygoing nature masking any sense of apprehension. Little did he know that he was walking straight into Shubman's trap.

As they entered Shubman's house, the atmosphere grew tense, the weight of Shubman's intentions hanging heavy in the air. Abhishek glanced around, a hint of unease flickering in his eyes, but Shubman's facade remained intact as he led Abhishek towards the garage.

Once inside, Shubman's demeanor shifted, his expression darkening as he turned to face Abhishek with a menacing glare. "You're not going anywhere, Abhishek," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Not until you've paid for what you've done."

Abhishek's eyes widened in confusion and alarm, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of Shubman's sudden hostility. "What are you talking about, Shubman?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension. "Is this some kind of prank? Because I'm really not in the mood."

But Shubman's only response was a cruel smirk as he lunged forward, overpowering Abhishek with surprising strength. With the help of Sebastian, who had been waiting in the shadows, Shubman quickly subdued Abhishek, binding his hands and feet with thick ropes.

As Abhishek struggled against his restraints, panic rising within him, Shubman loomed over him with a triumphant sneer. "You thought you could steal Ishan from me, didn't you?" he spat, his voice laced with venom. "But now, you'll pay the price for your arrogance."

Abhishek's eyes widened in horror as he realized the depth of Shubman's resentment towards him. "Shubman, please, let me go," he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear. "I don't know what you're talking about. I've never done anything to hurt you."

But Shubman's rage only intensified at Abhishek's protests, his grip on reality slipping further with each passing moment. "You're lying!" he roared, his voice echoing off the walls of the garage. "You've been trying to steal Ishan from me since the beginning, and now you're going to pay for it."

As Abhishek struggled against his restraints, panic rising within him, he couldn't comprehend Shubman's sudden hostility. "Shubman, please." he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear."You don't even know Ishan; you've never met him. Ishan and I liked each other way before you even came to Jharkhand."

Shubman's smirk only widened at Abhishek's words, his eyes glinting with malice. "I know enough to make Ishan mine," he retorted, his tone chillingly calm. "And you're standing in my way."

Abhishek's heart sank as he realized the depth of Shubman's delusion, his mind racing with fear and confusion. "What do you want from me, Shubman?" he asked, his voice strained with desperation.

Shubman leaned in close, his breath hot against Abhishek's ear as he whispered his sinister ultimatum. "You're going to throw Ishan out of your house and break up with him," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "Or I will stop you from playing for India."

"What do you think of yourself?BCCI isn’t your father's company, you know!"

"But BCCI wont select a player with broken legs.Would they?"-Shubman smirked.

Abhishek recoiled in shock at Shubman's threat, his mind reeling with disbelief. "You wouldn't dare," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart.

But Shubman's eyes gleamed with malice as he tightened his grip on Abhishek's shoulders. "Try me," he spat, his tone icy and unforgiving.

In a moment of desperation, Shubman's demeanor shifted, his voice pleading as he made one last attempt to manipulate Abhishek into submission. "You can have anyone, Abhishek," he pleaded, his tone desperate. "I'll even help you. Just leave Ishan for me. Please."

A cold sense of dread settled in the pit of Abhishek's stomach. He couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal, the knowledge that the one person he had thought was a friend would stoop so low as to threaten his dreams.

"I'm sorry, Shubman," Abhishek whispered, his voice heavy with sorrow. "But I can't do what you're asking. Ishan means everything to me, and I won't abandon him, no matter the cost."

"Then maybe today was the last day you ever held a bat in your life."