Note:- In this story, Shubman is a cricketer but Ishan is not (cREaTiVe CHoIcE).

***

The third year of college had begun 5 months ago. For most of the students, it was like the months passed in a jiffy. But not for Ishan Kishan. Every night, after he was done with his academics, he used to plop down on the sofa of his rented apartment and wonder how many days more would he have to wait till he could finally have a glimpse of his crush, The Shubman Gill.

Shubman barely attended college. They were both in the same class, but he still wasn't familiar with everyone's names. Ishan had been interested in him since day one, the day when Shubman attended classes for like, 2 hours and spent the rest of his time playing cricket with the college team.

Days went by, and Shubman was now a prominent face in the IPL, playing international matches too, now and then. Ofcourse, the college could manage to treat him as a special case and give him the leave he needed. Shubman was everything Ishan was not; Shubman probably never studied, and he on the other hand, was the class topper. He had never been into sports, as in playing it, but Shubman, well we all know about that.

He wondered how he even passed the semester exams.

Connections? Links? Channels?

He didn't wanna think about it right now. Right now, he was all excited since the exams were getting closer, and Shubman would possibly be in college a couple of weeks prior. Now, he wouldn't miss the exams, unless there's a big tournament or something.

He was standing outside the classroom, when his best friend Mayank approached him.

"Chalo, let's get inside..." Mayank said, as he himself started heading inside the classroom. He stopped when he realized that Ishan wasn't actually waiting for him to come.

"Aye chashmish, What?" Mayank frowned at him.

"What, what?" Ishan responded.

"Who you're waiting for?" It was kind of a surprise for Mayank, because Ishan barely had any friends apart from him.

"Umm...no one, let's go," saying that, both of them headed inside the class. It was initially difficult, but Ishan managed to get his focus back on the class soon enough. STUDIES ARE IMPORTANT! FOCUS! Is what he kept telling himself, everytime he looked outside the window, anticipating the grand entrance of a certain somebody.

Class was over. Shubman was absent again. Ishan wasn't exactly sad or something. Come on, he isn't a baby waiting for daddy. He was a bit sick though, of his own self, who hoped everyday that maybe Shubman would come to class, even if it was just for an hour.

It was 4 PM. Ishan sat at his usual corner table in the library, surrounded by towering stacks of textbooks and notebooks. The soft rustling of pages and the muted whispers of other students created a cocoon of quiet focus around him. He adjusted his glasses and began making his notes.

As he went through his meticulously organized notes, a group of students burst into the library, their animated chatter disrupting the serene atmosphere. Along with it, came the sound of tongues clicking, from the students who just lost focus. At the center of the group was Shubman Gill, his presence magnetic and undeniable, atleast for our boy. He was tall, with a hell of a confident walk and an easy smile. He was someone who always seemed to float through college on a cloud of effortless charm, according to Ishan and many others.

Ishan's heart fluttered as he caught sight of him. It was a familiar sensation, one he had experienced countless times since their first year. Though they had exchanged barely a handful of words, his crush on him had grown quietly. He admired him from a distance, not even considering the fact that perhaps he should ask him out.

Shubman, engrossed in a conversation with his friends, scanned the library. His eyes landed on Ishan Kishan, and for a brief moment, their gazes met. Ishan's breath hitched, and he quickly looked down, his cheeks flushing. Shubman gave him a polite nod, acknowledging his presence, before turning back to his friends. It was a small gesture, but it sent a thrill through him.

As the group settled at a table across the room, he tried to refocus on his studies. But his mind wandered, his eyes stealing glances at him, as he saw him holding a book in hand, pretending to study, laughing with his friends in whispers. Oh my God, those dimples.

About an hour passed, and the library emptied out as evening fell. Ishan was packing up his books when he heard a voice behind him.

"Hey, excuse me?"

He turned to see Shubman standing there, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. He looked slightly hesitant, a stark contrast to his usual confidence.

"Yes..?" He replied.

"Ishan, right?"

"Yes, that's me," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Hi, I'm Shubman," he said, even though he knew perfectly well who he was. "I was wondering if you could help me with something. I, uh, need some notes and maybe a bit of tutoring for the upcoming exams. I heard you're the best in our class."

Ishan blinked in surprise. "You need my help?" The idea seemed almost surreal.

"Yeah," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I've been really busy with cricket, and I'm way behind. I could really use your expertise."

He hesitated for a moment, his shyness warring with the thrill of talking to him. "Sure, I can help," he said finally. "When do you want to start?"

"How about tomorrow? Same time, same place?" he suggested, a hopeful smile lighting up his face.

"Okay," he agreed, his heart racing. "Tomorrow it is."

Shubman had almost left when Ishan stopped him, realising something, "Hey! Tomorrow's a Sunday.... Library's gonna be closed."

He pouted, "Oh. So...."

Ishan, in his excitement, suggested, "You can come over to my place."

"Will that be comfortable for you? I don't wanna impose...."

"Oh it will be fine. No problem, just give me your number, I'll send you my location," Ishan couldn't believe he just said that. Never in his life had he asked a guy for his number.

"Sure, here you go," he dialed his number through his phone as he said that.

As Ishan watched him go, anxiety swirled in his chest. He couldn't believe that his quiet crush had just asked for his help. Little did he know, this simple request would be the beginning of a journey that would change both their lives in ways they never expected.

***

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