Idiots In Love (3)

________________________________________

The silence stretched too long... long enough for Shubman’s heart to start sinking.

Ishan wasn’t saying anything.

No teasing.

No sarcastic comeback.

Just… staring at him like he had grown two heads.

Shubman felt his stomach twist. Maybe this was a mistake.

Maybe he should have...

Ishan : I don’t love you.

Shubman’s breath hitched.

Ishan’s voice was soft, hesitant. But his words?

They hurt.

A weird, sinking feeling settled in Shubman’s chest, but before he could even react.

Ishan : Yet.

Shubman’s head snapped up.

Ishan was biting his lip, fidgeting with his fingers.

Ishan : I don’t love you… yet.

Ishan : But

He sighed, running a frustrated hand through his messy hair.

Ishan : But I think I might. Someday....

Shubman stared.

His heart, which had been free-falling, suddenly paused midair.

It wasn’t a ‘yes.’

But it wasn’t a ‘no’ either.

Ishan : I just need time

Ishan admitted, looking a little lost.

Ishan : Because... this is new. And I’m dumb as hell when it comes to feelings.... Yk..

Shubman : Yeah, no kidding.

Ishan : Bro, I’m trying to be emotional here, and tu sarcastic ho raha hai?!!

Shubman : t’s called balance.

Ishan : Kuch zyada hi balance ho raha hai.

Shubman : Well, what else do you expect from Mr. Perfect?

Ishan rolled his eyes so hard!

After the emotional chaos, they did what they always did best.

Ate pizza, binge-watched movies, and laughed like absolute idiots.

At one point, Ishan laughed so hard, he nearly fell off the couch, only for Shubman to grab him by the hoodie and pull him back.

They ended up hitting each other over a stupid joke, half the pizza was on the floor.

And by 2 AM, they were both half-dead, yawning every ten seconds.

Shubman : ahh, I swear I’ve never felt this tired in my life.

Ishan, : Same, bhai. Mera bas chale, toh yahin soy jaun.

Shubman : Yeah, no. Move, bed pe chal.

Ishan grunted in response but didn’t move.

Shubman sighed, then grabbed Ishan by the wrist and dragged him to their shared bedroom.

Ishan, half-asleep, flopped onto the bed like a starfish.

Shubman : You’re worse than a toddler.

Ishan : Mujhe bas sone de, bhai

Shubman climbed in beside him, letting out a content sigh.

until Ishan rolled over and flung an arm over his chest.

Shubman froze.

Ishan was practically latched onto him, face smushed into his shoulder, breathing low.

Shubman’s ears went red.

Shubman : ishu... move

Ishan, not even opening his eyes, whispered-

Ishan : No. Mera right hai.

Shubman : Of course.

Ten minutes later, Ishan was still holding on.

Shubman was not okay.

His heart was doing things.

But then, a random thought hit him.

Shubman : Oiii.

Ishan : Hmm?

Shubman : Last week se tu hi little spoon ban raha hai.

Ishan : And?

Shubman : Aaj meri turn hai.

Ishan blinked.

Then, smirked.

Ishan : Ooo hoo ab  mere strong, cold, savage bestie ko cuddles chahiye?

Shubman : Shut up.

Ishan : Bhai, kya din aa gaye. Mr. Perfect is asking to be pampered.

Shubman : Tu zyada bol raha hai.

Ishan : Acha, chal. Le spoon ban.

Shubman turned his back to Ishan, waiting.

Ishan, still grinning, wrapped his arms around him, resting his chin on Shubman’s shoulder.

Shubman sighed, relaxing completely.

And honestly?

It felt nice.

Even when Ishan, five minutes later, whispered,

Ishan : Bhai, tu bohot zyada warm hai. Heater ka kaam kar raha hai.

Shubman : Toh problem kya hai?

Ishan shrugged, tightening his grip around him.

Ishan : Koi problem nahi, bhai. Bass… accha lag raha hai.

Shubman’s heart did a little flip.

He didn’t say anything.

He didn’t have to.

Because for the first time in a long, long time...

..... everything felt exactly right.

The sun was way too bright.

Ishan groaned, burying his face deeper into the pillow.... wait.

Not a pillow.

Something warmer.

Something breathing.

Something that just groaned back.

Ishan’s eyes snapped open.

Shubman.

Still fast asleep.

Still tucked into his arms.

Still holding Ishan’s hoodie in his fist like a clingy baby.

Ishan froze.

Then blinked.

Then smirked.

Ishan : Awww

Ishan : Mera cold, savage, ‘I don’t need cuddles’ bestie is literally wrapped around me.

Shubman mumbled something incoherent, shifting slightly.

Ishan held back a giggle.

He had two options.

1. Let him sleep peacefully.

2. Be a menace.

Ishan was Ishan.

The choice was obvious.

With the softest voice, he whispered

Ishan : Shubiiii…

Shubman : Soya de, bhai.

Ishan ' Par bhai, ab mujhe bathroom jana hai.”

Shubman : Toh ja?

Ishan : Par tera haath abhi bhi meri hoodie pakde hue hai.

Shubman’s eyes shot open.

And the realization hit him.

They were still cuddling.

Ishan : Good morning, jaanu.

Shubman, face heating up instantly, shoved him.

Shubman : CHUP KAR, ISHAN.

Ishan ' Bro, you’re blushing.

Shubman got up so fast, he nearly fell off the bed.

Shubman : I AM NOT!!!

Ishan : Acha? Mirror dekh.

Shubman grabbed a pillow and threw it at his face.

Ishan, still laughing, dodged it perfectly.

They dragged themselves out of bed, looking like two sleep-deprived zombies.

Which they were.

And of course, their friends were waiting.

KL Rahul, Hardik and Virat were sitting at the dining table, arms crossed, expressions ready for judgment.

Ishan : Bro, kya interview chal raha hai?

KL :Tum dono kaafi late uth gaye, hmm?

Harry : Aur kaafi sukoon wali neend bhi li hogi, hmm?

Shubman : H-Huh?

Virat’s smirk grew wider.

Virat : Kya chal raha tha, haan? Jo ab tak uthne ka mann nahi tha?

Ishan : Bhai, kya bataun. Shubman kaafi ziddi nikla. Pichle ek hafte se mujhe cuddle kar raha tha, kal bola ‘aaj meri turn hai’.

KL’s jaw dropped.

Harry choked on his chai.

Virat? Losing his mind laughing.

Shubman, face on fire, turned to Ishan so fast.

Shubman : ISHAN.

Ishan : Kya yaar, sach hi toh bola.

KL : Bhai, yeh dono ek din pagal kar denge humein.

Harry : Ek toh inki 3 AM ki dancing, upar se ab cuddling ka drama bhi shuru?

Virat : Arre Shubi, tu toh bahot soft nikla.

Shubman : Main ja raha hoon.

Ishan grabbed his wrist.

Ishan : Nahi bhai, ab breakfast karke hi jayenge.

Shubman, still very much embarrassed, sighed in defeat.

And the teasing?

Did not stop the entire day.

After the endless teasing, they finally got some peace.

And by peace, I mean-

Ishan refusing to get off Shubman’s back.

Literally.

Shubman was sitting on the couch, minding his business, when Ishan suddenly climbed on his back like a koala.

Shubman : KYA KAR RAHA HAI?

Ishan : Cuddling, bro. Tu toh kal baraabar soya tha. Ab meri turn.

Shubman : You’re literally on my back. Cuddling is different.

Ishan : Tujhe kya pata? Tera first time hoga.

Shubman :  tu kabhi serious hoga bhi ya nahi?

Ishan, grinning, rested his chin on Shubman’s shoulder.

Ishan : Not today.

Shubman sighed, but didn’t move.

Not even when Ishan’s arms wrapped tighter around him.

Not even when Ishan’s voice, softer now, mumbled-

Ishan :  tujhe pata hai? Tere saath jo comfort milta hai na… wo kahin aur nahi milta.

Shubman’s breath hitched.

Ishan continued, playing with the sleeve of Shubman’s hoodie.

Ishan : I know I tease a lot, but... I meant what I said earlier.

Shubman stayed quiet.

Ishan’s voice dropped even lower.

Ishan : I don’t love you yet. But agar kisi ko pyaar hone ka chance mile, toh tujhse hi hoga.

Shubman swallowed. Hard.

His heart was not okay.

He turned his head slightly, meeting Ishan’s eyes.

Soft.

Genuine.

Sincere.

Shubman melted.

He let out a small chuckle.

Shubman :  tu sach mein dumber hai.

Ishan :  *pouted*  Oye?

Shubman just smiled, raising a hand to ruffle Ishan’s hair.

Shubman : I’ll wait

Ishan blinked, then grinned.

Ishan : Tujhe choice bhi nahi hai.

Shubman laughed.

And honestly?

He didn’t mind.

Tysm for reading!!!!

(ek aur chapter hai mere pass😈✋)