Part 28

The atmosphere has turned quiet with only voiceless cries from Ishan echoing in the secluded cabin.

Shubman never once stopped the consoling movements on Ishan's back with a few pecks on his head. His heart thudded in helplessness. He wished he could take up all the sadness but alas. Some battles are to be fought alone. He could only provide support to him.

“Cry all you want. You don't have to be strong hmm, just let every emotion come out . Don't hold back”

Ishan noticed that Shubman was still kneeling down and nodded. Wiping his tears , he said in a raw voice, his throat hurting. “Get up . Your knees will start bleeding if you continue kneeling down in front of me like a prince” he tries to brush up the heavy atmosphere.

Shubman chuckled at the attempt to joke. He gently rubbed his cheeks adoringly.

“You know how to joke. Well I should get up since the princess doesn't want the prince to bleed.caring much , hmm?” he tapped underneath Ishan's chin.

Feeling the scarlet rushing in his cheeks, he threw Shubman's hand away and glared. His lips habitually turning into a pout , “I am not a princess and who’s caring!? Nobody is caring”

Shubman's heart felt a rush of relief infusing hearing his quirky talks. His eyes are more suited for the crinkling glow and not the abyss of darkness.

He paused for a moment and nodded nonchalantly, “then what are you? Cylinder? And you didn't told me you changed your name to nobody”

Ishan spiked up at the affirmation and slapped his arms.”What did you just call me !? Me ?” He pointed at himself offended. “Cylinder hoge tumhare bacche” he snarled.

“Yeah because of you,” Shubman replied, making Ishan gasp.

What? Mere wajah se !? Ye utility pole zyada nahi bol raha hai . Aaya bada !

“tumne apni doctor ki degree kharidi haina!? The Kyuki cylinder is an inanimate object and can't be given birth to” Ishan pointed his index finger at him , his eyes squinted sending virtual fire to him.

Shubman laughed , shaking his head. He pulled him closer , circling his arms around Ishan's waist.

“Okay calm down little hurricane.” He cupped his face, boring his eyes in Ishan's clear watery eyes,

“You must haven't had anything since afternoon right? Let's get you to eat something first and then You're going home to sleep ” emphasizing on his last sentence, his tone orderly. He already envisioned the argument about to take place.

“No, I am not going home . I will stay with my mother” Ishan frowned, peering at Shubman 's authoritative face. Shubman sensed the unwavering commitment in Ishan's sentence and sighed. “We will discuss it later. “

“No . I said what I said . I am not going anywhere”

Ishan remained firm at his resolve. Shubman didn't say anything and unwrapped his arms from Ishan's waist to call Mr hope to bring porridge for them.

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Few minutes later, Ishan sat in front of the steaming bowl of porridge with disgust written all over his face. The last time he remembered he wasn't a patient.

Khichdi? Wo bhi hospital ki eww .

Shubman rolled his eyes at the obvious expression on Ishan's face. Oh how can he forget that his husband doesn't like to eat food which is good for health. Well too bad for him because he had to eat it now.

He scooped a morsel of porridge and took it in front of Ishan's mouth and after lots of hassle he made him eat the last bit of porridge in his bowl.

“Wasn't that hard? You act like these foods are poisonous”he softly taunted as he wiped away the tiny bit of porridge left near his lips.

“They make me nauseous. See I already started feeling like puking”he dramatically gagged, throwing a fit . “Is that so? Wait, I have some OTC medicine for that. Let me bring that for you,it will help you.” Shubman said with all the seriousness he could muster up, he feigned concern and stood up.

OTC ? Ye kya hota hai ? On the crocodile Ishan thought confused but slapped his forehead to remember what he said next. Medicine? What the…!?

“Ahh, I suddenly feel very refreshed . No more nausea” Ishan abruptly held Shubman's hand and took a huge breath to show that he is indeed feeling great.

“You're an idiot.” Shubman pinched Ishan's cheeks. Ishan grumbled and pinched Shubman's cheeks too in revenge. And unlike Shubman's subtle action, Ishan was anything but Gentle with his pinching.

“Ishan!” Shubman quickly grasped Ishan's wrist to stop him. His cheek actually started hurting and made a mental note to beware of this little rabbit in future. The rabbit can bite too. Scratch that pinch well.

Serves him right! Ishan se panga . Not a good idea. Ishan smirked to himself and mentally patted his back in praise.

However the contented expression didn't last long and was supplanted by nervousness seeing that Shubman looked in pain. Shit .

He tapped at Shubman's arm and asked tentatively,”dukh Raha hai?”

Shubman smiled sarcastically,”nahi bahut accha lag raha hai” his icy eyes pinned Ishan under them as He gulped.

“Ah I am going to the washroom” Ishan stated and dashed outside the room as if some deadly animal was going to chase him down .

“....”

Shubman peered at the door from where he vanished.

So weird.

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Ishan came out of the washroom after doing his business and stood in puzzlement by the faucet.

Where the hell is knob? Oh wait. I guess it's a sensor kind of faucet! Damn private hospitals op.

He waved his hand under the tap for the infrared ways to detect the motion but water didn't flow.

Hey bhagwan!! Normal tap hi laga dete.

He aggressively waved his hand again but no water in frustration. Am I not using it in the right way? But isn't this just a tap?

Zabardasti mai complicated kar diya hai . Ishan  rolled his eyes , his lips pursed as he looked at his reflection in the mirror . “How am I so pretty?”

He giggled to himself but his emotions flipped and he whined remembering that he still has to wash his hands and for that he had to use this weirdo machine.

On the other hand , Dr Vivian , who happens to witness Ishan’s trouble and also his blatant self love. He chuckled at the cute guy and Walked up to him to get him out of his problem.

Someone had turned off the water supply therefore the water wasn't coming in the faucet.

Dr Vivian turned on the supply and flashed a vivacious smile at Ishan whose cheeks burned in embarrassment as he quickly washed his hands.

“Ah thank you” he smiled but his eyes widened seeing the guy. Wait!! Isn't he that hot guy from that day !

“No problem. Aise bade bade hospital mai aise choti moti baatein to hoti rehti hai” Dr Vivian mimicked Shahrukh Khan’s voice to ease things.

Ishan laughed and that's how they started talking to each other and given both their extrovert personality their vibes matched.

“What!? His juniors call him kyurem. The ice ghost type of pokemon . Right?” Ishan gasped hearing all the tea from Dr Vivian. He nodded and continued telling more juicy details to Ishan unknown to the fact he is literally Shubman's husband and also the said person has seen them both acting like long lost besties.

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Shubman jaw clenched in possessiveness seeing the familiarity between them and remembered how Ishan has praised Vivian for his looks. His eyes silted dangerously.

Mr Hope glanced at Shubman and felt the dark aura igniting from him . He gulped and then glanced at The duo and felt bad for His fellow mate.

“Isn't Dr Vivian too free to talk to strangers? inform him that his night shift is increased for 2 more months” His eyes peering dangerously at Ishan as he scathingly ordered.

“But dr–”

“What ?” Shubman furiously asked in a low tone.not wanting to be the end Shubman's unusual anger , Mr hope immediately shook his head .“Nothing doctor. I will immediately inform him.”

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Ishan walked in the deserted hallway towards His mother's room where she has been shifted to after the surgery.

He was happy that at least his mother is fine . Later, he will settle his score with her for hiding her illness from him. First let her heal properly.

Shubman had told him someone can sleep in the same room , although it's not usually allowed but he could make a slight exception after all it's his own hospital.

He opened the door and peeped inside before going. He gazed at his mother, wanting to hug her seeing all the tubes connected to her. He sighed in heartache. Mumma

“Don't go near her and disturb” Shubman's cool voice pierced through the silence as Ishan turned to glare at him. “I know I wasn't going near her .”

“Whatever” Shubman said underneath his breath, his anger still clear over the memory.  He laid down on the couch , completely exhausted.

He was staying in the room just in case something happens to Mrs Kishan during the night.

Ishan hissed at Shubman's tone and looked here and there to see where he was going to sleep because Shubman had already occupied the couch.

The room was very spacious but had only one couch as Ishan asked. “Where am I supposed to sleep?” He asked Shubman .

“at home. I will ask Rishabh bhaiya to drop you home”

“Huh! No I am not going” Ishan rebuked, his voice going higher.

“Shh silence”

“I am not going home”Ishan toned his volume down and repeated himself.

“Whatever suits you well then” Shubman coolly replied and shut his eyes . The irritation still spiked in him .

Ishan pouted at his mean behaviour and grumbled before walking up to the couch . If he can't get the couch , he won't let him have it too and lay in the narrow space left in the couch.

“What the **** Are you doing?” Shubman quickly wrapped his arms around Ishan's waist to not let him fall from the couch.

“Don't you have eyes?” Ishan snarled at him and leaned backward to create space for himself.

Shubman frowned upon his childish behaviour, nonetheless laid sideways so Ishan could lie comfortably.

Few minutes rolled in before Ishan succumbed to sleep , his breath creating small sounds of peaceful ruffles like mountain spring.

His ever charming face looked like a rose just bloomed.

Shubman softly placed his arm under Ishan's head ,admiring the bunny-like man cocooned beside him and chuckled when Ishan nuzzled his face in the crook of his neck.

“You're so annoying …. But I might be going crazy because i like it”

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Away from the buzzing racket of the city, Abhishek and Mayank sat by the corner of a remote street viewing the shiny skyscrapers twinkling like stars.

Most people don't know about this spot hence except for a few couples no one could be seen in the vicinity.

Mayank took the bite of his meal enjoying the moment of silence without any chaos.

Abhishek glanced at Mayank who's cheeks were puffed like chipmunk with food in his mouth.

He chuckled,”Nobody is stealing your food stupid.”

“I like to eat in this way only,” Mayank remarked, gobbling down his food. As Abhishek shrugged and focused on his own meal.

“So? What's wrong with Ishan's mother?” Abhishek asked in between his meal . Mayank heard the question and explained the situation to him.

“Oh”

Mayank inhaled a deep breath, his anticipation growing as he asked, “why don't you move on? Don't get me wrong but this isn't worth it. He is married.”

Abhishek chuckled, disheartened at the obvious truth in Mayank's words . “I love him with no condition. Just because he can't be mine doesn't change my feelings. I just wish to see him happy, it doesn't matter with whom. “

“So you will continue holding up these feelings for your whole life .This isn't love. It's obsession”

Somewhere Mayank could understand where Abhishek is coming from because he himself is going through this phase. Love fucks up his ability to think rationally.

“Love’s definition can be subjective. For me it's different and for you it's different. We can have Our definition of love”

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Author’s note :

Jeez, what's wrong with Abhishek and Mayank? 😵‍💫😵‍💫

Andd happyyyy new yearrrrr!!! ✨✨💫💫

Can't believe this is the last day of 2024 already.

But whatever, it's been a shitty year🤡. Hope 2025 brings good things with it. ✨

Btw doesn't “Our definition of love” sound like a nice story title👀 .

(Ps: I am not a biology student nor do I know how things work in a hospital. Overlook anything that doesn't seem right🤧 or please just drop what's wrong and I will change that)