Part 5

Peeling his eyelids apart , Ishaan whined at his mother who closed off the fan in an attempt to wake him up .

" Mummy! It's Sunday . Let me sleep " he grumbled and closed his eyes again but Mrs Kishan wasn't having any of his drama .

"Ishaan, wake up! I told you we have to go shopping today! "

Hearing the word shopping, he immediately woke up and sat on his bed , growing his eyes and asking his mother dumbfounded." What !? Shopping? And when did you tell me that ? "

" Oh I am telling you now . We have to go engagement rings shopping today with Shubman's family "

Saying that she went outside his room .

What!? Engagement rings ? Why is everything happening so fast ? Just few days ago I indirectly said yes for this marriage and they already started engagement shopping.

Burying his face in the pillow , Ishaan screamed and stood up as if just didn't go through a life existential crisis .

After freshening up he came out of his room .

" Oh you're ready already. Good . Mrs gill will be here in some minutes"

" Hmm but mummy don't you think so it will be awkward going shopping with them . "

" Why would it be awkward? And it's actually better this way . "

" Mom you do realize I have never met them before and suddenly I am going shopping with them " Ishaan looked at her mother with confusion.

" Well you have met Shubman's mother "

" Huh? When ? '' Ishaan tried to recall meeting Shubman's mother however he couldn't remember anything.

What ? My memory is getting so weak that I can't even remember the person now ?

" Remember a few days ago when you gave up your ride for a lady while going to the office . That lady was Mrs Gill " She explained when suddenly Her phone started ringing.

He let out and oh in acknowledgement.

The world is really small . He sighed before putting on his shoes . He had zero interest in going on a shopping trip for his own engagement but alas !

Mayank ko bula lu ? Nahi wo chomu hai .

" Ishaan ! Mrs Gill is here . Come ! " Mrs Kishan said and opened the main door with Ishaan trailing behind her .

The first thing that came in Ishaan's vision after getting out of the house was a brand new bentley flying spur .

Oh my goodness !

With shiny eyes he looked at the car and almost took out his phone to click its picture but got out of his trance when Mrs Kishan nudged his side giving him side eyes .

What mother ? Can't a man not even admire cars now ?

Realizing she was indicating to greet Mrs Gill , his cheeks turned red in embarrassment as he immediately join his hands , " Namaste Aunty "

"namaste beta " Mrs Gill smiled before patting his head , adoring him .

"Well let's get going then "

Ishaan looked at Mrs Gill as she sat inside the bentley.

Wow she has such an amazing car yet she was going home by a taxi. Strange , isn't it ?

Probably some rich things .

He gets in the car , feeling anxiety spiraling his nerves once again . He doesn't know why but he feels everything is going so fast paced in his life that he has lost his control over his life .

" Hey ishaan ! " a voice brings him out of trance as he looks at the driver seat to see a girl who looks exactly like Shubman .

Oh must be his sister .

" Hey ! " He only said hi because he forget Shubman's sister name too .

She was about to question something but got interrupted by Mrs Gill . " I know beta you're excited to meet Ishaan but focus on driving now"

Sighing in relief , Ishaan thanked Mrs Gill in his mind because he is too awkward now to talk to anyone.

" Where is Shubman and bhaisahab? " Mrs Kishan asked, realizing they both aren't present there .

" Well Shubman got a call from hospital so he will come directly to the mall and His father had to go to Punjab today urgently due to some emergency"

Mrs Gill detailed and engaged Mrs Kishan in some talks . Probably about our marriage.

Some 2000's Bollywood was playing in the car as Ishaan stared outside the window , creating a fake scenario in his mind . His favorite hobby while traveling.

Some time later , He pivoted his head in his mother's direction who was very much still talking with Mrs Gill . Ishaan wondered whether they were some long lost best friend who got separated and finally met after years .

But he was happy for her , his mother after his father's demise started working hard to provide Ishaan the best life and in all these completely forgot herself, losing all her companions with whom she can talk .

It's good now that she has a companion.

He was smiling until he heard his name coming out from Mrs Gill's mouth .

" Ji aunty? " He questioned as he couldn't hear anything she said .

" Arey Ishaan beta first of all stop calling me aunty and I was saying that to your mother you're now ours " She smiled brightly at Ishaan as he smiled not knowing what to react .

" No mummy. He is not ours, he is Shubman's' ' Shahneel , Shubman's sister, teased Ishaan as his cheeks started reddening in embarrassment.

Giving off a very awkward as well as nervous smile . Ishaan looked away . Obviously he couldn't face them . His eyes close shut , wondering if they're thinking he is blushing after being called his .

Ehh no way ! I am my own person .

The car came to a halt as Ishaan got out of the car finally breathing freely .

Then they all decided to buy rings first, so now they all were sitting in Harry Winston and using Ishaan as a guinea pig.

However Ishaan couldn't help but feel like an outcast and his eyes keep popping out whenever he hears the prize of any ring .

Gosh if I stole even one ring here , I wouldn't have to work for 1 whole damn year . probably even more years .

His cheeks started hurting by giving off a fabricated smile every once . And he doesn't why it's only him who's going through this sweet torture. Where the hell is his to be husband?

Bhai ek ring lekar khatam karo , mujhe bhook lagi hai . And I also want to sleep .

He was chewing his lower lips when his eyes fell on Shubman lean figure entering the store as his eyes lit up in happiness because now he doesn't have to suffer alone .

He gazed at Shubman as he greeted everyone.

The holy Trinity i.e Mrs Gill, Mrs Kishan and shubman's sister , then again started looking for the perfect ring for them . Leaving Ishaan and Shubman alone behind .

" How's your hand ? " Shubman asked.

" It's good now , the medicine which you applied worked like magic. Thanks " Ishaan showed his gratitude as he is anything but ungrateful.

" Shubman, do you really want to marry me ? " Ishaan asked the question which was running in his mind for a long time, not looking at Shubman .

" Well I had to settle down sooner or later . So why not ? " Shubman replied .

"can't you say no to this marriage? " Ishaan muttered , smiling fakely as he saw his mother glancing at them .

"But I don't have any problem " Shubman said

" But I do have a problem ! " Ishaan rebuked

" Then you should have said no , why are you asking me to do that ? "

" Gosh! If I had the choice I would have done it But fine .. ah you're so infuriating!" Stomping his foot into the ground he started walking away from Shubman .

Ahh why is he being so difficult!?

" What did I do ?" Shubman's forehead wrinkled as he stood there staring at Ishaan's back .But a chuckle supplanted his confusion. He couldn't help but surmise Ishaan as Cylinder when he started walking away in anger .

" Yeah you didn't do anything. You should have done something! " Ishaan scoffed and made his way to the Trinity. Narrowing his eyes in Shubman's direction before Telling Mrs Gill

" Aunty Shubman is saying that he wants to try on the rings you're choosing "

" Really beta ! Come then " Mrs Gill, surprised by what Ishaan said , indicated to her son to come there.

" Wow that's a first " Shahneel grinned genially at Shubman .

Laughing internally at Shubman's condition as his mother was making him wear rings after rings . Shubman felt a gaze on him as he turned his head to look at Ishaan who was giving him a mocking smile .

" Ishaan, I think you should try that ring on ." Shubman suggested,

" Oh I already tried it but it doesn't fit, " Ishaan replied .

" We can always customize it, " Shubman said as Ishaan clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"I know but I don't want to " Rolling his eyes , he coolly muttered .

"Bu-"

" No buts and all. Stop bantering with each other",

Mrs Gill interjected, shaking her head at them although from inside she was happy. Arguing is the first step of love from her perspective.

"Yes Ishaan, don't argue unnecessarily " Mrs Kishan said, eyeing her son , who shrugged his shoulder muttering a voiceless -it's not me , it's him .

"Shubi and Mrs Kishan are going to buy our dresses, so you both after purchasing your ring . Buy your engagement suit too " Mrs Gill said and dragged Mrs Kishan with her before She could utter anything.

Ishaan looked at his mother and Mrs Gill leaving from the store as he eyed them in puzzlement.

Why are they running away as if some sale is going on or maybe they're planning to eat food without us .

He was about to follow them , offended at how they can eat without him when Shubman snapped his finger in front of His face .

Frowning, he asked " what ?"

" Where are you going? "

" To the bar , wanna come ? " He showcased his perfect set of teeth before pushing him aside but before he could walk away Shubman grabbed his wrist pulling him towards him .

" You can go to a bar or wherever but first let's get done with these rings, " Shubman said and asked the staff attending them to show some subtle rings.

Ishaan was mindlessly gazing at the rings when a ring caught his attention. It was a simple band studded with diamonds , shining brightly under the lights .Oh he is a sucker for shiny things .

He was about to ask the staff for this ring but his eyes fell on the prize tag and the endless zero after 7.

1 , 2 , 3 ,4, 5 ,6 and 7 . What in my holy biscuit is this so costly? 7 crore ? That too for just a simple band . Wait, what did I even expect?

I am sitting in Harry Winston. Obviously they will be expensive.

Gulping down the bile formed in his throat, he averted his gaze away from that ring however Shubman caught him eyeing the ring .

He waited for Ishaan to ask for that ring but even after waiting for some minutes, Ishaan didn't say anything. So he thought that Ishaan didn't like that ring very much .

" Shubhman, why don't we just buy a simple platinum ring and get over this ? " Ishaan proposed this idea after calculating the price of a platinum ring .

I think I can afford a 50 thousand ring. Oh who am I kidding ? 50 thousand and just for a ring .

He thought about how many dishes he could eat with 50 thousand. Probably hindereds .

" Hmm " agreeing to Ishaan's idea , they purchased their rings .

" Sir, how would you like to pay ? " The receptionist asked .

" Card " Shubman said and pulled out a black card from his wallet .

Ishaan's eyes widened at the black card . What the hell ! He has a black card also !

" I would also like to pay by card " ishaan said and started taking out his wallet but stopped by Shubman's word . " I paid for both rings , don't worry "

" What ? No . I can pay for my own things "

" I know but I already paid . Will keep this in my mind from now on "

" But still " Ishaan emphasized as he felt bad for using someone else's money . So what if Shubman is rich . He got that by working hard .

" Well Didn't you say you were hungry ? Let's go and have something." Shubman asked as he went through his phone to check emails .

" yes I was but wait you're changing topics " ishaan said trailing behind Shubman as he already commenced walking.

Not paying attention to the boy walking, almost running behind him . Shubman entered a random restaurant in the mall and took a seat .

" Why do you walk so fast ? " Ishaan grumbled and sat adjacent to Shubman .

" I don't walk fast . You just have short legs, " Shubman illustrated.

Ishaan rolled his eyes and mimicked " yOu jUsT haVe sHorT legs " in his mind and looked around that is when he realized he was at His old hang out place during College days .

The place looks so changed, i wonder if the employes have changed here-

A waiter , who had come to take their order, recognised Ishaan and said " Ishaan !? You're here after a long time and wait, you aren't here with your boyfriend. Did you guys broke up "

Shubman choked on his drink . " What ? You have a boyfriend!? "

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Author's note :

I hope you guys enjoyed reading it 🤍.

Well this chapter was supposed to be uploaded 2 days ago but when I was publishing it , a glitch occurred in my wattpad and except the published work every other thing just vanished into nothing.

I tried refreshing, uninstalling and reinstalling, even logging in my account from the web but nothing seemed to work . 🙂

So I had to retype everything once again 🤡 .

Anyways, Thanks for 1k+ reads 🥹 .