Dedicated to @cricxlgtv, who requested this story.
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ShreyasÃRahul
The room was suffocatingly silent, save for the faint sound of Rahul's fingers drumming against the edge of the couch.
His eyes were fixed on his phone screen, where the photos had been making rounds for hours. Shreyas, smiling, leaning in to kiss a girl.
"Rahul, you're spiraling," Hardik said, his voice calm but laced with concern.
"I'm not spiraling," Rahul muttered, though the tremble in his voice betrayed him.
Virat, perched on the armrest, raised a brow. "You're staring holes into your phone like it's about to spit out answers. Just talk to him."
Rahul clenched his jaw. "What's the point? He's made his choice."
Hardik and Virat exchanged glances. Hardik leaned forward. "Rahul, those photos could be fake."
"And what if they're not?" Rahul's voice broke. "What if he....prefers someone else? Someone who's not me?"
The silence that followed was heavy. Virat sighed, clapping a hand on Rahul's shoulder. "You don't know the truth yet. Don't let overthinking ruin everything."
But Rahul was already too deep in his thoughts.
On the other side, Shreyas sat in his apartment, fuming. "I don't get it! Why hasn't he called me?"
Yuzi, flopped across the couch, shrugged. "Maybe he's busy."
"Busy avoiding me," Shreyas snapped. "Ever since those stupid pictures started circulating, he's been acting weird."
Siraj, leaning against the counter, smirked. "You sure you didn't kiss her?"
"Siraj!" Yuzi threw a pillow at him.
Shreyas groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I didn't kiss her. It's an edit, and a terrible one at that! Why can't he just ask me instead of ignoring me?"
Siraj and Yuzi exchanged knowing looks. "Maybe he's scared of what he might hear," Yuzi suggested gently.
Shreyas sighed. "Well, I'm done waiting. I'm going to him."
Rahul barely heard the sound of the doorbell over the storm in his mind.
Hardik got up to answer it, and a moment later, Shreyas walked in.
The room froze. Virat tugged Hardik towards the door. "Let's give them some privacy."
"Butâ"
"Now," Virat hissed, dragging him out.
The click of the door shutting was deafening.
"You've been avoiding me," Shreyas said, his voice tight with frustration.
Rahul stood, crossing his arms. "What do you want me to say? Congratulations on your new relationship?"
Shreyas's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Rahul snatched his phone, thrusting it toward him. "This!"
Shreyas stared at the screen before letting out a humorless laugh. "You think this is real?"
"It looks real enough," Rahul retorted, his voice cracking.
Shreyas stepped closer. "Rahul, it's fake. Do you seriously think I'd..." He stopped, shaking his head. "I can't believe you'd think so little of me."
"Don't turn this on me!" Rahul snapped. "I've seen how people look at you, Shreyas. How easy it would be for you to choose someone... normal."
Shreyas's eyes softened, the anger draining from his face. "Rahul..."
"I'm scared, okay?" Rahul admitted, his voice trembling. "I'm scared of losing you."
Shreyas closed the gap between them, his hands cupping Rahul's face. "You're not going to lose me. Ever. Those photos mean nothing because you're the only one I want."
Rahul's eyes glistened, his walls crumbling. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
Shreyas pulled him into a tight embrace. "I should've been clearer. I'm sorry too."
Outside, Hardik leaned against the door, straining to hear.
"Do you think they're okay?" he asked.
Virat smirked. "They'll be fine. They're both idiots, but they love each other."
Hardik chuckled. "Love makes you do stupid things, huh?"
Virat shrugged. "Yeah. But it's worth it."
Inside, Rahul and Shreyas held onto each other, the shadows of doubt finally fading.
The End.
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I hope you liked this oneshot!
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