Part 9

Mrs Gill was shocked by Shubman's response. Her face turned chalky white .

Shubman zeroed his attention on his mother's face before chuckling, “ but I trust you more .”

Hearing Shubman's words , Mrs Gill's heart filled with happiness . Her face gained her color back as smiled fondly towards her son.

“ You almost gave me an heart attack but it's okay”

She said and tapped underneath Shubman's chin before going outside the room to meet Mrs Kishan and see everything was going well .

She wants everything to be immaculate at Shubman and Ishan's wedding.

______________________________________

Next day , evening.

A boy clad in  an off white kurta stood in the balcony gazing at the garden .

The whole garden was decorated beautifully , the staff moving here and there to serve the best of the dishes of Rajasthan.

Music was blasting with full volume in the corner . Little children along with the groom's cousin were dancing heartily.

And of course some aunties judging everything from food service to the dress of girls and gossiping about the cost of everything.

“ Ishan !? You're still not ready!? “ Mrs Kishan gasped ,who just came from downstairs to bring him downstairs as Everyone was waiting for the groom to make his entry .

Picking up the sadri from the bed she made him wear the beautiful sadri and settled Ishan's few stranded hairs with her fingers , admiring her son.

“ Hmm my ishu looks so beautiful. '' Ishan looked down upon him with his clouded eyes . His lips started shivering. “ Mom… “

Seeing Ishan so upset, Mrs Kishan placed her hand on his cheeks as he leaned in her hand. “What happened to Ishu ? “

“I am scared  … "Ishan whimpered, feeling anxious inside .

“There's nothing to be scared of my love , don't stress too much baby .  “

“ Hmm “ he hummed before holding her hands as she accompanied him downstairs.

Shubman on the other hand was standing at the stage waiting for Ishan to come .

The loud noise is already irritating to the core . He liked silence and these bursting commotion was draining the very energy out of him . He is better off with his books .

He was sighing when his breath hitched seeing the male clad in traditional kurta walking towards him with his mother .

To say he was starstruck would be an understatement because honestly wow . He never had seen Ishan in the traditional.

He just looks so… beautiful.

Ishan felt all the eyes on him as he walked to Shubman and suddenly all his walking sense went off the imaginary wall .

He felt he wasn't walking properly and gulped . His eyes never left the ground and he only looked up to see Shubman was already staring at him .

Oh my god why is he looking at me ? And damn he looks so handsome.

Ishan couldn't help himself but compliment him . Of Course in his mind only . Maybe he doesn't like Shubman but he also can't deny Shubman is beautiful as hell .

Shaking his head he stood in front of the said male.

Shubman stared down at Ishan . The voice of his cousin teasing him faded away in the shadows as he could only focus on the short male .

Ishan looked down as blush crept on his cheeks . He couldn't understand what he was feeling and the continuous eyes of Shubman weren't making it any easier.

Ishan absentmindedly performed the rituals and he doesn't know when all the rituals are over as Many of their close relatives came to congratulate them .

Ishan's cheeks started paining due to all the fake smiling but at least there weren't many people. The engagement was a private ceremony held with only their close relatives and friends invited .

Ishan's phone chimed as he took out the phone from his pocket only to put it back after seeing the caller ID.

Mayank . That son of a bun !

Ishan was sighing, yawning and huffing every few seconds . His eyes wander around and it only makes him more vexed seeing his so called aunties.

He was getting tired and the music playing was another reason to murder his ears .

Bhai ye same gana loop Mai kyu Baja rahe hai ye . Duniya ke sare gaane asman Mai udd gye hai kya ?

He turned his head to look at Shubman who was sitting beside him talking to some of his cousins .

Wow sirf Mai hi bore ho raha hu ! Yrr Mayank tum kyu nahi ho yaha ?

He pouts about missing his best friend and angrily stares at Shubman's side profile .

“ Why ? Shubman asked when he sensed the burning glare on  him .

“ Huh? You're talking to me ? “ Ishan pointed at himself with his index finger , blinking at him .

“no , I am talking to this couch and those lights there,” Shubman smiled tightly.

“can't you answer properly!“ scrunching his nose upward, Ishan glared at Shubman again for the 100th time.

“ can't you question properly?“

“ Ahh you're such a … such a … Noodles! That's what you're "Ishan cried out and turned his head to his left . Ouch my neck ! Why did I rotate it too fast ! It's all because of this noodle , dumbo !

Holding his neck he tried to Move it but it felt like it was stuck in one place . He winced at the pain

On hearing Ishan's whimpers , Shubman looked at Ishan . “ What happened? “

“ I don't know, idiot. Do something weren't you a doctor or surgeon ? “ Ishan bawled, still holding his neck .

Shubman gently holded Ishan's neck and rubbed a few areas where it was hurting.

“ Ouch ! It's hurting. Don't touch there “

“ Shut up “ , turning deaf Ishan's cries , he moved Ishan's neck in a swift motion as Ishan slapped Shubman's arms .

“ Why did you do that ! I told you it's hurt– wait it's not hurting anymore. “

Shubman shook his head and sighed .” You seriously have less pain tolerance than a child “

Ishan rolled his eyes at Shubman's comment . “What did you do ? The pain seriously just went away like poof “ Ishan blew air acting how the pain dissolved.

Shubman motioned Ishan to come closer as Ishan leaned in curiously.. Shubman went closer to Ishan's ear and whispered,” Magic”.

Ishan gave a sarcastic smile as Shubman laughed.

“ Whatever! It's all because of you that I got hurt !” Ishan scoffed.

“ Me ? How ? “

“ Don't act innocent if only you agreed to my request on that day in the ring shop . I wouldn't be here getting hurt and bearing all the torture “

“ What? Torture? “ This time , Shubman was genuinely confused.

“ Yes torture and by these aunties. They keep coming at me saying. - aw kinna Sona Munda hai. Nazar na Lage and then pull my cheeks ! Like aunty that's my cheeks not dough or clay “ he enacted how the ladies came at him as he mimicked the high pitched voice aunties saying that and pulled his own cheeks , whimpering afterwards as he pulled a bit hard .Ouch.

Shubman stared down at Ishan enacting the scenario and before he could say anything a lady in her forties came at them .

“ Aww kinna sohna Munda hai . Nazar na Lage '' the aunty said proving Ishan's act and pulled his cheeks as Ishan smiled falsely at her and grinned to show he was so happy.

Wow . I'm  as happy as my biology teacher when he has to actually teach and not just read the textbook.

The moment aunty left , a laugh escaped Shubman's mouth , his dimples showing as Ishan was blown out by Shubman's laugh.

He had never seen him laughing like this. Yeah he had seen him chuckling and grinning but never laughing.

Shubman's laugh ceased, realizing Ishan's eyes were staring at him with such intensity.

“ Your laugh  … “

“.....“

“ Is so pretty! Why don't you laugh often !? “ Ishan clapped his hands , his eyes sparkling. His question left Shubman uncomfortable as he coughed before answering.

“Well I do laugh when something is funny unlike you who laugh at anything like an idiot “

“ Ohh … wait ! Did you just call me an idiot! Huh !? You're so rude! “ Ishan yelled , narrowing his eyes at Shubman .

Scoffing at the lack of response, Ishan made a face before standing up from the couch.

And somehow he managed to collide his feet at the leg of the couch and fall flat barely protecting his face from the hit .

Shubman gasped ,crouching down on Ishan's level helping him to stand up whole, scanning him for any injuries.

“ Why are you so clumsy? . “ "Shubman taunted after making sure he was not hurt anywhere.

Ishan looked at his palm feeling the burning impact on them and then looked up to see if anyone saw him falling down.

Thankfully none seems to take notice of him as they were too busy to fill up their plate with all the different kinds of traditional dishes of Rajasthan and some other famous cities.

Ishan laughed at his clumsy self even though his hands were in pain.

Shubman looked ridiculously in Ishan's direction not understanding why he is laughing at a situation like this .

As if Ishan heard his inner thought he said “ you know I always laugh when I fell down because that way nobody else will laugh and even if they do it doesn't matter as you yourself is making fun of it “

‘wait! I was supposed to be angry at you for calling me an idiot .” He snorted and was about to leave when Mrs Gill came .

“ Ishu did you have something? I am sure you must be starving .” Mrs Gill questioned, worried for him .

“ Oh no no aunty “ Ishan declined because he really doesn't feel like having anything now .

I will probably regret not eating right now but anyways .

“ Aunty!?”

Ishan bit his tongue remembering Mrs Gill asked him to call her mom .“ no no mom “

“ good but atleast have dessert. Okay I will bring it for you and you will have it . Till then sit here”

“ Aun– mom “ his words were left unheard as Mrs

Gill already went ahead .

Pinching his nose , he sat on the couch again and threw a glare at Shubman.at this point even he doesn't know why he is so vexed with him .

And that damned song was still playing in loop.

“ Shubman, can you ask the DJ to change the freaking song? I swear if I hear it one more time again . My ears will start bleeding! “ closing his eyes , he took a deep breath waiting for Mrs Gill.

“ Umm sure … which song do you wanna play ? “

Ishan's veins filled with excitement as if he was waiting for this particular question for years .

“ Play mai bhi  , Meri maa bhi changi ,  …… “ ishan exclaimed with wiggling eyebrows. It was his wish to play this song in his wedding where all his whimsical relatives are present.

“ Huh ? What kind of weird song is this ? Shubman asked genuinely , confused. His brows frowned.

“... “

“... “

“...”

“ Wait, you're saying you've never heard of this song! What are you ? 80 year old grandpa !“

Ishan laughed.

“ Whatever” Shubman rolled his eyes before going to the dj . But Ishan hastily holds his hands stopping him . Don't tell me

Shubman turned around, puzzled by Ishan's action .”you're really going to play that song? “

“You said so ? “

“ Yeah but … “

Ishan does want to play but He is scared of his mother's reaction. In the meantime Shubman was already at the dj while the dj was looking quite uncomfortable.

Obviously.

Facepalming himself, he looked at the space between his fingers as soon as the song started playing.

Shit ! Ho gaya beda gark . Ye Shubman marwayega mujhe mummy ke hatho .

Ishan prepared himself because he knows in just 10 seconds his mother will be coming at him .

1… 2…3…4…5..6 ..7..8..9..10

“Ishan !tumne hi ye kharab sa  gana lagaya tha na !? '' Mrs Kishan yelled at him and shot a scrutinizing glare at him . Ishan gulped down .

“ Mom … it was not me . Koi aur bhi to ho sakta hai . Maybe some of the kids here or even Shubman .“

“ Ye gana sunte hue to Maine sirf tumhe hi dekha And secondly Dj was specifically told not to play such vulgar music.” Mrs Kishan chided , pinching her nose .

“ Mom then it's definitely Shubman  . ” wo alag baat hai maine hi kaha tha usse .

“ Chup raho tum . Wo aise sab gana nahi sunta hai! . Dekho Tina aunty muh Fula ke chali gayi “she motioned to the obese lady going off to somewhere however Ishan stood up off the couch in happiness hearing that .

“ Hain ? Sahi Mai ! Wo Bihar wapas chali gyi! Woah ! “

He never liked his relatives anyways. Better they all go away .

“  room Mai gayi hai . '' Ishan closed his mouth , disappointed.

He saw his mother going off somewhere, probably to woo that aunty . Scoffing , Ishan averted his gaze to Shubman who was with Mrs Gill .

I hope wo bhi daant kha raha ho aunty se .

Laughing evilly like in those villain movies , Ishan visualizes Shubman getting scolded by Mrs Gill .

____________________________________

After the whole song fiasco , Mrs Kishan asked him to go back to his room .

Fortunately the music was only playing in the corner therefore not many people heard it .

Stripping off his upper clothes, Ishan stood on the balcony in his kurta embracing the gentle breeze .

He put his hands on the cold railing , feeling the heavy weight of The ring adoring in his finger.

The ring wasn't very heavy but the responsibility it carried was making it more weighted.

This ring was a sign that he is now bonded with Shubman. It's a symbol of realization for Ishan that he is now someone's fiance and soon to be husband.

Ishan took in the cold breeze and fell into the deep abyss of his thoughts regarding his future.

He was uncertain about it . Will he ever find true happiness in this arranged marriage ?

He has questions that only time can answer.

He was so in deep thought that he didn't feel a person entering his room .

The person moved swiftly to Ishan and placed his large hands on Ishan’s face covering his eyes .

“ Umm who is this !? Leave me ! “

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Author's note;

Are you guys liking the story so far or is the pace of the story okay ?

To tell you guys honestly, this is really the first time I am writing a story and I don't have any idea how to build a story or characters . I am just writing whatever comes to my mind . To mujhe ye nahi samjh aa Raha ki story jis speed se progress ho rahi hai theek hai ki nahi ? Or I am just unnecessarily Adding things .

And Pls thank you for 6k+ reads 🥹.

Yours lovingly,

@raesurmise.