𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 [𝟏𝟖+] || 𝐈𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐥

Chapter Twelve

Shubman couldn't help but smile as he walked into the cozy home,  soaking in every detail; the floral wallpaper, the white marbled floor, the yellow table lamps with carousels painted on them, the lace-bound curtains and the scent of the whole place which was so characteristically 'Ishan'.

He absently realised his clothes and shoes were drenched leaving a messy trail of water  and mud with every step he took on the clean floor. A part of him desperately hoped it wasn't symbolic of how he would later on create a mess of the beautiful home (family).

Ishan turned to him suddenly and sighed,

" First room to the left is the guestroom, take a hot shower, I'll get you some dry clothes..."

Shubman beamed like a little kid who'd been offered their favourite candy, and nodded while Ishan handed him a towel.

"And wipe that goofy grin off your face.."

The younger watched as Ishan retreated back to the kitchen counter. He noticed the slumped shoulders of the older, almost as though he was exhausted, with slow languid steps.

Shubman couldn't help but frown, Ishan had changed a lot over the years.

And he could only blame himself.

                       °°°°°°

Shubman walked out of the guestroom, dressed in warm pajamas and a towel draped over his shoulders while stray drops of water dripped from his dark hair and soaked into the white towel.

Ishan looked up from the counter and their eyes locked. And while Shubman held a smitten gaze, Ishan's eyes were pits of emotionless void.

The older gestured for the young cricketer to take a seat at the high-rise counter chair, which he promptly obeyed.

Ishan wordlessly passed him a cup of hot coffee, and Shubman, on the receiving end, intentionally brushed his hands over the older's in a dying, desperate attempt of physical contact.

Ishan, however flinched at the contact and Shubman felt a gloom of rejection and his heart dropped.

After a few more seconds of awkward silence, Ishan finally spoke,

"Shubman...Um-.."

The younger immediately perked up, wide eyes set on the beautiful man before him.

" I've been thinking... What happened between you and me, is done and over with.. there's no going back, or making up that can fix what's broken."

"But-" Shubman tried, crestfallen.

An indicative raised palm from Ishan shut him up.

"But..." the older continued, "You still do deserve a chance to be a father to Vihaan...or rather, Vihaan deserves to receive love from both his parents... So don't assume I'm doing this for you, but solely for the sake of my Vihu, I'll give you a prospect to right your wrong. However, this has nothing to do with you and I... We shall simply remain co-parents and nothing more."

Shubman felt his mouth run dry and the pain at the back of his throat was back, his eyes stung with unshed tears.

He swallowed steadily.