Match of Hearts: A Cricketing Love Story

Unspoken Tears

Ishan looked at Shubman with tears in his eyes.

 "Wedding band?" Ishan whispered.

 "Yes, you love me or not, Ishu?" Shubman asked.

 "I love you more than myself, Shubi," Ishan said.

 "Mujhse shaadi karega?" Shubman asked.

 Ishan was shocked by his statement. 

"K-kya bol raha hai Shubi? Tu thik toh hai na?" Ishan asked. 

"Main thik hun, Ishu, aur aapne hosh mein hun," Shubman said. 

"Par Shubi hamari shaadi hone wali hai kisi aur se aur tu yeh. Soch samajh kar faisla le," Ishan said.

 "Jab tujhse pehli baar pyar hua tab nahi socha tha toh aab mein kyun sochun?" Shubman said.

 "Par Shubi...." Ishan said.

 "Shaadi karega mujhse?" Shubman said.

Ishan pondered for a moment before looking at Shubman.

 "Shubi, could you get me a glass of water?" he asked.

 "Sure, I'll be right back," Shubman replied and headed towards the kitchen. 

As soon as Shubman stepped out, Ishan bolted away from the room.

 Emerging onto the main road, tears streamed down Ishan's face.

 He was heartbroken to leave Shubman behind, but he had no choice.

 He couldn't bear to see him suffer any longer.

 Ishan hailed a cab and made his way home.

 Meanwhile, Shubman returned to the living room with the water.

 "Ishu, here you go," he said, only to be met with silence. 

Panic surged through him as he frantically searched the entire house, but Ishan was nowhere to be found. 

Eventually, Shubman collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down his face.

 He had never imagined life without Ishan.

 In a moment of despair, he blamed God for tearing them apart.

 Just then, his phone buzzed.

 It was a message from Ishan. 

"I'm so sorry, Shubi. Please forgive me. I didn't want to leave like this, but I couldn't bear to see my parents in pain and what will the society will say. You're my best friend, Shubi, and I know you'll understand that we're not meant to be together. I'm sorry, Shubi. Your love, Ishan" 

Shubman stared at the message, unable to comprehend its contents. 

The world around him seemed to crumble as he processed Ishan's words.

It was already evening. 

Shubman was just sitting on the floor, remembering his moments with Ishan.

 The day when they first met, the day when Shubman realized that he was in love with Ishan, the day he confessed everything to him. 

He was lost in his thoughts when his phone rang. 

He picked up the call without looking at the caller ID.

 "Hello?" Shubman said.

 "Shubi, where are you?" It was his sister.

 "I'm with my friend," Shubman lied.