Off Script

8

But he didn't.

He just turned his face, clenched his wrapped hand tighter, and swallowed the scream building in his throat.

Because what would Ishan say if he did? He'd probably cry and... protect the same boy who broke him.

And that thought hurt even more than the blood dripping under the bandage.

The scene was a quiet one. A moment in the script where the lead couple had to hold hands and stand face to face, exchanging nothing but eye contact and soft dialogue.

Shubman stood with his script half-folded in one hand, the other slightly stretched forward.

Ishan reached out. His fingers brushed against Shubman's palm.

That's when he saw it — the bandage.

His fingers halted mid-air.
"What happened?" he asked, voice soft.

Shubman looked away. "None of your business."

"Khadoos," Ishan muttered under his breath.

Still, he gently took his hand. Shubman let out a low grunt at the pressure.
Ishan flinched. Immediately let go.
"Sorry—"

"Stop apologizing for everything," Shubman snapped, his voice not angry... just tired.

Ishan rolled his eyes, but he didn't say anything back.

The director looked up from the corner of the room where he was adjusting lights.
"Shubman, apne haath-waath sambhalo yaar. Play mei problem hoti hai, try not to get hurt."

"Yes sir," Shubman mumbled, without looking up.

His eyes flicked to Ishan's for a second. There was so much unsaid in that look.

And neither of them said a word.

A woman stepped up onto the stage, clipboard in hand and a kind, confident smile.

"Sir, I'm from the Happiness Club. I'd just like to conduct a short survey with the actors—just light and casual."

The director nodded. "10 minutes break!" He walked off stage, giving them space.

The woman turned to the group, then walked up to Ishan first.

"So, your name?"

"Ishan," he said with a soft smile. That smile that always made people smile back and she did.

"Okay, Ishan. What makes you happy?"

He giggled, the sound light and real. "Um... dancing. And wait also—eating donuts and drinking coffee."
His grin widened, almost childlike.

Shubman, sitting nearby with a water bottle in hand, couldn't help but watch him. His lips curled into a smile without meaning to.

The woman noted, "So why not the dance club?"

"No, no," Ishan shook his head, shy. "Dancing alone. Sometimes. I don't dance that well."

She chuckled. "Alright. And how often do you do your favorite things?"

Ishan paused, thoughtful. "Coffee, I drink every day. Donuts... sometimes. My boyfriend thinks I'll get fat."
There was no bitterness in his voice.
"And dance... only when I'm home. Alone."

"Hmm. Okay." She closed her folder. "It was nice meeting you, Ishan."

"Same," he smiled.

She turned to the next person in line. "Your name?"

"Shubman," he said, posture a little straighter.

"And what makes you happy, Shubman?"

His eyes drifted for just a second to Ishan, still sipping from his water bottle.

Then, with a slow smile, he answered, "My crush."

The woman raised her eyebrows. "Ohh, you got a crush?" She tried to keep her tone teasing, but her smile faltered a bit.

Shubman gave a small nod, eyes not leaving Ishan.

"And how often do you interact with your crush?" she asked, pen hovering over her clipboard.

"Almost every day," he said quietly, the corners of his mouth curling up again but it was bittersweet now.

"Aha," she closed her folder gently. "Well... best of luck to you."

"Yeah," Shubman said under his breath, eyes down now. "Thanks."

-----------------

The bell rang across the rehearsal hall—lunch break.

Ishan opened the bag carefully and pulled out a tiffin box. "Um... Chachi sent lunch for both of us," he said, walking over and placing it next to Shubman.

Shubman looked up and nodded, without much reaction. But as he opened the tiffin and the warm aroma of parathas filled the air, a small, almost reluctant smile curved his lips.

He picked up a paratha, rolled it up expertly and just as Ishan reached to do the same, Shubman silently held it out to him.

"Take it."

Ishan blinked in surprise but took it. "Thanks."

They both sat side by side, quietly. Ishan took a bite, but his eyes wandered across the room and locked on Shreyas, who was laughing with a few crew members.

"Shrey baby, will you eat?" Ishan called out, holding up the box.

Shreyas glanced over, took one step toward him then stopped. "Parathas? Ishan, how many times have I told you? You need to take care of your fitness. you're getting fatter."

His tone was sharp. And before Ishan could respond, Shreyas turned and walked off, throwing an arm around one of the crew members as he disappeared behind the curtain.

Ishan's face fell. He stared down at the paratha in his hand... then silently put it back in the box and shut the lid.

Shubman, oblivious to the exchange, looked over. "What?"

"I don't feel like eating. You have them," Ishan murmured.

"Huh?" Shubman frowned, confused. "five minutes ago you were literally bouncing when the director said lunch."

"I..." Ishan looked down, biting the inside of his cheek. "What? Nothing. I just..."

Shubman tilted his head. Something was off he could tell. "What happened, Ishan?" he asked softly now.

Ishan hesitated, then asked, almost a whisper, "Don't you think I'm getting fat? I should... diet."

There was a long pause.

Shubman looked at him. His voice lowered. "I think you're just perf—" he cut himself off, adjusting his tone "Um, yeah, you're fat. But it'd be really disrespectful to waste these parathas."

Ishan blinked at him.

"She worked so hard cooking these," Shubman added, gently pushing the box back towards him. "Would be rude."

Ishan gave a weak nod. "I guess... I should eat one."

"One," Shubman repeated, rolling up a paratha again and offering it with a tiny smile. 

Slowly, hesitantly, Ishan took it.

Then another. And another.

By the time they were done, Ishan was full. And somewhere between soft nudges and quiet jokes, he'd almost forgotten how his stomach had twisted earlier.

Shubman didn't say much. He just watched with a soft gaze, eyes betraying what he wouldn't let his mouth confess "You deserve better than being made to feel small for loving food. Or for being you."

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Okay so you guys want a few more chapters of Shreyas and Ishan or you want me to shift to Shreyas cheating on ishan and ishan catching him arc?