Off Script

14

Double update because I know exactly what to write......

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Ishan stepped into the warm, well-lit living room. The faint aroma of dinner drifted from the kitchen, and the soft hum of laughter from the television wrapped around him like a blanket.

"Ishu beta!" Virat's voice boomed from the couch as he got up to greet him. "Arre, you're here!" He pulled Ishan into a hug. "Krunal told me everything. You don't worry, okay? You'll stay here for a few days, settle in."

"Thank you, Virat uncle," Ishan said, his voice quieter than usual but with a hint of relief.

Just then, the front door opened. Shubman walked in, late and looking tired.

"Where were you?" Anushka asked, concern already in her voice.

"Sorry, maa," Shubman mumbled.

Anushka's eyes narrowed, then softened. "Were you... crying, Shubi?" She stepped closer, cupping his face. The moment her hand touched his cheek, Shubman's shoulders sagged, and he fell into her arms.

Virat came over, smiling. "Look who's here to meet you, Shub—" His sentence cut short when he noticed Shubman's swollen eyes. His smile faded into a worried frown. "Shubi, kya hua, bacha?"

"Nothing, dada," Shubman replied, his voice low. His hair was messy, his eyes red and puffy, the kind of look you get after hours of crying.

Then, a soft voice broke the silence. "Are you... okay?"

Shubman froze. "W—Ishan? At my h—what?" His eyes darted between him and his parents.

"He'll be staying here for a few days," Virat explained.

"Oh," Shubman said. Any other day, he would have been grinning ear to ear, over the moon that Ishan was under the same roof. But tonight, a heaviness sat in his chest. What if he's even more disgusted with me now? he thought.

"Have something, Shubi," Anushka said gently.

"No... I just want to sleep, please."

"Okay," she nodded. "Ishan beta, Vi, you both sit at the dining table. I'll serve." She followed Shubman towards his room, leaving the two boys alone in the living room.

Ishan sat down quietly, and Virat joined him at the table while Anushka returned with steaming plates of food.

"Aunty, sit and eat, please," Ishan said softly.

"Yes beta, I will," Anushka replied, taking a plate of food and heading towards Shubman's room.

Virat stayed seated at the dining table with an empty plate in front of him, not because he was waiting for his wife to join him, but because he wanted to make sure his son had eaten.

Inside the room, Anushka placed the plate down beside Shubman. "Please na, bacha, thoda sa."

"Maa... mujhe sach mein bhookh nahi hai," Shubman muttered, his voice heavy.

"Kuch khake aaya hai?"

"Nahi."

"Kha lena, mera bacha... please."

Shubman's voice cracked. "M–Mumma... Ishan hates me."

Anushka froze for a second. God, this Ishan... Ishan, Ishan, Ishan. The kid who might be eating outside right now is the reason my son is crying all day and refusing food. I know he's suffering, he's a good kid—but why is my son being dragged into his mess?

She pushed her thoughts away and said gently, "Tum nahi khaoge toh mai bhi nahi khaungi. Aur mai nahi khaungi toh dada bhi nahi khayenge."

Shubman let out a bitter chuckle and, slowly, reluctantly, allowed her to feed him bite by bite.

"Last bite," Anushka said softly. But when she looked up, she found Shubman had fallen asleep mid-meal, his head resting on the pillow.

Her chest tightened. "I cannot see you like this, Shubi," she whispered, brushing his hair back and kissing his cheek. She pulled a blanket over him and quietly left the room, carrying the half-finished plate.

"Shubi?" Virat asked as soon as Anushka stepped out of the room.

"He ate... and then slept," Anushka replied quietly, setting the plate down.

Virat's shoulders slumped. "What do I do, Nushkie? When will this sadness go away from his life?"

Before Anushka could answer, Ishan, who was still sitting at the dining table, looked up. "What happened to him, uncle?"

You, Anushka thought instantly, her eyes narrowing at him. The glare was sharp enough to pierce through him, but before she could say anything, Virat reached under the table and placed a calming hand on her thigh, silently asking her not to scare the boy.

"He's fine, beta," Virat said gently.

Ishan lowered his gaze, his voice barely audible as he whispered to himself, "Is he sad because of me? But... how? He's so unbothered by me. In fact... he doesn't even like me."

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"That's the guest room. In case you need anything, our room is just downstairs," Virat said.

"Thank you, uncle," Ishan replied softly.

Virat gave him a small nod before heading towards his room. As soon as the door closed behind him, Anushka's voice came, low but sharp. "He is our guest, Nushkie"

Virat turned back. "Shubman cries every single day because of that guy." Anushka snapped.

"Does he know that? Anushka, for once, stop with your motherly instincts and think about the case."

"Virat, my son was crying... and that kid was peacefully eating."

"That kid," Virat said firmly, "has run away from his house because his parents don't treat him right. He was in an abusive relationship."

"But my son—"

"If Shubman decided to fall in love with a broken guy, he has to bear with the consequences."

Anushka's voice trembled. "Why my son, Vi?"