Chapter 23

                                    

                                          

Ishan entered the staff room with a bright smile, greeting everyone warmly before settling into his seat. Moments later, Virat, the English teacher, joined him, plopping into the chair beside him with a grin.
"Ishan," Virat began excitedly, "I think I’ve finally realized my feelings for Rohit. I’m going to confess to him!"
Ishan’s face lit up at the news. “That’s great! I’m sure he’ll be happy. You should definitely go for it!” he encouraged.
Virat smiled gratefully, but his expression turned curious. “You seem like you’d be great at dating advice. Got any tips for me?”
Ishan’s cheeks turned pink as he stammered, “M-Me? Oh, no, I don’t have much experience in dating.”
Virat raised an eyebrow, clearly shocked. “Wait a minute. Are you telling me you’ve never dated anyone before?”
Ishan shyly nodded, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his notebook. But after a moment, he glanced away and, in a small voice, admitted, “Well… I have recently started dating someone.”
Virat’s eyes widened, and a teasing grin spread across his face. “Oh? Who’s the lucky guy? How is he? Come on, spill the details!”
Ishan blushed furiously, shaking his head. “I’ll tell you when the time is right. For now, let’s just focus on your confession.”
Virat leaned back with a chuckle. “Fine, fine. But mark my words, you owe me the full story later! In the meantime, let me share a few tips with you. You might need them with your new boyfriend.”
Ishan smiled bashfully and nodded. “Alright, I’ll take any advice I can get.” As Virat launched into his pointers, Ishan couldn’t help but feel a mix of gratitude and nervousness, knowing he’d have to keep his relationship with Shubman under wraps for now.
Virat leaned in with a playful grin, ready to share his dating wisdom. “Alright, Ishan, first things first—you’re already so beautiful you don’t even have to worry about grooming yourself too much. You’ve got that part down effortlessly.”
Ishan’s cheeks tinged pink, and he nodded, letting Virat continue.
“Now, in relationships, there will be times when you and your boyfriend won’t see eye to eye on something. Instead of arguing or getting upset, you both should sit down, talk it out, and find a solution that works for both of you. Communication is key.”
Ishan listened attentively, soaking in the advice.
“And…” Virat hesitated for a moment, his grin turning mischievous, “you should also know about your partner’s preferences when it comes to… you know… intimacy.”
At this, Ishan’s face turned crimson, and he fumbled with his notebook, avoiding Virat’s gaze. “W-What are you saying?” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Virat laughed heartily at Ishan’s innocence. “Relax, Ishan! I’m just saying there should always be mutual consent between you two. It’s important to respect each other’s boundaries and be open about these things.”
Ishan nodded quickly, still too flustered to respond.
“Alright, moving on,” Virat said, suppressing another chuckle. “Since you’ve just started dating, you should definitely give your boyfriend a gift. Something thoughtful. In fact, it would be even better if you made it yourself—something handmade shows effort and care. It’ll mean a lot to him.”
Ishan’s expression brightened at the idea, and he nodded eagerly. “That’s a great suggestion, Virat! I’ll think of something he’d like.”
“Good,” Virat said with a wink. “You’ve got this, Ishan. And don’t forget—relationships are all about love, understanding, and a little bit of effort. You’re going to do just fine.”