2024

Shubman's Room

He was lying on the bed, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. He was a mess-stressed about his performance, which wasn't going well, and overwhelmed by the trolls targeting Sara, Sachin, and his family because of him. His mind felt like it could burst any second.

Just then, the doctor's call came in. He picked up.

Doctor: "Hello, Shubman. Dr. Daksh here."

Shubman: "Yes, doctor."

Daksh: "Based on your statements, I believe I need someone close to talk to. Could you please appoint a medical guardian as soon as possible? Or should I call your father?"

Shubman *panicked*: "No! Please, doctor, don't tell anyone. They are already dealing with so much because of me. I don't want to burden them any further. Please, I request you. I promise to take all the medicines on time and follow all your instructions. Just please don't involve anyone else."

Daksh: "Okay, okay. Don't panic, Shubman. I won't inform anyone. But please ensure you take your medication and try not to stress too much. Spend more time with your friends and family-it'll help."

Shubman: "Okay, doctor. Thank you."

He ended the call quickly, avoiding further questions. Daksh wasn't a close friend but rather someone from his wider friend circle-an acquaintance he knew through another friend. Shubman knew Daksh would have plenty of questions, but he wasn't ready for them. Tossing his phone aside, he let out a heavy sigh, his mind still clouded with worries.

At Daksh's Side

Daksh in his mind: "I'm really sorry, Shubman, but I can't keep this promise. It's too important. If this continues, you'll spiral into depression or, worse, develop suicidal tendencies. I can't let that happen. Calling your father isn't the best idea either. He's not the right person to handle this calmly. If he finds out, he'll rush to Mumbai, panic, and treat you like a child. You need care, but not in a way that flips your world upside down instantly. I need to contact Ishan. He's close to you and can help without overwhelming you. First, we need to slowly change your surroundings, and the first step is cutting you off from social media-something only the ICT members can handle."

Daksh picks up his phone and dials Ishan.

Ishan: "Hello?"

Daksh: "Hi, I'm Daksh Sehgal, Kavya's husband-you know, Abhishek's friend."

Ishan: "Oh yes! How are you?"

Daksh: "I'm alright...You?"

Ishan : "amazing doctor sahab"

Daksh :"Coming straight to the point-I need to meet you about a serious matter."

Ishan: "Seriously serious or Abhishek's 'pani puri kharab thi bro' kind of serious?" laughs

Daksh: "Literally serious. I'll be free at
7 o'clock. Can I come?"

Ishan: "Yeah, sure... "

Daksh: "Okay, I have another appointment. I'll talk to you later."

Ishan: "Alright."

The call ends.

Ishan enters Shubman's room

Ishan: "Kya kar raha hai, bro?"

Shubman smiling faintly: "Nothing."

Ishan: "Maine suna tune Sara bhabhi ka phone kaat diya. Vo abhi London se aayi, aur sabse pehle tujhe call kiya tha. Mujhe laga ek mahine tak unki calls aur talks ko itna miss kiya hoga ki... do mahine baad milne ke baad bhi, apne bhai Ishu Kishu ko nikal dega, ki 'Hatt, teri kaun sunta hai.'" laughs

Shubman smiles weakly.

Shubman: "Nahi, vo bas..."

Ishan: "Tujhe kuch ho gaya hai kya, bro? Aisa lag raha hai... tu theek hai na?"

Shubman: "Haan, main theek hoon."

Ishan: "Par tera behavior kuch badla-badla lag raha hai."

Shubman: "Nahi toh... vo humne do mahine se baat nahi ki hai na, isliye tujhe lag raha hoga."

Ishan: "Tu apna behavior bhool sakta hai, par ye Jharkhandi nahi. Kher chhod, tension mat le... Acha chal, Ghumne chalte hain."

Shubman: "Mera man nahi hai."

Ishan: "Jhuta maruga . Ye do mahine purana plan hai night trip ka-uth jaldi!"

Shubman was confused about what to do, but he eventually listened to Ishan.

On the Road

While driving, Ishan noticed an empty bungalow with a mango tree in its garden. He stopped the car and turned to Shubman excitedly.

Ishan: "Chal, wall koodte hain aur aam tod lete hain!"

Shubman: "Kya? Nahi, mujhe ghar chalna hai."

Seeing Shubman's reluctance, Ishan agreed to skip the mango plan and suggested, "Theek hai, Sachin sir ke ghar chalte hain."

Hearing this, Shubman panicked. He wasn't in a state to face them, so he reluctantly agreed to the mango-stealing plan instead.

Ishan found this behavior odd. Shubman, who would usually be the happiest about visiting Sachin sir's house, now seemed nervous and avoided the idea. Ishan grew more suspicious.but didn't said anything.

They entered the garden by jumping over the wall. As they roamed around, they were shocked to see the setup.it looked like a science lab.

Ishan: "Oh my God! Ye kya hai... Shubman, dekh na!"

Shubman: "Haan, dekh raha hoon."

Ishan: "Tu kehta tha agar cricketer nahi hota to scientist banta... mujhe samjha na, kya chal raha hai yaha? Koi experiment karein?"

Shubman: "Nahi! Aise cheezon ko chedna nahi chahiye."

Ishan: "Hum kaunse chori karke bhaag rahe hain?"

Ishan picked up a manual and started reading it, but he couldn't make sense of even 1% of it. Shubman, curious, started reading as well, but unlike Ishan, he wasn't completely blanked.

Shubman: "Chal, karte hain."

Ishan: "Kya?"

Shubman: "Experiment."

Ishan was about to stop him but hesitated when he saw a genuine smile on Shubman's face-the kind of smile he hadn't seen in two months because of tours and it wasn't real after that too. The reason for Shubman's gloom during that time had been a mystery, but now, Ishan couldn't deny him this moment.

Ishan: "Haan, chal."

Shubman started the machine.

Ishan: "Ye kya hai?"

Shubman: "According to this manual, it's a time machine. Dekhte hain kaam karta hai ya nahi. Tu ja aur wo button on kar."

Ishan: "Okay..."

As soon as Ishan switched it on, a bright light engulfed the room, blocking Ishan's view entirely.

The Next Morning

Shubman woke up, confused.

Shubman: "Ishan... kahaan hai? Wait, yeh jagah... yeh mera ghar nahi hai. Par yeh toh mera purana ghar lag raha hai... no, no, but it's renovated. How's this possible? Am I dreaming?"

He picked up the phone lying beside him and checked the date. It was 21st December 2017.

Shubman panicked. "Am I... back in time? Oh no, Ishan! What's happening?"

Shahneel walked in.
Shahneel: "Kya ho gaya, bandar?"
Shubman: "Nothing. Bahar ja abhi, please."
Shahneel: "Chal uth, muh dhoke aa aur nashta kar le," she said before leaving the room.

Shubman, still panicking, muttered, "Medicines... Where are the medicines?" He started searching frantically. "No, no, ab kya karoon? Wait, yahan toh na Ishan hoga, na Sara, aur na hi koi ICT member. Main ab kya karoon?!" He screamed , "Jugnuuuuuuuuu!"

Back in 2024

Shubman woke up again, this time surrounded by unfamiliar settings.

Shubman: "Where am I? Is this a dream?"

Ishan entered the room.

Ishan: "Shubman, ab kaisa hai? Pata nahi kal kya ho gaya tha... chhod, chal nashta karne Aaj hum Sachin sir ke ghar ja rahe hain. .. unhone bulaya hai "

Shubman: "Whattttt?"

What will happen now? Will Shubman understand what's going on? What will he do next?

How will Shubman react in 2024 after meeting the ICT members? How will he navigate life in 2017? And most importantly, how will the mistake be corrected?

To find the answers, continue reading the story!

This journey will be filled with emotions, confusion, chaos, and lots of comedy.

Your author Shivika

Radhe Radhe ❤️✨