Chapter 27: Cornered into confessing

Saka felt agitated. Vira seemed completely caught up with his friend.

He felt disappointed. Did he mean so little that Vira couldn't even stay back to tell him he won't be coming? Or did he hate him so much, that he wanted to have as little to do with Saka as possible?

During class, Vira focussed on teaching. Saka was not the kind to let his personal life come in way of class. He was the stellar class representative who took his duties seriously and never went off his role.

He poured his energy into football, to reduce the burden on his heart but it did not help.

This went on for three days, Saka never went to Vira's house in the morning, nor did he stay back after class. He spent lunch with Tobi at Tobi's place.

Vira watched him from his window and sighed. He felt he was receiving some sort of silent treatment, but it was his fault.

He missed the constant jabbering, the light hearted kiddish conversations and the breakfasts together.

He sighed again. He was slipping into bad mood.

"Are you so jobless that you sigh all the time Maw?" Vira heard Mina's voice and decided to ignore her. He really wasn't in the mood for her. Laika glanced up at him.

Laika had felt like he was walking on glass over the last couple of days. Saka was locked up in his room and gloomy. Vira seldom smiled. He had a feeling the two were fighting.

"Maw Vira, can you come with me for a second?"

Vira looked away from the window. He said nothing as he mechanically followed him. They walked up to the terrace. Laika checked to make sure no one was there and then he commented. "You look miserable. What happened?"

Vira said nothing. Laika wasn't giving up.

"You fought with my brother didn't you?"

Vira looked at Laika, surprised. "Did Saka tell you anything?"

"Who? Saka? You should know by now, Saka never says anything about himself. But he spends most of his time either in the study or in his secret spot by the cliff. He looks like the world is going to end. And you! You have been almost robotic. I had to call you thrice to get your attention. You keep seeing Saka and sighing."

Vira looked down.

"Seriously, Saka is the most easy going. Just walk up to him and hit him hard if he is at fault. Ruffle his hair and apologise, if you are at fault. The end. It's just a matter of a minute."

Vira brightened up a little. "You think he will hear me out?"

"Saka hates silence. He is most afraid of people he loves leaving him. And it's quite obvious he adores you. What makes you think he won't want to talk to you?"

Vira looked a bit surprised by how transparent Saka was to his brother.

"I think he is a bit upset that you don't let him come with you these days. Are you by any chance in a relationship?"

Vira didn't expect such random question. "Huh?"

"That guy, Akat. He looks quite cute. You both have a thing for each other?"

"Akat is like a brother," Vira said firmly. "He's a senior from work."

Laika asked,"your old school?"

Vira shook his head. " I work as a consultant for the defence office, for the government. He works as the physicist. Some projects involve us working together. Sometimes we have to stay in the base under security observation till the project is delivered. He used to be a regular at your temple as a kid. He is from Mann. Uncle Karn spends time with him every evening. I thought you knew him?"

Laika didn't know this. Well, he spent most of his time with Roma. And dad hadn't mentioned Akat. He mentally made a note to ask about Akat to his dad.

"Oh! Dang it! I thought something hot was brewing. Now I feel disappointed."

Vira smiled, and gave him a friendly punch. "There is a guy I like though."

Laika looked surprised. "Like...romantic like?"

Vira was quiet for a few seconds. Then he said, "I like your brother, the romantic way."

He had made up his mind, that he would pursue Saka. He did not want to confess to Saka before graduation day. He did not want Saka to lose focus.

However, he also wanted to get Saka's family to approve him.

His face did not show any emotion, but his eyes showed his anxiety.

Laika didn't quite know how to react.

The smile had left his face. He wrinkled his eyebrows, as he looked at Vira.

"Do you know what you are saying?"

Vira nodded without hesitation. "I have been thinking about this for over two months now. I really like Saka."

Laika did not smile. "My brother means the world to me. We are not rich, well educated, sauve,... we are just Islanders, that you Mariners love to look down upon. More so, we have a humble family background. Not many people can adjust being a priest's family.

Vira looked sad. "I never once treated any one of you less than my equal."

Laika conceded. "Yes. You did not. But your family? If you can't start a relationship with intention of a life long commitment, better don't start. Our Saka is well loved. I can't agree to a relationship with a person whom none of us know anything about."

Vira looked at Laika. "Let's go to my house next month? I'll introduce you to my grandma. You'll get to know a bit more about me.

Laika did not expect that. He was trying to get Vira to loosen up a bit, like Maw Lave had asked. He thought he would use this opportunity to roughen up Vira. He wanted to get Vira to feel confident of being himself. But Vira was desperate to get Laika's approval. He wasn't even exercising caution.

Laika looked angry. "Vira! Are you and idiot?"

Vira looked surprised. "Why?"

"You just tell some things about you, gradually, over time. You don't just invite people home. Don't you think you are letting your guard down?"

"No," said Vira, simply. "I have been treated like a son by your father, a brother by you, a best friend by Roma. You knew nothing about me, but you gave me so much. Why should I be cautious? I was thinking about it for a while. But I feared you may hate me, so avoided it.

But now, I want you all to accept me for what I am, entirely. Won't you come home? Grandma will be pleased that I made friends with wonderful people like you. If, after that, you still feel I'm not worth your brother.." his voice trailed into silence.

"If I still feel that, then will you give up?"

Vira shook his head. "No, then you have to prepare a check sheet for me with areas of improvement. I'll try to better myself."