Chapter 51: The strange reaction

"Hey sleeping beauty. Wake up."

He heard a voice softly calling out to him, as a hand gently patted his cheeks.

Saka opened one eye. Where was he? The voice seemed like Vira's. What was Vira doing? Wait! Vira? The hospital!

Saka sprang up and sat on the bed.

"Sen! Are you feeling better?"

Vira smiled. "Much better. How do you feel?"

"Full of energy."

"Laika is waiting down. He has left your bag here. Get dressed, let's go home!"

Saka rushed to change, and by the time he was back, Vira had changed and cleared the room.

He was talking to the nurse, who was giggling about something he said. She had helped him into the wheelchair.

Saka looked at him. He was wearing his brother's hoodie and a pair of casual gym pants, and yet he looked so stylish, he made Saka's heart flutter.

Vira caught Saka staring at him. He smiled. Saka blushed and looked away.

"My possessive boyfriend has come. I'll leave now. Thank you for all that you've done for us," Vira told the nurse, who laughed, saying it was her pleasure.

Saka went bright red. He pushed Vira's wheelchair to the car park.

"Sen, there is no need to introduce me as your boyfriend."

"Then who are you to me?"

Saka reddened further, but said nothing.

Vira's eyes twinkled as he asked, "Who am I to you?"

"Sen!"

"Just a teacher, I guess," Vira sighed. "Seeing my confession getting rejected, I guess I should move on. I probably should go and text Akat, ask him if he is still available."

Saka stopped.

"No," he said defiantly. His eyes flashed angrily.

Vira looked at him, surprised by such a strong reaction.

"You are mine."

"Your teacher?"

"My life."

It was Vira's turn to blush. He cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment. Saka could be corny.

Vira asked him, "Why can't you just call me your boyfriend?"

Saka pursed his lips.

Vira faked a sigh. "Fine. I guess I don't have a reason to stay here anymore. Might as well work full-time at Ekatweep."

Saka stopped pushing the wheelchair. He bent, his face on the same level as Vira's.

"Sen, don't even joke about it."

"You won't call me your boyfriend, you won't let me be another person's boyfriend?"

Saka stared at him. "That is because, as a boyfriend, you can break up with me. I don't want that. Be my fiancé. I'm eighteen now."

Vira's jaw dropped.

"Fiancé?!"

Saka's face was still red, but his eyes were sincere.

Saka's phone rang just then. It was Laika. "Are you guys planning to come? I want us to reach home before it starts to rain again."

Saka straightened himself, mumbled something about coming in a minute, and proceeded to push Vira towards the car.

They did not speak to each other throughout the way back home.

Laika dropped Vira at his home.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with us?" Laika asked him. Vira nodded.

"It's just a sprain. I can handle this."

Saka didn't get down, nor did he say goodbye. Laika drove away, and Vira hobbled back into the house.

He turned on the fan, more from force of habit since it was quite cool outside, and lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling.

Fiancé. Was he ready for it?

He felt surprised that he felt happy being called that. With Saka, he could imagine growing old.

Saka hadn't spoken a single word on the way back. This troubled him. Was Saka mad at him for not responding?

"He said he'd take care of me. Bugger just left me to my own vices. What a liar!" Vira thought to himself.

He closed his eyes. It was starting to rain again. In a small, island town like Mann, generators were unheard of. He hoped they didn't have a power cut.

*pat*

"And there goes the electricity. Dang it. Maybe I'll skip making lunch today."

His thoughts went back to Saka.

Was this really okay?

Was it okay for him to go at Saka's pace?

There was a knock at the door.

He grunted as he got up to open it.

Saka was standing outside with a small bag. He bowed and walked into the house. Vira gaped at him before coming back to his senses. He asked dumbly, "What are you doing here?"

Saka looked surprised as he answered, "I can't take care of you from the temple, Sen."

"Vira."

Saka gulped. "V-vira."

"Why didn't you get down with me?"

"Clothes till Friday. I got my uniform just in case, and my night clothes. I got you a couple of hoodies too. My hoodies. There's no need for you to wear Laika's."

Saka opened his bag and took out two hoodies.

"Where do you keep your clothes?"

Vira just stared at the hoodies. "I have enough clothes. And I don't wear hoodies."

Saka gave him a fiery stare. "You look sexy in them. You should wear them more. But I don't want you wearing someone else's. Wear yours or wear mine."

Vira looked sexy? That was a first. Vira blushed as he led Saka to his room. Saka was being possessive, which was so endearing.

He led Saka to his own room, instead of offering the other one. He cleared up some space and asked Saka to place his clothes on his shelf.

"Keep your clothes here for now. I'll straighten it up in a bit."

Saka stacked his clothes and then walked to the kitchen and took out a few packets.

Vira stared at them quizzically.

Saka giggled. "We won't be having electricity, so cooking may not be an easy option. Plus, if I am taking care of you, I need to work within my limits. These are instant food packs, my area of expertise."

Vira burst out laughing.

"One would think you've come camping."

Saka laughed. "I just feel excited staying with you. I hope the rains make sure we have this week off."

He then took out a small box from his pocket and gave it to Vira. It was what Vira had bought for Saka for his birthday.

"I should get this from you. I was being an idiot yesterday. Let's start over again?"

He looked at Vira intently, waiting for an answer.

Vira smiled. "Belated happy birthday, Saka. I hope you live longer than me, just so you can take care of me."

He hugged Saka gently and placed a kiss on his forehead, taking Saka by surprise. Saka blushed, but his eyes shone with happiness.

He gave back the box and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know what to give you. I'll do better next time."

Saka opened the small box's wrapper. He found a handwritten note, which he pocketed without reading it.

Vira looked surprised. "Are you not going to read it?"

Saka mumbled, "I am. But not now. I feel a bit shy to read it in front of you."

Vira smiled. Saka was too cute.

Saka then opened the box and stared at it. There was no reaction at all.

Vira chewed his lip; had he messed up?