Chapter 2

Third person point of view

Dev went to his room and sat down on his bed, still in a daze. He didn't know what to do. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a groan. He threw his head back and looked at the ceiling. He did not feel like staying in the room. So he got up and went to the terrace. He walked around for a while mindlessly and looked down at Aravind's house. 

Aravind was currently watering the plants. Dev chuckled at his reluctant way of watering them as he did not really like to do it. Dev suddenly felt conscious and his smile vanished. They both have been neighbors for so long. He still remembers the time when they both met each other when Dev's family moved in. 

That time when they both greeted each other with a wave and smile from either side of the wall was still a vivid memory for him. Dev also joined in the same school and he was in the same class as Aravind coincidentally and thus began their friendship. They were almost stuck at the hip forever since. 

Dev moved away from there and continued to walk around. He couldn't help but wonder if Preethi was right. He was utterly confused and felt stuck. His thoughts had no direction. If, by chance, it does turn out to be true, he doesn't know when or how it had happened. Or what his own stand about the things he learned was. Or what to do of it.

Dev looked up at the sky and saw the sun setting slowly. He took a deep breath. He did date a little when he was in his teens and he never even looked at any guy in that way, ever. " Maybe Preethi is wrong ? " He mumbled to himself. He let out a sigh helplessly. He shook his head and went back to his room. 

The next day, Dev got up and did his routine. He changed his clothes and went to the gym. He was driving back home when he noticed a taxi in front of Aravind's house. He quickly parked his bike near his house and went to help them with the luggage. He took the suit case which was in Aravind's hand. 

Aravind looked up at him and smiled. Dev also smiled back. He took the suit case out and the driver put it in the trunk. Aravind's older brother, Atharva came with another suit case. Dev and Aravind moved to the side while the luggage was being loaded. " I just thought of texting you ". Aravind said and Dev smiled. 

" How many days ? " Dev asked. " Three ". Aravind replied and Dev nodded. Aravind's family had a marriage to attend and that was also the reason Aravind went shopping. Aravind's family walked out and checked the luggage once again. " Alright ? " Aravind's father asked and opened the car door to get in. Dev noticed and turned to Aravind. 

" Shall I drop you ? " Dev asked instinctively. His throat constrained as soon as he finished his question. He didn't know why he felt like he sounded desperate and like he didn't want to part with Aravind. But it also felt like he was overthinking. Aravind turned to him and nodded with a smile. He then turned to his father. " Nanna, I will come with Dev ". 

His father turned to him and nodded. " Fine ". Aravind grinned and turned to Dev. " We will go then. You guys also come quickly ". Aravind's father said, looking at Dev and they both nodded. They got in the taxi and drove away. " Give me a minute ". Dev said and quickly ran into his house and came back out in less than five minutes in sweats. 

He also informed his father about going out. Aravind chuckled seeing Dev's speed in doing things. " No hurry ". Aravind really didn't worry but Dev didn't look like it. They both walked up to Dev's bike. Dev gave the helmet to Aravind and put on his own. They got on the bike and Dev drove away. 

They soon reached the railway station. Dev parked the bike in the parking lot and they got the platform ticket for Dev first. They then went onto the platform and found Aravind's family. They were sitting on the chairs. They also sat down. " Shall we get some water bottles ? It would be difficult if they aren't available later ". Aravind's mom said. 

" Let me go buy them aunty ". Dev said and stood up. They all looked at him. Aravind's father quickly took out some money and gave it to him. Dev walked from there. Aravind looked at Dev's back and then at his mother. " I will also go with him ". His mother nodded and Aravind put his bag away. He quickly went and caught up with Dev. 

Dev noticed Aravind and was surprised. " What are you doing here ? " " I just wanted to follow you ". Aravind said with a chuckle. Dev shook his head and they went to a shop. They got the water bottles and were walking back. " Should I just go back home with you ? " Aravind asked and Dev gave a deadpan expression. 

" Aunty and uncle will think I really came to take you with me if you do that ". Aravind laughed but quickly changed his expression. " It is going to be so hectic though ". Aravind said with a sad expression. Being the happy homebody he was, he didn't want to go out into the world. Dev chuckled. 

" Just three days. You will be fine. Just enjoy your time there ". Aravind nodded his head sarcastically. Dev raised his hand to give his head a smack but Aravind laughed and walked quickly, escaping. Their train arrived soon and they got on it. Aravind waved Dev bye. Dev also waved back.

The train departed and Dev walked out of there. He went to the parking lot and drove back home. He drank some water and looked out of the window to see Aravind's house. He thought if he would be bored for three days without Aravind. He coughed lightly when he realized he was acting like a lover. But wouldn't close friends also miss each other ? 

He knew it was not completely wrong too. He quickly pushed those thoughts away and went to take a bath. The next three days of his were indeed pretty boring. Unexpectedly he didn't know what to do or how he should spend time. He picked random series from whichever OTT platform he could find and wasted the day time finishing them. 

He was not a fan of staying up late unless necessary so he just slept on time and for as long as he liked. And they were still on break anyway. Aravind finally came back and in the afternoon, he went to Dev's house. He rang the bell and Dev opened the door for him. The both of them smiled as soon as they saw each other's faces. 

Aravind walked in and Dev closed the door. They sat down on the couch and Aravind handed the boxes in his hand to Dev. " What are these ? " Dev asked, feeling they were a bit heavy. " Sweets ". Dev's eyebrows shot up. " Which ? " Aravind frowned. " It has to be laddu, jangri and kaja if I am not wrong ". Dev nodded. 

He put the boxes away and came back to sit on the couch. Aravind noticed that Dev was watching a movie. " How is it ? " He asked, turning to Dev. It was recently released and they didn't go to the theater for it. He was waiting for it to be out on OTT. " It is fine so far ". Dev shrugged and Aravind nodded. He noticed that it was already 40 minutes through. 

" Dev~ " He called out and Dev turned to him with a grim expression. Aravind smiled. Dev sighed and picked up the remote. He played it from the beginning again. Aravind laughed. " You are the best ". Dev just sneered, making Aravind laugh again. And so they started watching it all over again. 

They were done with the movie and went to Dev's room. " Did you get any new notebooks ? " Aravind asked, sitting down on the bed. Dev shook his head. " There should be two of them from last semester. But do we need more ? " Aravind fell in thought. " Probably ? " Dev let out a sigh. " Let's go get them then ". He said, picking up his keys. 

" Now ? " Aravind asked, standing up. Dev nodded. " Fine ". Aravind agreed and they both walked out of the house after locking it. " Let me go get my wallet ". Aravind went to his house and quickly came back. They both got on Dev's bike and went to the nearest stationery shop. Dev and Aravind bought 3 and 5 books respectively and then drove back.

-MG